They say travelling gives one food for the soul. As you journey along meandering roads and twisting paths, you experience joy, wonder and all those fleeting emotions important to man. But perhaps one of the best experiences in your life does not wait at the end of a solo road to nowhere but on a long journey with your friends. After all, group road trips are the perfect occasions to create moments that will go down your family history as the fondest of memories.

But while the journey itself is wondrous, the planning part can prove to be quite hectic. One needs to take everyone’s wants and needs into account, book transportation, accommodation, plan the route etc. One good way to avoid a lot of this hassle is to rent a coach bus. This way everyone gets a chance to connect with each other on the way, no one gets lost or late and everyone can sit back and relax without having to worry about the traffic and the routes while reducing your carbon footprint on your surroundings. But, just in case you are still worried about the how and the why of the matter, here are a few things you should keep in mind while planning a road trip with your group:

The question of transportation

A coach bus makes a group road trip simpler by merely existing. With AC, reclining seats and luggage storage space, they are the perfect choice for road trips, especially since everyone gets to entertain each other and connect on the way and no one gets separated. A coach bus has about 55 seats on an average but the number may vary slightly from operator to operator. If you are travelling with a smaller group through, a mini coach bus might be the way to go. It has fewer numbers of seats and includes all the splendid amenities that the bigger buses provide.

Planning the paths

Now this is one of the most important parts of the trip. You need to chart out the best possible routes for the trip. The best routes will take you past all the scenic spots, have multiple pit stops, will not be too far away from civilization just in case of emergencies etc. Once you are done planning your primary route, you should also chart out a backup just in case there’s a roadblock or too much traffic. Now, once you take out the map, you will know that all this isn’t easily done as said. Thankfully, your coach driver can lead you through all this so you do not have to worry about traffic or getting lost. You can tell them the route you want to follow or just let them lead you through the land using their expert local knowledge and GPS devices.

How to choose your pit stops

A road trip can easily lose its magic if there aren’t ample amounts of snacks to go around throughout. Also, stocking up on water is pretty important too. So, when planning your route, make sure that there places you can stop at during regular intervals so that everyone can stretch their legs, freshen up, buy more sugary treats and chip and caffeinate themselves.

Booking your home away from home

Another very important aspect of your group road trip planning is choosing the perfect accommodations along the way. Once you have confirmed how many people are going on the trip, look up places that can host that many people with ease. Good accommodations are not only budget-friendly and clean but also located far from the chaos of the city. But such places get booked fast, especially during long weekends, so make sure you do your bookings early.

It sounds a bit strange that the world scratch off travel map, but the truth is that they are one of the most attractive and modern global maps there are today. Designed for all those who love travel and geography. It is the best way to mark the places and countries where you have gone (or to which you would like to go) by scratching them on one of these maps to discover them. And even, it is also a fun way for children to learn about the countries of the world.

Features

Detailed and Authentic Design: The most detailed scratch off travel map to scratch in the market. Our map is designed with beautiful bright colors, precise cartographic details of the terrain, flags of countries and capitals. A matte black design completes an elegant look, while a laminate finish protects your world map from accidental scratches.

Delineated States: The borders of the states of USA, Canada and Australia are perfectly delineated so that you can record your adventures in detail. Scratch more states as you explore more places in those countries!

The Perfect Gift for Travelers: Our map of the world of scratching comes in a package ready to give for the enjoyment of enthusiastic travelers you know. It is perfect to start a conversation. You will give them fun and special moments by scratching the map with friends and family while sharing travel stories.

Encourage that Bored Wall: Frame the scratch world map poster and you will have an elegant decoration on your wall. With smart measures of 61cm x 42.6cm, you will easily find a frame on Amazon or in any store. You will get attention and impress your guests with this amazing work!

Personalized Accessories: The package includes several accessories that complete your scratch map. A guitar pick is the perfect scratch tool, some memory stickers to save your travel memories, an eraser to clean the spots you can leave when scratching and a small magnifying glass for those who have visual difficulties.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Some include a sturdy cardboard cylinder for storage.
• They can include some tool for scratching.
• They can be hung on the wall or framed.

