PERIPATETIC.LIFE

peripatetic /ˌpɛrɪpəˈtɛtɪk/ adjective: travelling from place to place, for relatively short periods.

  • Is travelling on a budget worth it?

    Do you sometimes wish while you are travelling how amazing it would be if you could stay at the five-star hotel with the city views that take your breath away? Dine every evening where the top chefs decide to cook their steak as tender as the smile that illuminates from every diner’s face? Would it not be a dream to be taken to every location in a luxury taxi where the seats are leather, you can even automatically roll down your window to allow your face to be touched by the exotic weather.

    Sometimes I fall into that state of daydream whilst I am travelling too. To be blessed with every single form of comfort so that I will never be stressed, tired or fall ill. However, I quickly realise that I am blessed with more than luxury. Because with every hardship that travel entails, I realise how beautiful the world is. How amazing I am as a human to be able to cope with what I go through, and that I am strong enough to accomplish anything.

    Although it would be great to travel like a millionaire, you will miss out on a lot of the world. You will never get a true grasp of where you are unless you decide to go out of your comfort zone and see more of the world for all it has to offer. The good and the bad. Be humble and open your mind to the world that hides behind the propaganda of the place. Every country is embellished in a coating that hides certain areas for the profit of tourism. All we may see are smiling faces, white beaches and cheap alcohol. But it is not a paradise city for the large majority of residents. That is not the real world. You will never experience the true story of residents or find your true story to tell if you decide to stick to the travel brochure and go to the photogenic locations in order to see what you only want to see, and not face reality.

    I have to admit that if I had the money, I would probably never have started to travel on a budget, but if you wish to see more and even more countries until you have excessed your ability to see any more of the world, you will begin to appreciate your money and stretch it as far as possible. Thanks to being forced to think outside of the box and start to travel on a budget I have seen corners of countries that remain hidden even to the residents of the country. I have made friends and heard stories that I would not have had the chance to otherwise. I realise that I am beyond blessed to even be able to travel in the first place, as many people whom I have encountered with have never and may never have the chance to board a plane to visit family or even to enjoy a short vacation abroad.

    I guess the point of this article is to teach you to never underappreciate the power of money and the blessing of being able to travel, even if it has to be on a budget. Seeing the world in a ruthless fashion and appreciating the country for the good as well as the bad. Because nowhere can be perfect, that would be too boring. Make the most of your experiences and your money, you will appreciate it, no matter how difficult it may seem at the time, it will most definitely be one of your best and memorable experiences you will attain.

  • Best ways to survive a long-haul flight

    Longhaul flights can be daunting. Being stuck inside a plane for a long period of time, with limited access to movement, can be a struggle for many. Throughout my years, I have taken a number of long haul flights and now I do not fear the length of time that is necessary to arrive at my desired destination. For many, it may not even be the cost of the plane ticket itself. So here I am with a few tips that could potentially help you overcome your fear of long-haul flights.

    1) Bring snacks on board
    The food you receive on the plane itself is not necessarily the healthiest and the lack of choice means that the standard is not compatible with everyone’s taste buds. What I enjoy doing is bringing my own food on board the aircraft, since I will be there for a long amount of time and will most definitely need to eat. Food has to be something you enjoy in order to make your time more enjoyable.

    2) Wear compression socks
    We are all constricted to limited room on the plane. We can wander only so far, therefore wearing compression socks will increase your blood circulation through the lower part of your legs, and your feet, which is the area of the body that needs it the most due to it being the furthest away from your heart. Your body has to work hard in order to make sure it pumps enough blood throughout your entire body when it is sitting down for long periods of time.

    3) Bring your hobbies with you
    The best way to kill time is by doing what you enjoy. If possible, bring your hobbies or what you enjoy doing to pass the time with you on the plane. Of course, there are films and television programmes offered to you on the plane, but apart from that I enjoy bringing at least one book with me, a pen and paper to jot down ideas or draw, and my music.

    4) Sleep a lot prior to flying
    Unless you are flying first class, your chair will only recline a small amount. If you are not used to sleeping upright, the chances are sleep will be very minimal and not the best quality. On my most recent flight, I received no sleep prior departure, and although I did fall asleep the second the plane left the ground I felt immensely groggy during the entire time we were up in the air.

