ATMs provide the smartest and easiest way for a traveler to get cash in most travel destinations including Europe. Though you will be charged a withdrawal fee, the exchange rate is generally better than that of currency exchange booths. To get a better experience, follow these useful tips provided by Marco Vi of the Dental Coto Clinic Group in Costa Rica as he shares his tips for using ATMs when you travel to Europe. 

Find Cash Machines 

It’s easy to locate cash machines in most places in Europe. That’s because they are found almost everywhere. It’s however important to note that some small towns might lack ATMs. Therefore, if you intend to travel to a rural destination or a small town, stock up on cash. 

Use Bank-Run ATMs 

There are many ATMs that are located outside most banks in Europe. These are the best to withdraw cash from. The best time to use bank-run ATMs is during the opening hours of the bank. This will enable you to get help form the bank in case the machine munches your card. Bank-run ATMs are more secure and they usually don’t charge a fee for their use. You will find ATMs run by banks in small entry lobbies beside them. These protect users from bad weather and snoopers. 

Avoid “Independent ATMs 

Independent ATMs charge high fees. They also use dynamic currency conversion to trick users. Most independent ATMs are located near bank-run ATMs. Their hope is to confuse travelers that do not notice any difference. Some of them even have signs of free withdrawals. However, don’t be fooled by such signs. 

ATMs are easy to use because they provide instructions in the English language. They also operate like the ATMs that you are used to back at home. The only difference is that they spit out cash in a foreign currency. What’s more, the amounts withdrawn are calculated at the standard bank-to-bank rate for the day. 

When some people think about traveling, they envision adventures in big cities and having drinks with strangers. However, travel can be more enjoyable if you know what to do. Here are useful tips to make your travel more enjoyable.

Experience the Destination

If you just hole yourself up in your destination result, the exotic location you travel to will lose its magic. Therefore, have fun as you experience the unique culture of the locals in your travel destination. Have conversations with the local people. If you’re not good at having conversations, sit down somewhere and watch the world go by. The things you can learn from paying attention to the smells and sights of your destination will surprise you.

Make Fun Memories

Holidays may be indefinite. However, memories tend to last a lifetime. Focus on creating fun memories that you will look back to and share with family and friends back at home. Engage in activities that create interesting and fun memories. For instance, take jump shots and selfies. Feel comfortable in your own skin and create memories of every moment.

Improvise in Some Cases

Planning your trip comprehensively can inhibit you instead of encouraging you to have more fun when traveling. Therefore, try to avoid rigorous itinerary when you travel and instead enjoy the art of improvising. For instance, you can pick a single or two activities or locations. Spend time away moving with the flow and having fun. Many people complain that they packed too much when traveling leaving them no space for a relaxing holiday.

Remember that the inability to see everything doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Instead of trying to do everything at once, try to make your holiday the most memorable. Spending an entire trip rushing and stressed doesn’t make sense because you travel to unwind and have fun. Therefore, leave free time in your schedule and you will have more fun.

Follow these tips to make your travel more enjoyable. Be open-minded and flexible to learn and have more fun.

How to Make Your Money Last when Traveling

One of the major concerns for travelers is running out of money while away from home. In fact, Arturo Terrazas of GT Roofing San Antonio once shared with my that this is the reason many people don’t travel because they think that you need a lot of money to travel. However, you can travel and make the money that you budget for the trip last you through the trip. You just need these tips on how to make your money last longer when traveling.

Spend Money Wisely

Don’t spend a lot of money on tours, accommodation or transportation. Instead, look for cheaper accommodation. Also consider walking or using public transportation instead of taxi or hiring a car. You can also hitchhike if possible. On the other hand, spend more money on drinks and foods because you don’t want to eat low quality food and end up with health issues. What’s more, you taste new delicacies and interact with the locals when eating and drinking. But, if possible, stay in an apartment where you can make your own food.

Plan Before You Travel

Conduct some research and plan your trip in advance. You can easily come up with a robust budget that covers you throughout the trip when you plan wisely after conducting some research. For instance, do you intend to book tours, go bungee jumping or engaging in other activities that will cost you money? What do you intend to spend money on when traveling? Answers to such questions will enable you to budget and plan your trip properly. Avoid overspending on things that you didn’t plan for before traveling.

