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You are here: Home / Archives for travel

What To Wear On A Flight: Your Next Trip Sorted

November 16, 2022 by Wendy S

flightPhoto by Killian Pham on Unsplash

When it comes to flying, throwing on any old outfit and hoping for the best isn’t always an ideal strategy. Sure, modern planes are super comfortable, but it’s not like you’re just taking a trip on the local bus. When you fly, you’re always on an adventure, whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure. Therefore, you need to be prepared.

Don’t worry, though, if you’ve never thought about this before. This post is here to help. In it, we take a look at some of the things you’ll need to wear on a plane to make the trip a breeze. Let’s take a look.

Plenty Of Layers

Imagine you’re flying from Lapland to Lagos. The temperature differential is enormous at any time of the year, probably over 30°C. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to pack plenty of layers. You never know when you’re going to feel cold, and when things will be absolutely baking hot. 

Beware of flight transfers. Aircraft air conditioning doesn’t always regulate the temperature perfectly, particularly if the new plane has been sitting on a hot runway for several hours before you board. 

Good items to take along with you include shawls, wraps, cardigans, and sweatshirts. If you get too hot, you can take layers off and keep them in your hand luggage. Remember, aircraft air conditioning systems can feel a little cold to some people, particularly if you are sensitive. 

Loose-Fit Clothes

Blood clots in the legs are a risk for passengers who spend a lot of time remaining absolutely still in aircraft seats for a long time. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing. You want to ensure that you impede your circulation as little as possible.

Pay particular attention to tightness around the ankles. Ideally, these should be free from obstruction so the blood can easily travel back from the feet. 

Wear Slip-On Shoes

When you’re running to gates and trying to find your seat in narrow planes, the last thing you want to worry about is tying your shoelaces. Stooping down to tie wayward laces could actually be a hazard. 

For that reason, slip-on shoes make sense. And while they might not be the most stylish, they are certainly practical for the airport experience. 

Take A Scarf With You

Take a wide scarf with you on the plane so you have something that can transform into either a shawl or a blanket. If you sleep in your seat, you’ll notice that your body temperature drops significantly so you’ll want something to keep you warm. Choose a sweat-wicking fabric if you can, meaning no nylon. 

Slim Backpack

Look for a slim backpack for all your carry-on essentials. You want something with plenty of room for a laptop, headphones, and a shawl, but that won’t get in the way when you are trying to find your way to your seat. 

These days, there are plenty of brands offering slim backpacks exclusively for travel purposes, so take a look and see what’s available. Look for bags with pouches for the specific items you travel with. 

T-Shirt

When it comes to flying, you don’t want to wear anything too fancy. A simple Nike t-shirt will suffice. You can save all your elegant outfits and dresses for when you arrive at your destination. You want something that can cope with food being spilled on it during turbulence and you can easily wash when you arrive at your new location. 

A Warm, Neutral Outer Layer

Even if you are travelling between tropical destinations, it’s still a good idea to take a warm outer layer with you. Gates next to air conditioning vents can get pretty chilly. 

Look for something neutral that won’t make you stand out. Also, go lightweight. You don’t want to feel even more burdened than you already do. 

A Jacket With Pockets

Lastly, if you have a lot of luggage, you’ll want to take a jacket with you that has a lot of pockets. This way, you can load it up with a bunch of trinkets and avoid hand luggage weight limits. 

Just be sensible with how you load it. Fill pockets with small but heavy items that people would usually carry around with them. Don’t try to fit your laptop between the seams. Security probably won’t appreciate inventiveness like that. 

Today, there are numerous high-quality jackets on the market with plenty of external and internal pockets to choose from. Most have pockets large enough for the biggest smartphones and standard airline tickets. 

Filed Under: Life, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: clothing, fashion, flight, travel, trip

How to Feel Clean and Fresh when You’re on a Long-Haul Flight

July 13, 2022 by Wendy S

If you are an avid traveller, then you will know that long-haul flights are the worst. That being said, there are things that you can do to try and make your life easier.

