Eating Smartly On Your Round The World Trip

May 31, 2008 at 4:09 pm · Filed under Travel_Trip

We all go through stages of eating the wrong things. But, when you’re on the road it’s particularly easy to get into bad habits.

Rather than take time over choosing food and drinks wisely - or the vendors, for that matter - it’s not unknown for travellers to grab something at the first available opportunity. Sometimes this isn’t the best policy. Firstly, you need energy when travelling, and a quick pizza doesn’t necessarily offer what your body’s looking for. Secondly, when you’re not sure about food storage or catering standards, you need to be careful you’re not putting your health at risk.

Here are a few thoughts you might want to bear in mind. We’re not saying you shouldn’t try new things, as that’s what travelling’s all about. But, it’s worth thinking before you buy.

Starting the day well

The regular English breakfast is not the worst thing you can eat, actually. When you’ve got chance to get some good breakfast though, try not to eat overly fatty meals like danish pastries or doughnuts - they can drain your energy. Cereals, fruit and protein (e.g. eggs) are good to start the day on.

Small and regular portions

The old saying about eating small portions at regular intervals holds true. Your body needs energy every four or five hours, so six small snacks (of the right thing) every day is not over-the-top, believe it or not.

Drinks

Bottled water is a must when you’re in some countries - we’d recommend drinking it wherever you are rather than taking the risk. Have a bottle on you at all times if you can. Your body needs it.

Drinks in cans or carbonated ones are usually OK, as too are drinks that are made with boiled water. Remember, ice may be a risk unless you are sure it’s been made with water that has already been boiled. So too is ice cream if you’re not 100 per cent about its source.

Tea and coffee is fine, and if you can drink it black that means you don’t have to risk the milk.

Cooked versus raw

Like boiling water, cooking food kills bacteria. Always eat food which is still hot (not just warm), and try to avoid uncooked vegetables and salads where possible. You always take a risk when eating raw foods, especially raw or rare meat and non-cooked seafood or shellfish.

Milk and cheese

Not all milk and cheese you’ll find abroad will be pasteurised. Read the labels carefully to make sure.

On the side

Condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup and salad dressings are best eaten if they come in packages.

Fruit and nut

Peeling fruit can give you peace-of-mind if you’re worried about its cleanliness. Eating nuts and seeds are great for keeping energy levels up.

‘Cook it, wash it, peel it or forget it’ is not a bad mantra to travel by.

Diet supplements

If you’re into your supplements, antioxidants are pretty good for travelling. The best ones are vitamins C and E, selenium and beta-carotene.

Consult the book

Looking for recommendations in your guide book is not a bad ploy when it comes to eating well. A good-value meal doesn’t necessarily mean you have to risk life-and-limb in the process. And remember, if you find somewhere you like you can always ask where else the staff recommend.

Or ask the locals. A great sign of a good foodplace is if it is full of people who live in the area.

Finishing the day on a light note

It’s better to eat your bigger meals as early as possible in the day. Your body slows down towards the end of the afternoon, and so it burns less calories. Lighter meals (incorporating white meat or fish) are a good idea.

Haydn Wrath is owner of Travel nation specialising in round the world flights, trips and adventures. Travel Nation have a wealth of experience in putting together round the world itineries.

For more information visit http://www.travel-nation.co.uk

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Roadtrips through Red Rock Country — Tips to Seeing the BEST Southwestern Scenery!

May 30, 2008 at 10:13 pm · Filed under Travel_Trip

The US Southwest is noted for several types of outstanding scenery, including the greenery and snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, and the stark beauty of saguaro-covered Arizona hillsides. Another visual treat awaiting your discovery in the Southwest are the hills of wind and water-carved red rocks…looking, at times, as if they’ve been crafted by a master sculptor’s hand.

Though you can find examples of Western red rock beauty in a number of places, one road trip in particular will take you past a number of renowned sites. The route claiming such a distinction is US Highway 191 in southeastern Utah.

This “Red Rock Roadtrip” begins in Moab, Utah, near the junction of US 191 and Interstate 70. (”Moab” is pronounced with 2 syllables: MO-ab.) Unbeknownst to many, Moab is a hub of activity, well-known especially to young adults who love “slick rock” bike trails, and to all sorts of folks who love jeep touring in desert back-country.

Red rock lovers should head straightaway to Arches National Park. At Arches, you can see example after example of red rock erosion in its finest, artistic glory. For those physically capable, I’d highly recommend taking the strenuous hike to Delicate Arch. If you’re like me, you’ll discover that beholding the very famous–and very beautiful–Delicate Arch “in person” is one of the highlight experiences within the entire US National Park system.

For those who can’t undertake a mountainous hike, don’t worry! There are internal roadways throughout Arches National Park leading past other handsome formations that you’ll be sure to enjoy. You’ll want to plan to spend time in the park’s visitor’s center, as well. There, you’ll find interpretive exhibits telling you the story of how the lovely rock features were formed over vast eons of time. The information you’ll learn at the Arches National Park visitors center (or via live ranger programs) will serve as a background for viewing the other red rock formations along the rest of your road trip…where no formal guides or educational displays are available.

