Young woman smiling with her luggage

7 Tips to Travel On a Budget and Still Make Happy Memories

Studies show that spending money of experiences rather than material objects will make you happier. You’ll not only be able to create positive memories that will last you a lifetime, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen your relationships with friends and family too. But if you are currently living on a tight budget, you may feel like you don’t have the means to take those trips that bring so much joy to your life. You will be pleased to know that visiting unique places around the world and having a fun holiday does not always have to be costly. You can still enjoy a meaningful vacation if you budget and plan well. Here are seven useful tips that you can use to take the trips that make you happy without breaking the bank. 1.   Plan Your Trip Random and spontaneous trips may sound exciting but if you are traveling on a tight budget, planning is the way to go. You will need an itinerary that clearly defines where you wish to go and for how long, so research on the countries and cities you want to visit and the amount of time you are going to spend in each place is key. Pro tip: Travel During Off-Season. Not only do trips during peak seasons cost more, but you will also be in the midst of heavy crowds and loads of tourists. Summer holidays are something you will want to avoid. You can get quite a bargain on plane tickets and hotel stays during low-season period. 2.   Choose Your Accommodations Wisely Opt out of expensive hotel stays and look for dorms, hostels, and guesthouses instead. If you are traveling with your family or friends, sharing rooms can also lower costs. If you are up for it and feel safe, sharing a room with other tourists can also be a good idea. You can make use of popular booking platforms (like Airbnb) to book apartment/home rooms ahead of time at nearly half the cost. Take advantage of any friends, family members, and colleagues who live in the area you are visiting to see if they would let you stay at their house during the trip. Plus, your trip may be less stressful on you if you are around good company. 3.   Book Flights Ahead of Time Booking flights ahead and getting a good bargain on return flights will save you added hassle, time and money. Getting tickets nearly a year or even a few months ahead is a good idea if you do not want to worry about running short of money during your trip. When booking your flight, you can always: Pick a flight during the middle of the week such as Tuesday or Wednesday to get premium lower prices. Traveling midweek also makes checking in at the airport easier due to shorter queues. Book economy class instead of business to save up on those bucks. Pick a lower-budget airline with cheap deals and shorter flying times. Pack light luggage as hold luggage costs extra money. If possible, opt for a bus or train instead of an air flight to reduce costs even further. 4.   Watch What You Eat If you choose to eat every meal from a fancy restaurant, you’ll burn a hole in your pocketbook quickly. Make sure to explore the area to see what you wish to eat and what it should cost on average. You can buy cheaper food and dishes from grocery stores or local markets. Cut down on unnecessary drinks and sweets and stay hydrated with water instead. If the place where you are staying has a kitchen, you might want to save money by meal planning beforehand and cooking something on your own. 5.   Earn During Vacation Working while on a vacation or getaway is a brilliant way to recover money spent during the trip. Doing so can allow you to travel for months on end and explore to your heart’s content. A few ideas to earn extra money include: Turning into a travel vlogger to earn money through social media. You can resize video for Facebook or use other software to make your content more interesting. Offer to host other tourists. Teaching travelers skills like skiing during the winters. Teaching a language. Freelancing 6.   Get Travel Insurance Travel insurance can be expensive but is worth it. You can get coverage for financial losses and minimize your financial risks during your traveling period. A good travel insurance plan will cover: Lost baggage. Stolen items. Emergency medical expenses due to an illness. Trip delays and cancelation. Missed flights or vehicle trips. Legal costs incurred due to accidentally damaging property or causing injury. 7.   Seek Out Fun for Free Looking for free things that you can do while you are traveling to can help reduce your expenses significantly. For example, many museums or walking tours may be little to no cost as all. You can also reduce costs by carpooling with your friends or other tourists. This way the fare will be reduced by half or even three to four times the cost. Traveling for leisure should be full of fun and doesn’t need to be burdened by the constant worry of running out of funds. If you follow the tips above carefully, you can travel to nearly any part of the world without it costing you an arm and a leg.
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Couple in a taxi in Manhattan