    5) Bring your skincare products with you
    Your skin will take a beating after being incubated in the plane for so long. I recommend that you bring face masks, moisturiser and lip balm as necessities if you want to feel fresher in your skin, especially if you are planning on exploring the city as soon as you land. I also like to bring my toothbrush and toothpaste so that I can brush my teeth and feel even fresher.

    I do hope this has helped some people plan what to bring with them and how to kill time on board your next long-haul flight. Do you have any tips for me? What are some things that you enjoy doing on long-haul flights? And who is actually a fan of flying long distance? Leave your comments down below, I would love to hear from you. As always, wishing everybody happy travels!

  • Why and how to decrease your social media usage while travelling

    It has been scientifically proven that social detoxing is crucial for us if we want to keep our stress down to a manageable level. Not just from social media, but media as a whole. Being bombarded with negative imagery is detrimental to our mental health and in turn, can affect our daily lives. For the most part, a large majority of people decide to take a holiday in order to escape their day to day chores, and social media should definitely be one of those chores.

    I may not be the ideal person to be touching on this subject, but I am learning how to cope with distractions, especially from social media, on a daily basis. As I travel more and more, I do not often really even have the time to be on social media as my days are filled with new adventures. But, sometimes I find myself swiping through my phone if I am bored in an evening, which is not a complete detox. I have picked up a few tips which will hopefully come in handy for you as you try to take less time on social media.

    1) Only use Wi-Fi
    By not having data, you are forced to stay away from apps such as Facebook, Instagram, that require a network connection. This may not be an ideal scenario if you are in a completely foreign country and need to get somewhere, but with the CityMapper app, you can download your directions before you leave your hotel and still get to your destination safe and sound. Also, never underestimate the power of the humble map, which has guided tourists and world travellers for decades before the internet came into existence.

    2) Have too much fun to even acknowledge your phone
    Why travel to be bored? If anybody is bored while they are travelling, they are clearly doing it wrong. Even when I travel alone, I am too busy having a good time to remember to pick up my phone and try to show off to my friends on Facebook. That is how travelling should be. Having too much fun to forget to share it all with the rest of the world.

    3) Don’t take your phone with you everywhere you go
    If you are going out to the pool, beach, restaurant, do not take your phone with you. If you want to take photos bring a camera instead. That is what they are designed to do. This will force you to truly be present and enjoy quality time with yourself and your family and friends.

    4) Delete the apps
    If you want to be dedicated to detoxing, just delete the apps. Not having them visible when you unlock your phone gives you less temptation to check out what is happening in the world of social media. My phone has such low memory space, that I am often forced to delete or offload the apps while I am travelling anyway in order to make room for photos.

    5) Distract yourself
    This can also fall under, having too much fun to acknowledge your phone, but if you enjoy going to a museum or art gallery, turn off your phone and distract yourself by learning something new or appreciating viewing art from unknown artists. Make the most of visiting the country/city’s gems while you are there.

    Of course, social media detoxing should be part of your routine even when you are not travelling. Doing it for a day or two every month can be really beneficial for your mind and soul. I love social media and have met some amazing people through it. You just have to remember that behind all the good photos posted, there most likely would have been a dozen bad ones. Because I know that getting an Instagram worthy shot takes practice. Life is never what you see on social media, and the hard work that happens in the background will most likely not be shown, because it most certainly is not glamorous enough for social media.

    I have written this article because I truly believe that holidays are meant to be an experience into a new world, relaxation, and to dig a little deeper into your soul with each new journey they take. Therefore, I strongly believe that social media detoxing while travelling is excruciatingly important. It makes you appreciate the world for what it is, in its raw and unfiltered state, rather than the ideal image which it can be depicted to us through social media.

    I sincerely hope you have found this article interesting. Do you take breaks from social media? Especially when you are abroad? If you do, how do you do it? Leave a comment below, and as always, happy travels!

  • Exploring the under appreciated city of Liberec, Czech Republic

    You may have never heard of the city of Liberec. With a population of 103,853, it is the fifth largest city in the Czech Republic. Bordering Southern Eastern Germany, Liberec is a tranquil place, with warm and welcoming people, and you get to experience a taste of the original Czech Republic; without a huge mass of tourists. This hidden gem should definitely be explored while it still remains a hidden gem.

