Wednesday, June 22, 2016

10 Travel Products You Need for Your Next Trip

Travel Products You Need

If there’s one thing that can make or break your trip, it’s preparation. Coming prepared for all of the inevitabilities of travel will make your journey infinitely easier.

From compression socks to neck pillows, life on the road doesn’t have to mean roughing it up. Create comfort wherever you go so you can arrive refreshed, rested, and ready to take on the world.

Here’s what I never leave home without & travel products you need for your next trip!

Mophie Powerstation

External Power Station

Stay charged when you’re on the move! When your phone is roaming, your battery will die faster. From maps to e-books to music to emergency calls, your phone is essential.

An external power station will keep all of your portable USB devices charged all day. Charge it overnight and carry it everywhere. You’ll never have to search for an outlet again.

Sleeping Mask

Spending long days on planes, trains, and buses can mean getting some much needed sleep. Don’t let that time go to waste! Get a comfortable sleeping mask and you’ll be able to doze off anytime, anywhere.

Rather than searching for ways to pass the time, you can get some shut-eye and arrive feeling refreshed.

Travel Sleeping Mask

Travel Neck Pillow

Neck Pillow

Another travel essential, neck pillows can transform any chair into a five-star bed. Or at least a place comfortable enough for you to drift off for a few hours. Find one you love and never travel without it.

GoPro HERO4 Silver

Forget about phone pics. Make every shot Instagram ready with a proper camera. Perfect for adventure travelers, to GoPro us a small and ultra-portable cam will allow you to take flawless, epic pics everywhere you go.

GoPro HERO4 Silver

Packing Cubes

Packing Cubes

These are incredibly valuable for saving space while packing. With packing cubes, I’m able to shove so much more into my bag without creating a wrinkly, disheveled mess. On top of that, they keep me organized.

I always know what’s where and I rarely forget anything since it’s all compartmentalized.

10ft Lightning Cable

Traveling usually means limited outlets. While it’s rare to find a room that has enough plugs, you don’t have to restrict yourself to the only corner you can find an outlet.

Carry a 10ft Lightning Cable so that you can stay connected on the go. Having a longer cord makes life so much easier. Upgrade and your future self will thank you.

Lightning Charger Cable

Organic Suncare

Suncare

It’s important to pamper your skin when you’re on the go. As you guys might already know, I am serious about skincare. Loving the sun as much as I do, I know how important it is to protect your skin from long-term and short-term damage.

For me, COOLA Organic Suncare Travel Kit is a top travel pick. It’s got all of the essentials and will leave your skin looking and feeling great.

 

Waterproof Phone Case

The last thing you want when you’re out of the country is a broken phone. When you are on the go, it’s important to protect your phone from water damage, cracks, and smashed screens with a durable case.

It’s an insurance policy that’ll pay for itself over and over again. If you’ve ever dealt with a broken screen or soaked phone, you know what I’m talking about all too well.

LifeProof Case

RejuvaHealth

Compression Socks or Leggings

These sexy little numbers from RejuvaHealth are extremely important for frequent flyers. They’ll prevent DVT, reduce leg stiffness, and prevent your ankles from swelling after long flights. You’ll arrive feeling much more refreshed.

Camera Bag

Protect your gear with this ultra-practical bag. I love Lo & Sons Claremont bag because it has plenty of space to double as a day bag while keeping my camera safe and sound.

That’s it! Remember, it’s always best to pack smart. Rather than loading down your bag with everything you could possibly need, focus on getting all of the essentials that will make your life easy.

Lo & Sons Claremont

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Travel Gear Packing Guide

 

10 Travel Products You Need for Your Next Trip is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

How to Get Awesome Photos as a Solo Traveler

How to Get Awesome Photos as a Solo Traveler

Struggling to master the art of the selfie? Never fear, solo traveler! You can get some amazing photos when you are traveling alone. Whether you are an early selfie stick adapter or are a total photography newbie, you can get a drool-worthy Instagram.

Here are a few important lessons I’ve learned from years of trying to capture the perfect photo as a solo traveler!

Morro Bay

Know What You Want

Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. If you want photos that you love, you need to know what kind of photos you want. What would your dream album look like? What’s your style? Get a general idea of these things so you aren’t shooting aimlessly.

