Staying Healthy On The Road Part 1- Immunizations

When traveling internationally, be sure your immunizations are up to date. Some countries require proof of immunization for entry. The most common one that requires documentation is the yellow fever vaccine. Many international travelers get immunized for Hepatitis A and B as well.
If you’re unsure of what immunizations you’ll need for your particular trip, the best idea is to check with the experts at Center for Disease Control. Their wisdom can be found online at www.cdc.gov. The CDC should be your go-to source for what inoculations you’ll need for the destinations on your itinerary and also what anti-malarial requirements that may exist for the countries you’re visiting. The CDC also lists health hazards in different world regions—a resource your doctor may even turn to for advice of his own.
If you’re not sure what reservoir, swamp or jungle you’ll end up being close to, most major cities have special travel health clinics to get immunizations, advice and information locally. Search you destination in the ISTM global clinic directory here. Over 65 countries are represented.
If all that is not available to you, contact your primary doctor. He or she can should be able assist you by email or phone.

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Camping Expedition in New Zealand- Tips and Tricks

Camping in New Zealand can be an expedition of a lifetime, regardless of whether you take a road trip or hiking. This is because you are guaranteed to savor some of the world's most spectacular and beautiful sites that New Zealand has to offer. Both islands have contrasting landscapes therefore it will be worthwhile for you to take time exploring both individually. During the night, you will not have to travel long distances to find accommodation since the New Zealand is dotted with campsites all over. Some of the popular campsites are Mayora Lakes, Waikaremoana Motor Camp, Kaiteriteri Beach, Marahau and the Coromandel Peninsula. However, to avoid disappointment, you will need to place your booking for a spot in the campsites well in advance.

 

There are certain parts where camping is allowed despite not being designated for such a purpose. But this has led to negative environmental impact (incorrect disposal of human waste and rubbish) owing to an influx of people and this has resulted in the local authorities as well as the government cracking down on this trend. One of the measures being taken is imposing of very high fines for those who set up camps in these prohibited areas. You will therefore have to be very vigilant and respectful to Mother Nature.

 

When packing for your New Zealand trip, you should use your common sense as it is definitely not going to be a fashion show. Fellow tourists and locals are used to seeing people adorned in their outdoor gear. It is therefore advisable that you invest in practical garments such as hiking boots, thermals, fleeces, zip off trousers and jackets that are waterproof. A sturdy backpack that has waist and chest belts (to ease the pressure off your shoulders) as well as support panels would be a welcome addition especially if you intend to hike a lot. To shield yourself from the rays of the sun, you should make a point of bringing a sunscreen lotion that is high strength as well as wide brim hat. Another must have would be an insect repellent either in cream or spray form since insects are a common phenomena in New Zealand.

 

Travelers to New Zealand find it easier to rent equipment without having to part with exorbitant amounts because the rental and tourism industries have developed over the years. This is owing to the fact that the country is not new to camping. For your road trip or travel to be worthwhile and



Queenstown New Zealand



comfortable, renting a camper van would be the ideal option. This is especially so for the elderly who do not find it comfortable sleeping in a tent. Various companies offer the caravan rental services and you are likely to find these companies at all the major airports in New Zealand. Once you rent one, ensure that you closely consult their user manual so that you are enlightened as to where to refuel the caravan as well as waste disposal procedures and locations. While in New Zealand, make sure you savor all the activities they have packaged for you like fishing, stargazing, boating and mountain biking. Make your expedition memorable and worthwhile.

• Image courtesy of federico stevanin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Hippy Van)
• Image courtesy of pakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Three Tents)
• Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Queenstown New Zealand)

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The 4 Best Family Hiking Trails In North America

Taking a hike is probably the most popular thing to do while you are on a vacation. Many people do it for fitness irrespective of whether they are hitting the gym in the hotel or not. When you are hiking in North America you get to see some of the most beautiful views and encounter exciting wildlife. The hiking also gives an opportunity to the families to do something together. Some do it for plain relaxation while others do it to add a zing to their lives. The hiking trails in North America are renowned for the challenges it poses. Some of the most popular hiking destinations are as follows.

1) Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone National Park is a very popular family destination which boasts of a remarkable hiking trail. There is a wide range of trails to choose from but opt for the one which has the best waterfalls in the park. The trail which has the Mammoth Hot Springs is said to be very popular for families with kids. The park urges the people to bring their own bikes and use them on the trails. It is also recommended that you speak with a ranger before embarking on a trail and get all the information about the likely dangers that you may encounter and check whether you have the updated maps at your disposal. There is an entrance fee of $25 for people entering with vehicles and $12 for individual entry.

