Become A Digital Nomad And Explore The World!
Hi, I’m Aly and I’m a 30-year-old adventure seeker from a small village in the south of Ireland. Welcome to my virtual home!
Traveler Ahoy is my space online where I talk about all things travel, lifestyle design and going against the grain. My goal with this blog is to inspire my readers to step out of their comfort zones and follow their dreams, whatever they may be.
Do stick around as it would be great to have you aboard for the journey!
Top 3 Reasons Why I LOVE (and you will too!) Being a Digital Nomad
My Message To You…
BREAK the RULES. FIND your FREEDOM.
GRAB every OPPORTUNITY. LIVE your LIFE.
Have NO REGRETS
My Philosophy
We are all born free but that changes as we grow older.
Family, work and financial commitments constrict us into living a certain way in order to survive. The world around us tells us that we must graduate college, get a job, find a partner, buy a house, have a family and retire at 65.
That freedom that each of us was born with is lost in all of this and, more often than not, it disappears forever.
I’m doing things my way and making freedom my priority. I hope to inspire you to do the same.
Working Online & The Possibilities Out There
I’m not one to exaggerate BUT becoming your own boss will be one of the best things you’ll ever do. As having the freedom to travel is my priority, supplementing my income by getting some writing gigs online was my goal.
That has been my primary source of income since I left home, but I’ve figured out a few more tricks when it comes to making money online.
Having to earn every cent of my pay cheque does come with its own set of challenges but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There are so many opportunities out there when it comes to working online and Traveler Ahoy covers many of them so stay tuned for insider info and tips.
LATEST FROM MY BLOG
Traveling with Infants Is Easier Than Ever
For many parents, bringing a baby home from the hospital is just the first outing that a baby will have. Often, parents want to show off their baby by taking it to see family and friends who live far away. The problem is that often traveling with a baby is thought of as impossible. Times are changing. Traveling with infants is now easier than ever thanks to more families who want to stay active.
Traveling with Baby
The “baby days” are exciting and difficult to manage. Even a simple trip to the store can mean an aching back. Diaper bags with diapers, wipes, clothes, bottles, formula, nursing pads or covers, and more. As the infant reaches a few months old, you also add a few small little toys for them to play with. Binkies and blankies are also in the mix. Then you have the carseat or carrier for times when they are napping, and you do not want to wake them up. The list seems to go on and on. You also have necessities to take with you. They end up crammed in the diaper bag because a purse seems to add too much extra weight. Baby wraps and sling style carriers make things easier in a way. They allow your hands to be free, so you can carry groceries or the diaper bag, but does that help with travel? It may be time to rethink your infant items.
Travel in Style with Infant Items
Thanks to the fact that no one wants to slow down just because they have a new little bundle, you can travel easier. New items are coming on the market to increase mobility with an infant. There are folding strollers. They can hold everything you normally have to carry. Infants also love to nap in them. Pack n Play cribs or portable cribs are also an option that parents love. If you get the best mattress for graco pack n play, your infant will be able to sleep great. They can use it at grandmas or the park on a sunny afternoon. Baby carriers also have a purpose. They do allow you to go about your day, without stopping to nurse or snuggle with your infant. If your baby can sit up or eat at the table, a portable high chair is also great. They work well for dinners out or as a space saver at home.
Where Will Baby Go?
In today’s world, parents never take a break. Their infants are going places that our own moms would never have taken us. Infants that are only a couple months old are going to car shows, beaches, amusement parks, and more. Those parents have figured out the key to a successful trip with their infant. Isn’t it time that you discover what will work best for you? You and your baby will enjoy the time out of the home if you do!
Eating Healthily While Traveling
Anytime you travel somewhere, whether you have been there before or not, you are on an adventure. You may travel in a hurry to get to your destination or you may be one of those travelers that will stop frequently to stretch out and see what you find along the way. Traveling is a way to get away from home, away from stress, and enjoy living life in a more relaxed way. The downside to travel is a little less obvious. One of the drawbacks to frequent travel or long trips out of town is that eating healthy while traveling is something that seems unattainable.