8 Ways to Be a Tourist in Your Own City

With frequent airline delays and long security lines, flying is not as fun as it used to be. Why not try something new: See your own city from a fresh perspective. Maybe you’ve lived in a place your whole life but never visited the prime attractions because “they’re for tourists.” Well, it’s time to become a tourist in your own town. You’ll get the same mood-boosting benefits of travel without spending as much or suffering any jet lag. 1. Get out of the house! Splurge and book a luxe hotel room downtown for the weekend; that’s how you know you’re on vacation. 2. Travel in style. If you live in a driving city, do this right: Ditch the sedan and rent a convertible or a sports car. 3. Visit the professionals. This may sound dorky, but have you thought about visiting your local tourist office? It's there for a reason. When looking for fun ideas and destinations, talk to these paid professionals—or at least visit their website. 4. Book a guided tour. Take a docent-led architectural, history or other walking tour to gain a deep, new understanding of your surroundings. 5. Venture outside your routine. You know that new art museum, gallery, bookstore and restaurant you’ve wanted to try but haven’t had the time? Now is the time. 6. Hit the water. If there is a lake, river or ocean in the vicinity—instead of just admiring the view—reserve a canoe or book a ticket on a ferry and get out on the water for a totally new view. 7. Find your hidden nature. A park or nature preserve near you is waiting to be discovered. Find it! 8. Toast the town. Many cities boast a signature dish: San Francisco has Dungeness crab; you can’t leave Boston without eating clam chowder. Visit that famous old-timey restaurant that serves the “original” and have a blast. Read more: 5 Reasons You Need a Vacation Read more: Tripped Up: Are You More Stressed on Vacation Than You Are at Work? Emily Wise Miller is the Web Editor for Live Happy. Her recent articles include 9 Tips to Be Happier Working From Home and 20 Best Sleep-Away Camps for Grown-Ups.
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Family on a ride at Disney World

10 Tips to Do a Disney Vacation Right

I love taking my family to Disney World (and Disneyland, and Disney cruises….) But it isn’t the Happiest Place on Earth when someone is having a meltdown. Listen to your kids (and your spouse) when they aren’t excited about the next ride or show and start saying things like, “I don’t want to meet Minnie Mouse; I want to go to the pool!” That means it’s time for a break. Head back to the hotel for a while or find a play area in the park. Mixing the high-intensity fun of rides and shows with a little relaxation is the key to a truly magical time at the Magic Kingdom. Happiness research tells us that some of the pleasure in taking a vacation comes from planning it and thinking about it ahead of time. Let your kids participate in decision-making (when possible). Watch videos and look at websites together to get excited about the parks. To savor the trip even more, take photos while you’re there, get them printed and get together to compile them into an album when you are back home—thus reliving the fun over again. Here are 10 more tips to make the most of your visit: 1. Do a little research Don’t arrive and think you are going to do the Magic Kingdom in the morning, Epcot at lunch and then try to tackle Animal Kingdom all in one day. Be realistic about what you can accomplish. Check these websites (many of which are written and maintained by Disney obsessives—and that’s a good thing) for itineraries, tips and short-cuts, and consider buying a book, if you want to be able to carry something with you. Check the Disney websites for ticket deals and special tours happening when you plan to be there. If you want to go the Full Mickey, with a guide to spirit you past lines and into every ride and show, check out Disney’s VIP Tour Services. 2. Set priorities When planning your trip, ask family members what are the one or two things they don’t want to miss, such as meeting Tinker Bell or riding Space Mountain. Then build a schedule, making sure to include those things, and if you miss some lower-priority items, it’s OK. 3. Prepare a budget Before you go, research and find out what it will cost for room, food, transportation, souvenirs, etc. Choose what you can afford. You don’t want to be surprised by the costs, or be so far over budget that your vacation becomes a financial albatross. Make sure to leave room for little splurges that will make everyone happy, like Mickey ice cream bars, T-shirts or other souvenirs. 4. Get the apps Disney has gone high-tech—and we’re not talking about the Main Street Electrical Parade. Download some important apps before you go: The Disney Wait Times app is available in both Apple and Android. In addition, Disneyland and Disney World both have their own proprietary apps that let you know which characters will be where, when (essential!), FastPass return times (see below), restaurant menus and other handy items. 5. Get the Pass Disney offers a FastPass that is free to everyone. Learn about it and use it! It will save you hours and hours of standing in line for rides. 6. Come early If the newest ride has a four-hour line, don’t stand in it. While it may be the best 2:15-minute ride in the world, it’s unlikely your 8-year-old will appreciate it enough to overcome the inconvenience of the wait. If your child simply has to go on a certain popular ride, get to the park first thing in the morning before it opens and head straight to your ride. You should be able to get on within a half-hour, and enjoy the rest of the park afterward. 7. Look around you Enjoy the scenery. Disney parks aren’t just about the rides. Everything from the landscaping to the logo design, the details of the architecture to the smells of the food, can take you to another world. 8. Take an animal break When you want to slow down a bit, go to Animal Kingdom. The rides and shows are great, but there are actual animals there, and they are worth your time. Kids love the underwater views of fish swimming idly by. 9. Take advantage of together time When standing in line (and you will be standing in line), don’t just look at devices to check email or play games—talk to one another! Don’t think of it as killing time as you wait to get on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride, think of it as a rare opportunity to spend quality time with your family. Don’t waste it. 10. Remember why you’re there This is a vacation—not a competition or task to accomplish. Sleep in if you want to. Go back to the hotel to nap or play in the pool if you need to. The important thing is not to visit each ride or each park, but to have the best time with your family. Read more: 8 Secrets to a Happy Family Road Trip Deborah K. Heisz is the CEO and Editorial Director of Live Happy.
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Japanese hot spring.

