Home » Posts filed under Travel
Manali A Finest Hill Station to Explore
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, February 5, 2015
Wildlife Tours in North India And South India
Posted by Unknown
Kinnaur Tour
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Amazon Jungle, Barefoot Expeditions, Limoncocha natural reserve, Adventure travel, Ecuador
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, January 22, 2015

Image taken on 2009-07-18 00:27:14 by barefoot expeditions.
New Website Gives Travelers Ability to Make Travel Plans in Entirely New Way
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The site uses a clever interface that allows visitors to use natural language to search for the destinations that they want to visit, as well as indicating their date of travel, how long they'll be gone, and which airline class they want to fly in. From there, Amadeus takes over, locating the best possible options for the time you want to fly, and suggesting alternate dates when pricing may be better.
But searching for the best flights is just the tip of the iceberg for what Amadeus.net is capable of. After creating an account, you can plan out your itineraries, save them to your profile and share them publicly, or with friends and families. Built-in tags allow others to quickly and easily see what you have planned, and elect to add the same trip to their profiles as well. And if you're looking for a bit of inspiration, there are numerous trip plans created and shared by other Amadeus users as well.
The website is geographically aware, and upon visiting it immediately knew where I was at, and made all suggestions for flights based out of my home airport. Additionally, when I viewed the plans made by other users, it shifted the schedules accordingly for my location as well. When creating your profile, you can also designate your home location and preferred airport too.
The Amadeus.net designers have also built a suite of very useful tools for travelers too. For instance, a world clock will tell you the time in any major city across the globe, while currency converters will give you an idea of exchange rates at your destination as well. You'll also find handy airport guides, subway maps, international dialing codes, and even weather forecasts.
The hope is that Amadeus can become your one-stop shop for planning all of your travel needs. The site is still in beta however, so a lot of data is still being filled in. There are also plans to eventually add hotels in the future as well, making it possible to book your flights and accommodations all in one place.
The video below will give you an idea of how it all works, and the benefits of using the site. Then head on over and start plotting your next adventure today.
CheapOair and Qatar Airlines Are Giving Away a Pair of Bose Headphones Everyday in January
Posted by Unknown
Entry into the give away is simple. Just visit the Qatar Airways landing page at CheapOair, and click on the banner for the promotion. You'll be asked to login either via Facebook or by using your email address, either of which will earn you an entry into the contest. You can earn bonus entries by inviting friends to sign-up as well, or by joining the CheapOair mailing list. Each entry gives you an extra chance at scoring a pair of the Bose headphones.
For those not familiar with CheapOair, it is the fourth largest website for online booking of airfare – trailing behind just Expedia, Priceline, and Orbitz. The site is a great resource for travelers who are looking to save money when flying, and is one of my "go to" options when I'm looking to book a flight. Customers can shop for affordable flights online or through a mobile app, while also interacting with customer service reps through live chat or phone.
As mentioned above, I pretty much feel like a good pair of headphones are a must have for anyone who travels with any regularity. When I set off on a trip, I always take a pair with me as it helps to pass the time on the flight, and can provide a nice sense of escape from the noisy surroundings. My favorite pair are wireless as well, which eliminates the bulky cables that can easily get tangled when taking them in and out of your bag. Prior to owning these headphones I hadn't really thought that that would be much of an issue, but now I don't ever want to go back to standard headphones if I can help it.
This is your chance to score some great Bose headphones for yourself. Head on over to the Qatar Airways page and sign up now.
Video: Adventures in Enthralling India
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Video: Introducing the Matt Prior Adventure Academy
Posted by Unknown on Friday, December 26, 2014
That is exactly the premise behind the Matt Prior Adventure Academy, an innovative new approach to adventure travel that will allow participants to not only visit a fantastic destination, but earn valuable skills that will allow them to travel more confidently on their own in the future. The Adventure Academy will begin offering "courses" in 2015, giving would-be adventurers an opportunity to get out their front door, and start pursuing their passions more fully.
