Microlight Flight Over Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls had been one of my dream destinations for years. When I finally got there to see the falls in person, it absolutely took my breath away.

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and a truly magical place.

While the falls are beautiful from any angle, there is nothing that can compare to seeing it from above. For a view that you will never forget, a microlight flight is a must.

Here’s what you should know about taking a microlight flight over Victoria Falls!

My Experience Flying Over Victoria Falls

On my epic girls’ trip to Zambia, I took a microlight flight that definitely got my heart racing, but also gave me some incredible vistas.

I did a 15-minute flight, which was quick but ended up being plenty of time to see it all. We went back and forth over Victoria Falls and I even got a chance to see African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Preparing for a trip to Victoria Falls? You’re definitely going to want to check out my Guide to Visiting Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Options for Exploring the Falls

I took a flight with Livingstone’s Adventure and it was a once in a lifetime experience. The flight I took was $179 USD per person at the time.

Although that is pricey on a minute-by-minute basis, it is well worth it to have an experience like this. The view (and the heart-racing experience of being so high up over the falls) is something that is just unforgettable.

While I loved my short and sweet microlight, there are a few other options worth checking out. You can do the 15-minute microlight in the morning or afternoon.

If you would rather opt for a longer experience, you have the option of going for a 30-minute trip in either the morning or afternoon.

Livingstone Adventure also has the option of ultralight flights, which will have you up in a slightly different aircraft. Ultimately, it is a very similar experience but in a slightly different aircraft (of course, the little details can make a difference in your comfort level if you’re afraid of heights, like yours truly).

It is $179 USD for 15 minutes or $360 USD if you opt for a 30-minute flight in an ultralight aircraft.

Other Activities Around Victoria Falls

The flights aren’t Livingstone Adventure’s only excursions. You can also go for a Zambezi River boat cruise or take a smaller boat out for a river safari.

If you want a bit of everything, they have the Ultimate River Cruise option, which is a speedboat ride followed up with drinks on a luxe cruise. If you’re looking for another fun pick, they also have canoe trips down the river so you can check out the game, birds, and incredible scenery on a DIY boat trip.

As far as on land options, you can ride quad bikes through the Livingstone and Batoka Gorge, or hop on the horse trail. There you can opt for a safari on horseback or in a romantic horse-drawn carriage through the Falls Resort Complex.

One cool thing that Livingstone’s Adventure has is their ‘mix and match’ packages. If you want to do a few things, you will definitely want to check out the Ticket to Livingstone’s Adventure. They have got six different options where you can explore by land, sea, or air. For those looking to maximize every second at Victoria Falls, this is an option well worth considering.

Helpful  Tip

If this is your first time exploring the wild, check out my tips on how to choose an African safari that’s right for you.

 

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British Airways Club World Business Class from London to San Diego

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world. There is just so much to do. You could spend a year exploring the British capital and barely scratch the surface.

While it’s definitely a must-see destination, it’s a long trip from the west coast of America. On my recent trip from London, I opted to upgrade to British Airways Club World Business class (always save your airline miles to make this more affordable!) to make the journey easier. The trip is just over 11 hours, and it is infinitely better when you have got some room to spread out.

Crossing the pond? Here is what to expect on a British Airways Club World business class trip from London to San Diego.

What to Expect

A British Airways Club World ticket gets you your own dedicated Club World check-in desk at most airports and Fast Track security at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and New York JFK. Once you are in your terminal, you can relax in the luxury lounges.

While British Airways’ expedited services are limited in the United States at the moment, you do get Fast Track arrivals at London Heathrow if you are a non-EU passport holder.

They’ve also got a swanky business class lounge in London where you can refresh on arrival. In London Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, you can pop into the arrivals lounge for a quick bite, shower, and even clothes pressing.

They also do facials and massages from Elemis! Plus, when it comes time to board the plane, Club World Business class passengers get priority boarding.

Check out my tips for flying in and out of London Gatwick!