    Liberec is the perfect short break if you are residing close to the border of the Czech Republic, with it being under two hours by car from Dresden. You will see the German influence from its buildings and streets. However, you will definitely realise that you have the city of German and entered the country of the Czech Republic once you try their cuisine in one of the many traditional restaurants in the main plaza.

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    Liberec’s Town Hall

    The highlight of this city has to be its Town Hall. This beautiful Neo-Renaissance building stands tall over its plaza, illuminating the entire city. You can see some spectacular views of Liberec from the top of Town Hall for a small fare and at an allotted time. You can book your visit via the tourist office when you visit. It is something that I believe should be done by all visitors when they go to Liberec.

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    The spectacular view from the Town Hall

    Liberec is also famously known for Ještěd which is a popular ski resort. If you are not visiting during the winter period, you can take a hike instead and witness the natural beauty, from high above. You will not miss the sight of the odd looking tower. The tower is a 94-metre-tall tower used to transmit television signals built on the top of Ještěd mountain near Liberec and was built during the years of 1963-1968 when the Czech Republic was still in a communist state and was still known as Czechoslovakia. It serves as a dominant attraction in the city and as a place to oversee much of Bohemia and areas of Poland as well as parts Germany. It is now a hotel and restaurant. The perfect place to relax.

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    Taking the hike to reach the top of Ještěd.
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    The tower of Ještěd. Converted to become a hotel and restaurant.
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    Definitely visit the restaurant if you want to dine with a view.

    The Liberec definitely accommodates to everybody. With a wide number of museums to visit, including the home of Ferdinand Porsche, and their regional gallery, Oblastni Galerie; it was once a public swimming pool during the communist era, but now it has been turned into an inspiring art gallery. Which also is home to the first automobile. Entrance to the Porsche museum is limited, and opening hours are only available on Sundays, while the Regional Art Gallery is open every day apart from Sunday for a reasonable fare of 80 CZK, the equivalent of However, on Thursdays admission is free for everybody.

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    The interior of the Oblastni Galerie. Home to modern art as well as classical paintings and an array of photography. The perfect way to spend a few hours in the city.
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    The gallery is also home to the first ever vehicle.

    I came across this city when trying to figure out a nice, obscure location l that I could take a trip which would be not too far from Germany. Liberec became the chosen location, and my first city to explore in the Czech Republic. It is the main reason why I am striving to visit more areas of the Czech Republic, because if they manage to live up to the greatness that my short trip to Liberec did then I will be more than satisfied. Luckily, I had no difficulty in communicating with the locals as the majority speak English, and also a large majority speak German due to the geographical location the city has in the Czech Republic.

    If you have visited this beautiful city of Liberec already, please comment below your experience, and if you have not, then I do hope that I have given you enough inspiration to go and explore this city for yourself. As always, I wish you all very happy travels!

  • The capital city of wonder – Berlin, Germany

    Restored and revived to become one of my most thriving capital cities in Europe, Berlin is the essence of Germany. Wrecked after World War Two, this urban town is a mecca for foodies, historians, and avid travellers. Resurrected from the rubble, it has become the powerhouse of Europe, and this city offers nothing less than a great atmosphere and incessant inspiration. From the people to the architecture, you can witness the clear divide from the West side of Berlin, and the East, as the effects of Communism are clear. During the years that the wall was in existence, 1961 up to 1990, dividing the region of Brandenburg into tyranny, but now it has been transformed into a region of peaceful ambience.

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    Remnants of the wall can be seen in all corners of Berlin. Now merged within the flashy modernity of the city.

    There is no denying that there is something magical that this city offers that makes it truly unique. Not only in Germany, but also in Europe. There is no other place quite like Berlin. If you still have no visited this vibrant city, then your time is now. It is a perfect break for both a short city break, if you want to sample the basics that Berlin has to offer, and also for a longer vacation, with neighbouring cities such as Potsdam and Dresden also offering a different view of Germany.