The Academy is the brainchild of Matt Prior, an adventure from the U.K. who has circumnavigated the globe in a London taxi, rode a motorbike through Patagonia, taken a Rickshaw from the southern tip of India all the way to the Himalaya in Nepal, and taken a road trip from London to Mongolia and back. In short, he doesn't lack for experience in the adventure travel realm, and now he wants to share that knowledge and experience with you.
Personally, I think the idea behind the Adventure Academy is a good one. I know plenty of people who say they would like to live a more adventurous life, but they have a hard time just getting out their front door. This program is designed to take away the excuses, and give participants the valuable skills necessary to show them that they can do amazing things if they just set their mind to it.
The video below will give you more of an idea of what Matt has in mind. It is endorsed by none other than Sir Ranulph Fiennes as well, so you know he is on to something. Find out more at the Adventure Academy Facebook page, follow the Academy on Twitter, and sign-up here for more details. A full-blown website will go online in January.
Video: 24 Beaches in a Day
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Thanks to Jono for sharing this. It looks like it was a lot of fun to make.
Video: The Little Nordics - Life in Miniature
Posted by Unknown
Video: Reconsider South Africa
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, December 23, 2014
And when you're done watching the video, head over to the Discover South Africa website to learn more about the country, and the amazing experiences that can be had there. For instance, did you know that the Eastern Cape is a pristine part of the world that remains largely untouched by man? It is the perfect destination to go in search of the legendary "Big 5" – which consists of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. The wildlife there is some of the most spectacular on the planet, and it is a place that will, without a doubt, leave a lasting impression on all who visit.
If you're considering going to South Africa in the near future, now is a great time to go. As winter arrives here in the Northern Hemisphere, in the southern part of the world summer is in full bloom.
Video: Where in the World Are You? - Quest #89
Posted by Unknown
Video: A Visit to Arctic Norway
Posted by Unknown on Monday, December 15, 2014
Video: A Portrait of New Zealand
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, December 11, 2014
Gear Closet: Camelbak Forge
Posted by Unknown
I first got the opportunity to check out the Forge back at Outdoor Retailer in the summer of 2013, and was immediately impressed with how much thought went into the design of the product. CamelBak could have easily just mass produced any-old travel mug, and people would have bought it based on their brand alone. But the design team actually came up with some unique features for the Forge, and went out of their way to ensure that it stands out in a very crowded market.
What makes the Forge so special? Well, for starters, it comes with a leak-proof, self-sealing cap that ensure your warm beverage goes in your mouth, and not down the front of your shirt. A trigger mechanism is integrated into the cap, making it super easy to open the seal when you're ready for a sip of your drink. Releasing the trigger seals the lid down tight, keeping the liquid in its place, and preventing accidental splashes. A lock-open button allows you to keep the seal open at all times if you choose, which can come in handy when you're wanting to vent out some heat.
Perhaps my favorite feature of the Forge is how easy it is to clean. Removing the lid from the canister allows the cam-arms on the sealing mechanism to flip open, allowing you to clean every nook and cranny of the lid. Other travel mugs have similar caps, but none are this easy to clean, which means they tend to build up grime over time. The Forge is also dishwasher safe, so you can toss it in with the rest of your dishes, and have the forge ready for use whenever you hit the road.
In addition to the cap, there has been a lot of thought put into the cup that actually holds the coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or other liquids too. The metal canister features double-walled vacuum insulation, which CamelBak says will keep your beverage warm for 4+ hours. That's plenty of time to enjoy a hot drink on your commute, or on that cross-country road trip. The bottom the cup also features a break-proof cap that absorbs impact, and keeps the mug looking brand new.
It is easy to think that all travel mugs are created equal, but when you feel the Forge in your hand, you know it is a quality product. Available in two sizes (16 oz and 12 oz), and a variety of colors, the Forge actually looks great too. The 16 oz version sells for $30, while the 12 oz model is $29. Either makes a great gift for the holiday season, and will be appreciated all winter long.