Dining on the Road
When you are constantly on the road, fast food often becomes your meal plan. You may normally drink a lot of water at home, but on the road, you may lean more toward sodas. You may eat out only sometimes when you are home, but after a week on the road you discover that all you have had was quick snacks or quick food. You are being a normal person. On the road, you may not be able to prepare the good, wholesome, well-balanced diet that you are used to. No one else is able to do it either unless they have invested a small fortune in RV ownership and use it to travel. You may not think about your newly bad habits, but when your clothes start to shrink unexpectedly; you will get a definite wakeup call. It will be then that you decide to break tradition and attempt to eat healthier while traveling.
Tricks to Eating Healthy While Traveling
Even if you are eating out for a week straight, you can still eat somewhat healthy by choosing only foods that are low in calories and high in protein. You will want proteins for every meal, but you definitely should not skimp out on it during breakfast time. You can eat fresh eggs from many restaurants and if that isn’t an option you may want to choose oatmeal, yogurt, and other types of healthy treats. You should avoid sugar filled pancake syrup because you will feel full quickly, but end up starving within a short time. This will mean that when you are riding down the road, you will reach for even more unhealthy treats. If you eat lunch on the road, choose grilled chicken, salads, sandwiches that use fresh meats and vegetables, etc. over the more traditional fast food burgers and fries. Those menu items will help you stay fuller longer and keep your weight in check as well.
When we travel, we often load our car up with chips, cookies, and other types of snack foods that are not necessarily healthy, but satisfying on a long car ride. Instead of indulging in the sugar rush or salty snacks, why not choose healthier fruits? Strawberries from Florida, peaches in Georgia, and more. As you travel down major highways, you can often find fruit and vegetable stands that are filled with local, home grown produce. This will only slow down your trip a few minutes, but it will give you healthy snacks for in between meals while you are riding.
Savor the Trip, Avoid Bad Eating Habits
At home, we are very focused on our overall health. Many of us toss it out the window as soon as we pack our luggage. You do not have to take part in those nasty habits when you travel on your next vacation. You can enjoy the ride just a little more if you do not feel weighed down by all the junk you eat along the way.
A Family Vacation Is Important as Well As Fun
A family vacation is something that the whole family looks forward to every year. It is the thing that they will talk about for years and something that the family can plan together. It takes a lot of work and a healthy budget to make sure that everyone has a good time and they all get to do the things that they want. But, there is so much more to a family vacation than the trip itself. A vacation with the whole family creates memories that will last a lifetime, long after you go home and unpack the luggage.
Fewer Distractions and Memories for a Lifetime
When the family travels together, everyone shares the experiences of seeing new things and trying out new adventures. The daily distractions that pull everyone apart are no longer a bother when a family is on vacation together. When everyone is together we find those special moments to sit and laugh together. A family vacation allows a family to do those things without any interruptions. These are the times that create memories to remember for years to come and stories that the kids will share with their children and grandchildren. A family vacation allows for the family to bond in a special way that simply does not happen in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. On an Azamara Cruises ship, your family will share experiences and bond together.
Escape from the Electronic World
Would you like a break from the electronic word that permeates every corner of our beings? Take a family vacation and let everyone unplug from technology. Let the family be family together and enjoy the real world around them. The old expression is to smell the roses while you can. This is easier as a family when everyone is engaged in a new adventure and not stuck to their cell phones. On an Azamara Cruises ship there are communication facilities for emergencies, but otherwise, the family vacation is a great time to confiscate all of the cell phones.
Take a Family Vacation While You Can
There are memories that stay with us through the years. It might be your time with the family on an Azamara Cruises ship or simply a weekend camping by a lake. Take time to be with the family. This is what bonds us together. All too soon, the kids will be grown and off to college or married and living in a home of their own. Parents need to take advantage of the time that they have with their kids now, before it slips away. It can be a lavish trip that is a once in a lifetime experience, or a long weekend when you decide to head to the lake house. It doesn’t matter. It is all about being together and having a great time. It is all too easy to get caught up in work and other obligations. Taking time on vacation with the family reminds us what is important in life and nurtures the soul.
Shopping as a Digital Nomad
As a digital nomad, you are always traveling and always connected to the cyber world. So, when it comes to shopping you may not have the time to go to a brick and mortar retail store. Digital shopping is the current trend and digital nomads are a part of the new way we buy.
However, the digital world is also a new opportunity for fraud and identity theft. If you are a digital nomad who loves to shop online here are some tips to keep your browsing safe.
