For some individuals, sleep gets elusive in the days that precede travel. This is one of the major symptoms of pre-travel anxiety. Other symptoms of pre-travel anxiety include muscle tension, headaches, and stomach upset. Some people even lose appetite and others stress eat. If you have difficulties dealing with pre-travel anxiety, here are some of the ways you can ease the symptoms. 

Determine What Makes You Anxious about Travel 

What you’re afraid of regarding the trip? Once you’ve figured out what makes you anxious about travel, determine whether you have a real fear. Even when the worst-case scenario can be something catastrophic, determine if there is a likelihood of the occurrence outweighing the severity. 

Consider Your Past Travel Experience

Did anything that is making you anxious now happen during your previous trips? If yes, how did you handle it? If you managed to get over the challenges you faced during your past trips, it means you are a resilient and effective problem solver. 

Strategize Your Travel 

Maybe the reason you have pre-travel anxiety is that you are over-planning or making long lists that might not help you. Remember that people have different ways to prepare for a trip. Therefore, don’t conform to the plans of other travelers. Instead, strategize your trip your way.

Come Up with a Relaxing Strategy 

Don’t spend all your time planning your upcoming trip. Instead, slow down and take a breath. You can even use an app that helps you plan your trip while relaxing. It’s not a must you plan everything at a go. You can start planning the trip a few days earlier to avoid doing everything at the same time. 

Engage in Self-Care Activities 

It’s easy to think that you are facing a time crunch a few days before the trip. However, this is not the case. To avoid the anxiety that such thoughts can bring, take time to engage in self-care activities like exercise. Engaging in physical activity is a great way to deal with stress. 

No matter how tight your schedule is, these tips can help you ease pre-travel anxiety. Follow them to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety before you travel. 

Traveling is a universal experience that brings together people from all walks of life. Over the years, the travel sector has continued to record significant growth and, the trend is expected to continue. Millions of people travel to different parts of the world each year. Today, traveling is identified as one of the key agents of economic development and growth across the globe. But, just how many people travel every year? Read on to find out. 

World Travel Statistics 

Thanks to the internet and technology, you can now easily get accurate and reliable travel statistics from various online travel and tourism platforms. However, you do not have to go through all the stress when you can find all that information herein. 

According to the UNWTO, America received an estimated 217 million international travelers in 2018. That represents an increase of about 3% from the previous year. North America and South America were the biggest contributors to the growth. The same report by UNWTO also points to an increase of 7%, 10% and 6% in the number of people visiting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, respectively from the previous year. 

The total number of foreign trips originating from the US has continued to increase, hitting 38.32 million in 2017. In the past 17 years, it was only in 2002 that the US recorded the lowest number of overseas trips, estimated to be 23.4 million. Between 2000 and 2017, the number of annual visits increased from -7.35 to 10%. The UNWTO also reports that the number of international tourists grew by 6% in 2018 to reach 1.45 billion people. 

Millions of people travel to various parts of the world every year and, it is not very easy to keep track of every traveler. However, considering the projections by the UNWTO, it is safe to safe to say that more than 1.45 billion people travel each year. 

Guidelines for Traveling with Your Cat

Unlike dogs that can easily adapt to traveling, cats do not usually find traveling an exciting experience. As such, coming with your cat on a trip may not be as fun as expected, especially if you do not know the best practices for traveling with cats. The following are guidelines for traveling with cats that you should keep in mind when planning an adventure.

Make Sure the Cat is in Good Health

The health of your cat should be a priority considering you will be visiting new environments. Checking the essential vaccinations is important before the trip to make sure that the cat is in proper state of health to travel. The vet will advise you on further measures to keep the cat in good health throughout the trip.

Take Precautions

When traveling with your cat, you should be keen on keeping it restrained at all times when in public places like on the flight, in car, bus, train or boat. Crates and carriers are the most suitable for handling cats while on transit. It is also important to get an ID tag for the cat bearing your names and contact information. Some airlines have also not been good at transporting pets so; do your research before booking a flight.

Do Not Leave Your Cat in the Car

The crate or carrier provides adequate restraint for the cat and when you combine that with the hot temperatures in the car, you might come back only to find your kitty dead. Even if it seems cool inside the car, always take short breaks together with the cat whenever you are out. It will help your cat to stretch and avoid unnecessary accidents.