2) Appalachian National Scenic Trail
This one is a huge trail. The entire length is 2,175 miles and it is a real challenge to complete this even in a year. Although it is not recommended for short trips, hiking for any length on this trail gives real pleasure. You will get to see different scenery as you hike on this trail. Since there is no entrance fee you can hike at your pleasure from mountains to forests and fields. You can ask fellow hikers about their experience and gain valuable information about the trail.

3) Glacier National Park, Montana
If you are looking for a hiking trail that will also provide spectacular views then Glacier National Park is perfect for you. It has over 700 miles of hiking trails and some really amazing glaciers. There are many campsites and you can choose one to camp so that you can continue your hike in the morning. You can also take the help of a ranger who will guide you to the best hiking locations. Many come to Glacier National Park during the winter months for cross country skiing. There is entrance fee for $25 (summer) and $15 (winter) for vehicles. Individuals need to shell out $12 (summer) and $10 (winter).

4) Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon national park has a gruelling hiking trail and it will require tremendous mental and physical strength to handle it. You may opt for shorter trails or ask the ranger to guide you. The cell phone reception is next to nothing in this park so it is always advisable to take the help of a ranger. The cost for a vehicle is $25 and $12 for individuals.

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Australia's Best Beaches - Don't Miss Them!

It is debatable, depending on who you ask, which beaches are Australia's most beautiful? Australia is extraordinary anyway it has many great destinations.
So here are 6 of the best beaches that Australia have, including environment around the beaches and what the beaches are known and famed for.

1. First off we have Byron Bay, a stunning golden beach surrounded by lighthouses. Looking out into the sea it looks like you are looking into a glass bottle, the mix of colors depending on the sea floor is magnificent. If you look into the sea long enough you could be lucky enough to see turtles, dolphins, rays and a whole load of other sea creatures. This tourist town mixes a very casual quiet life and it's rustic bohemian past, so you get a feel of Australia's past while you are taking in the sun.

2. Then we have BurLeigh Heads, an Australian beach town that is famous for its surfing and it's surfing competitions. Tourists and habitats alike compliment and claim that the extensive views of the ocean and the amazingly blue skyline are the best in the world.

3. Now we are at the eastern shore, Boome. This exotic beach is by far the most romantic. Serenading the beach dwellers with its beautiful red sanded rock and snow white beaches. That is not its only unique selling point, at certain times of the year, you will get the chance to see wildlife. This includes bird and other animals that Migrate.

4.  Noosa beach is world famous for its waves. Surfers come from all over the world just to ride Noosa's waves. If that isn't your idea of fun, then you can just sit back and enjoy the view or you could take a quick trip to Fraser island which is filled with miles of sandy beaches and amazingly lush rainforests.

5. Now to Coolangatta Beach, these beaches are patrolled so therefore have extremely clean beaches. This beach is the cleanest out of all the beaches listed. Coolangatta beach is on the edge of the city so it's not so secluded as the other beaches but the view makes up for that, there is a lot of foliage on this beach, not rubbish, but rocks and seaweed, it's a lot closer to nature than the other beaches.

6. On to our final beach, Broadbeach. Considering this beach is on the skirts of the city it is a very chilled out beach. If you get bored of laying on the sun kissed warm sand you can always go to the casino. Feeling a bit peckish? This beach is famed for having an incredible dining experience when you walk into the city. This beach and city is alive even in the night. There are plenty of nightclubs around to satisfy everyone's needs and tastes.
Above are the 6 most beautiful beaches in Australia. They cater for all ages and all individuals whether you want to have a rocking nightlife on Broadbeach or a romantic stroll along Broome beach. You will never see such beautiful sand sea and sun in all your life.





Image courtesy of hinnamsaisuy at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Beach Chairs)
Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Rowboat On Beach)

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The 10 Best Rivers Around the Globe!!! Check It Out...

Rivers are a key for people's survival in any continent. Not only they act as water reservoirs but also provide water for irrigation, producing hydroelectricity, drinking etc. They also have abundance of marine animals like fish which is a big source of food.

Few important rivers in continent Asia 
1. River Euphrates is very popular and historically very important river in Asia. It originate from Caucasus mountains of Armenia from where it flows through different countries and finally pours into Persian gulf. It travels a distance of around 2235 miles which makes it the longest river in middle east. This river is historically very important because it was the birthplace of several great civilizations like Assyria, Babylonian etc.

River Euphrates by www.bibleworld.com

2. The other important river in Asia is Yangtze river which is located in china and is one of the world's largest rivers. This river is a combination of 4 great rivers of china. This river plays a very important role in Chinese economy.

Yangtze river by yangtzerivervacation.com

Important rivers of Continent North America 
3. Niagara river, this river is only 35 miles long but because it includes Niagara falls along it's course makes this river very famous world over. It is the highest rate of flow of any waterfall in the world which falls vertically from the height of 165 feet (50 meters). Because of this the Niagara river is a popular tourist destination.