Frequent Password Changes
Most identity thieves rely on the laziness of the average consumer. Once most consumers have established a password they tend to stick with it. This indifference tends to make it easier for hackers to access your information. Setting up a schedule to change your password adds a buffer of security to your online searches and shopping. Experts recommend a monthly password change. Stick to the schedule and have several passwords prepared as options over a year’s time.
Shop Safe Sites
There are countless e-commerce sites out there. Not all of them can guarantee a safe online shopping experience. Look for the SSL lock on the navigation bar when you visit a shopping site. The secure socket layer is an added level of protection that most e-commerce sites should provide to consumers. Ones that don’t are either taking a risk with your confidential information, or are out to steal it.
Shop Familiar Sites
Online search can be modified to lead you to a site that is not at all what you think it is. Look out for misspellings in the URL or sites that use .net instead of .com. A Home Depot.net is not the big box home improvement retailer and you may be handing over your information to a thief. Stay with well-known sites like QVC for your online shopping and purchasing. When you use any specials like coupons or discount offers, be sure to use the ones specifically from the retailer. For example, QVC is offering these savings and they are legit becomes they come directly from the company. Use promo codes like these for safe shopping discounts.
Credit Not Debit
Always use a credit card when shopping. Debit cards are very vulnerable as a thief can quickly access your bank account and clean it out. Most well-known credit card companies offer a buffer between your purchase and payment to the vendor. They can halt unauthorized charges and prevent fraud.
Learn Surfing In Spain
Surfing in Europe is one of the many great outdoor activities one can do, whether you’re coming from the UK, USA, Asia or Australia! Anyone can learn to surf and some master the surf quicker than others, although getting the wipe out is all part of the learning curve! Europe has many great surf spots, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain to name just a few countries.
Do you know how to mount the surf board? Or what the leash is? Or deck grip?
Let’s look at some of the surfing dos and donts you might hear of or see when you’re looking to learn how to surf:
- Observe Right of Way:
You should learn which surfer has right of way while on a wave. Read up about wave priority. Here’s a quick summary:
Furthest out: the surfer who is furthest away or who has been waiting the longest
Furthest inside: surfer closest to the peak of a breaking wave
First to feet: the first surfer to feet or first onto the wave
- Communication: the call of “Right!” or “Left!” on a dual-peaking wave
- Do Apologise:
If you do happen drop in on someone, go over someone, or breach surf etiquette and rules in any way, just apologise to the surfer. Good manners. As beginners, we have all done things that we shouldn’t have. Saying sorry is the bare minimum but learning the best surf etiquette is better long-term.
The best thing a beginner can do is take some surf lessons with a surf school or camp, where you’ll learn the basics and all about the dos and donuts mentioned above and more. Professional surfers often teach or own these surf camps and schools so you would really be learning from the best. In Spain, Art Surf Camp is one such camp I would highly recommend.
ArtSurfCamp began back in 2004 in the wonderful beach location of Razo in Spain.
A group of friends came together and turned their hobby into a thriving company, helping people to surf. ArtSurfCamp has created a relaxed atmosphere for surfing but also has facilities for other activities like urban surfing, tarp surfing and yoga to name just a few.
Over ten thousand people from all over the world (but predominantly Europeans) have already passed through the surf camp. Be sure to check it out if you are learning to surf!
A little about locations:
Razo is in Carballo, on the Atlantic coast in Europe, in a province called A Corunna. This is north of Portugal, and in northern Spain.
Considered widely as one of Europe’s best surfing spots, Razo is ideal if you are looking for the best surf holiday. If you are a keen surfer or just a beginner, from Europe or not, you will thoroughly enjoy your Spanish surfing adventures!
Surfing is one of the best outdoor activities you can do, making best use of mother nature. Just be careful but most of all, have fun!
Travel Insurance. What You Need To Know
Before your set off on your travels, there are a number of things you need to consider and prepare for. One of these things is travel insurance. Depending on the nature of your travel plans, there are a wide range of covers and plans on the market. To help you better understand what the best option for your requirements and budget is, you should first consider the countries and activities you will be traveling to and from and the regions of these countries you may travel to once you reach the destination.
