Travel blog

Taking a phone on vacation makes it easy to keep in touch with loved ones, stay updated on the latest news, and take photos during your trip. But according to technology company Asurion, 1 in 5 travelers have:

• Lost their phone
• Experienced phone damage
• Had their phone stolen

With the right preparation and steps, you can protect yourself against and recover quickly from a setback with your phone.

Culturally robust, historically fascinating, generously dotted with lush green spaces, and surrounded by a ruggedly beautiful coastline, Sydney, Australia has earned its place at the very top of many travelers’ Bucket Lists.

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, which was was originally established in 1788 by the English as a penal colony, providing a rough and tumble beginning to what is today one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations.

Modern Sydney has everything that travelers want: great dining and entertainment, excellent public transportation (definitely the best way to get around), gorgeous architecture, ample public gardens, and over 100 beaches.

Millions of tourists visit California each year because the state has something for everyone.

• Beautiful National Parks
• Unique architecture
• Diverse cuisines
• The allure of Hollywood
• Top tier sports teams
• The iconic New Year’s Day Rose Parade

The diverse landscape brings with it varying climates, and travelers need to pack accordingly. Packing for a trip to California may not be as straightforward as you think. In some places, you can go from sunny beaches to snowy mountains in the course of a day! Temperatures across cities vary, and may even fluctuate in the same city from morning to night.

The Freedom Trail contains some of Boston’s richest history. It is a 2.5 mile walking path marked by a red line that snakes past 16 historically significant sites that typically takes about two hours to complete.

The American Revolution happened in large part because of the political powder keg that was Boston, the Freedom Trail in particular, in the late 1700s.

Brilliant minds like Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere came together and united with their neighbors – simple farmers, bakers, and shopkeepers – against the tyranny of Britain. They created an unstoppable force; the concept of America, with all the independent ideals that would go on to unify 13 rural colonies into what would become one of the greatest countries in human history.

Traveling is a wonderful adventure. It gives us first-hand experience to learn about people and cultures around the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of opportunities new travelers miss out on. Even if you are a frequent traveler, there are likely some travel mistakes you didn’t know you were making.

One of the best things to do before international travel is to learn the cultural norms of a destination. This will prevent a lot of mistakes, but it's not the only area that travelers drop the ball.

Planning a trip abroad for the first time is exhilarating. Think of the people you’ll meet, the local food you’ll savor, and the wonderful memories you will make.

Avoid financial surprises by setting up a travel budget before heading overseas. The first time traveling to Europe, or any continent for that matter, requires a bit of research. This is especially true if your travels will take place over an extended period of time.

Staying connected during your trip allows family and friends to know where you are at all times. It also gives you the ability to send updates about the wonderful sights you are seeing on your guided tour. It also provides a level of reassurance in the event of an emergency. But using a cellphone while abroad will result in an exorbitant bill at the end of your trip, unless you plan ahead.

Don’t let the possibility of seasickness prevent you from booking the cruise of your dreams! Seasickness occurs when your brain receives conflicting signals from your senses. These mixed messages throw our bodies off balance and may result in dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, neighboring parks jointly administered by the NPS, are some of California’s finest. Located in the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, they have lush green meadows, thundering rivers, mighty mountains, a very healthy bear population, and sprawling groves of jaw-droppingly massive trees. They are home to two of the world’s largest living trees, the noble sequoia tree neighbors General Sherman and General Grant.

Travel like a local on your next international vacation in order to get a deeper sense of understanding about the people and culture. If traveling like a local sounds intimidating, rest assured that you do not have to give up the comforts of a vacation or ditch your pre-set plans. After all, you are still there to relax and have a good time! Here are 8 tips for traveling like a local: