Travel in Style: 5 Chic Bags for the Fashion-Forward Woman
Yes, travelling can be pretty exciting. But as exciting as it sounds, a lot of preparation needs to be done before setting foot on the next plane or car ride. Not many people are keen on packing, and rightly so. Going through your wardrobe and essentials deciding what to pack, and trying to squeeze in as much as possible, can be stressful.
Read MoreMake Travelling with Your Bike an Easy Task
Whether you are a professional or an amateur cyclist, if you are planning to fly or drive to your next cycling destination, you are in need of a travel case for your bike. So, for those of you who are ready to test their cycling skills amongst a new crowd, or simply enjoy the perks of roads less travelled, you first need to make sure that you choose a travel case that can ensure it arrives at the destination in one piece and ready to roll. There is no single bike case that will be perfect for everyone. However, there are a number of picks that will surely satisfy your personal wants and needs.
The Big Dilemma: Soft Cases or Hard cases?
As the name suggests, soft cases are commonly made from flexible fabrics like padded nylon, or semi-rigid polymers with specific padding and shaping to hold bikes. They are for sure the more lightweight option for transport of the both. Additionally, they are more compact and easier to pack. Because of their flexible nature, when it comes to soft bike cases, it is best to provide some extra padding of your own to ensure your bike is well supported. As an additional padding option, you can use towels, bubble wrap, foam or some clothes you plan on taking with you on your trip. (Extra baggage space! Yay!)
Surprisingly, flexibility and less weight bring problems too. You need to be extra careful when packing your bike and you need to be aware of the possibility that a careless baggage handler can load other things on top of it. This is not a possibility when it comes to hard travel cases for bikes. If protection is an absolute priority, hard cases go for the win. These are made from resilient plastics and are not as nearly as flexible as the soft ones. Furthermore, hard cases do not always come with the space needed for wheels, which is not such a big issue since there are special separate wheel bags which will do the trick and help you with your transport.
A Slightly Smaller Dilemma: Wheeled or Carried?
Even though technology today strives to make sturdier things lighter, travel cases for bikes can weigh 6-8 kg, and with the bike (and whatever else you stuff inside) you are easily doubling that figure. A larger part of the travel cases do feature wheels for easier transport, but there are few which opt for a simpler, lighter, self-carry style. When choosing the ideal case for you, take into consideration what else you’ll be taking with you and if you can do without wheels, but for most people, wheels are a must-have.
Finally, wheels or no wheels, handlers are still a mandatory part of the bike cases. Honestly, the more of them there are, the better. Bike cases are not always easy to maneuver (even lighter ones) and it is always nice to have convenient places to grab and hold onto. If nothing more, at least look for handles on both sides, the top, and the front.
An Experienced Scuba Diving Instructor on Choosing the Best Equipment
As an instructor with more than ten years of experience in scuba diving, I feel entitled to address the essence of this sport in my own unique way. I call it the power of three – safety, comfort and fun. The order of these three words is not as is by accident. One has to feel safe in order to feel comfortable and they have to feel comfortable in order to have fun.
For new divers, owning their own equipment is an excellent way to enhance both comfort and safety because choosing pieces that fit exactly one’s needs and being able to get used to them instantly raises one’s confidence. Today I’m here to give you a little bit of advice on how to choose the best scuba diving equipment for you. When looking for scuba diving equipment for sale, it’s of pivotal importance to find a dive center (whether online or offline) with staff who can readily respond all of your questions regarding the products diving and guide you to find the perfect fit.
In terms of brands, a foolproof way to hit the under-waters is to go with major manufacturers like Mares Diving Gear, Oceanic Diving Equipment, and TUSA Gear. There are about half a dozen eminent manufacturers in the scuba business and if you are choosing equipment from any of them, chances are you’re getting something that’s going to last you long time.
Needless to say, it’s important for the gear to fit and if you are buying from a physical store, the staff can surely assist you, but if you want the convenience of buying online having the products delivered at your doorstep, you can find the right measures by following a specific online chart and just with a body tape measure determine the right size for you.
If you are just starting out, you may be thinking there’s a lot to buy as to become a fully equipped diver. A good rule of thumb is to upgrade your gear slowly, start with the basics and get the extras when your budget will allow you to. A diving computer is something you may want to consider getting right from the start as it makes diving a little easier and more fun. Purchasing your own regulator is also recommended for safety reasons.
Finally, when looking for scuba diving equipment for sale, many divers tend to get excited over how cool a certain piece of gear looks. However, coolness is often the worst factor to base your decision on. The quality and functionality of the gear is what you ought to consider as to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.
Winter is Coming but Croatia Can Give You a Warm Welcoming
Though I really hate the thought of it, the days are getting shorter and the temperatures lower. But as winter is coming, my mind is not willing to let go of the sun filled days. So here I am, searching for ways to bring back summer. While I cannot actually turn the switch on seasons as I please, what I can certainly do is jump on a plane and fly off to Europe where summer is just about to begin. Beach, sun, cocktails and some historic places to visit. Yay!