- One question that many travellers ponder over is “Do I need extra travel insurance or the insurance from my credit card is enough?”
When doing a comparison on credit cards and travel coverages, travel coverages are included in both. For example, trip cancellations, flight delay, trip interruptions, luggage delays and emergency medical cover are covered as standard. What people need to be mindful of and really understand are the limitations and benefits because not all credit cards will have all of the travel coverages included.
When reading through your credit card policies, two things to keep in mind are
- what is covered, and
- how much is covered.
Here’s an example: You may well have your lost baggage covered but what if that is limited to $1,200? You will want to reconsider consider packing your $2,000 laptop and expensive clothes! Make sure you have enough coverage for what’s in your bag!
Three main insurance coverages that travelers should be aware of
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption – This covers your non-refundable travel bookings if you need to cancel your trip, travel home prematurely, or if you must stay for a longer period of time in your destination.
- Emergency Medical Travel – This will cover you in the unfortunate circumstances of you becoming ill or if you are in an accident and require emergency medical attention.
- Baggage and Personal Effects – This particular insurance gives protection against damaged, lost or stolen luggage and personal effects. In most cases, it will also cover some of the costs for the replacing of lost or stolen birth certificates, driving licenses or passports. This type of insurance might also provide you with cover for essential toiletries and clothes if your checked luggage is delayed by your carrier for twelve hours or longer while on your journey and before your return home.
The fine print…
When reading through your insurance policies, which coverage(s) should you check on?
If you’ve thoroughly gone through your policies, checked out the limits of your coverage, understand the exclusions and still have questions about whether or not you need travel insurance, a professional travel insurance advisor might be worth a visit.
Once you are purchasing a policy that provides the areas of coverage that you are most concerned about, and as long as you read the policy and fine print and fully understand what you’re getting, the cost of travel insurance is minimal, compared to what a real life scenario might cost you!
What to Look for When Booking an Airport Hotel
When traveling there are a few ways to make your travel life less stressful. Whether you are booking for business travel or a leisure vacation getaway, booking an airport hotel can make a lot of sense.
Perhaps you have a layover that is just long enough that you could get some much needed sleep. Or maybe your travel itinerary gives you a short day where it doesn’t make sense to go all the way into the main part of a city for your stay. Your time might be better utilized and more efficient by utilizing all the conveniences of booking airport hotels.
Here are some common questions to ask yourself about deciding which airport hotel to book:
Distance
This is one of the main questions to ask – how far is the hotel from the airport? Some airport hotels might be within walking distance of the airport while others may require a shuttle. Both situations can be great for your situation, you just want to know how far away the hotel is and how long it will take to get there. Having a place to catch some shut eye will greatly help you ward off the ill effects of jet lag.
Price
Cost is a big factor for a lot of people when they are deciding on which hotel to book. When looking at an airport hotel, it is important to factor in the total cost of the stay, not just the price per night. Is there a shuttle to your hotel or will you have to pay for a taxi? Even if you found a cheaper hotel on your own, the cost of the taxi might off set that. Bear in mind that often times taxi companies charge even higher rates for very early morning or very late evening driving services and can add to your cost. So make sure you take that into consideration as you as calculating your costs.
Amenities
Take your time in checking out the amenities offered by the hotel. Do they have wifi in all the rooms? Is breakfast included? Are you able to order food at any time of the day? A big consideration for many people can also be parking. If you need a place to park your car, you may be able to save a significant amount by booking a stay and park deal ahead of time. Make sure you enquire what your parking options are.
Rewards
An added bonus is many of the airport hotel booking offers are also part of major rewards programs. Hotel options range from the Hilton, Marriot, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Premier Inn and others that you can earn some great reward bonuses on. So as you stay in style you will be gaining rewards for your next getaway all at the same time!
As you plan out your next business trip or holiday, don’t overlook the conveniences of booking an airport hotel. When you arrive to your destination more refreshed and ready to either enjoy your vacation or make solid business decisions and you’ll be glad you got yourself a good night’s sleep.
How Risky is Forex Trading?
Forex (or foreign exchange) trading is the trading of currencies against each other. Like other trading, the aim of forex trading is to make a profit by selling for more than you buy a currency for. Like any form of trading, it comes with a degree of risk, although forex has unique risks compared to other forms of trading.