Bali Jimbaran Bay

Find Inspiration

Explore Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration—I could spend years looking through all of their beautiful travel shots. It’s the perfect way to find your unique style; find photos you love and check out shots that overwhelm you. There are so many stunning pics out there.

Read More: How to Use Pinterest to Plan Your Next Trip

Selfie Stick Shot

Don’t Fear the Selfie Stick

Yes, you will look like a tourist but that’s ok—you are one. Embrace it! Traveling is one of the greatest luxuries in life. Don’t be embarrassed to indulge wholeheartedly. Bring your selfie stick and flaunt it! Pull it out at every opportunity and snap away shamelessly. Unless it’s actually been banned at your locale, there’s no reason to hide it.

Joshua Tree

Bring a Tripod

Selfie sticks will only get you so far. Bring a portable tripod everywhere so you can capture a wide range of shots. If you just stick with your selfie stick, your photo collection will be packed with way too many close-up shots.

Traveling with a tripod might seem like a hassle but it’s not if you’ve got the right bag. Get a lightweight tripod and never leave home without it. It will transform your selfie collection.

Recommended Travel Photography Gear:

Bali Photography

Ask for Help

If you want to get the perfect shot, don’t be afraid to ask for help from strangers. Listen to your gut and only give your camera to someone who seems trustworthy. Make sure to help him or her out. Show a pic for inspiration, set up the framing, and have all of your camera settings ready to go.

Most people, especially other tourists, are more than happy to get a quick lesson and take your photo.

Rapid-Fire Shooting

Use Rapid-Fire Shooting

Whether you ask someone to take your photo or you use a tripod with a timer, your best bet is to use your camera’s rapid fire setting for flawless photos. It’ll give a lot of shots to choose from and dramatically increase your odds of getting a pic you love. There’s really no benefit to doing single shots so get out of the habit.

Interval Shooting

Check Your Camera’s Interval Shooting Settings

My Fujifilm X-T10 allows me to set a timer and a sequence of shots at time intervals of my choice. For example, I can set up my camera to take one photo every two seconds for one minute.

For the perfect shot, I’ll set up the shot on my tripod and press the shutter button. My camera will take photos based on my settings and I’ll have a pile of shots to choose from.

Underwater Photography

Bring a GoPro

I adore my GoPro. It is awesome for shooting solo shots. I use the HERO4 Silver + 3-Way Mount to get selfies in action. My most common shooting setting is a time lapse every 0.5 seconds. To get great shots this way, just press the shutter button, let the camera roll, then press the shutter again to stop shooting.

Now, go! Get out into the world with your camera and shoot every magnificent inch of it. You’ll be the envy of Instagram and have a gorgeous showcase of your travel memories.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Travel Gear Packing Guide

 

How to Get Awesome Photos as a Solo Traveler is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



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Monday, June 20, 2016

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit San Francisco

Visit San Francisco

Golden Gate Park

Pier 39

Fresh Oysters

Fisherman's Wharf

China Town

Chinese Mooncakes

Across the SF Bay

Flower Conservatory

SF Gardens

SF Flower Conservatory

Dynamo Doughnuts

Mission District

Street Art

Haight and Ashbury

Kaleidoscope Glasses

Cafe Revielle

Golden Gate Bridge

Point Bonita Lighthouse

North of San Francisco

San Fran Painted Ladies

Driving the California Coast is one of my favorite trips that I take over and over again when I’m back in the Golden State, and I’ll visit San Francisco any time I can.

On my most recent girls trip this spring we started in San Diego and made stops in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo (the Madonna Inn is a must-stay), and Big Sur to end in beautiful San Francisco.

We spent a few days exploring the big city and the top things to do- from the diverse foodie scene, iconic sights and stunning coastlines, it proved to be the ultimate end destination for the road trip.

There are so many reasons to visit San Francisco… I can’t even name them all!

There’s so much crammed into San Francisco’s little peninsula. The liberal atmosphere, blend of historic sites and an eclectic cultural scene make it a wonderful place to visit. If you’re looking for a summer getaway, road trip destination, or just a lively staycation, San Francisco is your place.

