Vol 01 | April 2020 | Issue
Travel Magazine
Travel Tips Live Life Through Travel
10 Travel destinations for explorers in low expenses and itinerary.
Explore South-East Asia and
Explore Mountaions
Travel Tips On How To Save
This Summer Season.
Money While Traveling.
experience authentic places and the rest of Asia feels.
Table of Contents 4
The Traveler’s Tips
6
Exploring Mountains
8
The Best Beaches
10
Welcome to South East Asia
14
Saving Money for Travel Goals
16
Stunning Landscapes
Travel
Editor’s Letter
W
orem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetuer adip kiscing elit, sed
diam nonummnibh eui mod tinci
dunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper sus cipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip exea commodo. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in he dre rit in vulputate velit esse molestieco equat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignio im qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetuer adip kiscing elit, sed diam nonummnibh eui mod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore mag na aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip exea commodo. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in he dre rit in vulputate velit esse molestieco equat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignio im qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril. delenit augue.
Kelly Natalia B. Merrit Editor In-Chief, Explore Travel Magazine
The
Traveler’s Tips I want to help speed up the process and help you avoid my mistakes (and I often make a lot of them), so I put together this giant list of my best travel tips that cover everything under the sun to help you reach your full travel ninja potential. - by Rushsi Nail
A
lways pack a towel. It’s the key to successful galactic hitchhiking and plain common sense. You never know when you will need it, whether it’s at the beach, on a picnic, or just to dry off. While many hostels offer towels, you never know and carrying a small towel won’t add that much weight to your bag. Buy a small backpack/suitcase. By purchasing a small backpack (I like something around 35/40 liters), you will be forced you to pack light and avoid carrying too much stuff. Humans have a natural tendency to want to fill space so if you pack light but have lots of extra room in your bag, you’ll end up going “well, I guess I can take more” and then regret it.
Don’t be afraid to use a map. Looking like a tourist isn’t as bad as getting really lost and ending up in the wrong neighborhood. Don’t be afraid to use a map or ask for directions and look like a tourist. After all, you are one! I always use a map when I travel. It helps you get to where you need to go! Always visit the local tourism office. They know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. It’s amazing how many travelers skip this when they are visiting somewhere. Use the tourism board! Save money!
Make extra copies of your passport and important documents. Don’t forget to e-mail a copy to yourself too. You never know when you might need to have some sort of documentation with you and might not want to carry your original. Additionally, if your passport gets stolen having a copy will come in handy for your police report. Ask hostel staff for information even when you aren’t staying there. Hostel staff deal with budget travelers all day, every day. They know exactly where to go for cheap meals and attractions. They also tend to be locals so they know the city very well. Ask them for all sorts of information. Even if you aren’t staying in one, just pop in and ask for help. They’ll usually give it.
Use Meetup, the sharing economy, and hospitality websites to meet locals. These websites will help you get an insider’s perspective on your destination by connecting you with locals in the places you visit. The sharing economy has changed the way people travel allowing you to meet locals, get off the tourist travel, and save mega money! It’s a triple win and resources that I use all the time when I travel. Get travel insurance. Travel insurance is the most important thing you get that you never want to use. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to be out thousands of dollars in bills. It will be there if you get robbed, flights get cancelled, you get sick or injured, or have to be sent home.
Exploring Mountains Explore Banff, Alberta - by Bert Maxwell
E
xploring the mountains is a great way to spend your summer. The air is cleaner, the grass is greener, and you will see extraordinary landscapes. It is a great way to get in shape, meet interesting people, and experience new things. Here are the best ways to explore the mountains this summer. Working in a summer villa in Europe is a great way to spend your summer and earh money at the same time. It is easy to get jobs in housekeeping, restaurant work, or general customer service. Make sure you do your research beforehand. Find out what credentials you will need to work in the country that you choose to work in and if accommodation is part of the job. It is a great way to meet people and experience new things in a beautiful mountainous setting.