Amenities

Once you are boarded, you will be greeted by an amenity kit from the UK luxe lifestyle brand, The White Company. The kit features toiletries from Elemis so you can freshen up mid-flight.

In your seat, British Airways Club World Business class has all of the bells and whistles that you would expect from an upgraded flight. Each seat has a 10.4-inch screen with noise canceling headphones.

They offer hundreds of options for on-demand movies, TV shows, audiobooks, and games.

Seating

BA Club World Business class seating is what makes all of the difference! When you are looking at such an incredibly long day of travel, having a comfy place to get settled into is essential.

On the London to San Diego flight, you get a chair that lies fully flat into a 6-foot-long bed. There is an adjustable headrest and lumbar support so you can get comfortable in pretty much any position.


Every seat has ample storage and power supplies so you can bring all of your gear and be ready for the long haul.

Be aware that there are a lot of seats in the Club World Business Class section and they are pretty close together.

If you’re on an inside seat in any given row, you will have to climb over the person on the aisle seat to get out (be aware that the window seat can get a bit cramped so if you are claustrophobic, opt for the aisle). The aisle seats don’t have as much privacy and they are a little brighter.

Food + Drink

The food on British Airways is all about fresh and local ingredients. They have created a restaurant-style experience with newly upgraded table settings. They roll by a trolley with a good selection of starters, desserts, and cheeses. There is also an impressive range of soda, spirits, and wine.

To perk you up, they have their own signature award-winning Union Hand-Roasted Coffee from London.

Meals in British Airways Club World Business class are three courses and suit pretty much any dietary requirements. As always, if you have any specific dietary needs, you will want to get onto their website at least 24 hours in advance to include that info with your reservation.

Note: I also flew the San Diego to London leg and there wasn’t too much of a difference. The change was based on the time of day I was flying. If you fly in the afternoon, you will get lunch and dinner while if you fly at night, you will get dinner and a light breakfast.

 

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American Airlines Flagship Business Class from Hong Kong to LAX

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic places on the planet. This vibrant city has a culture unlike anywhere else I have ever been (along with fantastic food!).

While it’s a place that I think deserves a spot on every traveler’s bucket list, it is also incredibly far away. I’m talking around 13 hours in the air.

Whenever I have a long haul flight, I think it is always worth upgrading to business class (remember always to keep saving those travel miles). On my recent trip from Hong Kong to California, I boarded American Airlines in Flagship Business Class!

“Flagship” is the name of American Airline’s international Business class. Booking a Flagship Business class ticket allows you priority access throughout the airport (plus your bags will come out first at your destination!) and many other in-flight benefits.

Want to fly home in style? Here is what you should know about American Airlines Flagship Business Class from Hong Kong to LAX.

What to Expect

The perks of American Airlines Flagship Business class starts when you arrive at the airport. Keep your eyes peeled for the “priority” signs at the American Airlines counter, at security, and at the gate.

You can bypass the lines and make your time at the airport fly by a bit faster.

If you have got some time to kill in the airport, it is worth finding the airline lounge. American Airlines has different lounge options depending on where you are flying from.

In Hong Kong, you can use the Plaza Premium (West Hall) Lounge and Club Bauhinia. You can eat, drink, shower, relax, and get ready to continue on your journey.

Amenities

AA changes up their goodie bags every so often, but, at the moment, it’s Cole Haan amenity kits. They feature all of the essentials to keep you feeling fresh like an eye mask, earplugs, socks, tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, and a travel kit.

One of the coolest new features of AA’s Flagship Business Class is the Casper bedding that is provided. Each seat gets a Casper mattress pad, duvet, pillow, pajama set, day blanket, lumbar pillow and slippers. The items were so cozy and above and beyond what I’d expect on a business class flight!

Entertainment

The Hong Kong to LAX trip on American Airlines is on a Boeing 777-300. The plane is equipped with Wi-Fi, live TV streaming, and hundreds of movies.

