4 Things You'll Need when Embarking on Your Adventure Travel Expedition

If you're planning on embarking on an adventure travel expedition, there are a few things you'll need to make sure you have packed. From proper clothing and gear to necessary documents and supplies, here is a list of four items you won't want to be without when traveling off the beaten path as well as some handy information on how to pack before setting off on your adventure.

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1) Proper clothing

The first thing you'll need to make sure you have when embarking on an adventure travel expedition is the proper clothing. Depending on your destination, you'll want to pack a variety of items that will keep you comfortable in different climates and weather conditions. From hats and sunglasses to rain gear and hiking boots, be sure to pack clothing that will protect you from the elements.

If you're traveling to a cold climate, don't forget to pack plenty of layers. Thermals, wool socks, and a warm coat will help you stay cozy in even the most frigid temperatures. And if you're headed someplace with lots of bugs, be sure to bring along bug spray and mosquito netting. Finally, no matter where your travels take you, be sure to pack clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for the activities you'll be doing.

2) Gear

In addition to clothing, there are a few other essential items you'll need to pack for your adventure travel expedition. If you're planning on doing any hiking or camping, be sure to bring along a good tent, sleeping bag, backpack, and a water bottle that’s in stock. You'll also want to make sure you have a flashlight, matches, and a first aid kit.

A good tent will protect you from the elements and give you a place to sleep at night. A sleeping bag will keep you warm, while a backpack will help you carry all your supplies. A flashlight will come in handy if you find yourself in the dark, and matches can be used to start a fire for warmth or cooking. Finally, a first aid kit is an essential item for any traveler, as it can help you deal with minor injuries and illnesses.

When packing your first aid kit, be sure to include items like bandages, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers. You should also pack any prescription medications you take, as well as over-the-counter remedies for common ailments like diarrhea and motion sickness. By packing a few essential items, you can be prepared for anything your adventure travel expedition throws your way.

If you're traveling by bicycle or motorcycle, be sure to pack all the necessary gear for your mode of transportation. And if you're headed off the beaten path, don't forget to bring along a GPS unit and map. No matter what type of adventure you're embarking on, be sure to have the proper gear before setting out.

3) Documents and supplies

When traveling abroad, it's important to have all the necessary documents and supplies. Be sure to bring your passport and any other required travel documents. It would be best if you also packed a supply of cash, as well as traveler's checks or a credit card for emergency expenses.

It's also a good idea to bring along copies of important documents like your passport and insurance information. And if you're traveling with medication, be sure to bring along enough for the entire duration of your trip. By packing essential documents and supplies, you can be prepared for anything that comes up while on your adventure travel expedition.

Also, don't forget to bring along a few basic items like toiletries and a change of clothes. These items can come in handy if your luggage is lost or delayed. By packing a few essentials, you can make sure you're prepared for anything that comes up on your adventure travel expedition.

4) Food and water

No matter where you're traveling, it's important to pack enough food and water for the entire duration of your trip. If you're traveling to a remote area, be sure to bring along dehydrated or canned foods that don't require cooking. And if you're headed someplace with limited resources, be sure to pack enough water for everyone in your party.

By packing enough food and water, you can ensure that everyone at your party has enough to eat and drink. No one wants to go hungry or thirsty while on an adventure travel expedition. So be sure to pack enough food and water to keep everyone at your party happy and healthy.

When packing food and water, it's also important to consider any special dietary needs. If someone in your party has allergies or a special diet, be sure to pack accordingly. By packing food and water that everyone can eat and drink, you can make sure that everyone in your party has a great time on your adventure travel expedition. Packing the right food and water can mean the difference between an enjoyable trip and a disaster. So be sure to pack enough of both to keep everyone at your party happy and healthy.

How to pack

Now that you know what to pack for your adventure travel expedition, it's time to start packing. When packing for an adventure travel expedition, be sure to pack light. You don't want to be weighed down by a lot of gear, as this can make your trip more difficult. So instead, focus on packing the essentials that you'll need for the duration of your trip.

By packing light, you can be sure that you have enough room in your backpack for all the essential items. And by bringing along only the essentials, you can save yourself from having to carry around a lot of unnecessary weight. So when packing for your next adventure travel expedition, be sure to keep these tips in mind and pack accordingly.

If you remember these four things when you're packing for your next adventure travel expedition - proper clothing, gear, documents, and food & water - you can be sure that you have everything you need for a successful trip. So get out there and start planning your next adventure travel expedition today!