While staying in Moab, you’ll want to take a scenic drive along Utah Hwy 128, which heads eastward out of town. On your scenic drive, you’ll drive lengthwise along a narrow canyon with the wide, muddy Colorado River running through it. Tall rosy-colored cliffs line both sides of this scenic riverway. I would suggest that you take this drive in the late afternoon…preferably after 3 pm…because at that time of day, the rays of the sun bring out the red colors of the canyon’s walls to their fullest. I’d also suggest that you take a camera! In trying to capture the “best shots” of the cliffs, you’ll actually SEE the rocks better. You’ll study them and observe them more closely than you ever would otherwise.

Another way to see the canyon is by taking a raft ride down the Colorado River. This is what I’d term a “beginners” raft ride, for there aren’t any white-water rapids along this stretch of the Colorado. Children and senior citizens can enjoy this trip; for kids, it would make a good “first raft ride” experience.

From Moab, you’ll head southwards along US 191, motoring towards Arizona. No need to rush—there are sights to see along the way! Not long after leaving Moab, you’ll find an attraction of a different kind—a kitschy souvenir area left over from the days of yore. Welcome to “Hole in the Rock.” Here, nestled in a shallow cave of red stone, you’ll find a souvenir complex dating from the same time period in which Route 66 experienced its glory years. For today’s youngsters, Hole in the Rock is a learning experience about “grandma’s day.” Attractions such as this one dotted the West when cross-country automobile vacations were the “brand new thing.” A visit to Hole in the Rock can be a fun way to remember the not-too-distant past. And, you’ll get to see a display of quirky souvenir keychains. mugs and thimbles while you’re at it!

Continuing south along US 191, you’ll reach a turn-off that leads westward a short distance to “Newspaper Rock.” Newspaper Rock is covered with Native American symbols from long ago. If I had to choose only ONE place to view Native American glyphs, I’d pick Newspaper Rock. Why? Because the rock is big and it’s paintings are clear. If you’ve been wanting to see Native American glyphs in their natural setting, you’ll want to add a side-trip to Newspaper Rock.

You’ll reach two more turn-offs that I’d like to mention (as you continue down US 191.) The first is Utah Hwy 95, which leads to Natural Bridges National Monument. Just as its name suggests, you’ll find several rock bridge formations that were slowly carved by nature. The other turn-off is towards Hovenweep National Monument, home to Native American ruins. (Hovenweep is a multi-location site; which turn-off you’d take depends on which site you’d be visiting.)

Your next red rock treat will loom up before you at Mexican Hat, Utah. The town, Mexican Hat, is named after its stellar attraction, a rock shaped like a large Mexican-style sombrero. This feature is seen against the backdrop of a tall, miles-long red-orange cliff. Definitely try to view the Mexican Hat in the hours just before sunset. If you do, you’ll view the “reddest red rock” that you may ever see!

In order to view Mexican Hat, you must leave US 191 (at Bluff, Utah) and head still southwards along US Highway 163. After passing Mexican Hat, continue southward towards Arizona on US 163…and you’ll end your Red Rock Road Trip with one of the USA’s “must-see” sights—Arizona’s Monument Valley. You’ll view formation after formation of intricately carved spires. Monument Valley will make an unforgetable ending to an unforgetable trip!

When Monument Valley ends, you’ll be at the Navajo Reservation town of Kayenta, Arizona. Plan to be hungry! You should stop in at the Burger King, where a most interesting display about the Navajo “Wind Talkers” of World War 2 is showcased. And where should you go from Kayenta? You’re poised to head on to that super-wonder of them all—the Grand Canyon!

Author Vicki Funes, a California native and travel buff, has also spent time living in Utah, Arizona and Colorado. For other interesting Western-state vacation ideas, visit her photo-filled website, “Family Vacation Getaways at Los Angeles Theme Parks,” at the following URL: http://www.family-vacation-getaways-at-los-angeles-theme-parks.com

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The Much Needed Travel Accessory to Make Your Trip More Enjoyable

May 29, 2008 at 8:12 pm · Filed under Travel_Trip

When you are traveling, you want to make sure that you can take all of the important items with you and luggage is a much needed travel accessory no matter how far you plan on traveling. Luggage allows you to carry your clothing, hygienic items, and other personal items in one large bag.

Luggage bags come in all shapes and sizes to fit all of your travel needs. When shopping for the perfect travel accessory, you should decide on what types of items you will be placing inside of it. Travel accessory bags include overnight bags to the week’s vacation type bags.

When you are shopping for the perfect travel accessory bag you can look no further than your computer. There are millions of web sites online that offer many travel accessory bags at very reasonable prices and some offer free shipping and free returns. The travel bags come in all types. Not only are these types of accessory bags found online, but also at your local retail stores.

When shopping around for travel accessory bags, be sure to compare prices to get the best possible lowest price for the bag. One store may have it for twenty dollars cheaper than the other store or the store online. It is very easy to do price comparison in this day and age. Most of your local retail stores also have their stores online for you to easily compare the prices.

Travel accessory bags are not only for holding your clothing and other personal items, but they are also designed to hold laptops, ID holders, coolers, important papers, and your child’s school books. Some are light weight, some have wheels, and others are the perfect size for the kids to carry their items along on a trip or to one of their friend’s houses.

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest.
Read more at http://www.travel-accessory-central.info.

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