First Time Tips

Hey Travel Gurus!
I am fully aware that a lot of the population has not traveled on a large scale before, and the lack of experience might inhibit them from wanting to try traveling in the future. I'm here to provide you with three steps to take before traveling for the first time to make your experience a whole lot better.

1.) Research - Stress is the biggest factor that can negatively affect a  travel experience and getting a general idea of what's to happen beforehand can eliminate a lot of the stress and worry that comes with traveling to an unknown place. Before going somewhere new, look into the place online and know what to expect. This will help you pack accordingly, and go into your adventure with the right mindset. Check the hotel's ratings online and look for fun things to do in the area so you aren't at a loss when arrive at your destination. Also be sure to research whether or not your location is friendly to your personal needs whether this be a certain diet or disability, you don't wan to get there and realize you can't eat or go anywhere safely. Get to know the place you'll be spending your time at so you don't have any unnecessary drama or anxiety when you arrive.

2.) Travel with those you love - Traveling solo is a great experience and shouldn't be undermined in any way. However, if you're a first time voyager, trekking through unknown terrain can be that much more nerve wracking when you're doing it alone. Ease into the amazing activity of traveling so you aren't introduced to the phenomenon in a negative manner. Traveling with someone you love and trust can help ease your tension and nervousness about traveling to a foreign location. Even if something scary or bad were to happen, you have someone to help you laugh it off and don't have to face the ordeal on your own. Traveling with people who are meaningful to you also helps you strengthen your bond to each other and create unforgettable memories. Be sure to document your experience physically or mentally so you''l be able to go back and reminisce on your positive experiences with each other.

3.) Take it easy - Traveling is a great experience and can be that much better if you just face it with the right attitude. Don't sweat the small stuff, and enjoy the fact that you had the opportunity to leave your busy life to experience the world around you. Live life on the edge and be spontaneous, because you'll regret a missed opportunity more than a negative encounter. Have fun, let loose, and just like with anything, face the situation with a positive attitude and it will inevitably become a positive experience.

Thanks for reading!
Taz

Preparing for Takeoff

Hey Tarvel Gurus!

Even though I love traveling via airplanes, I realize that boarding a plane to a destination isn't always a perfect experience. Looking back, I wish there were some things I learned beforehand, so I hope I can help you have a better aviation experience by sharing what I have found in my air travel experiences.

The first tip is in regards to clothing and is in my opinion, an essential part of having a great air travel experience. When running in a busy airport, comfort should definitely come before style. This isn't to say that you need dress like a hobo. Rather, just take it easy  and don't stress about it because chances are, everyone is too busy getting lost to notice the fact that your outfit colors don't match or that there's a stain on your shirt. Make sure you're comfortable and can easily maneuver in whatever you're wearing and try to dress in layers so you can adjust what you're wearing to the climate in the airport and ont the plane.

Secondly, puncatuality is everything. Do not under any circumstance underestimate how much time it takes from the moment of entrance to boarding your plane. Long lines, suitcase weigh-in, several security checks and getting a chance to eat all consume a lot of town. You also want to keep a safe time cushion as it can take a while to find your gate and in the event that you get lost or have a major setback at securit or customs, you won't be pressed for time.

Lastly, take care of yourself. Make sure to get a good night's sleep beforehand as the environment of a crowded airplane doesn't necessarily warrant peaceful sleep. Make sure to moisturize as the thin air when flying can quickly dry your skin. Stay hydrated and prepare yourself so you aren't met with unnecessary stress at the airport and just stay positive. Everything's a lot more fun that way :)

Hope this helped and thanks for reading!

Taz

How to Look Like a Local in Terrific Tunisia

Hey Travel Gurus!

Being the first US born member of my family, I have a strong connection with the birthplace of my parents and the location of my ancestral lineage. For me that's the wonderfully tiny North African country of Tunisia. The beauty of the culture and the landscape reflects in the fashion choices of people there and I'm here to tell you how to dress, should you ever find yourself in the gorgeous Mediterranean country.

Tunisia's climate is fairly platonic meaning that you don't need to worry too much about dressing for crazy weather. Winter however can be a little chilly and rainy, but that is about the extent of weather change you would experience there. The citizens of Tunisia are very eclectic due to the vastly different fashion choices prevalent in each city. No matter where you are in the country however, the one common variable in dress code is bright colors, comfortable clothing and light materials. Flowy dresses and shorts are very popular for ladies while simple shorts and bro tanks are usually worn by the guys. There are also distinct traditional clothing items that you can find spattered among the street scene although those are usually worn by elderly natives. Be sure though if you plan on buying anything from the markets, that the quality is worth the price, as vendors can sometimes paly up the price, so don’t be afraid to bargain. Shopping in the clothing or even food markets can be a great experience so don’t miss out on it. The downtown area also usually has many store chains you can find in the US and store chains unique to Tunisia. Try to explore as much as you can!