Find Zen in the Japanese Wilderness

In Japan, bathing in the steaming natural waters of onsens, or hot springs, is an age-old national obsession and popular tourist draw. The country’s native religion, Shintoism, teaches that the mind, soul and body need to be regularly cleansed, and it is no wonder that thousands of Japanese regularly travel from every corner of the country to find respite in the 26,796 ancient pools dotted across the Japanese archipelago. Hakone's onsen obsession The lakeside town of Hakone is at the heart of Mount Fuji’s onsen hot spots. The onsens of Hakone were originally used as a hybrid between public baths and places of relaxation. There is a tradition in Hakone, and across the Fuji region, of “naked communion,” where locals and visitors alike let their inhibitions go as everyone shares a serene bath together surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Even the local monkeys like to sneak in a quick swim. Bathing is a common prescription in Japan for all kinds of ailments, both physical and mental. The four types of naturally occurring onsens—sulphur, sodium chloride, hydrogen carbonate and iron—each promote healing of various pains and illnesses. This therapeutic tradition of balneotherapy aims to harmonize health. Hidden paradise Inside the natural surroundings of Hakone Kamon, where the onsens look like ponds on the gentle slope of a mountain and a waterfall splashes in the background, the steaming waters cleanse mind and body. Large ceramic bathtubs slowly bubble as birds tweet from the trees, taking the mind on a journey toward tranquility. When the setting sun falls behind the trees, traditional flickering lanterns cast ghostlike shadows over the baths. Spiritual awakening The Tenzan onsen incorporates a historic Japanese bathing house amid thousand-year-old forests and mountains. Inside the wooden bathhouse, there is virtually no light, so the body can escape the hot midday sun and the mind can avoid any distractions from the outside world. Shintoism teaches that the mind should be allowed to wander freely for regeneration. Floral delight In Hakone Yuryo, built on the site of a former begonia garden, family and private baths are available. Bathing in the mineral-rich pools with the scents of rare local fowers filling the air ignites the imagination. Read more: The Warmth of a Finnish Sauna Joe Worthington is a travel writer and editor based in the United Kingdom.
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Log cabin on beautiful lake.