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    The Old Quarter of Berlin

    Berlin has quickly become a rising tourist attraction, since the fall of the Berlin wall and communism in Eastern Germany in the early 1990s. The city is has become an enticing adventurous trip for many travellers. A place for of possibility, as it has shown its resilience and growing success even after all the disasters it has faced throughout recent historical years. This beloved Germany city is the perfect getaway, for those young or old,  with friends or solo, due to Berlin being a city thriving with so much to see, you will never truly feel alone or out of place.

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    Berlin’s most famous landmark, the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

    With an array of museums from ancient history to German history, and Art Galleries to soothe the souls of the population, cuisine from many corners of the world, thanks to its immigration from a notion of countries; this city still has not lost its German charm, but still manages to accommodate everyone. If you still have to explore Berlin, then make sure that it is put on your bucket list. As one of the more affordable capital cities in Western Europe, this place is a great travel destination. And even after numerous visits, I always feel refreshed when I visit this beautiful place. As always, wishing you all very happy travels!

  • The perfect city break from the city – Potsdam, Germany

    Potsdam is not a city that is very well known. However, this underappreciated place will become your new favourite German town once you discover it. Cleanliness, rich history, and beautiful atmosphere are only a number of things that make this place an attractive tourist attraction.

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    The exterior of Palace Sanssouci

    Rich in aristocratic history, it could be seen as a ‘Mini Vienna’ of Germany. Renowned for its palace Sanssouci which was the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. You can become enthralled by its awe by taking the S-Bahn, and it is only a twenty-minute ride to enjoy one of the best cities in the outskirts of Berlin.
    When you leave the train station at the stop ‘Park Sancoussi’, you will be met with its aristocratic beauty. The Palace is seen as a strong contender with the Palace of Versailles, and one of the best in Germany.
    Entrance to the palace is 12 euros for adults, with an extra tariff if you wish to take photos inside. You can wander the grand interior, and its exterior also venturing off into the numerous other palaces that surround its premises. There is no cost to enjoy the tranquillity of its vast land and is a great spot for a picnic in the warm summer months. It is not short of oozing elegance and is most definitely Potsdam’s main attraction.

    Not only is Potsdam known for its palace, but the city itself depicts a renaissance painting straight from the 16th century. After visiting the Palace, you can venture into its old town and enjoy a coffee, and take a stroll admiring its antique and well-preserved architecture, including the Potsdam gate (Potsdamer Tor) which stands tall in the main square. Originally constructed in 1734, it was later rebuilt in 1824 as a neoclassic imposing gateway. Maybe it is a less grandeur version than the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but it still captivates your eyes when you see it for the first time.
    Keeping its original Germany qualities, I would say that it is a more authentic experience of Germany than Berlin is to the average tourist. Although Berlin may be embellished with a more intriguing history, especially the recent years, Potsdam is a haven for history buffs who wish to learn more about Europe prior to the 20th century.
    It may not be as politically important, however, this city is a very important aspect of Germany. As it once was a major film production studio before the 1930s and has enjoyed success as a major centre of European film production since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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    Potsdamer Tor (Potsdam Gate)

    Potsdam is not a city to be overlooked. It is a city that you would like to spend at least two days in order to enjoy a more authentic and relaxing experience. The beauty is that it is only twenty minutes via train or S-Bahn and ticket prices are inexpensive. The perfect location to experience a day or short getaway if you are running low on time during your stay in Berlin or simply want to experience something a little more relaxed.
    I hope you have enjoyed this article and it has inspired you to visit Potsdam for yourself one day. If you have already been to Potsdam, comment below your experience on the place. As always, I wish you all happy travels!

  • My guide to killing time at the airport

    There is nothing worse than being enclosed in the airport during a layover. I try to get out of it as much as possible when I can. However, when you do not have the required time to explore the city, then you have no choice but to kill time inside the building. So, for those hours when you have to surrender your ambitions to explore, I have accumulated a list of things to do in order to not only make your time at the airport more enjoyable but your flight to your following destination a better experience as well.

       Make sure all your devices are fully charged
    I always carry a portable charger with me, but even that needs to be charged from time to time when it runs out of power. So, making sure that your charger and other electronic devices are fuelled to take up the task of serving your whilst flying, and once you have landed, is vital. This is always my top thing to do during a layover.