Cons

• They can break when scratching too much.
• Some are small because states or cities don’t look good.

The Scratch Map with the little touch

Driven by the success of the original scratch map, we met with creative directors at London Luckiest to create a new version of the traveler-sized edition. The smaller than usual guide is still as cool as its ancestor, however cuter inside and out. This makes the best present for any globetrotter since the guide (in its tough cylinder) fits in the rucksack without occupying a lot of significant room.

What is a World Map to Scratch?

They are a world map designed with a special layer on paper. Which allows it to be removed by scratching it with some tool or coin to discover the country. The scratch off travel map or Scratch Maps are very striking and attractive, so they can be hung on the wall and framed. Most also bring a cylinder with the relief of the map drawn to transport it without bending or damaging.

Guide to Buy a World Map to Scratch

If you are going to use it for a trip, scratch world maps that have an adequate size are recommended. That allows to see the different cities or states of the countries. Also include your own tool for scratching and a cylinder where it can be easily rolled and stored. If on the contrary, you want it to hang as a poster and decorate, all available designs have an attractive finish, which will make it stand out where it is hung.

Where to buy a world map to scratch?

The best online shopping platform to buy a spectacular and amazing world map to scratch is Amazon. There you will find multiple models of these fabulous maps, in addition to a great variety of brands, at an unbeatable price.

Conclusion

Scratch-off world maps can be a fantastic and original gift for people who have traveled a lot or like to do so as they replace the traditional way of marking countries with bedbugs; They are also a very modern type of poster to decorate a room or room and give it a unique touch, in addition, to be a didactic tool to learn from new countries and cities as a family.

Traveling is undeniably a fruitful experience. It allows you to explore new places, meet new people (and make new friends!), eat new kinds of food, see new sights, and learn new things. What’s even better is that the value of these “rewards” is usually greater than the money you’ve spent.

But that’s just it. Traveling does cost money. Depending on where you want to go and how often you want to travel, traveling can cost you tens, even hundreds of thousands of pesos. In addition, for a large number of Pinoys and even for some long-time travelers, money is not an unlimited resource.

Still, there are ways to save money before and while you’re traveling so you can then save even more money for future—or more frequent—trips. Here are some money-wise tips and other things to do so you can travel more often.

Start Local

It’s easy to feel envious of others who’ve visited so many places already, especially because of how social media amplifies every facet of travel. However, traveling doesn’t have to be somewhere abroad for it to “matter.” Start your dreams of becoming a jetsetter by visiting local destinations. The Philippines simply has so much in store! From Batanes to Siargao, you’ll have plenty of places to visit in the country. Even Subic can surprise you with the amount of activities to do and sights to see. Aside from being cheaper, which means you can travel more often, local travel also supports local industries. Win-win!

Skip the 5-Star Accommodations

Unless you’re planning a staycation consisting of burrowing in soft beds with thousand-thread-count sheets, you’ll probably be spending more time outside than in. This means that, for all intents and purposes, it’s wiser to skip the luxury accommodations and opt for more affordable options. Places like Ong Bun Pension House in Iloilo or July’s Haven Seaside Pension in Camiguin, for example, offer all the basic comforts. When it all comes down to it, a clean bed, ample ventilation, a working shower and toilet, and a reliable water supply are everything you need for a pleasant stay. 

Be Patient in Your Research

Patience is key when looking for travel deals. Don’t just click on the first offer you see, especially if it’s for a destination you’ve been wanting to visit. Check out a few more options before making a decision. If you end up going back to the first offer, then at least you know you’re choosing the best one. You should also visit travel websites and apps more often to check if they have promos that you can give you more value for money.

Find a Travel Buddy (or Buddies)

Solo travel has its own rewards. There are also instances when you just really want or need some time alone. However, there are also some perks to traveling in groups. For one, you can split the cost of a bigger hotel room and some transportation options like taxi or Uber/Grab rides. In terms of accommodations, larger groups have the option of renting an apartment or house with a working kitchen. This, in turn, can translate to savings in food expenses. There are also some attractions that offer discounted admission tickets for groups of, say, four, five, or more. Of course, not all of these are applicable all the time. For example, your schedule may not always align with those of your friends. Be sure to plan carefully and take the opportunity once it becomes available.

