Travel - House Of Coco Magazine

Travel September 13, 2020

Why Free Mobile Games are Essential for Travel

Traveling has become essential for us. Some of us travel only for pleasure, but it’s part of our business plans for many of us. A long time ago, on these long trips, you’d be stuck with not much entertainment going on. Your options were to read a good book or enter a conversation with a stranger sitting next to you on a plane or a bus.

Luckily, in the digital age, mobile phones helped us utilize our time with many options to keep us entertained. Some of you would instead prefer watching a movie or your favorite TV show. But many will choose mobile games for their way of dealing with boring long rides to your destinations.

The mobile game industry is our new way of entertainment, and it seems to us that it’s here to stay for quite some time. The best thing about them is that most of them are free-to-play. So you wouldn’t have to invest any money for downloading and playing them. It’s free, and it will keep my attention away from the boredom of traveling? That sounds like a great deal to us.

We’ll talk about what we think about free mobile games, and are they helpful on long trips after all.

They help pass the time!

What is a better pass time option than playing a game that you love? When you play a mobile game that makes you focused only on your mobile device’s display, time will fly past you. You’ll feel like hours were just minutes, and that long miles will become nothing but a small leap forward.

Free games like Slotomania will keep you busy for quite some time because of the great concept of a free slot game you’ll be spinning throughout your trip.

There are really a lot of options!

When we say “a lot” of options, we mean A LOT. There are endless options for you to browse through on the App stores. Many different genres and titles are being updated daily with new content, so finding a free game that you’ll like is just a matter of scrolling.

For example, if you’re all about playing slots in the casinos, you can find games like free Vegas Downtown Slots that will keep you busy and entertained. Others prefer more challenging games, but we like to keep things simple.

They’re especially important if traveling with kids!

If you have kids, you must’ve been in a situation that you are desperate to keep them entertained, so they’ll not disturb you or the other passengers on board the vessel or a plane. Mobile games are the key to keep them still in their seats.

Free games for kids guarantee that your kids will be entertained throughout the whole trip. Just don’t forget to bring along that power bank, and you’re set to go. Some of the free games are even educational, so you can combine learning and fun for even better results.

They cost you nothing!

Free games will not cost you a penny to download, and you can be sure that your money is staying on your saving accounts. Mobile games studios that offer free games make their money by displaying Google ads when you’re playing the game.

It’s the only contribution you’ll have to give, but it will cost you nothing. Some games offer micro-transactions to help you win the game faster, but it’s only an option. You can still play the game for free and just for fun, as explained in this article.

They tend not to take up a lot of space on your phone!

Mobile games are mostly small in size, and they’ll not take a lot of the precious space on your devices internal memory or memory card. You’ll need all that free space for making photos and videos on your trip, so the mobile games are not going to ruin that for you.

The average sizes of the games are just a couple of dozens of megabytes each. But, if you decide to play a serious title, you can find games a couple of gigabytes big. With all those new devices having more than 500 GB of memory, 2-3 GB will not take a lot of space.

Conclusion

The mobile games industry took the largest part of the gaming profits for the past couple of years. So the popularity is not that surprising when we analyze the numbers. They are here to keep us entertained for years to come because of how easy it is to download them and play. Find your favorite game before going away on a trip, and your trip will feel like teleportation in just a few seconds.

Australia September 13, 2020

Best UK Luxury Minimoon Ideas You Need to Consider

Weddings are beautiful, but they are a pain to plan. Ask the thousands of couples who are undergoing pre-wedding stress. But while the weeks immediately preceding your special day are usually full of nervous anticipation, the days following the celebration can be dismally anticlimactic.

Yes, post-wedding blues are a fact. In fact, every newlywed feels some disappointment after the nuptials. The excitement of choosing an outfit, meeting vendors, and inviting guests are replaced with the reality of settling down.

Whoever invented honeymoons knew that newlyweds need time to unwind from the stress and drama of a tumultuous wedding process. But if you’re pressed for time or trying to save money for funds, the most sensible recourse is to schedule the honeymoon a while later.

Why not go for a minimoon instead? A minimoon works like a honeymoon but nothing too fancy, just a long weekend of luxury, relaxation, or adventure somewhere close to home for accessibility. Here is our list of stunning minimoon destinations and exciting things to do so you and your lover can reconnect and re-solidify your relationship.

Seaside Minimoon in Devon

Perhaps nothing is more romantic than an unhurried stroll along a sugar-white beach, finding a sandy cove for a cosy tête-à-tête, then sleeping to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

From sandy beaches and towering cliffs to fascinating rock formations and picturesque harbour towns, the beautiful county of Devon is the ideal destination for newlyweds with a taste for the ocean. If you want to add culture and history to the mix, Devon does not disappoint. After all, the town is credited for having the oldest working steam engine in the world, the longest-standing commercial bakery, and for inventing cream tea over 1000 years ago.