But since my winter vacation is limited and there are countless places to visit in Europe, I decided to completely devote myself to one place that captures the best elements of Europe – the refreshing coasts, mouthwatering food and captivating history. Let me introduce to you my ultimate dream destination – Croatia.
Even though on the other side of the planet, Croatia vacation packages come at a much lower cost than similar European destinations. Visiting Croatia is an affordable way of treating yourself to a little slice of European heaven. Saving up on travel costs means you’ll get extra money to spend on visiting museums, savouring the local cuisine and cruising the pristine coast.
The mandatory stop on every Croatian itinerary is the old town of Dubrovnik. Justifying its nickname as “The Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik confidently overlooks the sea surrounded by the thick medieval fortresses and 800-year-old walls. The rich heritage protected by UNESCO is precisely the one reason it holds such a soft spot for history and architecture lovers from around the world.
Some of the must visit sites in Dubrovnik include: Lovrinjac – an impregnable fortress with magical panoramic view overlooking both the town and the sea; the Franciscan Monastery home to the third oldest pharmacy in the world; the Rector’s Palace – an outstanding blend of Baroque and Renaissance. Best known for the breathtaking scenes in Game of Thrones, this town currently undergoes a huge spike in tourist visits. Be sure to book one of the many Croatia vacation packages that include Dubrovnik while all these popular spots are still there.
Further up the coast lies another historical gem – the town of Split. It boasts a 38 500m² complex of Roman remnants including the Palace of Diocletian, the Cathedral of St. Dominus and the Temple of Jupiter. However, Split and the nearby town of Trogir are also well-known for their friendly folks and lively night clubs where a beer costs under three dollars. And if you go deeper in Croatia’s mainland, you will come across the many national parks with luscious vegetation unlike you’ve ever seen before.
Imagine spending a week eating juicy Mediterranean food, exploring centuries’ old history and sipping sweet wine in quantities that would make even Cercei Lannister jealous. History, fun and beautiful nature – that’s what a vacation in Croatia is all about.
Sit Back and Enjoy Nature in the Perfect Camping Chair
Camping is all about being active, exploring and getting in touch with nature and your inner self. But after spending the whole day on your feet, once you go back to your camping spot you’ll want to sit down and relax. And what better way to do so than leaning back in a comfortable camping chair with a nice cold beer in your hand? Trust me, the right chair can really influence your overall camping experience. So for the sake of your relaxation and chillax hours, here’s what you need to consider when setting out on the quest for the perfect camping throne.
Embrace Mediterranean’s Beauty and Enjoy an Exciting Trip to Croatia
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
– Mark Twain
We all have that one friend on Instagram who continuously posts breathtaking photos from all of his/her travels around the world and makes us imagine what it would be like if only we could afford all that as well. The thing about traveling is that it has the power to make you feel more alive than ever, as nothing compares to the thrill of visiting new places. But beware though, before heading for an adventure and leaving your comfort zone, it is of the essence that you become acquainted with all there is to be seen there to make the most out of your trip.
Traveling is all about new experiences, but most of all, it will teach you so many things that can’t be taught at school. You’ll develop new perspectives, discover new cultures, new traditions, new points of view and new emotions that will shape you in a better person. And don’t be afraid to get out there and explore because fear won’t get you anywhere. Literally. So if you’re willing to embrace the world and enrich your emotional self – broaden your horizons and add one more exciting destination to your bucket list – Croatia.
This beautiful European country is quickly becoming the kind of travel destination that you’re going to absolutely love, even Game of Thrones couldn’t resist it! The stunning and clear turquoise water of the Adriatic Sea and the charming cities of Dubrovnik and Split will leave you breathless and will make you crave a second trip to Croatia as soon as you leave the place. And it’s not just the beaches with magically blue waters or the cities’ architecture that will leave you jaw-dropped, the amazingly vivid green lakes in Croatia’s national parks will also hypnotize you with their beauty and serenity. An example of that are the intense green-coloured Plitvice Lakes that will make you feel like you’ve entered a real-life children’s fairy-tale.
But you can’t leave Croatia without tasting its delicious cuisine and mind-blowing wine. Croats are the definition of a gourmand nation! From local seafood, to fresh and organic fruits and veggies, you’ll get a real Mediterranean cuisine with a traditional Croatian twist. This beautiful, sunny country won’t let you down, on the contrary, it will wow you with its abundance of natural beauty.
So have you decided who you’re going to share your trip to Croatia with? With its unique combination of summertime sunshine, historic architecture, crazy parties and mesmerizing scenery, Croatia is definitely worth your time. Let the adventures begin!