Check the Forge out online at the CamelBak website, or pick one up at a local retailer.
Video: 10 Days in Iceland
Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Where would you go, and what would you do, with ten extra days?
Video: Incredible Norway
Posted by Unknown on Monday, December 8, 2014
Video: Where in the World are You? Quest #55
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Gear Closet: 5.11 Tactical Stryke Pants
Posted by Unknown on Thursday, November 20, 2014
Made from Flex-TAC ripstop fabrics, the Stryke Pant features a cut that fits the body nicely, without inhibiting motion in any way. Comfortable to wear, even for extended periods of time, these pants allow you to move as necessary over rough terrain, and in difficult conditions. On top of that, they are treated with a Teflon coasting, that provides protection from stains and dirt, as well as a measure of moisture resistance as well. This is a nice benefit for travelers who like to travel light, as it allows you to carry fewer items with you when you go. In my case, I brought only two pairs of pants on my trip to Ecuador, with the Stryke Pant getting the bulk of the use during active pursuits.
Tactical 5.11 knows their customers well, and when designing these pants they incorporated plenty of pockets and stash points to store all of your important items. In addition to the traditional pockets on the front and back, there are also cargo pockets conveniently located on each leg. Inside those two pockets, you'll find organizational compartments as well, which are perfect for a cell phone, digital camera, a pocket knife, or what ever other items you want to keep close at hand. Both the cargo and rear pockets also feature velcro flaps to ensure a level of security too. Those flaps stay solidly in place, and are nearly impossible to open without drawing the attention of the wearer. This is also a nice feature for travelers, who want to keep their wallet, and other valuables, safe while on the road, although they also come in handy for making sure nothing falls out while you're scrambling up a mountain, or hiking a difficult trail.
I was impressed with how durable and rugged these pants are, without being overly weighty. The articled knees include knee pads to help protect the fabrics when you're kneeling on the ground, and other important areas of the design are reinforced as well. I put these pants through the wringer on multiple hikes in the Andes, as well as on mountain bike and horseback rides, and they came away looking brand new. They are even incredibly easy to wash while traveling, which allowed them to stay looking fresh, even though I had just worn them on a hike up a 4200 meter (13,779 ft) mountain.
As mentioned above, the Stryke Pant is moisture resistant, but not water proof. I found this out the hard way when I got caught in a rainstorm on an afternoon hike in the Andes, and ended up having to descend for about three hours in a squall. Surprisingly enough however, the pants still performed very well, and repelled water far longer than I would have expected. At the end of the day, they also dried fairly quickly, and were ready for use the next day without a hint of moisture remaining. While I wouldn't recommend wearing them on an adventure in which you expect to get wet, if the need arises they can certainly keep you moving, even when conditions are less than optimal.
While these definitely look like a pair of pants that you would wear on an adventure to some far flung destination, they also look good enough that you can also wear them about town, and not feel out of place. In fact, I wore them around Quito on more than one occasion, including grabbing dinner at a nice restaurant. I have the black version of the Stryke Pant, and they actually have narrow pin-stripes incorporated into the design. This actually makes them look a bit like dress slacks, even while carrying all kinds of extra gear in the pockets. Again, as a frequent traveler, it is nice to have versatile apparel that can pull double duty on the trail and at a nice dinner.
Tactical 5.11 sells the Stryke Pant for $70, which I feel is quite the bargain. They are incredibly well made, and seem like a piece of gear that you can rely on taking with you on multiple adventures for years to come. Very durable and comfortable, these pants will be a welcome addition to any outdoor enthusiast or adventure traveler's wardrobe. I know that I will be carrying them with me on many of my future journeys for sure.
Video: A Visual Journey Through Tibet
Posted by Unknown on Tuesday, November 18, 2014