Come up with an Ideal Budget

Come up with a budget that covers what you intend to do when you travel. Create a list of the things that you intend to do and where you will do them. Find out the cost of these things and include it in your budget. Also account for transportation, accommodation, food, insurance, booze, and activities among other things that seem relevant to you.

Expectations

What are your expectations for the trip? Make sure that the amount that you budget for will enable you to meet the expectations of your trip. Nevertheless, consider ways that enable your trip to meet your expectations while saving money.

Keep Track of Your Expenses

Check the amount that you spend against your budget. Make sure that you are not spending on activities more than you budgeted for. Track expenses on hostel dorms, snacks, and items that you purchase to avoid overspending.

Follow these tips to make your money last longer when traveling.

How to Relax and Enjoy Traveling

When you travel, you experience new cultures and navigate unfamiliar paths. You put faith in people you don’t know and get out of your comfort zone. This is intrinsic to traveling. However, if you travel with anxiety, you won’t enjoy the experience. Here are useful tips to help you relax and enjoy traveling.

Come up with an Itinerary

Some travelers show up in new places then wing it. However, if you are an anxious person, you want to come up with a well-researched itinerary. You want to know a safe travel destination and when the attractions that you want to see will be open. You also want to know how you can get around a city. This will enhance your confidence and boost your travel experience.

Protect Yourself

Although you can’t plan for all things that can go wrong during a trip, preparing for the most common problems can make you feel secure. So, if you are afraid that you might get sick when traveling, get a good travel insurance policy. This will protect you in case of an injury or illness. If you are afraid that you might lose your passport, get a photo back of all important documents and keep them secure.

Pack Smart

Staying up at night packing for a trip can be stressful. Therefore, come up with a packing list in advance. This will allow you time to make sure that you have included all necessary items in your packing list. Include all items that will enhance your comfort while providing distractions from anxiety during the trip.

Be Positive

It’s normal to think about things that can go wrong when you travel. However, try to be positive. When you get anxious, remember your reasons for going on a trip. Visualize places that you would like to see and adventures that you want to have. Focus on having fun and achieving the goals of your trip.

Basically, there is no reason to let anxiety ruin your trip. Follow these tips to relax and enjoy traveling more.

How Traveling will Help You Live Longer and Healthier

If you have always needed an excuse for traveling, it’s good to know that it’s good for your soul, brain, and body. Generally, travel helps with health improvement in many ways. Here’s how traveling will help you live longer and healthier.

Making You Happier and Healthier

Research has shown that when people travel more often, they lower their risk of heart disease and heart attack. That’s because travel enhances happiness. It provides a chance to break away from stressful routines. This provides happiness which is good for your health.

Travel Affects You Positively in Different Ways

Traveling does many things for you in different ways but most of them affect your wellbeing positively. Even dreaming about a vacation and planning a trip provides something to focus on. This alone is a great mood booster.

Travel Encourages Healthy Living

When you travel, you most likely walk around more. You also taste healthy foods at your destination. This is important because traveling enables you to engage in travel activities that you may not engage in when you stay at home. You also incorporate local dishes in your diet that you may not have back at home.

Traveling Exercises the Brain

When you travel, you keep your mind alert because sometimes you may face challenges when finding a way around the map. You may also struggle to communicate with people that speak a language you don’t understand. Even traveling to a new place alone can stimulate your brain and enhance mental focus as well as your memory.

It Makes You Feel Important

When you travel, you get a chance to volunteer to do something good. This makes you feel good. It gives you a sense of importance and purpose because you help people in need.

Basically, traveling forms a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle which can improve the quality and duration of your life.

Why Traveling is Important in Your Life

Traveling brings a wonderful experience. It enables you to relax, explore new environments and create memories. Unfortunately, some people do not travel due to financial constraints, busy work schedules, and family responsibilities. It’s however important to create travel time so that you can break away from your busy schedules. Here are some of the reasons why traveling is important in your life.