The Warmth of a Finnish Sauna

Since ancient times throughout Finland, steamy natural saunas have helped troubled souls shed impurities of the mind through sweat and contemplation. The flickering of candlelight refocuses the mind away from everyday problems, and the secluded wilderness ensures that there are no distractions from the journey of stress relief. The Finns, who rank fifth on the 2016 World Happiness Report, take their saunas seriously and focus on three different types of relaxation. Slow and silent In the Pyhäpiilo Sacred Hide Sauna, located on Lake Pyhäjärvi, as you return from the freezing temperatures outside, you lie back in steaming water as a gentle drumming sound echoes in the background of darkness. The bubbling waters tap against your skin and the toxins are flushed away. Sauna bathing in Finnish folklore borders on the religious, where the mind is allowed to roam free, conjuring up mystical visions of happy memories with no distractions. Slowing the mind, as smoke fills the air, you enter an almost trancelike state. Wild and free The Sauna of Old Time Stories brings little-known Finnish folklore to life in an old cattle shed. Occupying the mind is a great way to empty your head of unwanted thoughts. As your feet soak in a soothing warm bath and birch branches lightly brush against your back and shoulders, the voice of a local from the pitch darkness tells tales of how Kuusamo village was founded, conjuring images of bearded men chopping trees in the forests and women boiling food in a pot over the fire. Alive and strong Invigoration of the mind and body is an important factor of Finnish saunas. In the Iivaara Wilderness Sauna, freshly cut tree branches burn over a sole candle in the center of the room, filling the air of the wooden hut with a fresh scent as the skies outside flash with the aurora borealis. Legend suggests that natural scents strengthen the soul and the shadows created by a flickering candle flame bring the imagination alive with wild imagery of natural forests and flowing streams. The combination of cleanliness from pure stream water and the serenity of the secluded surroundings creates a unique relaxing atmosphere unlike anywhere on Earth. The owners of Pyhäpiilo sum up the Finnish sauna experience best, “At Pyhäpiilo…it feels that all your worries disappear up the chimney to the sky, and you are cleansed from the dust of everyday woes by the cool waters of Lake Pyhäjärvi.” Joseph Worthington is a travel writer and editor based in the United Kingdom.
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Top 3 Reasons to Travel With Your Kids

Top 3 Reasons to Travel With Your Kids

After more than a decade traveling while producing the television series Travel With Kids, people always ask me: "Why travel with kids?"The family bonding and intellectual and emotional growth that takes place when you travel together builds a child's confidence to explore his or her world. If you didn't travel with your own parents, you may be reluctant to start the tradition. Whether you don't know where to start planning or worry it will turn into a Griswold family vacation, it can be a bit scary as you venture into the unknown. But the rewards are well worth it.Family BondingWhen you explore a new place together—whether it’s a farmers market in the next county over or an exotic locale in a distant land—there is an essence of bonding that takes place. When everything around you is new, families tend to stick together through the experience. Your common background allows you to feel comfortable exploring the unknown. And the shared memories you experience will bond you in the future.Read more about the connection between travel and happiness.Intellectual GrowthTravel can be extremely educational, and not in a boring way. The hands-on, interactive opportunities to learn history and culture can be so exciting that the kids won’t even realize they are learning. At Travel With Kids we call it edutainment.Some great examples include learning how coffee is made by hiking through the orchard and following the bean from tree, to roaster, grinder and cup; crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels and hiking through the jungles to get a greater understanding of the Vietnam War; hiking the mountain trails up to the lost Incan civilization at Machu Picchu; or walking through the streets ofSoweto, South Africa, and through the prison on Robben Island to comprehend the life of Nelson Mandela.I’ll never forget my son Nathan’s first day of first grade. He walked in and saw a picture of a Mayan pyramid, and said, “Hey, Chichen Itza!” (a place we had visited the summer before). He could tell the teacher how the Mayans lived there, how they used the sun and moon, etc. It’s hands-on learning, and it sticks with them as they learn about the places in school.Read More: Opportunities for "volunteer tourism."Emotional GrowthWe all hope to raise emotionally healthy children who are confident in their own abilities and beliefs. When kids see that parents are willing to put themselves out there, and sometimes fail at a new activity or language, it shows them that it is OK to take risks in a healthy manner. Whether you are trying zip lining for the first time in Costa Rica, horseback riding in Arizona or learning indigenous words in Alaska, when your kids see that you are willing to risk failing, they will be more likely to try new things themselves.When they get back to school, maybe they will try a new sport, try out for the school play or run for student council. The positive, safe risk-taking behavior you have modeled will help them succeed.Read More: 8 Secrets to a Happy Family Road Trip.
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Transformative Travel

