How To Travel Light On International Trips

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May18

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How to Travel Light on International Trips

Posted in: Tips and Ideas
Traditional wisdom suggests that travelers should bring half the luggage and twice the money that they expect to need. And people returning from trips almost never regret bringing too little stuff with them.

Still, the prospect of traveling light across national borders can be daunting when you’re in the packing phase. Here are some pointers to minimize the luggage you have to haul around the globe.
- Choose the right fabric. Lightweight, synthetic fabrics that don’t wrinkle and dry quickly are a traveler’s best friend. These days, it’s easier than ever to find reasonably fashionable clothes in these types of fabrics. Opt for clothing made with synthetic fibers, and you’ll be able to easily wash and quickly dry everything you pack.
- Pack in combination. Lay out your clothes during the packing process to ensure that you can combine tops and bottoms to maximize the number of outfits you can get from the pieces you bring. This doesn’t mean you have to settle for drab or boring outfits, either. Accessories (such as scarves, hats, and jewelry) transform an outfit quickly.
- Plan for laundry. Rather than packing enough clean gear for your entire trip, stay somewhere that has laundry facilities. If you wash your clothes every night, you can use even a regular sink to keep things fresh.
- Pack only essentials. Medications and passports aren’t negotiable, but unless you’re traveling to the wilderness, you’ll probably be able to find shampoo and toothpaste wherever you land. Be realistic about what you can pick up once you arrive. Bonus: shopping for essentials lets you immediately immerse yourself in the local culture of your destination.
- Maximize your space. Get crafty during the packing process. Underwear and socks can be packed inside shoes, breakables can be insulated with shirts, and wrinkle-proof fabrics can be rolled and squeezed into small spaces.
- Choose items with multiple functions. Rather than packing an entire toiletry cabinet, opt for multi-purpose gadgets that save space. Camping and outdoor supply stores offer an array of compact, highly functional gadgets ideally suited for travelers with limited space.
If you purchase souvenirs or gifts that don’t fit in your luggage for the return trip, you can always ship them—or buy a new bag! The beauty of traveling light is that you can always add to your burden if you find something worth weighing you down.
Apr27

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The Must-See Wildlife of South America

Posted in: Western Hemisphere

You don’t often hear of South America’s wildlife, but the country is home to some of the most interesting animals, reptiles, and fish on earth. We at Well Designed Journeys have chosen five fascinating species to share with you today.

Jaguar

The magnificently-colored jaguar is an endangered species that roams the jungles of South America. They are large cats, with males weighing up to 250 pounds and females weighing up to 200 pounds. The jaguar is a fierce predator that will eat rodents, fish, and large game and can hunt on the ground, in water, or from trees. While it is fast over a short distance, it is not built to chase prey for long distances. Read More | Comments
Mar23

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How to Eat Like a Local in Italy

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks, Eastern Hemisphere

When you’re in Italy, you want to eat the authentic cuisine the locals do so you can discover their local traditions, culture, and history through food. Here are some tips to help you find the true Italian cuisine you crave—and the authentic cultural adventure that goes along with it.

Watch where the locals go.

In every city and town, there are restaurants that visitors frequent, and there are eateries that the locals flock to. Watch who goes where, and you’ll know which restaurants to try and which ones to avoid.

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Aug3

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The World’s Most Uniquely Designed Luxury Hotels: Part I

Posted in: Accommodations, Culture

Image to the left of the Nordic Light Hotel taken from the Nordic Light Hotel’s website.

Here at Well Designed Journeys, we like our five-star hotels. Who doesn’t? We like our turndown service, bellhop, chocolates on the pillow, jacuzzi tub, and balcony. What makes a hotel even better is when it features unique décor, designs, or amenities you won’t find anywhere else. Today we begin a new series that spotlights some of the world’s most uniquely designed luxury hotels.

Nordic Light Hotel, Stockholm, Sweden. When your country is noted for a hotel made completely out of ice, you can expect to find some other unique accommodations. As the name alludes to, the Nordic Light Hotel is a light show for your lodging experience. Each room features different designs and shapes that come to life through light. However, for the most extraordinary experience, book one of the mood rooms, which features customized light beds in which you control the color, tempo, and intensity of the lights. Don’t miss out on the Light Bar and Lounge, which is a unique blend of lights, sound, and cocktails.