There’s a good size screen and, with American Airlines Flagship Business class, you get Bose headphones (not the noise canceling kind though, so I’d still recommend bringing your own in the case that you’ve got noisy neighbors or like to use them to fall asleep).

Seating

In Flagship Business class, seats are all set up in a 1-2-1 configuration, so there is plenty of room to spread out. Every seat in AA Flagship Business class has a USB port, universal power plug, and a reading light.

The seats lie fully-flat, which is always a must for flights this long. There is just the right amount of storage space around you so you will have plenty of room to stash away your essentials and spread out.

For me, this is what makes all of the difference. While economy class is totally fine for short trips, it gets pretty miserable after eight hours (especially if you fly often!).

Being able to lie down for a nap and spread my stuff out makes a world of difference when the journey is as long as Hong Kong to Los Angeles. Not only is my trip better, but getting some much needed zzz’s also means that I can arrive refreshed and not lose any travel days.

Food + Drink

On the way from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, American Airlines offers three meals throughout the flight. They also have a snack station you can pop up at any time to hydrate and refuel.

Their menu for each meal includes a starter, salad, main, and a dessert. You will have the choice between four entrées and, of course, you will want to contact them in advance if you have any dietary restrictions.

Just log into their site at least 24 hours before you go and they will make accommodations to offer you a meal that suits your diet.

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Jumping Crocodile Cruise in Darwin, Australia

Attention, adventure lovers! If you are looking for the trip of a lifetime, you need to get to the Australian bush. While the cities down under are incredible, there is nothing like getting out of town and seeing the natural beauty and wonder of Australia.

I spent two months on the Australian east coast and completely feel in love with the country. From diving the Great Barrier Reef to hiking the Outback to soaking in the sun on the Gold Coast, I had so many unforgettable experiences here. In fact, Sydney is the official birthplace of “The Blonde Abroad.” Looking out over the Sydney Harbour, I realized just how deep my wanderlust ran.

Are you ready for a trip that will turn you on your head? Here’s what you need to know about exploring the Northern Territory and my experience on a Jumping Crocodile Cruise in Darwin, Australia!

Visiting the Northern Territory

While it is a bit out of the way, the Northern Territory is well worth the trip. I highly recommend exploring Alice Springs and hopping on the old school Ghan Train. I adore train travel and that is one trip I recommend for anybody’s bucket list.

Of course, you have got to get to the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin. This tropical city has a lot to offer and it’s a perfect stopover if you are traveling on to Asia.

You can easily spend a few days exploring but my all time fave experience in Darwin was the crazy Jumping Crocodile Cruise.

The Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Going on a Jumping Crocodile Cruise is an essential experience for any visitor in the Northern Territory. You hop on board at a spot that is just over an hour drive from Darwin and the cruise goes down the Adelaide River.

There are usually four cruises per day during the dry season, which runs from May to October in the Northern Territory.

The Jumping Crocodile Cruise is a terrifying but awesome (but terrifying!) experience. Exactly as advertised, these crocs will jump up all around the boat.

In fact, I couldn’t believe how close they got to us!

We saw massive crocodiles everywhere we went and they all had names. The cruise crew had massive hunks of meat that were very popular amongst the crocs. They jump up to grab a snack, which creates a perfect photo op. Since the boat is small and the crocs aren’t shy, you can easily snap some close-ups.

There was an endless stream of crocs and impressive birds all over as we floated down the Adelaide River. Unfortunately for our four-legged friends, there were always hawks ready to steal the meat away from the crocodiles!

Some of the crocs had unforgettable personalities (like the 80-year-old who had lost one of his legs in a fight with a shark!) which made the trip even more fun.

 

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The Best Bachelorette Party Destinations Around the World

There are few things I love more than an incredible girlfriend getaway! There’s nothing better than reconnecting with the girls, and, of course, a bachelorette party is the perfect excuse to party.

Got a bestie tying the knot? Here are the best bachelorette party destinations around the world.

