Latest news with #worldtravel
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Travel + Leisure
21 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Travel Writer, and I Have These 8 Amazon Finds to Thank for Easy Packing and Long Flights—From $8
As a travel writer, I get to share my more than 20 years of experience exploring the world, and the products that have made my trips easier. Out of the thousands of travel essentials out there, only some have stood out to me so far this year—and they're all available at Amazon. I've decided to stop gatekeeping my favorite travel finds from this year that have made packing easier and long flights comfy. That includes everything from a handy portable luggage scale to a supportive neck pillow, and it can all be found at Amazon's travel store for as little as $10. Best 2025 Travel Essentials at Amazon Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan Amazon This portable mini fan is always with me during the summer (even when I'm not traveling). It's slim and compact enough to slip into a purse, fanny pack, or backpack. When I'm overheating on a train with weak air conditioning, I just unfold it and choose one of the two speeds to quickly cool down. Travel Inspira Portable Luggage Scale Amazon There are few things more anxiety-inducing than getting to the airport and finding out my luggage is overweight, but this mini luggage scale has completely eliminated that issue. It has a digital display screen that'll instantly show how much a suitcase weighs, so I can check before I even get to the airport. And, the packable size means I can take it with me to check my suitcase's weight when it's time to fly home. Bagail Compression Packing Cubes 4-pack Amazon Packing cubes are great for organizing your suitcase, but when you combine that with the magic of compression, you can also save some luggage space. This set of four will condense clothing and keep everything tidy, whether you sort your clothes by article or by outfit. The set has become a shopper favorite, with more than 9,000 purchased in the last month. Cabeau Travel Neck Pillow Amazon Sleeping comfortably on a plane is nearly impossible, which is why investing in a supportive neck pillow is crucial. Cabeau's pillow attaches to your seat to keep you from slouching or dropping your head forward. The front strap also lets you adjust the tightness so you can feel fully supported around your neck and chin. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-on Luggage Amazon Travelpro's carry-on is flight attendant-approved—and we can see why. It has four 360-degree spinning wheels that make it easy to move through the airport and other spaces. It also has a spacious interior that's expandable, so overpackers can easily fit an extra outfit or two inside. Basic Concepts Airplane Foot Hammock Amazon As a 5-foot traveler, it's rare that a seat is short enough for my feet to touch the ground, but that's what makes this foot hammock so handy. By attaching it to the seat in front of you, it becomes a foot rest and extra leg support. Plus, the memory foam material makes it extra cozy. Aphuwj Magnetic Portable Charger Amazon This portable charger is worth the investment, because it magnetically attaches to the back of your iPhone, so you can use it without a wire getting in the way. You don't ever have to rely on charging cables to juice up your phone and other devices. Lisen Airplane Phone Holder Amazon This genius phone holder will save you from neck aches. You can attach it to the airplane seat in front of you and watch videos or read ebooks without having to bend your neck for the entire flight. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
2 days ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Why I Quit My Dream Job As A Jet Setter
I got to jet-set around the world but no one truly knew the price I was personally paying… I recently quit the dream job. A role that involved me travelling around the world, experiencing different cultures, staying at five-star hotels, and ticking off bucket list destinations one at a time. But through the rollercoaster of success, the dream slowly morphed into a burden. The belief that this was the pinnacle of achievement began to weigh on me. I was stuck between what society applauds and my growing desire for a slower, more conscious life. Five years in, my body's whispers turned into screams. I realised I was living everyone else's dream but not my own. I tried shifting toward wellness tourism, but that pivot only magnified how much I'd neglected myself and my mental health. The one plus point? These retreats helped me reconnect with something deeper. I wanted to explore this path but without the cameras. I wanted to be fully present. Fear and doubt were constant companions, amplified by others who kept asking: 'Who leaves a dream job?' I remember calling my mother and saying, 'Mum, it feels like a job now.' She replied, 'It's always been a job, but one you used to enjoy.' Her support