Niagra River by www.richard-seaman.com

4. Colorado river is also one of the important and famous rivers of north America. It originate from rocky mountains of Colorado and pours into gulf of California traveling a total of 1450 miles. The river covers a lot of land and hence there are several areas to visit where one can see the river and beautiful landscape it creates. The delicate arch at the arches national park is amazing to watch and has a mesmerizing experience on the audience.

Colorado river by www.britannica.com

Important rivers of continent South America  
5. Amazon river is the largest river in the world and second longest. It has the largest drainage basin which is about 7050,000 square km and is approximately one fifth of the world's total river flow.  It flows through Peru,Columbia and Brazil.

Amazon-river by 7wondersnaturalworld.com

6. Rio Parana is the second largest river in south America. It passes through Brazil , Panama and Argentina. It's length is 4700 approx.

Rio Parana by www.flickr.com

 
Important rivers of continent Europe
7.River Volga is situated in Russia. It is a very important river.  Forty percent of the people of Russia live on the bank of this river which makes it very important. It's total length is 3692 miles.

volga river by photos.igougo.com

8. River Danube is another important river of Europe. It flows through various countries like Germany, Serbia, Croatia , Austria etc. It's length is 1780 miles which makes it the longest river in Europe.

Danube-River by sbc-incantatotour.blogspot.com

Important rivers of continent Africa are 
9. Nile river is one of the most famous river in Africa and is generally regarded as the most longest river in the world. It's length is 6650 km. It passes through several countries and hence regarded as an international river.

`Nile-River by toptravellists.net

  10. The Congo river is another river in Africa and is the deepest river of the world. It has depth of more than 220m. Also a length of 4700 km makes it ninth longest river of world.

Congo River by www.tumblr.com

There are so many other great rivers in the world and I am sure you may find some of them very exciting such as the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. If you have any great stories about any other rivers, please share with us.



Image courtesy of Sujin Jetkasettakorn at FreeDigitalPhotos.net (Happy Young Woman On The Green Grass)

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6 Great Sites Outside of London

Visiting London is a wonderful experience, with all its beautiful sights. However, there are some great things to do outside of London which can be extremely interesting. Also, getting away from London will allow you to enjoy a cheap stay in some beautiful and historical towns that have so much to offer that you may end up forgetting all about London! You can opt for cheap day trip or hire a car and enjoy a cheap stay in one of many bed and breakfasts that are present all over England. These places are clean, comfortable and convenient on short stays.


Hampton Court
The beautiful palace was bestowed to the general public by Queen Victoria. It consists of many ornately decorated rooms, medieval kitchens, a maze, a beautiful glass stained chapel, stunning gardens and tennis courts from ancient times. You can even enjoy a boat ride here. The palace is about 5 minutes distance from Hampton Court Station and 30 minutes distance from Waterloo. You can take picnic hamper with you which you can enjoy in the Bushey Park, which is in the neighborhood.

Cambridge
The beautiful and old university town is made of more than 30 colleges, most of which constructed in the 13th century. While Oxford is definitely older than Cambridge and has a river flowing through, Cambridge offers a more stunning experience. To be able to experience history and tradition of this old town is an experience by itself. It takes just an hour to reach Cambridge by train and there after you are transported to another world altogether.

Brighton
This beautiful Georgian seaside resort is popular for its meandering lanes. In addition, it has a vibrant gay community, ensuring that something is always happen in the town. It is a wonderful place to shop for jewelry and other knick-knacks that you might be looking to take home as a keepsake of your visit to England. Be sure to take time out to explore the coastline and its famous White Cliffs. You can collect sea shells on the rocky beaches or enjoy some fresh seafood at the numerous budget restaurants dotting the shore. It takes an hour to get to Brighton from Central London and is beautiful destination outside of London for spending half a day.

Windsor Castle
The castle was restored after a massive fire broke out and after exploring the castle, you can undertake a trip to Stratford-on-Avon, which is very near to Warwick, to check out the birthplace of William Shakespeare. You can even catch a Shakespearean play here.

 Bath
Another interesting town outside London is Bath. This town is famous for its Roman baths and thermal spas. In addition, you can walk through Roman ruins and the city center to imbibe the ambiance of this beautiful and interesting town. Be sure to stop by at one of the pubs and enjoy a chilled pint of beer. You will enjoy the taste.

Stonehenge
Spend some time checking out the mysterious stone circle at Stonehenge. It is truly a mystery and no one has been able to figure out why these obelisks were put up. Of course, there are many hypotheses, but nothing definitive. If you visit Stonehenge in the morning, you can walk amongst these stones. It is truly a calming and serene experience.

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