      Stock up on fresh snacks and other necessities
    If you are flying long distance, you will most likely receive food on your flight. However, to everybody who flies often and for long periods of time, knows that aeroplane food is usually not the freshest and is very rich in sodium and not many vitamins. Take the opportunity to give your body the desired food it deserves to tackle the next part of your flight. Also, take the opportunity to buy any other treats that you enjoy, as you may find them cheaper than on the plane itself.

      Relax and stretch out
    Take time to ease your body from the stress it can cause from having to be seated in a specific position for a number of hours. Stretch out, use the airport’s shower facility, or find a place to lay down and catch up on a bit of sleep, as long as you remember to set your alarm so you do not miss your connecting flight!

     Wander around the airport
    Maybe you cannot wander outside of the airport, but explorers never stop exploring, right? So take the time to explore the interior of the airport. You may be surprised at how interesting this experience can be. Airports are the reflection of the country you are visiting, and it is a great excuse to include the exercise that you are lacking.

      Catch up on reality
    Why not use the time to call relatives or friends and update them on your current situation. Check out the news, and see what the current affairs are of the country you are travelling to. Maybe take out some time to meditate, write in your journal or finish your last bits of travel planning for when you land.

    I hope this has given inspiration to everybody who has an upcoming layover that requires them to stay at the airport. If you are a frequent traveller with experience on layover flights, please comment on your best tips to kill time. As always, I wish you all very happy travels!

  • The cheapest ways to see more countries

    Saving money is a great way to see more countries. Of course, splashing out once in a while in a luxury hotel or flight is most definitely worth it. Depending on your type of trip. However, if you are on a budget or simply want to know different ways in which you can save some money on your next trip, then hopefully I have some new solutions for you.

    1) Create your own layovers
    You will be surprised just how much money you can save by creating your own layovers. Know which countries are close to your desired destination, as you can sometimes find a better deal from your local airport. Direct flights tend to be cheaper than long haul, especially to destinations which may not be so common for tourists.

    2) Weekend breaks
    Use your time wisely. Weekend breaks are perfects for people with careers who find it difficult to take time off for a long period. There are so many cities and countries close to home that can be easily accessed, so take the time to spend less time in a new country or city.

    3) Stay in apartments rather than hotels
    With Airbnb growing ever more popular among tourists, you can find a better deal than many hotels. Especially if you are booking last minute. Not only is there more likely to be a bigger variety of places to stay, but you do not have to worry about the costs of restaurant bills and hotel laundry service. Which I think is definitely overpriced!

    4) Wake up early and go to bed late
    If you really want to experience a place to the fullest on a limited amount of time, then you are going to have to sacrifice on some precious hours of sleep. However, it most definitely is worth the time and effort! Take each trip like a once in a lifetime experience.

    5) Create a strict schedule
    Aside from sacrificing your hours of beauty sleep, creating a schedule is ideal to make sure you keep on track and do not forget to see anything you desire. You will be amazed at how much can be completed in a short amount of time with proper planning.

    These are only a handful of tips that I have gathered throughout my last year of travelling to a variety of new places, more intensely. I hope they have given you some help and inspiration if you wish to travel more frequently and/or are on a tight budget. I wish you all, happy travels!

  • Travel your trips spontaneously

    For many, this year’s resolution will be to travel more. As it is for me. Sometimes we want it to be perfect, and take the time to book and travel flights and hotels. Does the idea of buying a ticket somewhere with no planning scare you? Spontaneous trips have been what has allowed me to travel much more in 2018 than in previous years. I will be sharing the delightfulness it is to book a flight and whisk away to your destination in a matter of days, or even hours and how you can prepare yourself for a world open to travel destinations in 2019.

    1) Learn to pack light
    Learning to pack light has been one of the main tools that help me to just pick up and leave. Have the basics at hand, and your suitcase ready. In reality, packing should not take too long. After becoming more shopping conscious, I have managed to cut down on a lot of artefacts, therefore allowing me to have less to worry about. Read my article on minimalism in order to give you some inspiration if you are a shopaholic.