Travel During Off-Peak Seasons

It’s no secret that traveling gets more expensive, not to mention a bit more stressful, during peak seasons. This doesn’t only apply during school vacations or holidays like Christmas. Higher prices are also likely during time-specific events like festivals (Sinulog, anyone?) or even certain natural phenomena like the sakura bloom in Japan or autumn in Korea. If you aren’t planning to attend or witness such events, it’s wiser to book lock-in your travel dates during off-peak times. You may enjoy not just lower prices but also a more pleasant experience overall. Make sure to check travel sites and apps often, since they may have more offers and promos during these lean periods.

Don’t Fly Out of Main Airports 

More often than not, you’ll be paying more if you’re flying out of and/or arriving at main airports. To save some money, you may want to travel from and to “less convenient” airports when and where applicable. The cheaper flights can often make up for the extra cost of transportation and a little more time on your end. Be flexible and make sure to research diligently.

Choose Destinations with Favorable Exchange Rates

There are plenty of destinations where the Philippine peso can go a long way. Again, be patient in researching. If you’re lucky, you can find cheap tickets and affordable accommodations in places like Bali and Jakarta in Indonesia or Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

When it all comes down to it, saving money for travel is not entirely too difficult. You simply need a huge dose of discipline and motivation, along with some careful budget planning. Just keep your eyes on the prize and you’ll succeed. Good luck and bon voyage!

Ah, vacations! Forget the job. Forget the errands. Forget the daily grind. Just pack up and go! And whether your dream vacation is a long road trip across America, the ultimate European holiday, or a cruise to far away places with strange sounding names, don’t forget the huge role that food plays in any vacation.

While everyone needs to eat, foodies love to eat! Especially local cuisines. If this description fits you, you definitely will want to take a food tour on your next vacation to enhance your travel experience.

Food Tour Amenities

If you’ve never heard of a food tour, it is a tour of local food and beverage makers and/or the restaurants, cafés, or wineries that sell them. A true food tour is professionally guided and lasts anywhere from two hours to several days. Depending on which tours you choose, the length of time involved, and what you will see and do while on tour, they generally cost between $35-$170 per person, but undoubtedly will cost considerably more if multi-day and/or if you book a private tour instead of a group one.

Common types of food tours include the following:

●       Walking tours of the restaurants and shops in a specific city or neighborhood thereof

●       Bus tours of ethnic neighborhoods

●       Bicycle tours of a city or region

●       Segway tours of particular neighborhoods

●       Private car tours of a city or region

The whole purpose of a food tour is to give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local food culture, including its food ingredients and artisan products. You likely will also get a feel for the region’s history and culture, particularly as it applies to the foods and beverages produced there.

Food tours can include such things as a visit to a local winery, cheese shop, bakery, etc. where you will see how the food or beverage is made and get a taste sampling of it or them. You may also get the opportunity for a hands-on workshop experience in making the food or beverage yourself. Some food tours include a main meal at a restaurant or café as part of your cost, but with other tours you will need to actually purchase your meal.

Depending on the time of year of your vacation, the country and city you plan to visit, and the popularity of any given food tour, you would do well to book your reservations well ahead of your scheduled arrival date. Always make sure to carefully read the tour provider’s so that you fully understand exactly what your food tour includes, how it will be conducted, and what you can expect to experience on it.

French Food Tours

If you’re going all out for a European vacation, you can’t fail to go to France to sample some of the best foods and wines in the world. Paris is not only the City of Lights but also a foodie paradise. From escargot to croissants or baguettes to steak tartare to madeleines or eclair au chocolat to some of the best wines you’ll ever taste, the culinary joys of Paris are all there waiting for you to experience. Food tours abound, including several full-day tours and the extraordinary Taste of Montmartre tour.