Pack a Change of Clothes

The first thing that you need to do is try and pack a change of clothes if possible. This will usually include a change of socks, a pair of jeans, and some underwear. Ideally, you’ll need a new shirt as well. Try and dress as comfortably as possible when on your long flight because if you don’t, then you may find that you end up struggling overall. Loose shirts and nice baggy pants are always a welcome addition. Prior to landing, you can easily go to the bathroom to change into some nicer clothes. By being comfortable, you can also make it easier to fall asleep, so be mindful of this if you can.

long-haul

Source: Pexels — Julia Volk

Bring some Wipes with You

The aeroplane you travel on will usually be very cold and dry. This is usually because of the air conditioning. If you can, you need to try and bring some little bottles of moisturising cream for your face and body. This will help you to feel more refreshed, and you may find that it gives a nice smell to your face and arms. One of the things that you may try and avoid before you get on a plane is using make-up. You want to be able to wipe down your face if it gets dry and doing this with make-up on will simply make it run. If you want to avoid this, then try and avoid putting too much stress on the situation and apply your makeup when you arrive. Want some good cleansers? You can find some here.

Deodorant and Perfume

This may sound a little strange but the best way for you to keep yourself feeling fresh is to smell good. The best thing that you can do is try and put some perfume on before you depart. You also need to try and use deodorant regularly as you travel on long-haul flights. This will keep you feeling great, and it will also help you to make the most out of your journey.

Bring some Brushes

If you can attempt to brush your teeth when you are at the airport, then this will have you feeling fresher if you nap on the plane. If you can, you also need to try and take some floss with you. Taking a hairbrush is always a good idea too as if you can do your bit to keep your hair untangled and looking great then this will help you overall to feel better.

Bring an Empty Bottle

When you travel, it is always good for you to have an empty bottle that you can just refill whenever you want. Don’t take a full one with you as you will not be able to take it through security. Staying hydrated on the flight will help you to feel refreshed and it will also make you feel much healthier overall. Don’t worry about going to the bathroom a lot, because it gives you the chance to stretch your legs. If you want to keep your water cold, then buying an insulated bottle is always a good idea.

Sleep Well

If you want to try and avoid any kind of jetlag, then you need to try and prepare your body as much as you can so you can ready yourself for the change in zones. Sleep on the flight so you don’t get bored, and then when you arrive, you have more time to do whatever it is you want to do.

Bring a Pillow

Taking your own pillow with you is always a good idea. A good pillow will keep you comfortable on long flights, and it will also give you the chance to relax. Sure, you may feel a little odd taking a pillow with you, but in reality, it is one of the best things that you can do. You would be surprised at how many benefits a good pillow can offer you, from somewhere to rest your head when you nap to being able to rest your arm when the rest gets a little uncomfortable. You can take an inflatable pillow, but they are not as good for you, and you may even find that they end up being far more uncomfortable in the long run. If you’re worried about space, then vacuum-pack your pillow to make it smaller.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: airplane, flight, fresh, long-haul, travel

Travelling For Work? Here’s How To Stay Safe

July 11, 2022 by Wendy S

If you’ve just got a new job that requires you to travel here, there, and everywhere in order to close deals, welcome to the modern workforce! So many more people are travelling for job purposes these days, and that can mean catching flights to other countries and trains to the other side of your own. 

However, travelling for work can be just as unsafe as heading off on a solo adventure to parts unknown. Commuting on a small scale is something we’re used to, of course, but travelling on this kind of global scale can sometimes get dangerous. Who knows what situations you might run into? 


Photo by Anna Shvets

Never Travel without Insurance

This is key whenever you leave your own country to jet set off elsewhere. Without insurance, you could be liable for any number of accidents or emergencies! If you get sick or injured, or you lose something or it gets stolen, you’ll have to cough up and cover the damages. And when you’re on a work trip, travelling without insurance isn’t a good way to impress. 

Take a policy out just to be sure; you never know when you may run into trouble and a company laptop or tablet could be damaged as a result. Do your research and double-check the policy before you buy to make sure it’s a comprehensive type of cover. 