Leveraged Trading
One of the attractions of forex trading is the use of leverage. This allows you to trade with borrowed money so that with a small investment, you can trade large amounts. The benefit is that trades can potentially generate much larger profits, but on the flip side, it also increases the risk of every trade. It is important to be aware of this to take steps to protect yourself. Having numerous leveraged trades, even low risk trades, open at once, can result in significant losses if you make a loss on many of them. In addition, traders can incur significant losses very quickly when trading with leverage so it is extra important to have suitable stops in place. In addition, if you are a new trader, it is worthwhile to start out with small leverage and work your way up as you become more confident.
Factors Impacting on the Forex Market
There are many factors that impact trading in any market, but because forex involves currencies from around the world, news from anywhere in the world can impact the forex market. This news can result in fast price movements or the change in trend direction. Whether you trade in the long term or short term it is important to keep an eye on global news.
Interest Rates
Interest rates have an impact on the exchange rates of a country. If the interest rate goes up, the currency gets stronger because other countries will look to invest in that country’s assets. The opposite it also true – if interest rates fall, the currency of the country will weaken as investors pull out. The changes in currency values that the interest rates result in can make forex prices change significantly.
Transaction Costs
There is a transaction risk that can result in exorbitant transaction costs simply due to the time differences between the beginning of the transaction and its end. Forex is a 24-hour market and currencies can be traded at different prices during trading hours. The bigger the time difference between entering a trade and settling the trade, the higher the transactional risk, as the time difference allows the exchange rate to fluctuate.
Conclusion
Before you begin trading in forex it is important to not only understand how the trading works, but also understand the risks associated with it. Only by understanding the risks can you begin to take steps to minimize the risk that faces you. The unique risks that are associated with forex trading may result in higher losses than you initially anticipated, but these can be mitigated if you know what steps to take and what to look out for.
Easy Recipes for Backpacking
Going on a great outdoor living hiking trip is going to require adequate food and drinks. If you’re planning to go on a hike that is difficult and/or long, then you should carefully plan out what nourishments you will store in your backpack. The foods that you decide to bring should be packed with carbohydrates and proteins in order to give you plenty of energy for your great outdoor living venture. Also, since you’ll be carrying all of this in your backpack, you should try to minimize its weight as much as possible. This means that you will have to store just enough food, nothing more and nothing less. You can reduce the amount of food you’ll need to bring for your great outdoor living experience by storing dry and light ingredients.
For instance, for breakfast, you can store cereal and milk in your backpack. This doesn’t mean store a big gallon of milk and 16 oz box of cereal. All you will need for your great outdoor living backpacking trip is a cup of dry cereal and about 2 tablespoons of powdered skim milk. You can also bring along a tablespoon of powdered coffee creamer. You can place all of this in a zip lock bag, along with a half cup of cold water and you’re ready to begin your great outdoor living hike. If you want, you can also bring along some fruit.
For something to snack on along your great outdoor living trip, you can bring along granola bars and powdered chocolate milk. Any snacks that you plan to bring along with you should be lightweight, such as raisins, granola bars and crackers. Rather than canned meat products, you can store a few bagels for lunch. You can also opt to store peanut butter or cheese to eat while walking the trail. For an energy boost, bring along canned tuna and some recipes that you can enjoy along your great outdoor living hike.
Now, we can’t forget about the best meal of the day — dinner. For your evening meal, you can bring along various substitute ingredients that are just as tasty and satisfying. You may want to cook your dinner before leaving out on your great outdoor living venture, so that you can just chow down when night falls. Just store it in a lightweight container or zip lock bag. Also, you can cook some noodles before heading out, place it in a container. Then heat up some olive oil, which can be stored in a small film canister. Add in some salt, garlic and pepper, and dump in some salmon, chicken or tuna that is precooked (you can store these in foil packages). Place in the pasta and voila, a tasty dinner.
If you want something quick to snack on, you can find goodies on Groupon, such as Shari’s Berries. Just make sure you eat them quick before they melt!
Navigating Dubai Has Been Made Easier With Blacklane!