carried me through, but letting go of my job title was terrifying. It took me over a year to find the courage. Wise mentors told me, 'When you leave this, other doors will open.' With that in mind and desperate for freedom, I resigned. A rush of emotions came over me: we were the first Arabic TV show to talk about endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and put the spotlight on tourism in Bhutan. The thing is, no one knew the price I was paying behind my carefully curated social media feed. What I was sharing on my socials was a filtered 10 per cent of my real life. Behind the glamour, a quiet toll grew. I felt increasingly isolated. People saw my social media and thought, 'She's living the life.' But really, I became a master at hiding the pain. You'd see me jetsetting in helicopters, planes, riding horses – but with all that freedom of movement, going to far-flung corners of the world, I still lacked inner freedom. I often fell sick due to this high-stress life, constantly getting on long-haul flights, landing and having to go, go go. I felt lonely, experiencing these places on my own. So many viewers came along to 'see' these countries with me – but no one could reminisce with me about it afterwards. All this travel was strictly professional, not personal. The camera showed me exploring and experiencing spectacular places, but the reality was not so glamorous. What my real job entailed was securing sponsors, handling itineraries, writing scripts, sorting out visas, getting filming permits and insurance, doing the customs paperwork, and fine-tuning transport logistics. Once on location, I had to be camera ready, doing my own hair and make-up, while managing the schedule for the day and responding to clients. Once the cameras rolled, I had to be vibrant and engaging. And usually, I'd already be planning for the next trip. I did all of this on my own and was often met with 'not enough.' My team was amazing, but they were a technical crew, their involvement began just before take-off. Beautiful hotels were used for sleep and showcasing on camera. Even in the spa, the cameraman followed. It became almost funny how different people's perceptions were. It looked like I was in the lap of luxury, but I still had to iron my own clothes. There's a video of me hugging a radiator in a hotel room. Slumped over on the floor. At first it might seem funny; in it I even crack a smile through my coughing as I notice someone is filming. But at that time I was bent over in pain, trying to gain comfort through its warmth between takes as fear, relief, liberation. I had nothing lined up except a yoga teacher training trip. A gift to myself for choosing courage. What followed was transformative. I began to value myself beyond external success. I started trusting my instincts and redefining success. I can't deny it started off as a dream – but it had an expiration date. I chose to give myself a life I innately desired, instead of a life that was a dream to many. There's nothing more rewarding than reclaiming oneself. Establishing boundaries will shift from feeling like a threat, to feeling liberated. My advice? Your gut feeling is in fact your strongest instinct. Nurture and befriend it. Don't shy away from it. It is your body calling out to you, it is your body signalling to you – and it is your body's way of protecting you. Yes, this was a very special role; one I had carved out for myself. Producing and presenting a travel show on the most-watched entertainment channel in the Arab world was a dream that I lived for eight years. I would gaze at the world map, envisioning where to go, and make it happen. The thrill of travelling the world, the joy of storytelling, and bringing the world closer to people's homes was incredible. Each experience was a badge of honour. Millions resonated with every episode. I was visiting some of the most special places that existed. For example, I was struck with acute Covid. But the show – and the filming – had to go on. That was the foetal position I returned to between takes. Once the cameras started rolling, no one could tell I was sick. I followed a similar pattern while getting struck down with allergies, having my body covered in bee stings, getting food poisoning. I thought being a strong, independent woman meant pushing through it all. My days stretched into 12 to 19 hour shifts. I kept telling myself how lucky I was. But I was gaslighting my body and instincts to keep up with the illusion. Everything changed once I was able to get the strength to walk away. Now, I cherish slow mornings, my community, and the freedom to create when inspiration strikes. Within five months, I won an award for a short film and received a job offer. That's how the universe works. Once we trust, it responds. So this is for the girl who dared to dream and the woman who had the courage to let go. Freedom is sweet. Trust your instincts. Cherish your worth. There's no one else like you. Here's to the adventure ahead.