Traveling Over the Halloween Season

If you're like me, you love to see holidays in other countries and even other states. We've traveled over Halloween several times and would definitely recommend it. Are you looking to get away this fall? Do you want to celebrate Halloween/Samhain/spooky season while you're on your trip? Here are some of the best places to visit:

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In 2006, when we visited London over Halloween, it wasn't that big of a holiday, and now it's huge. We've also gone to Disneyland Paris for their Halloween party and the difference there is very interesting. Although Halloween isn't a big holiday in France, Disney puts on a very different sort of party. The decorations are spookier. There are scarecrows with pumpkin heads roaming the park. The kids who dress up are all something with blood added to them: bloody ballerina, bloody baseball player, bloody witch. I find this hilarious, but they also probably think it's supposed to be a scary holiday, and this is their way of getting their costume to fit that theme. The parade there is fantastic, as are the other Disney Halloween parades in the states. You can't beat one that begins with the Headless Horseman galloping by with his head under his arm. It's perfection.

I'd love to spend Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts or visit any of the Christmas markets in Europe. Have you traveled for any holidays on your vacations? 

How To Avoid Jet Lag

So, it's been 3 years since I've traveled far enough to have to deal with jet lag in any form. We'll be doing a double jump this time: Spending the day in Baltimore (a 3-hour time difference) then heading on to Paris (a 9-hour time difference). This means I need a good strategy for our flights. 

Knowing how I've been able to avoid jet lag in the past is going to be a big help for us on this trip, as Eric and I have already talked about our ideal flight plans.

If nothing else, we know how to sleep on a plane

Adjust Your Schedule

The sooner you can get on your new schedule, the better. If you can do so before you leave home, that's optimal, but if you have to work and can't really do that, then start on your plane ride. Immediately set your watch to what the local time will be and do what you normally do at that time. If it's time to sleep, then sleep, but if it's not, make yourself stay awake as much as possible. I take a quick nap, but occupy myself reading, watching a movie, playing a game or coming up with new post ideas (maybe you journal instead). If you are traveling with someone, break out a card game and make them play with you. In other words, keep your brain busy. 

When you get to your destination, stay on schedule. If it's daytime, do some sightseeing. If it's nighttime, then go to bed. Simple! And don't forget to eat on time. Have problems getting on a new schedule? Try a time adjusting app!

Since we'll be flying overnight, our plan is to stay up on our Portland to Seattle leg, then sleep as much of the flight from Seattle to Baltimore as possible, since we'll be arriving at 6am. 5-6 hours is just enough sleep to be awake and not feel like we're going to drag in the middle of the day. We'll have something like 8 hours to walk around and sightsee, giving us the exercise we need to tire us out. 

The flight from Baltimore to Iceland (where we basically have enough time to change planes) is 6 hours. We'll be flying on a budget airline without any extras, so napping most of that flight shouldn't be difficult and fairly ideal. The next 3 1/2 hours to Paris are a toss-up. I will use part of that time to eat something and maybe zone out listening to a podcast or audio book.

Stay Hydrated

Not getting enough liquids in your body can cause you to be sluggish. Bring a big bottle of water with you on the plane, avoid dehydrating drinks like soda and alcohol, and continue drinking extra of water for the first couple of days of your trip. This can also keep you from getting sick. A great alternative to water is tomato juice. It's known to be one of the best beverages for flying, because it's hydrating and full of vitamins. If you're thinking this sounds super gross, just try it. The altitude from flying dulls your taste buds a bit, so it's actually tastier than you think.

Because we have to pay for any of our beverages or snacks on Play!, we'll be bringing two reusable insulated water bottles. I'll be drinking a lot of water on the plane, possibly with flavoring, because it's easy and hydrating, and if I don't drink it all on the plane, it travels fine. 

Eat Light and Healthy

Eating is really important, but you don't want to eat a huge meal before getting on the plane. You also don't want to eat fried and junk food. Find something light and healthy (or as much as possible) to eat before your flight that'll keep your going, but not weigh you down and make you sleepy. You'll also want to bring snacks. Protein-packed, healthy foods like nuts or fruit are great options. If you want to know more about a jet lag "diet", see my post here. 

I've already decided we'll be bringing a bag of snacks with us on our trip, including an insulated container of cheese and fruit. I might grab a few bananas in Baltimore, but we'll also be nomming on some lobster rolls before we get back on the plane. Those should be light-ish, but filling enough to get us through to another decent meal...that we'll have to snag on our way between flights, and probably eat on the plane. 

We'll be arriving in Paris at local lunch time and may grab a light meal before we get on the train to our rental, before we leave the airport. A quick sushi lunch may be perfect and should keep us energized until dinnertime, since we have tickets to a museum when we get in and hope to hit up another small one after. After dinner, we will probably call it a night and go back to our place to chill for the rest of the evening.

I've lost almost a whole day from jet lag in the past. What's your worst experience with jet lag?