Transformative Travel

Altruism boosts happiness. Traveling not only increases happiness but also opens our horizons to new cultures and ideas. Combine the two and you’ve got transformative travel.Volunteer opportunities have widened in the last few years, from “surf and serve” programs in Peru to pulling radishes from the earth at organic farms in Japan to exploring the inky depths of Belize’s Barrier Reef.WAVES for DevelopmentThe destination: Lobitos, Peru“Go to surf, stay to serve” is the motto of WAVES for Development, which hosts surf voluntourism trips in Peru. Launched by a group of local and international surfers in Peru in 2004, the program is rooted in the belief that “access to and conservation of water is a necessity for the future of humanity.”The program is ideal for solo or group travelers, with an inviting, communal atmosphere—rooms and meals are shared, everyone goes surfing together. The volunteer work is equally stimulating, including environmental education, social entrepreneurship, teaching English, surf classes and community outreach. And, of course, the bonus is your location: The tiny surf village of Lobitos, population 1,000, on the sun-warmed northern coast of Peru.The information: wavesfordevelopment.orgAppalachian Trail ConservancyThe destination:Across 14 states in the U.S., from Georgia to MaineThe Appalachian Trail is more than hiking. For many, it's a test of self. Numerous hikers have been inspired by the A.T.: In 2010, Mike Hanson was one of the first blind hikers to traverse the 2,180-mile trail; in 1998, travel writer Bill Bryson became (in his words) the laziest person to trek the trail, overcoming his“waddlesomesloth”; and in 2011, JenniferPharrDavis, a long-distance hiker and author, nabbed the record for fastest thru-hike of the trail (46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes).But there would be no trail without the volunteers: The trail is maintained throughout the year by over 6,000 volunteers, and they're always looking for more. Sign up and you’ll do everything from helping protect the land surrounding the footpath to supporting teachers in the Trail to Every Classroom program. Best of all: The trail is vast, as is the surrounding wilderness, which means you can often have large swathes of it to yourself – with just some local woodpeckers, moose and the occasional black bear for company.The information:appalachiantrail.orgOceanic SocietyThe destination: The Cayes, BelizeBelize may be tiny, but it claims this impressive superlative: the longest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere. From the inky depths of the Great Blue Hole to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which is swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays, the Barrier Reef has one of planet’s richest marine ecosystems.The Oceanic Society offers travelers the chance to not just snorkel the waters, but to sustain it. The nonprofit Oceanic Society, founded in 1969, has eight-day “volunteer vacations” where you can work side-by-side with researchers to monitor the health of Turneffe Atoll’s coral reefs, including gathering data on water quality and reef inhabitants.Solo travelers are well catered to—you’ll stay in rustic beachfront cabanas, and after the sun goes down, presentations are given on everything from marine ecosystems to reef history. Top off the night with a Belikin beer (or three) on the beach under the bright moon.Belize’s legacy of conservation is also evident inland, particularly at the Manatee and Primate Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja, in Northern Belize, where volunteers assist with rehabilitation strategies for three species—the West Indian manatee, the Yucatan black howler monkey and Geoffrey’s spider monkey.The information: oceanicsociety.org and wildtracksbelize.orgRead More: 33 Ideas for Happy TravelsWWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms)The destination: Worldwide, from Portugal to JapanPrune olive trees in Portugal. Milk cows in Denmark. Get dirt under your fingernails pulling daikon radishes from the earth in Japan. WWOOF offers volunteer opportunities, from a couple of days to a several months, on organic farms and smallholdings across the globe.Though it’s now a hugely successful initiative, WWOOF had humble beginnings: It was launched in 1971 by Sue Coppard, a secretary working in London, who didn’t have “the means or the opportunity to access the countryside and support the organic movement.” More than 40 years later, WWOOF continues to be especially popular with solo urbanites, who are looking to escape the big city (and canned food) by sweating over a hoe for the weekend, followed by dinner while overlooking the fields that provided it.Most importantly, every volunteer effort helps ensure that organic fruits and veggies will continue to show up in the bins of your corner grocery store. Perhaps the greatest proof of WWOOf's accomplishment? It has now entered into volunteer lexicon as a verb: "I'm going to WWOOF this weekend…"The information: wwoof.netRead More: What does travel have to do with happiness?AnneLise Sorensen is a travel journalist based in New York City.
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Get your kicks on Route 66