Always Connect to Protected Wifi

If you want to check something on a personal account or your company’s secured server, make sure you’re connected to wifi first of all. Using the data on your phone can be dangerous; passing confidential details across servers tends to lack encryption on 4G and above. If you’re wondering how to keep your email secure, the best starting point is a proper connection! 

However, you should also stay proactive about the wifi you connect to and how you use it. If you don’t have your own hotspot to take with you, you’re going to have to use a public version. If you’re in a hotel, this isn’t usually a problem – only paying guests have the password! But in a cafe or waiting area, it’s a different story. 

Have a Backup for Your Documents

Of course, it’s best to have a hard copy of all documents on hand whenever you’re about to travel, but what about if you lose a paper or two? What if one slips out of your pocket or it gets drenched in water from a loose top on a bottle in your bag? How will you get past the airport security gate or into your hotel without the right passes on hand? By having plenty of backups to rely on! 

Start by keeping a copy of everything on your phone. Download confirmation emails and tickets or take screenshots if that’s not an option – you shouldn’t let yourself rely on needing an internet signal here either. If it’s downloaded to the machine itself, you’ve got proof of where you need to be and when you’re allowed in. 

You could also use a portable hard drive or USB stick as storage if you’re taking your laptop with you; if you can bring it up on screen, they’ll be able to scan it! 

Double Check You’re Meeting the Right People

Most of the time people are who they say they are. However, every now and then you can run into the wrong person or accidentally be taken in by a scam. This is especially true if you’ve never seen the person before, but speaking to people face to face beforehand over Skype or Zoom is helping to eliminate that! However, if you’re really not sure, there are a couple of checks you can do. 

If you’ve got the name of the person you’re supposed to be meeting, get them to introduce themself without saying anything; you can ask what their name is, but don’t let them know you’re looking for a certain answer. Similarly, be sure to check for an ID card, or call the company they’re representing and make sure you’re in talks with the right person. Verify before going anywhere else – staying vigilant is a good way to get ahead. 

If you need to travel for work in the future, treat these trips just like any other. You’re there to be professional, and you have more guarantee over the experience you’re going to have. However, when you’re not in a meeting or attending an event, it’s up to you to put your travelling safety head-on! 

Filed Under: Life, Travel Tagged With: safe, safety, travel, traveling, travelling

Travel Essentials to Take to Hot Climate

May 23, 2022 by Wendy S

travel essentials

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

When travelling to a hot climate, you often need to take extra precautions to ensure that you stay safe and comfortable throughout your trip. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few essentials you should definitely pack for your next trip to a hotter climate than you’re used to. 

Merino wool

This might sound strange to some people, but Merino wool is great for just about any climate It keeps you cool in hot climates and warm in cool climates, so you should always pack some wherever you go.

Moisture-wicking underwear

Moisture-wicking underwear will keep your most delicate parts dry and comfortable no matter how hot it gets. So, you can explore your vacation destination without having to worry about freshness or getting any itchy heat rashes which can be oh so annoying.

Eye drops

If you are prone to getting dry eye, then it is a really good idea to take moistening eye drops to hot climates with you. Hot weather is a particular trigger for dry eye, and as you know, it can get pretty irritating and uncomfortable, so you really don’t want it to ruin your vacation. That’s why you really should not forget to pack eye drops. 

Sunglasses

Sunglasses will also help to protect your eyes, this time from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.

Water bottles

Taking your own water bottle with you will encourage you to keep dehydrated. Just bear in mind that, in some countries, tap water is not safe to drink, and if that is the case, buying bottled water throughout the day is likely to be safer.

Cotton clothing

Not only does cotton clothing enable your skin to breathe, so that you are less likely to overheat, but it dries very quickly. So, if you get hot and sweaty, you can wash and dry your clothing in no time at all.

Lightweight shoes

Your feet can get really hot in a warm climate, so it is a good idea to pack sandals, along with a good pair of lightweight sneakers or trail shoes, depending on what kind of activities you are likely to be getting up to.

Lots of sunscreen

Of course, one of the most important things you should pack when travelling to a hot climate is sunscreen. Lots of it. You should never be out in the daylight hours without having lots of sunscreen on. The risk of being burned is so very high that you absolutely cannot afford to skip even one application.