    2) Own less
    In continuation to my point above, owning less not only allows me to not have to worry about over packing, or which shoes go well with which outfit, but it has allowed me to gain control over my spending. Instead of spending it on things that I really do not need, I can use that money to travel. Travel can inexpensive if you know where to look, and saving your pennies really does add up. In turn, you can most definitely travel to anywhere you desire in the world. Click here to gather more minimalist inspiration from my previous articles.

    3) Always be alert to upcoming offers
    Keep refreshing the page, and look out almost daily to see who has the best prices and for when. Be sure to check a number of websites and airlines to find the best deal, because there can sometimes be a huge price difference. You can also set alerts, which is wise. However, if you find a flight that is too good to be true, bag it straight away! Because even within the next hour or two it could be gone.

    4) Use your days off to keep active
    We love to lounge around most of the time. And sometimes that is what your body craves; to simply sit on the couch and binge watch boxsets on TV. However, don’t overdo it. You can have an amazing time exploring a new city or country, and feel rewarded and happy afterwards. Small trips may seem pointless to some, but they can offer some of the best experiences.

    5) Go along with the flow
    Planning trips can be so much fun! I know, because I love to do it myself. However, spontaneous acts can sometimes equal double the fun! Wandering around, simply doing whatever you feel like, it rejuvenates and contents the soul. Before I would feel like everything had to be planned in order to get the most out of the journey, but in reality, soaking up the atmosphere and exploring new territories is what really makes any adventure fun, and that is what most adventures offer.

    I hope this article has inspired you to travel spontaneously, even for a day or two. Plan your trips close to home, in order to get a taste, but do be warned, you may really enjoy the experience. I do hope that 2019 is filled with many adventures to you all, and do not let any type of fear cross your path. Book the ticket if that is what your gut tells you! Happy travels!

  • Madeira; the place to be in 2019

    The small island of Madeira, Portugal, is a hotspot for many tourists. Famed by William Churchill, Prime Minister to the United Kingdom in the years of 1940-1945, was a regular visitor throughout his life. Madeira is the perfect destination for those who want a break to witness natural beauty.

    Due to its very mountainous geological structure, hiking is very popular on this island. Not only is it the perfect way to enjoy the natural sights, but perfect to stay fit and healthy while travelling. Madeira offers so much more than scenery. Food is a huge thing on the island, with delicious dishes based mainly around fish and fried bananas, which is exquisite. I have a major sweet tooth and my favourite dessert is definitely their queijada, which is essentially a cottage cheese cheesecake, drizzled with passionfruit pulp. Definitely worth the try when in Madeira.

    Although Madeira is an island, it is slightly difficult to find a beach, in particular, a real beach. There are a few which have been constructed for the pleasure of the residents, with sand imported from Morocco, such as the Paira da Machico. It is my personal favourite due to the lush sand and calm ocean waves, as it has sea walls that have formed a double-sided bay which holds the sand in place. It is a 30km drive from Funchal, but there are bus services that take you for a small fee, so it is most definitely worth a day trip.
    However, the island of Porto Santo which is 2 hours away in ferry is possibly the most popular with visitors to Madeira. You can definitely enjoy a more atmosphere and stay there for a couple of nights if you really want to make the most of your summertime at the beach.

    Spending at least 4 to 5 days on the island of Madeira is enough if you want a place to rejuvenate yourself. With all the beautiful greenery, and sights, you can definitely feel refreshed in this island. Compared to Portugal, Madeira is slightly more expensive, but in comparison to other European islands, it is definitely affordable. It is very accommodating for all budgets. Flights are very affordable from Lisbon, so I recommend visiting Portugal’s beautiful Capital city before enjoying some time off from the crowds in Madeira. With flights starting from €50, it would be a shame not to.

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    Photo taken in late June of 2018

    Madeira definitely is most popular during the European summer months of July to August, but even in mid-June, the temperatures are cosy enough to feel on holiday and avoid the mass crowds of tourists. With temperatures being in the mid 20 degrees Celsius, it is definitely a great time to enjoy walking the island and enjoying the beach without the heat taking too much energy from you.

    I do hope that Madeira has been added to your bucket list after reading this article and if you have already visited Madeira, tell me what you enjoy about the island, and if you are planning on re-visiting or if one time was enough for you. As always, I wish you all very happy travels in 2019!