Banff is located in the Canadian Rockies and there are many exciting places to visit. Take a tour or explore on your own. Head to Sulphur Mountain and take a gondola ride to see the breathtaking view below. Lake Louise is a stunning emerald green lake that must be seen to be believed. Stay at the Château Lake Louise for a night and wake up to the breathtaking view of this lake surrounded by mountains. Rent canoes so that you can enjoy these peaceful and serene waters on your own, or hike on the trails that surround the lake. Rent a car and drive along the The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93), one of the most beautiful highways in the world. Join a tour for the Icefields and you can head out onto the ice on a huge truck with wheels that have no problem traversing the ice.
M
any mountain destinations and resort bike parks have invested in skills parks or pump tracks that enable everyone from first timers to experts to practice skills and improve.
Best Beache You won’t believe paradise could be so close. A great escape from busy Phuket - by Bert Maxwell
A
place where the water is clear, sand is white and forests green. Unforgettable natural sights! Only 15 minutes away from Phuket by boat. A white crescent of sand sitting between a beautiful forest and crystal-clear, blue, swimmable water. Banana Beach is all about nature. It was a stunning place long before any person stood on its shore, and that natural beauty is still there today. So, when you embark on this fantastic daytime activity in Phuket, notice how boat noise is kept to a minimum around the beach and how most boats park out on the water, not on the sand. Watch the fish that swim around curiously in the crystal blue water, and see how the trees hug our buildings and Great Hornbill birds (the inspiration for our restaurant design) fly down from the hillside to
have a look around. This is all part of keeping the beach’s identity. We not only wanted to preserve the character of Banana Beach Phuket, but add to it as well, with respect for its beauty and environment. That is why our buildings make large use of natural tropical materials, such as bamboo, and also take shapes that connect you to Koh Hey’s wildlife. You get to play and rest in nature here without taking anything away from it except some lovely memories of your Phuket sightseeing adventure. Banana Beach is the best corner of Koh Hey (Coral Island) and one of the most beautiful attractions in Phuket. You won’t believe that it’s so close and holds so many fantastic Phuket activities. In fact, the speedboat ride from Chalong Pier is already an adventure.
Banana Beach, Thailand
B
anana Beach has a backdrop of impossibly-green jungle and looks out on crystalclear water—all part of a national park and marine preservation area (30 minutes by boat from Chalong Pier on Phuket). Banana Boat rides are popular, hence the name, as is snorkeling, sea kayaking, and parasailing. With minimal infrastructure, and one restaurant built out of bamboo, this is a great, less-than-crowded spot to park yourself for the day in the sun. Where to Stay: You picked the Iniala Beach House as your favorite place to stay on Phuket in our latest Readers’ Choice Awards survey. The design credentials are incredible at this collection of three villas and a penthouse, back on Phuket at Natai Beach. to your every need.
No matter where you stay, you’ll have a butler, driver, chef, spa therapist, and housekeeper to attend American chef Tim Butler heads up two restaurants: Iniala Dining, which dishes up Mediterranean-inflected meals and whose menu rotates daily, and Esenzi, which focuses on sustainably sourced seafood. Here you are, one step closer to something beautiful. You’ll be standing there soon, white sand between your toes, gentle blue sea swishing beside you, and green jungle rising in the other direction. Then within that sea, inside that forest, are more treasures. It’s time to discover. It’s only a quick boat ride away.
Welcome to
South Asia S
outheast Asia is a great region for new travelers because it’s easy to travel around, it’s safe, and there are lots of other travelers around. I’ve been visiting this region since 2004 and spent years living in Thailand. I love backpacking Southeast Asia and have written extensively about it. I know it like the back of my hand. Even if you don’t want to backpack Southeast Asia, the region is home to plenty of resorts, beautiful hotels, world-class restaurants, private buses and cars, and everything you need to have a luxurious holiday on a budget. Southeast Asia has something for everyone.
This Southeast Asia travel guide will tell you how to travel and backpack the region like a pro, what to do avoid, how much things cost, the best things to see, and everything in between! You should use this guide if you’re looking to a) backpack Southeast Asia, b) looking for ideas on thing to do, or c) trying to travel on a budget. There is a lot to do and see in Southeast Asia and trying to list everything on one page would be too difficult to do. Be sure to visit our Thailand travel guide, Laos travel guide, Vietnam travel guide, Singapore travel guide, Malaysia travel guide, Cambodia travel guide, and Indonesia travel guide for specifics on what to do and see in those specific countries.