Ah, Dubai. Considered to be one of the most exotic places to visit, Dubai is a hub for travellers from all over the world. Although the Dubai International Airport is right in the city center, the heat in the city is often intense, making commuting to and fro unbearable. Given that, travelling from the airport to the city, or even within the city itself, can be daunting but there’s a great solution for those of you looking to embark on a trip to Dubai soon. Available in 236 cities across the world, Blacklane is your premiere airport transfer and professional driver service for your stay in Dubai. It offers a unique experience and special perks that you won’t find with any other transport service. Trust us.
Why Blacklane?
Well, because it’s going to make your stay so much more pleasant. Blacklane’s app allows you to book or request a ride much like you would any other appointment, so you’ll be sure that someone will show up on time at your select location. If you’re arriving at the Dubai International Airport, your professional driver will be waiting to greet you at the arrivals gate with a personalized sign. They will even help you with your luggage so that you can sit comfortably in the vehicle you’ve chosen for your ride to the hotel. How amazing is that?
Additionally, Blacklane is the premiere Dubai limousine service provider so that you can get around the city comfortably. When the heat is at its peak, having such a service on-hand can make all the difference. These limousines come in three classes of vehicles including:
- Business class – for hourly hires or business travellers with tight schedules
- Business Van/SUV – for transferring clients between the airport, hotels and trade fairs
- First Class – for when you need to arrive in style
Simply put, it makes getting around a breeze and if you need a little extra comfort with a taste of luxury, Blacklane has that too.
What Other Perks Are There?
Many more. Blacklane is distinct in how it operates. Unlike Uber and other taxi services, Blacklane focuses heavily on giving the control over to the client so that they can book and request rides as they wish. It’s not about hoping a driver is available to pick you up, it’s about knowing there’s a driver to always pick you up whenever you want.
But, besides it’s user-friendly app and customizable experience, it also offers the following great perks:
- Professionally licensed and friendly drivers
- Modern and safe vehicles available in three classes based on your preferences or needs
- No surge pricing
- The availability of three services so that you can hire either on a hourly basis, to get you to the hotel from the airport or, to simply get you to wherever you want to go.
What more can we say? Navigating Dubai is going to be really simple and easy with Blacklane helping you get around. Make your trip a truly memorable one and give Blacklane a try when you find yourself in beautiful Dubai.
Why You Should Visit Sifnos this Year
Greece is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe with lots of history, beautiful islands, and a unique culture. The Cyclades, off the southern coast of Mainland Greece, are some of the most popular islands to visit in the country. Here you can find world famous places such as Santorini and Sifnos where you can come and admire the beautiful scenery. This article describes the reasons you should visit Sifnos at some time in the near future.
What Makes Sifnos Special?
Some of the islands in Greece have a reputation for their active nightlife. Others for beautiful scenery, beaches, and streets lined with elegant white buildings. Sifnos combines all of these to make a perfect all-round destination. You can find some of the best small hotels in greek islands here that have great views of the coastline and the Aegean Sea. The island also has a laid back atmosphere and a rich history that dates back 5,000 years. This is by far one of the most versatile destinations in the region that will satisfy the needs of almost any visitor.
What are the Best Things to Do in Sifnos?
The most popular reason to come here is to relax and soak up the sunshine and atmosphere. In fact, this is one of the best greek islands for honeymoon vacations. You can also spend your time exploring some of the villages and visiting churches and monasteries. The island also has a reputation for having excellent food and fine wine. So you can sit overlooking the beach with your special someone enjoying a romantic evening.
As with most islands, there are lots of water sports. You can rent a boat or go kayaking in the calm waters. Some like to go snorkelling to see the hundreds of tropical fish swimming beneath them. And with such a large number of beaches, it’s quite easy to find a spot all to yourself. You can also pack a picnic and head down to one of these more isolated beaches to enjoy an afternoon of sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing.
How Do You Get to Sifnos?
I hope that at this point in the article, I’ve convinced you that Sifnos is one of the best places to go in Greece to suit almost any traveller’s needs. But, it’s also an island that’s a bit tricky to reach. There’s no airport on the island and the only way to reach it is to take a ferry from one of the nearby islands in the Cyclades.
You have three options. The first is to fly to Athens and then take the ferry to the island, which can take anywhere between four to eight hours. The second is to fly to the nearby island of Milos and catch a one hour ferry. But, the airport here is small and only gets domestic flights. The final option is to have an extended trip and island hop until you reach Sifnos.