Vegas

I always jump at the chance to get over to Las Vegas. It’s easily one of my fave girls’ trips. On top of the gambling, top notch clubs, and luxe living, there are other cooler lesser known spots like the Seven Magic Mountains, the Las Vegas Art District, and the Neon Museum.

Read More: Las Vegas Travel Tips

Palm Springs

Palm Springs has been every California girl’s favorite weekend escape for generations. I love the retro glamour of the hotels here, and it is an ideal place for a spa getaway. Be sure to save at least one afternoon for strolling down El Paseo Drive for one of a kind souvenirs.

Read More: Palm Springs Travel Tips

Austin

I stopped in Austin during my ultimate southern USA road trip, and fell in love with it. It is such a friendly city with absolutely amazing food.

This impressive Texas city is also the Live Music Capital of the World so nabbing some concert tickets is a must. If your bestie is a music lover, this is an unbeatable bachelorette destination.

Read More: The Ultimate Austin Travel Guide

Tulum

Easily the most beautiful spot on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Tulum is the perfect tropical break. This laidback beach town is full of yoga retreats, dining, and boutique shopping.

On the picture perfect Caribbean coast, this is an essential trip for beach lovers.

Read More: The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide

Nashville

More than just the ultimate destination for country music fans, Nashville is one of my most beloved destinations in the south. It’s a place where you are always guaranteed a fun night out with the girls.

Just be sure to hit up Broadway!

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Nashville in a Weekend

Amsterdam

This is one of those cities that really does have something for everybody. Amsterdam is definitely one of the most impressive places in Europe, and, from historical sites to insane nightlife, this city has it all.

Read More: The Ultimate Amsterdam Travel Guide

NYC

New York City is undoubtedly one of the most amazing cities in the world. Few places in the United States can compete with the nightlife in the City that Never Sleeps.

And, believe it or not, you can actually do NYC on a budget.

Read More: New York Travel Tips

Bali

For laidback beach bums who are getting ready to walk down the aisle, there is no place on earth like Bali. The island is a tropical oasis straight out of a postcard. Packed with yoga lovers, surfers, and luxe resort goers, I adore the vibe here.

Read More: Bali Travel Tips

Bangkok

A dream come true for foodies, shoppers, and backpackers, experiencing Bangkok is a must! This vibrant city is full of heady sights, sounds, and smells that will make you fall in love with Thailand as soon as you set foot off the plane.

Not only is Bangkok an incredible city, it is also a good setting off point for exploring the famous beaches of the Thai coast and islands.

Read More: The Ultimate Bangkok Travel Guide

Tokyo

Unlike anywhere else you have ever been, the Japanese capital city has a culture all its own. Tokyo will knock the chic heels off your fave bachelorette. Pick up local high fashion looks in Harajuku then hit up the hip local bars of the Golden Gai.

Read More: Tokyo Travel Tips

Ibiza

I absolutely adore Spain. From Madrid to Barcelona to Girona to Bilbao, every region has its unique charms. It really is one of those places that you can go back to year after year while having totally different experiences every single day.

I studied abroad there years ago and it’ll always have special place in my heart.

Ibiza is one of the Balearic islands, an archipelago of Spain located in the Mediterranean Sea. Ibiza is known for it’s wild nightlife which makes it the perfect place for a spicy, tropical bachelorette getaway.

London

Another place I keep coming back to is London. The British capital just has it all. Whether you want a crazy bachelorette night partying it up on the town or go nerd out over the Harry Potter tours, London was made for girls’ nights out.

Read More: The Ultimate London Travel Guide

The Yacht Week

I have done four girls-only adventures with The Yacht Week and absolutely loved them. Each route has its own charms, The Yacht Week Greece, Italy, Croatia and British Virgin Islands’s, so it totally comes down to your style.

Whichever you go for, it’ll give your girl an unforgettable experience before she ties the knot.

Read More: The Yacht Week Travel Tips

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