Exploring Different Cultures

Travelling gives you an opportunity to explore different cultures and know the people that practice it. For instance, you learn what other people eat and wear as well as what they do and what it signify. You can also attend culture festivals and what they entail.

Getting a Different Perspective

People think that getting an opportunity to attend school and university is all that matters in life. However, this does not apply to everyone. Visiting countries that are not fully developed make you view life from a different perspective. You know the things that you take for granted yet they are a fortune to some people. For example, clean water, modern appliances, opportunity to study, and get well paying jobs are things that you may take for granted yet some people treasure them. Traveling makes you appreciate what you have.

Making New Friends

Travelling gives you an opportunity to make new friends and connect with people from other parts of the world. It’s almost impossible to stay quite while travelling or when touring a new place. There are times when you will need someone to talk to. This will lead you to establishing relationships other travellers and locals.

Learning Different Languages

Travelling to different places gives you a chance to learn different languages. When you interact with the locals and other travelers, you learn about their languages. For instance, they can teach you simple words like please, sorry, thank you and hello. These can go a long way in motivating the locals or showing appreciation.

Taste Different Foods

When you travel, you get an opportunity to taste different delicacies. You can also learn to prepare different foods. If you have time, you can attend cooking classes so that you can prepare the foods when you get back home.

These are some of the reasons why traveling is important in life. Consider them if you have not been traveling. Save some money and check out this site I use often for online bookings.

How did it even become one of the most visited cities in the United States and the world? Well, there’s no city with a worldwide reputation for outrageous behavior and gambling than Las Vegas. What you encounter in this city simply stays here. Perhaps you just know this city as an entertainment capital and never realized it has much more to offer. Visitors from all corners of the world travel to Las Vegas to experience the all-inclusive retreat it has to offer. Here are top reasons why Las Vegas should be your next travel destination.

The Las Vegas Strip

No one visits Las Vegas’s entertainment scene and leaves without exploring the Strip. Whether you explore it by bus, on foot, or by car, the 6 kilometer long thoroughfare is home some of the country’s largest hotels and casinos. The Las Vegas Strip offers both family favorites and adult entertainment and is an absolute must-see for every visitor.

The Hoover Dam

You must have seen the Hoover Dam in one of the box office films. Before its constructions, the farmland in Mexico and southern California often experienced flooding from the mighty Colorado River. The dam was constructed following the Boulder Canyon Project Act to solve the flooding problem. Today, this magnificent architectural marvel serves more than the purpose of controlling floods and generating electricity. Millions of tourists travel to Las Vegas to see and explore the 726-foot-tall piece of engineering and one of the world’s tallest dams.

The Entertainment

Las Vegas is home to world-famous casinos and incredible live entertainment. It’s not just about partying and hours of drinking. Gambling in this city has become an art. Visitors can walk into one of the many casinos as they stroll down the street. You don’t have to love those poker or slot machines. Why don’t you just explore the strip’s casino and enjoy a poker game with your colleagues or friends? You can find anything and anyone on the Las Vegas Strip. Don’t forget this is the world’s best entertainment scene.

Luxury Accommodation

Hotels in this city are out of this world. You better see it for yourself. They are some of the most gorgeous and luxurious in the world. No wonder visitors come here when they want never want to leave their hotel rooms. Each of the hotels here is constructed with careful planning and uniqueness. All you see are unique identities. Notable hotels in Las Vegas include the Venetian, the Bellagio, the ultra-modern Aria, and Caesar’s Palace.

Fremont Street Experience

Experience the different side of Las Vegas by visiting the Fremont Street where everything is about good food, cool bars, free concerts, custom viva vision light shows, non-stop energy, live entertainment, musicians, and more. You don’t have to keep asking what draws crowds every night for the Fremont Street Experience. Come and experience what the second most famous street in the city has to offer. The free nightly entertainment here is a must-experience for every tourist.

In conclusion, Las Vegas is also home to fantastic food, galleries and museums, family fun, wedding opportunities, and great outdoors. With all of what Las Vegas has to offer, why would you want to visit or travel to any other destination? Whether you’re looking to enjoy a good meal or party all night, this city will leave you with lasting memories.