Daily Mail
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
We ditched our small-town life in Wyoming to travel the world on a cruise... and the cost shocked us
A couple decided to pack up their small-town life in Wyoming and go on the adventure of a lifetime - a luxury cruise around the world. Paul and Lynn Montoya were living in Laramie - a city with a population of about 31,0000 - and operating a bed and breakfast in Vedauwoo before they were hit with a sudden wake-up call following the COVID-19 pandemic to experience what the world had to offer. 'We realized we hadn't seen the world, running a business like we did in Wyoming,' Paul told Cowboy State Daily. 'We never had time to do much travel. We actually went to Europe for the first time in our lives last year, and we're in our 60s now, so we'd really like to explore the world.' And that's exactly what they did - leaving behind their home, packing up a rental car of their most prized possessions and hopping aboard the Villa Vie ship Odyssey, the first world cruise where passengers embark on a three-and-a-half year journey around the globe. Cruises are often looked at as expensive, but for the Montoyas, they soon realized their dream wouldn't cost them any more than it did living in Laramie. Now, the couple are enjoying their extended vacation for about $80,000 a year after hopping on the cruise ship in April to take them to 147 countries, 425 ports and 100 tropical islands. The breakdown of their expenses include the cost of their cabin, three meals a day, entertainment, housekeeping, laundry and internet. They hopped aboard the Villa Vie ship Odyssey (pictured), the first world cruise where passengers embark on a three-and-a-half year journey around the globe The cheapest cabin option starts at $129,000 with a $2,999 monthly maintenance fee - around $45,000 annually - for one person to stay there. For two people, the fee is $3,999 or $57,000 a year, and, according to the ship's website, the occupancy range could go up to at least 15 years if desired. Although it is unclear how much the couple were paying for their home, the average cost of a home in Laramie is estimated at $378,258, according to Zillow. 'That's one of the things the Odyssey really does is they're trying to program this for affordable living,' Lynn told the outlet. 'It's similar to maybe like a retirement community, like a 55-plus community.' She went on to compare their new lifestyle to those living in two of the most expensive locations in the US. 'If you're living in California or New York or something that, I don't think you could even live in a rented apartment for that nowadays,' she said. 'For them, this is probably an easy decision. For us, this is the same lifestyle we had in Laramie, but we're getting to see the world.' She and her husband also don't have to stay in their cabins the entire time, as they have options to leave to attend important family events like funerals or weddings. They also have the option to rent out their cabin like Airbnb does with houses. If they wanted to, they could also sell their cabin back to Ville Vie for a lower value or sell it to a new cabin owner. Their cabin is already worth approximately $20,0000 more than what they originally paid for it, the couple said. With that in mind, Paul said he and his wife have plans for the future of their cabin. 'If we die, our family can actually inherit it, too. But we're hoping the value will be there where we can actually sell (the cabin) for the amount we paid, maybe more if it's really popular,' he said. There is even flexibility with how cabins are paid for as the cruise offers a pay-as-you-go plan to those who can't afford it outright. The Montoya's even met a man who owns two cabins - one for him and another to rent out. 'Now what he's doing is renting both of those out and, with the money he's renting it for, he's paying for life on the ship,' Lynn explained. 'He's one of the ones who left in August, so he's been doing that for some time.' Although the cabins are affordable - when compared to the cost of living on land in the US - the couple warned that there is not too much space to work with. 'A typical cabin is about 200 square feet. And you normally have a bed and a desk, maybe a side chair, and a small bathroom,' they said. But, there is still an option to customize the cabins to your liking as the couple plan on having changes made to their space soon. 'We're actually having the construction crew on here tear out all of the cabinetry, and we're going to re-wallpaper it,' Paul stated 'We're also going to replace the bed with our own bed.' They will be able to retrieve their bed once the ship ports in San Diego. Though they've made sure their living space is comfortable for them, the couple said they spend most of their time at the ship's gym, business center or at ports enjoying fun and unique activities. They recently got to swim with wild dolphins in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Montoya's detailed on their YouTube page. They also created their own website to share updates on their journey, including a checklist of all the places they've been and have yet to experience. As of Sunday, the couple have visited eight destinations in Mexico, one in El Salvador and another in Guatemala. They still have a boatload of destinations to cross off, including trips to Hawaii, Canada, Washington, California, Alaska, Japan and South Korea.