You Can Still Get Your Kicks on Route 66

If you’re thinking about embarking on that great American road trip this summer, why not plan to motor west? Route 66, the fabled and storied road that winds more than 2,000 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, is still oozing in Americana, with old-school motor lodges, burger joints and one-of-a-kind roadside attractions that your parents never wanted to stop at when you were a kid. Now that you’re in charge of the wheel, let the just-released Lonely Planet Route 66 Road Tripshelp you on your quest for kitsch. Here are a few of their recommendations: Wilmington, Illinois, is home to the Gemini Giant, a 28-foot fiberglass spaceman, who has been standing in front of the Launching Pad Drive-In since the ’60s. While you can no longer grab a hot dog and a pop from the recently closed restaurant, if you hurry, you can still get a selfie with the giant muffler man. The Munger Moss Motel’s neon sign in Lebanon, Missouri, has been drawing in travelers like moths to a flame for more than 50 years. Its legendary sign is always on—even through a Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program refurbishing in 2010. Further south, in the Texas panhandle city of Amarillo, is one of the most iconic tributes to America’s motor past: the famed, graffiti-covered Cadillac Ranch. What started as an art installation in 1974 is now a rite of passage for Route 66ers. If souvenirs are on the list, you’ll hit the mother lode of the Mother Road in Seligman, Arizona, which boldly claims to be the birthplace of the “Historic Route 66.” Stop by Angel and Vilma Delgadillo’s Route 66 Memorabilia & Visitor’s Center and pick up shirts, hats, signs, shot glasses and even mousepads for the gang. And if you aren’t allkitsched out, pop over to the Delgadillo’s Snow Cap Drive-In for burgers and shakes. After cruising 2,200 miles through America’s heartland, Route 66 ends at the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, California. Every great journey should end with a celebration, and the 106-year-old Santa Monica Pier is the place to party, with roller coasters, carnival games and a 1920s carousel that was featured in The Sting.
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33 Ideas for Happy Travels

33 Ideas for Happy Travels

Whether you are leaving on a jet plane or off to a weekend getaway, taking regular trips can be beneficial for your mental and physical well-being. Here is a list of our ideas for you to do, read, watch, and contemplate in your daily travels.1. “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” —Lao Tzu2. Read An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson.3. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” —Pope Francis4. Listen to “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn.5. “Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” —Ernest Hemingway6. Go to a music festival.7. Watch Into the Wild.8. “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” —Buddha9. Read A Walk in the Woodsby Bill Bryson.10. Watch The Endless Summer.11. Travel with a purpose.12. Take a weekend trip.13. Make a slideshow from previous vacations.Read more about making the most of your vacations here.14. Learn a new language.15. Go camping and unplug.16. Listen to “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas.17. Listen to “Roam” by the B-52s.18. Watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles.Learn the 8 Secrets to a Happy Family Roadtrip.19. Book a train ride.20. Host an international dinner party.21. Watch Rick Steve’s Europe on PBS.22. Read A Cook's Tourby Anthony Bourdain.23. Pretend to be a tourist in your hometown.24. Spend time with your family planning a vacation.25. Read The A to Zen of Travelby Sarah Tucker.26. Listen to “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode.27. Read Pass the Butterworms: Remote Journeys Oddly Renderedby Tim Cahill.28. Witness the beauty of America on two wheels.29. Listen to Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.”30. Visit a national monument or a state park.31. “I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” —Rosalia de Castro32. Read On the Roadby Jack Kerouac.33. Watch Roman Holiday.Need more inspiration? How about 33 Ideas for Living a More Courageous Life.What are some of your favorite places to go? How do you like to spend your time when you travel? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
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Boats on Beach

Travel and Happiness

A little experience may make you a cynic, but a lot of experience can bring you back to a truer and kindlier self, according to Plato. Traveling can give you those life experiences that broaden your horizons while humbling yourself to the world around you. While you don’t have to sell all your possessions and become a worldly wanderer, there may be some benefits to taking the time out of your busy life to see the places you’ve always wanted to see. Checking off those boxes on your bucket list and fulfilling your goals can certainly give you a sense of accomplishment in your life. Even spending a relaxing vacation with loved ones can nurture those personal relationships that are important to you. Or, you can stay home and live those life experiences vicariously through these travel bloggers who chronicle their globe-trekking adventures for all to see. Either way, an escape is an escape… right? Two Happy Campers are Mark and Michelle—two people who are perfectly happy to live in the present. These habitual campers only work to support their travel. They have left the material world behind to live their life to the fullest. ThePlanetD is run by an “adventure couple” from Toronto who specialize in “adventure travel.” They have achieved their goal of making a living out of traveling, and are perfectly content spending the rest of their lives seeing the world together. Beers and Beans is a blog by Beth and Randy, who want to help you travel better. One is a photographer and the other a journalist: A perfect team to document their journey throughout the world providing inspiration for others to do the same. Nomadicsamuel.com not only offers up traveling tips, blog posts and photos from around the world, but this site also features links to the top 100 travel blogs. You can spend hours perusing other travel sites reading and learning about how others are making the most out of their life experience.
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