What Skills Does Travel Give You

There is a general assumption that travels are only for those who wish to have fun away from their normal routines. However, traveling is not only about having fun visiting new places. In fact, there are lots of skills that you can acquire from traveling to help you improve your life. Below are some of the main skills that you can gain from travels.

Communication Skills

Whenever you travel often, you will meet people of different cultures. Among them, there are those who do not speak the same language as yours. In order to properly relate with all the people you meet during travels, you must be equipped with better communication skills. Sometimes, you might even need to learn different languages. The more you travel, the higher your chances of improving your communication skills.

Time Management

Traveling always requires that you create a plan of events, detailing where you will visit, how long you will stay there among other things. From traveling, you will learn just how important it is to properly manage your time. If you do not plan well, you might end up missing out on a lot of things. Imagine the humiliation of missing a flight because you arrived late at the airport.

Teamwork

Traveling in groups is a great way to test your ability to work with others. During group travels, you will learn how to deal with different people without being too selfish. You will have to figure out common interests that will make all feel comfortable and happy on the trip. It helps you appreciate the spirit of collective responsibility.

Adaptability

Traveling will put you through unique experiences and circumstances, some of which might seem too overwhelming.  Even with the best travel plan, uncertainties are inevitable and, you must be able to adapt in order to overcome those challenges.

Generally, traveling motivates you to be creative and flexible enough to handle different situations without breaking down. These are important skills that you need to live a better life.

Ways to Survive Unplanned Travels

As confessed by many travelers, sometimes, spontaneous trips are the most remarkable. The adventure comes with a sense of freedom and thrill that makes it quite hard to forget. Whether you are traveling solo, with family or friends, unplanned trips can offer great fun. However, they can also be a nightmare if you do not know how to proceed. The following are ways to help you survive unplanned travels and the best experience.

Prepare a Basic Travel Checklist

Even though you did not plan for the trip, it is important to have a few things in order before heading out. Do not let the excitement overshadow some of the basic requirements for a good trip. Make sure you have valid identification documents, travel papers, personal essentials and other must-have items. But, only pack what you cannot find on the road to travel lightly.  

Have Some Cash on You

Many unpleasant things can happen on an unplanned trip. Sometimes, as you were rushing to pack up, you forgot your credit cards. Besides, you could also experience an emergency that requires money urgently. To be safe from such inconveniences, remember to carry extra cash. But, do not move around with so much cash money that could attract unwarranted attention.

Keep in Touch With Friends and Family

Since you did not plan for the trip, people can easily start getting worried if they do not hear from you for some time. So, remember to share the necessary details of your itinerary so friends and family can now things are okay. Besides, you should also be reachable in case they may want to contact you.

Do Not Be Afraid To Ask

Although you may have online guidebooks and travel plans, things might change instantly. So, do not feel embarrassed to ask questions in case there is something you are not sure of. In the process of asking questions, you could discover even more interesting places and activities not highlighted in the guidebooks.

Generally, unplanned travels can be confusing. But, the key to enjoying the adventure is remaining composed and just living the moment.

 

Ways to Cut Expenses and Save Money for Travel

There is a common myth going around that travelling is an expensive hobby. And, people who travel a lot must be rich. However, the experiences shared by different people who have travelled the world tell the opposite. It is true that travelling costs money but, it is something that almost everyone can afford with proper planning. In case you want to travel but worried about the costs, below are some ways on how to cut expenses and save money for travel.

Create and Follow a Weekly Budget

We all operate on different budgets but, setting shorter targets will make it much easier to monitor and watch how you spend. So, take a few minutes to write down a weekly budget of all your expenditure. Depending on the things that you have highlighted in the budget, try to stick with the basics. Shed off any unnecessary expenses and divert the money to a pot for travel.

Open a Savings Account

Since you are looking to save as much as you can for trips, it is just in order that you open a savings account. Unlike any other savings account, this should specifically be your fund for travel. Having a separate savings account for travel will inspire a sense of financial responsibility and, also help you track your progress in terms of savings. The account itself will motivate you to save money.

Try to Make Payments in Cash

Credit cards have become a more convenient way of making financial transactions. But, using them also comes with additional charges that can badly affect your financial goals. Thus, paying in cash can spare you some money to save for travel. In cases whereby cash is not allowed, you may want to consider using a debit card instead of a credit card.

Overall, there are no clear cut rules on how to reduce expenses and save money for travel. However, the tricks discussed above and discipline can make a huge difference in your spending to enable you save more for travel.

 

Top Five Things to Do and See in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation located on the Indian Ocean south of India. It is popularly referred to as the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’ owing to its sandy beaches, highlands, wildlife sanctuaries, ancient Buddhist ruins and more. Tourists can easily access the country through direct flights from various destinations to the capital city of Columbo. Here are the top 5 activities to do in Sri Lanka.

Ascend Sigiriya

The 5th-century castle of Sigiriya is a good example of an ancient urban enterprise. The fortress was constructed by king Kaspaya and rest atop the towering rock formation. Tourists can go up to the peak through a series of winding steps leading to an entryway. The fortress also features King Kaspaya’s palace which is adorned in colorful frescoes. The neighboring landscape, consisting of water gardens and green forests certainly add to the excitement and makes Sigiriya a renowned World Heritage Site.

Explore the ancient ruins of Polunnaruwa

The kingdom of Polunnaruwa was set up in the 11th and 12th Centuries AD. It was famed for its tall buildings, superb parks as well as a 25 km² lake. However, its prominence started to fade and was later abandoned by the 13th century. The remains of this once famous metropolis are now a tourist site and provide some splendid photography opportunities including the 13m tall King’s Royal Palace. The city of Polunnaruwa also features several Buddha statues most of which in different levels of decays. Nevertheless, the 4 Buddhas located at Gal Vihara are in almost great condition.  A great way to survey these ruins is through cycling. You can rent a bicycle from nearby cafes and guest houses.

Board the express train from Kandy to Ella

If you want to explore the different and striking landscapes of Sri Lanka, then get on the train from Kandy to Ella. The conspicuous blue and red express train usually takes about 6 hours to travel from Kandy to Ella. Don’t worry; there are many stops along the way. On the journey, you’ll see cascading waterfalls, dense forests, misty mountains and local farmers tending to green crops and tea plantations. The spectacular views are best enjoyed while standing in one of the carriage entryways.

Udawalawe National Park

Nestled in the southern part of Sri Lanka, Udawalawe National Park is home to elephants. It consists of dense forest cover and grasslands and accommodates more than 500 species of flora and fauna. Just like in many other countries, the elephant species in Sri Lanka are endangered because of illegal poaching. The park is a safe and secure sanctuary for about 2000 elephants. Apart from elephants, you can spot water buffalo, deer and sloth bear in the park.

Arugam Bay

Located on the south-east coastline of Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay is a perfect surfing spot. The bay is moon shaped and usually attracts a relaxed crowd eager to surf on the waters of the Indian Ocean. There are specific spots for those who love high and strong waves and quieter areas for those who love serene waters.

Sri Lanka is undergoing a renaissance at the moment and you should make it a point to visit this island and sample what’s on offer.