You will never lack for breathtaking scenery to explore in Exmouth, one of the loveliest and liveliest port towns in Devon, with its untamed coastline and secluded sandy golden coves. The idyllic village features quiet cycling routes and spectacular hiking trails peppered with a cacophony of colours, particularly in summer and spring, when wildflowers are in bloom.

Adventurous couples can experience a variety of water sports, such as kayaking, kite surfing, sailing, paddle boarding, and surfing. For a more serene retreat with an incredible view of the ocean, stay in independent cottages a beach or a garden bungalow in the seaside towns of Salcombe or Torquay.

Ski Minimoon in Scotland

If you think ski minimoons aren’t romantic, imagine this: snow outside, a fire-lit log cabin, glasses of wine, and lots of cuddles to keep one another warm. Besides, skiing together is an enjoyable and unique way to bond as a couple. You don’t have to travel out of the UK to enjoy the luxuries of a ski minimoon. Scotland is home to no fewer than five ski resorts, each distinct in appeal and features a unique range of slopes fit for skiers of all levels, whether amateur or advanced.

For the best natural landscape that has ungroomed runs, your top option is Glencoe Mountain. The area may not be big, but it comes with stunning views and a laidback vibe. For the largest ski area, choose Glenshee, a vast wilderness covering three valleys.

Here, you can hike to discover endless beguiling sceneries when you are not skiing. Other resorts to explore include Lecht, perfect for beginners, Nevis Range, from where you can see Ben Nevis and Loch Eil, and Cairngorm Mountain.

Glamping Minimoon in Yorkshire

The great outdoors can be exceptionally romantic — long walks along picturesque trails, mesmerizing sunset views, stargazing, open-air dining. It could also be inconvenient – bad weather, insects, and mud. With Yorkshire glamping, however, you enjoy the amenities of a five-star hotel room without being constrained to four walls with additional panoramic stunning scenic views. You can luxuriate in an outdoor hot bath, sleep in a snug king bed, stay warm by the fireplace, or enjoy a sumptuous meal from homegrown produce.

The best place to have your glamping minimoon is Yorkshire, with its long stretches of rugged coasts, hidden sandy coves, and immense windswept moorlands, combined with medieval castles, scenic villages, and historic cathedrals. The beaches and valleys of East Yorkshire offer fascinating woodland pods, quirky tree houses, and colourful bell tents.

You will find various yurts, safari tents, and canvas domes in the exquisite North Yorkshire countryside. In West Yorkshire, you could get lost in the dramatic scenery of the Pennine Trails before going back to your cosy wigwam or shepherd’s hut to relax for the night.

Surfing Minimoon in Cornwall

Famous for its incredibly breathtaking coastline, quaint seaside villages, and vibrant culture, Cornwall has all the ingredients of an ideal minimoon destination. Because of its strategic location, favourable climate, and a plethora of beaches, Cornwall is the surf capital of the UK. Here, you can take your beachside getaway to the next level with a surfing minimoon.

Ride the waves in Fistral Beach in Newquay, arguably the most popular surfing site in the region. Porthleven, in southwest Cornwall, has some of the most challenging reef breaks, but may not be suited for beginners. If you want to polish your wave-riding skills, join a private lesson at Gwithian Beach.

Cornwall isn’t just about surfing, though. Explore the vibrant cultural heritage of the region by watching a performance at the Minack Theater, crossing the causeway to St. Michel Mount at low tide, cycling the Camel trail through quiet woods and old towns, and indulging in the renowned Cornish pasty.

Adventure Minimoon in Wales

Wales may be the last place to cross people’s minds when they think of a romantic getaway. But for thrill-seeking couples, it is one of the best places to pursue an adventure-filled minimoon, one that will positively make their bond stronger.

Wales is home to one of the most scenic coastlines in the UK and the birthplace of coasteering – a mixture of cliff-jumping, rock-hopping, and cave-exploring. If water is your element, go paddle boarding or kayaking in the calm waters of West Wales, ride the roaring rapids in Bala, or spot a dolphin in Cardigan Bay. Craving for an adrenaline rush? Whiz down the fastest zip line in the world at Zip World, try the underground trampolines in Gwynedd or skydive over Gower in Swansea.

Be sure to wander the coastline of Pembrokeshire, scale the peak of Snowdonia, sleep at a haunted castle, and eat lots of local seafood and the famous Welsh cake.

Travel September 2, 2020

Wake up Here : Hotel Gotham, Manchester

Ever wandered through Manchester and spotted a yellow cab flying down Deansgate in hot pursuit? Or a hot dog stand in Piccadilly Gardens? Or Marilyn Monroe waltzing down Canal Street? Well, the last one we can probably explain, but there’s always been a strange connection between our beloved Northern neighbour and New York City.