It might be a good idea to also pack some alive vera gel because, if you do get burnt, it will help to soothe your pain significantly.

A sun hat

A sun hat will help to stop you from overheating, prevent your head from burning, and provide you with some much-needed shade when you’re on the beach, so be sure to bring one along.

With these essentials in your suitcase, you can be sure that you’ll have a safe, comfortable, and most important of all, fun time, on your next hot climate vacation.

Filed Under: family, Life, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: essentials, travel

Ready for some sand and sun! Tips for planning a family vacation #travel

April 18, 2017 by Wendy S

Life has been busy. Too busy.   We need a break!

 

A post shared by Wendy {mapsgirl} (@mapsgirl) on Aug 31, 2016 at 7:03pm PDT

Craig and I have been talking about taking a trip and just getting away. This year will be our 15th Wedding Anniversary which is another great reason to put our feet in the sand and relax.

Picking a date

With 2 full-time jobs, a part-time job, various activities and other commitments, finding the time to go away is not easy.

We sat down with our calendars, figured out when activities would be winding down and when commitments wouldn’t be impacted and chose 2 potential times — a week in June or beginning of January.

Figuring out your budget

Yes, vacation is supposed to be fun and you don’t want to miss anything, but coming home to a mountain of debt is not the best way to end a vacation.

Craig and I have been putting some money away in a vacation fund.  Plus we have some gift certificates to Flight Centre that we’re going to take advantage of.

 

A post shared by bigdaddykreativ (@bigdaddykreativ) on Jan 19, 2017 at 5:31am PST

We did a few searches on the internet to get a ballpark idea of what our options might be. Then we headed to Flight Centre, sat with an awesome travel advisor and, asked a ton of questions. Knowing the amenities at the different resorts, what the beaches are like, and activities for the girls is just as important as the cost. During the conversation, we decided to focus on the June dates as the prices for January were just too high (almost double?!?).

After the conversation, we walked away with 4 different resorts in 2 different places that were all within our budget.

Do your research

With the 4 locations in hand, our next step was to read reviews and talk to friends.

TripAdvisor.ca is one of our “go-to” sites for travel information.  There are a lot of reviews on all 4 of the places we were looking at. It’s good to read the good and bad reviews to get a broad sense of people’s experiences.

 

A post shared by bigdaddykreativ (@bigdaddykreativ) on Apr 19, 2014 at 12:01pm PDT

Craig and I started a spreadsheet to keep track of the pros and cons of each place we were considering. We noted things like the cost, the number of stars, the number of pools, activities for the girls, types of restaurants and links to the resort’s website and Trip Advisor. Seeing all of the details in one place makes comparing so much easier!

With the magic of social media, we got lots of opinions from friends when Craig asked on Facebook. A few people had been to one of the resorts that we were looking at and we actually had one friend who had been to both! She gave us some great information as she was able to do a great comparison.

Making the final decision

With all of the options laid out in our spreadsheet, we started making the decision of exactly what we wanted.  One resort has a waterslide. Another has more restaurants. And on it goes.

The girls were very excited about the idea of a kids club and teen activities. The waterslide is a must. And, of course, they liked the idea of free wifi.

The girls were all for free wifi, but truly that is not a deciding factor for us. Most resorts have free wifi in the lobby, some have wifi available for purchase in the rooms and a small number have free wifi everywhere.  Craig and I have Roam Like Home with Rogers which is available in both countries that we are interested in which means that if we need to get in touch with family, we will be able to. Plus being able to share our memories with friends and family right away on social media is really nice too! They can see all the fun we are having. I like to back up my photos to Google Photos so having access to data is important to me.

So what will it be?

 

Filed Under: Ambassador, Life, Roam Like Home, Rogers, Travel, Vacation Tagged With: ad, Roam Like Home, Rogers, sponsored, travel, vacation

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Why “mapsgirl” ?

Wendy is a cartographer! She draws maps!

When not mapping, Wendy is also a mom to two daughters. They are the inspiration of this blog. Passionate about child passenger safety, Wendy was a certified Car Seat Technician in Ontario, Canada from 2008 to 2020. [Read More …]

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