If your vacation schedule allows for it, however, be sure to spend several days in the Bordeaux area of France. Not only will you be treated to breathtaking scenery, but your palate will also think it’s died and gone to heaven. Think foie gras, duck confit and black truffles paired with bold and complex Bordeaux wines. Bordeaux offers a number of food tours, including walking and multi-day biking.

Italian Food Tours

If your European foodie vacation is a multi-country one, you should definitely include Italy on your itinerary. For one of the most unique food tours you’ll ever take, check out the four-day self-guided wine tasting tour in Chianti, Italy, that even includes a cooking class at Villa Bordoni. On this tour, you’ll visit family-owned wineries producing Chianti Classico, the red wine named for this region, as well as local restaurants serving exquisite lunches and dinners. By the way, lunch can last for up to three hours!

Food is powerful. The aroma and taste of local cuisines can stay with you for a lifetime and be the source of fond memories that are just as strong as those you experience when looking at your vacation photographs.

You finally saved enough money for a vacation. You decide to go on, let’s say, the Amazon cruise which is absolutely brilliant and will take your breath away. However, there is just one tiny problem. You have no idea what to pack. If you are stuck in this situation, then you should not fret. 

A lot of people have faced the same problems. Some handled it well and others, not too well. What makes this so important is the fact that the average room in a river cruise is just about 200 square feet. What this means is that the number of things which you bring in would be limited if you want to breathe and live in that room during the cruise.

So the question of what to pack is very important. Here are some vital things you are surely going to need on your trip.

Umbrellas

Umbrellas are small but can prove very essential. The truth is that you are going on a river cruise and this would surely take you along coastal areas. The likelihood of rainfall would surely be high. The sad thing is that it can happen anywhere and at any point in time. 

With this in mind, it would be important that you get yourself an umbrella. If you do not like umbrellas, then other rain gears would also be available. Just make sure that you are covered in the likely scenario that there is rainfall when you are on an excursion. It would save you from the prospect of having soaked clothes.

A backpack

A backpack is always going to be important. You are going to need to carry several things on your trip and you are going to need a mode of transportation. A backpack would fit in perfectly. You would be able to carry a lot of things such as your camera and your water bottle. So make sure that you have a bag with you. Be prepared to carry it while you are walking through. It can be one heck of a trip.

Clothes

This is one of the more obvious things which you are going to need. However, you would have to resist the temptation of having to pack more clothes than you would need. Make sure that you pack more casual clothes as this would allow you to fully participate in the activities that would surely be in play during the cruise.

You would also have to make sure that you pack good shoes for the trip. While you might be a lover of flats, the sad truth is that you would probably not do well if you are on flats. Most of the roads which you will walk on will require an adequate pair of shoes. 

Water Bottle

 Water is vital even when you are surrounded by water. You would most likely go on hikes and probably excursions during your river cruise. This is because most cruises love to add varieties into their cruise to make sure that their guests enjoy every moment of it. If you are to go hiking, you would surely need to watch to wet your parched throat. So make sure that you take a water bottle with you. Who knows? You may probably have enough water to last you throughout an entire hiking experience.

Battery charger and a backup

No one would want their phone to run down during this fascinating period and I have no doubt that you also feel the same way. With this in mind, you should make sure that you get a battery charger to come along with both your phone and maybe your camera. A battery charger would make sure that your phone is kept filled when it comes to power.

Granted, one battery charger may end up lasting the whole journey. However, you should ensure that you also come with a second charger. The unpredictability of life can see your battery charger blow up right before your eyes and leave you completely stranded. Having a second charger would give you that confidence going into the trip. A battery charger is essential to having a good river cruise. Try not to lose it.

Camera

As earlier stated, a good camera is a must-have. With the advancement of smartphones, the need to get a full-fledged camera has become slimmer. If your smartphone has a camera you are proud of, then do not hesitate to take as many pictures as possible. If it does not, then you might actually need to get a full camera.

You should also make sure that you avoid such things like extra luggage, your computer and things you would most likely not need during this trip. A river cruise is one which is meant to be enjoyed fully. To do this, packing the right things is crucial. It would give you the needed foundation to have the fun that you truly desire.