Of course, you can’t compare the two. Manchester is a clear winner for us. But there are significant similarities that make Manchester the perfect UK understudy for Manhattan, and there are numerous film credits to prove it.

Now film sets come and go, but the constant piece of the Big Apple that remains sitting proudly on King Street is the Hotel Gotham. The building could definitely have come fresh from New York, with its wild Art Deco architecture sitting jarringly against its Victorian and Edwardian neighbours.

Everything here is in character, to the freshly dressed doormen, to the room service who slip the hotel’s newspaper, The Gotham Bugle, under your door. There’s even a pair of binoculars in your room you should you wish to try and spot a certain superhero flying around the place at night – just be careful what you use them for…

The traditional art deco interiors are broken up by modern flashes of geometric shapes and hot pink furniture. In the suites, vintage luggage chests double up as coffee tables and are stylishly adorned with thoughtful chunky books.

Hotel wardrobes aren’t usually one of the highlights of a room. A safe, laundry bag, and annoying hookless coat-hangers come as standard but at the Gotham, it’s just another spectacle. Not only is this where you’ll find your plush fluffy white robes, but also a minibar, cocktail station (complete with Martini glasses and Champagne flutes) and personal coffee area.

A mini bar and a cocktail set will have you set for the night. To level up your evening you quite literally need to level up to the top floor of the building where you’ll find one of Manchester’s coolest bars – Club Brass.

If you were wondering about the name, it’s a nod to the building itself (bank) and to what makes the world go round (money). If that doesn’t tell you how luxe this place is you probably don’t deserve a table, which is actually the case for some since the bar is open only to members and guests of the hotel. Think media tycoons, slick entrepreneurs and celeb class football players (Premiership only). Club Brass is linked with London’s Century Club, for more perspective on exclusivity.

Manchester isn’t short of well-known institutions. In fact, they’re world famous. Oasis, The Stone Roses, Northern Soul, The Industrial Revolution, The Haçienda, Coronation Street… Our guess is it won’t be long before the Hotel Gotham makes it up there with the best of them.

Nightly rates from £185 for a Cosy Club double room, or £200 B&B. Book here.

London September 2, 2020

London’s Luxuries : The Resident, Soho

We like to think of hotels as different breeds of animals. They all have different looks and personalities, different attitudes and come in different sizes. Some are old, some are young, and some smell like they’ve not had a wash in years. The best of them however, are constantly growing and evolving. Such example of this is The Resident in Soho.

Picture this. You go to get in bed at night after a bit of a heavy one tearing up Old Compton Street or sampling some fancy cocktail bars. Your phone is literally on 3% and you need to do some Insta-scrolling before bed, but there’s no plug socket next to the beside table and you wonder to yourself, what kind of sick world do we live in? You fall asleep with your phone in your hand, your alarm doesn’t go off and you miss your flight the next day.

Whoever designed the Resident had that very same problem and at some point vowed that no millennial traveller will suffer the same fate. For every problem we face, they have devised a solution, and for us, it’s all about the detail.

The rooms feel luxe without overstepping the mark. Some have even managed to include four-poster beds in the least pretentious way we’ve ever seen, and it just looks really cool. The spaces are practical and are useful for whatever you need.

While there’s no in-hotel dining per se, but the concierge understand your hunger. If one of the many (literally) thousands of Soho restaurants outside your door can’t tempt you, or you’re having a cheeky night in, the hotel will bring up your Deliveroo for you, and you cannot deny there’s no better service than that. Just another solution to one of millennial life’s many many problems.

The Resident is as much business as it is pleasure, and their meeting room spaces are great for when trying to negotiate over a coffee table in Starbucks just don’t cut it. #TeamCoco pride ourselves on having hot young entrepreneurs in our camp, and if you’re anything like us you’ll love this handy little feature.

But work hard, play hard, right? And the absolute pride of the Resident is its location. This place is in stumbling distance (and sometimes we mean this quite literally) of all the nightlife Soho has to offer, and we all know what that means.

To book a room at The Resident Soho, please visithttps://www.residenthotels.com/the-resident-soho

Hotels & Spas September 2, 2020

London’s Luxuries : Novotel London Bridge

If anyone knows how to glow up a hotel, it’s Novotel. Their dedication to refurbishments of hotels is about on par with our dedication to staying at them. The fresh faced Novotel London Bridge reveals all.

There’s a real trend of larger hotel chains honing in the surroundings of each particular property to make them feel more unique, but still on par with the standards you’d come to expect. In our book, if the honey at breakfast doesn’t come squeezed from the bees on the roof then to be honest we don’t really wanna know.

There are thirteen hotels in the wider London area including some airport locations. That may be unlucky for some, but definitely not for us. The Novotel London Bridge sits in the shadow of the city skyline. Put it this way, if this was the year 1066, you’d be overlooking some very royal neighbours in the tower next door.