The Bottom Line:
Sifnos is one of the most magical islands in Greece. It combines beaches, history, and excellent food with an active nightlife. If you make the effort to get here, you’re certain to be rewarded with your experience.
Everything You Need to Know About Travelling to Iceland
Are you planning to visit the land of fire and ice this year and want to know the best places to visit? Then you’re in the right place. Iceland is a huge island in the North Atlantic Ocean that combines natural beauty with a unique way of life in the modern world. You can stand in the middle of two drifting continents or go on a whale watching trip. Whatever you decide to do, you’re going to be in for a special experience in this destination. This article describes everything you need to know to have an awesome trip to Iceland.
Rent a Car:
The first and biggest piece of advice for Iceland is to rent a car. A car gives you the flexibility to explore the country on your own terms and allows you to stop and take photographs whenever you want to. Public transport is virtually non-existent and when you do find the bus, it’s very expensive and has limited service. Tours also cost a fortune and so the price of a rental and fuel for a few days will be about the same as a single tour.
The Best Places to Go in Southern Iceland:
Most people arrive and stay in Reykjavik. The capital itself is small with a charming city center and a few churches. You can spend a day wandering around to get a feel for what this place is all about. But, don’t limit yourself to staying here. If you have a car, plan to do the Golden Circle where you can see a historical national park, a huge waterfall, and a breath-taking geyser. A trip to the Blue Lagoon is also on most people list of things to do here.
Another popular activity is to explore the nearby towns of Keflavik and Hafnir. Both are small and have a special charm. They’re definitely worth a few hours to get some great photographs. If you’re more adventurous, you can follow the Ring Road along the southern coast where you’ll first pass through the lava fields. Then, suddenly the landscape transforms into rolling, green hills. As you’re driving, stop by at some of the towns and take a few photographs. You’re also going to see churches that are in the middle of nowhere.
As you’re driving, follow the brown signs to go to the tourist sites. Most of the places are free. This includes the bubbling hot springs, the Mid-Atlantic Drift, and other interesting places that you may come across. You should also be aware that if you’re at or around the coastal regions, it’s not uncommon to see seals on the beaches.
Places to Go in Northern Iceland:
Another popular thing to do is to visit Northern Iceland. There are several small towns along the Ring Road where you can stop. But the best place to explore the region is in Akureyri. This small town acts as the capital of the northern part of the country. From here, you can see the fjords, take a day trip to the glacier in the northwestern, or simply enjoy some of the hot springs. The drive from the south is very scenic as you pass through different landscapes.
Travel Tips for Iceland:
The first travel tip is about safety. Iceland is an unforgiving country and there are lots of ways that you can injury yourself, or worse. The warnings are here for a reason. If you’re told not to step off the path, then don’t. It’s foolish to try to get the perfect photograph by endangering yourself. The rocks around the hot springs are hot and will cause serious burns. The water on the beaches is unpredictable and has strong currents. Another tip when you’re driving is to only stop in the designated areas. Avoid stopping in the middle of the road to take pictures of the landscape. This is both dangerous to you and other motorists.
Driving is easy in Iceland with very few people using the roads. But, there are two very important things to be aware of. The first is that the speed limit is 80 km/h and that this is strictly enforced. You’ll see plenty of speed cameras around the country that will send you a ticket. Remember when you gave your credit card information to the rental company? If a ticket comes, they take it from your credit card. The next is that snowfall and blizzards are common. Roads don’t have barriers and sometimes there are steep drops off the side. Just take care and prepare yourself. Sometimes, the road will be completely covered in a layer of ice and strong crosswinds blow piles of snow across it. The locals still drive fast and confidently, don’t copy them.
The final tip is how to save money in Iceland. We all know that the country is notoriously expensive and a mid-range meal for two can come to close to $100. For this reason, most travelers tend to buy at the supermarket and prepare meals in their hotel or Airbnb. The best place to get food is at Bonus. This is the largest supermarket in Iceland and you can find it in almost every major town.
The Takeaway Message:
There are so many places to visit and explore in Iceland that it’s a paradise for travelers with an adventurous spirit. You can see the capital, self-drive the Golden Circle or even go around the entire Ring Road. Wherever you go, you’re going to be awed by the beauty that this country has to offer.
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