An additional tip about Tunisia is be prepared for the friendliness there! Hospitality is a very important custom and social interactions are centered on the idea of treating their guest, and in this situation, you're the guest! Make sure to welcome this custom as much as you can as it is easy to come off as rude or arrogant if you refuse their services.

As well as the beautiful people, try and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Each city is like its own country in that they each specializes in its own industry and has it own unique and flourishing culture.

All in all make sure to dress in what suits you, what makes you comfortable and what makes you happy to help you enjoy your trip. Thanks for reading!

Taz

How to Look Like a Local in Fantastic France

Hey Travel Gurus!

When I was very young, I was fortunate to join my parents on an expedition to France so my dad could rejoin with old friends. Although I was too young to remember most details of the trip, let alone what people wore, I have many friends back in the country and through stalking their social media and doing research of my own, I feel pretty in touch with the style of clothing in France.

One thing I definitely notice in French clothing styles is the seriousness to which people regard clothing- this is of course to be expected in one of largest fashion cities in the world. Although clothing style is of higher caliber than in England, for the most part, no one is overly done while walking the streets. However women's makeup is far more refined and heavier in France and hair is done up on a regular basis. Men also show obvious signs of painstaking hair care. Despite this, the wardrobe of an average Parisian is constituted mainly of chic basics. Simple blouses and cute flats makeup a woman's average outfit while men go for a nice pair of jeans and  a nice button up. If you're still stressed on how to dress if a trip to France is in your near future, remember to keep it simple yet stylish. Don't overdo it but don't be afraid to add your own little flare to your style in the form of bold jewelry or eccentric tennis shoes. Just have fun with it and remeber to stress less about your clothing and more about where the nearest crepe stand is.

A tip about the people in France is that they regard social politeness very highly so be sure to greet others with a positive attitude and be aware of situations whee it is appropriate to buy a gift (i.e flowers or chocolate) such as when someone invites you over. People there are also rather independent and like to carry on their daily tasks without being interrupted, so just try to not intrude on other's personal lives and keep a smile on your face; you are in France for Pete's sake!

Thanks for reading!

Taz

How to Look Like a Local in Endearing England

Hey Travel Gurus!

A couple of years ago I got the chance to  enjoy some time in London, the economic hub of England during the summer. While enjoying the sights I picked up on some aesthetic patterns in the clothing of locals and tourists alike. I noticed, as in many places in Europe, that the clothing style was elegant yet extremely laid back and simple. I noticed many bright colors in people's clothing although I'm told that neutrals are the way to go during colder periods of time. Everyone was dressed quite comfortably in sundresses or tanks and shorts and flats for girls or t-shirts with pastel shorts for guys. The main consistency between everyone was that no one was overly done and most people were dressed simply yet still stylishly. My main tip for dressing in England is to wear relaxed yet presentable clothing and also keep up with current trends as that is very apparent in the way people dress.

Thanks for reading gurus!

Taz

Travel Bag Essentials

Hey Travel Gurus!
Traveling can be a stressful situation and keeping your essentials with you is a great way to bring a piece of home away from home. A mini portable travel bag you can bring with you is a great way to store necessary items and have them with you wherever you go. It can be difficult however trying to fit everything you use on a day to day basis in a tiny pouch, but I'm here to help you through the process.

1.) Pick a pouch. Especially if you're riding a plane to your destination, it is extremely important to make sure your carry-on bag meets the guidelines. Other than that, make sure that your bag is conveniently sized to be taken with you the entire trip but can still fit everything you plan on taking with you. Also try to invest in a higher quality bag so it can be used again and again during your travels.

2.) Mentally categorize. Think of the products or items you utilize daily and can't travel without. Then divide these in categories to help you remember what to bring and remember other items in that category that you might have overlooked. Some categories to keep in mind when starting are products or items designed for beauty, comfort, or sentimental purposes. Here's a list of items that might help you jog your memory on what you need to bring:

- Makeup products
- Facial wipes
- Moisturizers
- Sunglasses
- Phone charger and headphones
- Favorite snacks
- Extra sweater
- Mini travel pillow
- Camera
- Important pictures


3.) Find your items. Look around as you what you thought of needing are probably already somewhere in your house. If not make a quick trip to local drugstore as most of your necessary items can probably be located there. Also make sure to check your airport's guidelines again to make sure all of your products can legally be brought on the plane as no one wants to end up with their favorite lotion in the trash.

That's it! By now you'll feel  a lot more at ease about your trip knowing that your favorite and most important items are with your for your trip; another constant to help you destress about the exhilarating trip.

Have fun gurus!
Taz