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Jul11

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You Can’t Leave Without Trying This Dish

Posted in: Culinary and Drinks

Image to the left taken from FoodNetwork.com.

You really can’t travel without food as a major part of your experiences. For many it’s tasting new foods, savoring international classics, and finding those hole-in-the-wall places that only locals know about that makes travel fun. It’s those experiences at restaurants, street festivals, cafes, and farms that travelers wish they could take home with them. No matter where you’re traveling, there’s often that one dish that stands above all others. We’ve highlighted some of the best foodie destinations in the world and spotlighted the best dishes in each city.

1. Paris, France. French cuisine is one of the most renowned in the world. Whether it’s breakfast danishes, fresh deli meat, or chocolate crepes, Paris has so much to offer. The thing about France is that it features fresh courses that you can’t experience elsewhere, whether it’s appetizers, bread, meat, or dessert. With so many famous dishes, it’s hard to just choose one, but you won’t find too many restaurants that don’t serve bouillabaisse (depicted in the image above). The traditional French dish is a seafood stew that features various seafood and vegetables. It’s a good starter before your main entree.

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Jun6

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A Five-Star Luxury Retreat at London’s The Berkeley

Posted in: Accommodations, Eastern Hemisphere

Image above taken from The Berkeley Hotel website.

One of the largest and most popular destinations in the world, London has a lot to offer when it comes to luxury accommodations. However, this can make it tough when deciding where to stay during a visit to London. Today, we make it a little easier by spotlighting one of London’s top hotels: The Berkeley.

Overview. The Berkeley Hotel in London should be at the top of your list, if for nothing else, because of the many celebrities and public figures that have stayed here. The London hotel has a long history that dates back over 100 years. Guests are warmly welcomed as they are greeted by the doorman and enter the five-star luxury of The Berkeley. The hotel offers the best of both worlds, featuring attentive staff to provide the ultimate experience, mixed with plush décor and amenities that have more of the feel of a luxurious mansion.

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May25

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Top 5 Fly-Fishing Destinations

Posted in: Leisure Activities, Tips and Ideas

As the weather starts to warm around the world, it’s time to dust off those fishing poles and head for the great outdoors. Today we’re discussing the best fly-fishing destinations. Fly-fishing is one of the oldest and most revered forms of fishing; however, one of the challenges is finding the best destinations to catch fish. Below you’ll find five of the top fly-fishing destinations in the world.

Alaska. Alaska has long been one of the top fly-fishing destinations in America. Alaska features a diverse fly-fishing scene that varies from rivers and streams to its countless lakes. Since so much of Alaska is unspoiled, it presents one of the best opportunities to catch fish in America. Trout and salmon are the two most commonly caught fish. Ketchikan is one of the top places for fly-fishing in Alaska, being dubbed the “Salmon Capital of the World.”

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Mar16

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How to Find the Perfect Souvenirs, No Matter Where You Travel

Posted in: Tips and Ideas

While the most important checklist for travelers is what to pack, just below that is what souvenirs to bring back for friends and family. Whether it’s coffee from Costa Rica, wooden shoes from Holland, or Nutella from France, friends and family love seeing you come back from a trip when you have a souvenir for them. However, finding the perfect souvenir can be tougher than shopping at Christmas. We’ve taken out some of the guesswork for you. Today we’re discussing how to find the perfect souvenirs, no matter where you’re traveling to.

Research what product the destination is famous for. Most importantly, do your research first, and find out what kind of souvenirs you can expect to find. Talk to your travel agent and do research online to find out what some of the more prominent souvenirs are. Tahiti, for example, is known for its Tahitian pearls, vanilla, and beer. While shopping, purchase not only what the destination is known for, but also what your friends and family will find useful. Also, know the customs’ rules before bringing souvenirs back, especially if it’s food and drinks. Customs may have a list of products you’re not allowed to carry into the country, or a limit on how much you can bring back.

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