Even with proper travel plans, coming with a cat on a trip might still not be a bed of roses. Just accept that things could go wrong and focus on getting the most out of the trip.

Japan is one of the most recommended travel destinations in Asia with endless attractions that can make your trip truly memorable. However, you can only have a good time in Japan if you know a few things about the country including the culture, best time to visit and how to travel. The following are key tips for traveling to Japan that you should remember when planning the trip.

Learn About the Culture

Japan has a very unique culture that will surprise you but, there is no cause for alarm. To easily blend in with the locals, try at least one of their cultural activities like Samurai training and tea ceremony. You may also want to buy a kimono or their traditional attires to wear while on the trip.

Check the Japanese Calendar

The reason why you should check the Japanese calendar is to help you determine the best time to visit. Japan boasts 16 public holidays when most of the tourist attractions are usually crowded. The Golden Week and Obon holidays in May and August respectively are often the busiest.

Exchange Your Money at the Airport

Many travelers who have been to Japan say the exchange rates are relatively higher there and, there are very few money exchange shops in the cities. To avoid all these, it is advisable to exchange your dollars into Yen from your home country or at the airport.

Get Japan Rail Pass

If you will be visiting various cities in Japan, getting the Japan Rail Pass is the best way to ensure convenience and lower fares. The JPR is an exclusive pass for foreigners that will enable you to use any of the Japan Rail lines throughout your trip. But, the pass is only issued outside Japan, which means you should order yours before the trip.

Similar to other destinations, traveling to Japan also comes with its share of risks. However, the above guidelines can help you make the experience more fun.

Things Done by Frequent Travelers to Save Money for Travel

 One of the major challenges that people face when it comes to traveling is funding their trips. Almost everybody needs money for rent, groceries, bills, and other expenses. These leave them little or no money for travel. However, there are things that are done by frequent travelers to save money for travel. If you want to travel more often, here are some of the things that you should also start doing.

Using Money Saving Apps

There are apps that you can use to save money for your trips. Some of these apps enable you to save money without realizing it. These apps are designed to ensure that you prioritize saving for the trip while paying catering for your expenses. Therefore, if you want to save money that will enable you to travel frequently, start using innovative money saving apps.

Saving Money for Travel Every Month

Frequent travelers take traveling seriously. As such, they have accounts where they deposit travel money. Consider opening a savings account where you can deposit money that you intend to use when traveling. It can be a small amount but it will eventually accumulate to a significant amount that will pay for your travel expenses. Opening a savings account enables you to separate money for traveling from your regular savings. Thus, you won’t be tempted to spend money meant for travel even when broke.

Cutting down Expenses

Frequent travelers prioritize their trips. If they are not traveling, they are saving for or organizing the next trip. To become a successful frequent travel, you need to cut down on your expenses. Don’t spend on things that you don’t really need. For instance, don’t buy clothes if you will put them on once a year. Also don’t invest in assets that you don’t need.

These are some of the things done by frequent travelers to save money for travelers. Try them out if you want to become a frequent, successful traveler.

Things to Know Before You Travel to Africa

According to a fellow blogger friend that runs a few party halls in San Antonio Texas, he went to talking about his latest adventure and saying that Africa is an awesome continent with many things to explore. From Egypt to South Africa, Kenya to Cote d’Ivoire, the continent presents many options for you to choose from. However, once you decide to travel to Africa, there are important things that you should have in mind. Here are some of them.

Temperatures Vary

You might think that Africa is always hot. But, this is not always the case. The temperature that you face when you travel to Africa will depend on when and where you travel to. Some parts of Africa get snow at some time of the year. Therefore, check the weather forecast of the African region that you travel to.

Africa Has Big Killers

Beware of Africa big killers that include the Nile crocodiles, Kenyan elephants and lions. These are scary beasts and they will kill you when given a chance. Nevertheless, the hippo is the real killer that you should watch out for. It is an aggressive, huge and unpredictable beast. Therefore, stay close to a guide and follow their safety advice to be safe.

Two Language Can Help

The African continent uses the language of their colonial masters. As such, some parts of Africa use the English language while the others use French or Portuguese. However, some countries like Kenya use Kiswahili and English as the official languages. Many people speak these two or either of the two languages. As such, knowledge of two or more languages can help you when you travel to Africa.