READ NEXT: The Ultimate Guide to San Francisco in a Weekend

 

SHOP these San Francisco inspired styles!

20 Photos to Inspire You to Visit San Francisco is a post from: The Blonde Abroad



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My Personal DNA Journey: Learning Where I Come From

Momondo DNA Journey

Testing My DNA & Family History

Travel Tips

Where do you think you come from? I’ve always been curious about my ancestry, so I decided to take one of those home DNA tests. The results were fascinating.

Like me, I’m sure your family has told you stories passed down from generation to generation. Stories about your heritage, culture, and ancestry. The more we know about ourselves and our family’s past – the more our personal identity evolves.

For me, the stories included family members immigrating from Ireland and Poland looking for a better life in the United States. But these tales are sometimes vague and incomplete after being passed down over from person to person, like a childhood game of telephone.

How much is true? How much is being left out? This is where genealogy research and modern DNA technology can give you a more accurate picture of where you really come from. Sometimes, there are surprises…

I partnered up with the flight search experts at Momondo to answer those questions for myself, and hopefully inspire you to do the same.

Momondo DNA Journey

Momondo DNA Journey

Testing Your DNA

Home DNA testing is becoming easier and more affordable than ever before. Companies like AncestryDNA can give you results in a matter of weeks, while also comparing your DNA with 1.5 million members, possibly introducing you to relatives you didn’t know you had.

It’s fascinating technology. For under $100, this home DNA test looks at a person’s entire genome from more than 700,000 locations via a sample of saliva to predict your genetic ethnicity.

I received my DNA testing kit in the mail and followed the simple instructions. Basically, you spit into a plastic vial until your saliva reaches a black mark.

Next, you twist on a cap that releases a special DNA stabilizing liquid into the sample. Write down your tracking number, put your vial into a pre-paid box and mail it off to the lab. Easy and fast.

Test results normally take about 6-8 weeks to process. When they’re ready, you receive an email notification with a link to your password protected account, where you can view your ethnicity map and see where your ancestors came from.

Momondo DNA Journey

My Ethnicity Map

What Were My Results?

After hearing family stories for years, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what the test would say. But actually seeing my DNA results for the first time was still thrilling…

  • 40% Irish
  • 36% Eastern Europe
  • 14% Scandinavian
  • 8% European Trace Regions
  • 2% West Asia

I knew my family’s strongest roots were based in Ireland and Poland. My Grandmother was born in Ireland and sailed to the United States when she was only 17. My Great Grandfather fled Poland when he was 16 after both his parents were murdered.

However there was a surprise too. Like the 2% West Asian DNA. I also thought I’d have more West European roots, due to my German last name Karsten. But it seems I’m actually more Scandinavian than German!

Interesting, as I’ve been traveling to Sweden and Norway lately and enjoying it very much. Maybe it’s viking blood coursing through my veins that keeps me returning to photograph the landscapes of Scandinavia?

The information has broadened the way I think about my identity. It’s opened my world a little more. Even though I knew about my Polish heritage, the test results have reinforced my desire to visit Poland later this year.

Last year I traveled to Ireland with my parents and sister on a family genealogy road trip, visiting the hometown of my Grandmother and meeting Irish relatives for the first time.

It was an amazing trip and bonding experience. Since then, we’ve been having fun filling out our family tree information to get a better overall picture of our history.

Momondo DNA Journey

Traveling with my Family in Ireland

Start Your Own Journey

The beauty of travel is that it broadens the mind. I feel that traveling to learn more about your heritage and background multiplies this effect.

Would you like to explore your own genetic history and get a chance to travel in the footsteps of your ancestors?

Well my friends at Momondo want to help.

Visit LetsOpenOurWorld.com for a chance to win your own DNA testing kit, and the adventure of a lifetime traveling to every country you come from!

I hope you learn something new about your ancestry like I did. ★

Watch Video: The DNA Journey

(Click to watch Momondo – The DNA Journey on YouTube)

READ NEXT: 33 Cool Travel Jobs For Travel Addicts

Ever thought of taking a DNA test? Let me know in the comments!

Momondo Flight Search

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.



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