T
ravel to Bali. so make sure you have done your research and have planned a route that takes in these attractions, such as Angkor Wat, Ha Long Bay, and Bali to name just a few.
Bali, Indonesia
A
lot of people have some strong opinions when it comes to the best time to go to Bali. Most people will tell you that you should always plan your trip to avoid the wet season. I’m not one of those people though! I think that Bali can be enjoyed 365 days a year. Whether you go in the wet season or the dry season, Bali is one of the most amazing, tropical destinations on Earth. Located barely 500 miles south of the equator, Bali has a distinctly tropical climate. Regardless of the month, you visit or where you stay on the island, you are likely to find yourself sitting in weather between 80 and 85 degrees and humidity. While it can get a bit cooler, you will rarely need anything more than a light jacket.
While we usually talk about seasons in terms on summer, winter, fall, and spring, the Balinese look at things differently. They only have two times of year: the wet season and the dry season. Both have their pros and cons when it comes to traveling in Bali. The wet season is, of course, wet! The regular rain is what puts people off from traveling to Bali during the late winter and spring, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. It is warm year-round, so you can enjoy hours in the sun and long afternoons at the beaches. The rain often moves through with incredible speed. One quick downpour and the clouds can go away for the day. And the rain isn’t all that bad!
“The wet season is honestly my favorite time to go to Bali!�
Bali, Indonesia
O
ne of the biggest events of the winter is Nyepi, the Balinese equivalent to New Year’s Eve. Though it’s a festive celebration, it is also a time of introspection. A day of silence is celebrated and filled with fasting and meditation. You will never see the island so calm. The dates of Nyepi vary each year. The Bali Spirit Festival, held yearly in March and April, is another reason to visit Bali in the spring. Unlike anything you have ever seen before, the Bali Spirit Festival is a global celebration of world music and well-being. The dry season is the busiest and most popular time to go to Bali. In particular, May through September is the most popular time of year to visit. It is warm, and the humidity level is low all summer.
The annual Bali Arts Festival is held in June and July, and it’s a must-see for any art lover. The parade is a true sight to behold, and art performances pack the calendar of the Denpasar Arts Center. Another one of the most popular festivals of summer is the Bali Kite Festival. The iconic yearly event celebrates the traditional art of Balinese kite making. And these are no ordinary nylon kites! Ranging from profound to silly, the kites are a representation of the people of Bali. Last but not least, is the most important festival of the year in Bali: Galungan! The entire island comes together every year for ten days to celebrate all the Balinese gods descending to earth.
Stunning Landscapes I
was flying over San Francisco when this strange but kaleidoscopically beautiful vista opened up outside of my tiny airplane window. When I got home, I fired up Google Earth to investigate. The aerial wonder along the southern tip of the bay turned out to be the Salt Ponds. Microorganisms reacting to the salt runoff in these waters color the pools surreal hues, and the resulting chromatic smudge is visible miles above Earth’s surface. As an amateur photographer, I instinctively took a screenshot of the landscape now clear on my laptop. And with that simple act, Earth View was born. If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of a breathtaking landscape, you’ll know exactly what Carson was talking about.
Even those who are not big on exploring the great outdoors have experienced a moment where they had to stop everything just to stare at the scenery before them. Such is the beauty of Earth, that encountering one of these majestic scenes while browsing a photography website has nearly just as strong of an impact as physically being there. Pizza, wine, and breathtaking mountains: the three elements of an amazing country. Judging by Vladan Laxa’s photo, the last one might take a bit more preparation than the others. India is a land of unmatched diversity & versatility, whether it is culture, art, lifestyle, cuisine, or natural landscapes. As far as landscapes are concerned, Mother Nature has undoubtedly bestowed this land with unparalleled beauty and richness. It is now responsibility to protect and preserve this treasure for all the future generations to come.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.�
Travel Blog Travel Magazine is a new kind of travel publication for those who go boldly. www.travelmagazine.com