Be Friendly

Don’t fear the locals when you travel to Africa. A nod, a smile, a wave, or a hello is normal in Africa. It shows that you are a friendly person and this will enable you to get assistance anywhere you go and when you need it.

Generally, these are some of the things to know before you travel to Africa. Most people in Africa are Christians or Muslims. Dressing modestly will also present you as a moral person. Nevertheless, there are a lot of things that you can learn when you travel to Africa. So bear these facts in mind and head out to explore this beautiful continent.

Things to Know Before You Travel to Japan

 Japan is a very diverse nation. It offers a fair share of the old times and the modern world. Whether you are a frequent visitor or planning to travel to Japan for the first time, it is one of the destinations that can be very tricky to navigate. Before taking a trip to Japan, the following are some of the most important things to keep in mind.

Cash is King

Although Japan is one of the world leaders in the technology front, they still handle money the old fashion way. Most of their payments for both goods and services are made in cash. While there are some establishments that accept credit cards, most of the restaurants, shops and even public transport in Japan deal in cash. Therefore, make sure you have lots of Yen upon arrival.

Rail Transport is the Most Popular

Japan has one of the most extensive rail networks in the world. In Tokyo alone, there are over 150 rail lines, spanning more than 5, 000 kilometers.  If you wish to visit a variety of places across Japan, the best way to travel is through rail transport. Buying a rail pass is cheaper and also more convenient. However, the trains do not operate 24/7.

Streets are not named

One thing that is fascinating about Japan is that an area so big has countless nameless streets. In the capital Tokyo, there are a few through ways named mainly for ceremonial reasons. The names of their streets do not appear in addresses as you would expect. Their Addresses are mainly based on buildings, which can make it hard to move around alone. However, there are new technologies like GPS that you can use to navigate your way across Japan.

Japanese Etiquette

In Japan, there are many ‘normal’ things that are considered an insult to the people. For instance, there are some restaurants that require patrons to take off their shoes. The Japanese also consider speaking loudly in public to be rude. Besides, pointing at things or people with your fingers is impolite. The people are generally friendly but, do not be surprised if you are turned away at the door simply because you are a stranger.

There are many other things that you should also know before visiting Japan. So, take some time to do a little further research to avoid disappointments.

Check out this site I found that gives some good info for tourists wanting to visit Japan.

Before you can visit Japan, there is a couple of things that you should know about Japan. One of these things is that you need to know about the things that you should have with you. Things that you can’t go without when you are visiting Japan. It is important to make sure that you have everything you need, before your trip.  These are the things that you need to have with you when you are traveling to Japan.

Universal power adaptor

It doesn’t really matter if you are traveling to Japan or any other country. The one thing that you need to know is that you should have a universal power adaptor with you.

If you don’t want to damage your technology or even need to purchase new ones, this is the first thing that you need to have in your budget. There aren’t many people that can afford to travel without a universal power adaptor.

Comfortable shoes and clothing

You need to make sure that you are going to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. This is why this is one of the most essential things that you need to take with you. If you think that you are going to travel to different countries making use of high-heals and fancy clothing, then you are making a huge mistake.

The only way that you can make sure that you are enjoying your trip and visiting different attractions, is if you have comfortable clothing and shoes.

Copies of all your important documents, Identification card, and passport

This is the one thing that people forget about. To make copies of all their important things, like documents, identification card, passport, and bank cards. If your bags are lost or stolen, you might have some serious problems to get hold of replacements.

If you have everything in copy, then you don’t need to worry about what is going to happen when you lost your baggage or someone stealing your important documents.

All your prescription medication

You need to take your prescription medication with you. The change that you can find other in Japan is going to be slim. It is always recommended that you are taking enough of your prescription medication with you when you are traveling abroad. And, you might consider getting a letter from your doctor to say that this is a prescription medication that you need to take.

There is some medication that might cause problems for you when you are taking it abroad. By proving that this is prescription medication, you will not have any problems with taking your medication out of the country.

Are you traveling to Japan? Then you need to make sure that you take everything you need with you. The problem is that many people don’t know what is important to take on a trip to Japan. With this information, you will know all the essential things that you should have with you, on a trip to Japan.