Picky millennials like us have a word we like to use to justify when we want to have exactly everything we want… savvy. And savvy travellers are favouring the ‘chain vibes’ of big hotels less and less. Novotel have done away with all of that and now offer up a cool independent like vibe that we are completely here for.

What hasn’t been lost is the efficiency of the whole operation – check-in is quick and painless, and desk staff speak several languages. Quality and standards have a huge part to play in Novotel’s ethos and it shows, which is a true testament to really good hotel, and makes you sleep that little bit better.

There’s a minimalist style running throughout the rooms, with flashes of personality here and there, like faux zebra rugs or starry night sky murals. A signature red cuts through the crisp white, adding to that overall luxe.

Downstairs, the traditional buffet of yoghurt and tinned peaches has been done away with, and in its place is a quirky café style kitchen and bar. So many of the time hotels slip up with their dining offering and take the corporate road, which is enjoyable to only those in suits who chunter over the morning FT, but here it’s definitely more flat-white and a lot less white-collar.

Prices start from £116 per room per night based on two people sharing. www.all.accor.com

Travel September 2, 2020

Wake up Here : De Vere Beaumont Estate

For obvious reasons, 2020 has seen an increase in staycations like never before. We’ve ditched the boarding passes and the crying babies to see out summer in the UK, dedicated to finding the lushest, most quintessential must-stays in the English countryside.

DeVere Beaumont Estate sits in 44-acres of stunning grounds, manicured lawns and natural ponds. The centrepiece is not one stunning mansion, but two. And a chapel, if that wasn’t enough.

Originally known as Remenham, there has been an estate on this land since way back in the 14th Century. The oldest building is an ivy-clad 18th Century Victorian mansion, which was used as the former school building of Beaumont College for most of its life. In stark contrast is the Georgian White House with its stunning portico, built in 1790.

The rooms are impressive, ranging from the simple Guest Room all the way up to the Junior Suites – which have been decorated to reflect the heritage of the building. Just think huge rustic leather couches and fluffy white robes. Modern geometric bathrooms are done in soft slate greys, with claw-foot bathtubs and walk-in rainfall showers.

There are two eating options: 1705 Restaurant and Bar, and the Beaumont Restaurant. The latter is where you’ll find a locally inspired seasonal menu served throughout the day. Safety rules state that the breakfast buffet is off the cards, but diners are served at-table by the charming restaurant staff who will gear you up for the day. To keep things simple and contact-less as possible, some ordering is done via an iPad at your table, but make sure you ask for recommendations on the wine as the menu is vast and the staff are very knowledgable.

1705 Restaurant and Bar is the estate’s more formal dining option. The menu celebrates the ‘best of British’ ingredients with a flair of international cuisine. Choose from artisan stone-baked pizzas, rotisserie chickens, oriental wok pots, spicy curries – or more classic dishes with a modern edge, like a posh take on a fish finger sandwich. There are other spots around the estate where drinks and nibbles are available. A firm favourite was the Pantry – a secluded coffee lounge with a drinks station for teas, coffees and soft drinks. Some facilities like the pool are currently closed for renovation, but this is only a sign of great things to come.

The Chapel is the jewel in the crown of the estate. It doubles as an events space (the estate, understandably is popular with weddings) with an exquisite stained glass window and huge hand painted vaulted ceiling. The modernisation continues here, with private booths around the outside for quiet drinks and celebrations.

In this year of change, the DeVere group have spared no effort in making their guests feel safe. Not only are all the necessary safety measures in place at their estates, but they have launched new packages which will see 10% of each direct bedroom booking going to NHS Charities Together, which supports NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.

From £179 per couple, or £229 for families, guests can book an overnight stay with a personally selected chilled drinks package, a delicious two-course takeaway dinner from their in-house chefs, as well as a ‘grab and go’ breakfast.

Empire of Japan September 1, 2020

Three of the World’s Most Expensive Hotels

When it comes to travelling, there are so many things to love about exploring our world. Visiting new and exciting places opens up experiences and opportunities we could only ever have dreamed of, and it’s fair to say that most of us go back home a very different person to the one we were when we set off.

For a lot of individuals, slumming it is a big part of this but not everyone has to balance their budget to the same degree. In fact, some lucky travelers are able to enjoy a level of luxury the rest of us can barely imagine.

If you want an insight into where they might stay, here are three of the world’s most expensive hotels for you to drool over.

The Grand Penthouse at The Mark, New York

Covering two whole floors of this exclusive hotel, The Mark’s Grand Penthouse was designed by Jacques Grange, and affords its guests the most fantastic views across the Upper East Side. Sleek and modern, the sprawling suite gives you 12,000 square feet of decadent living to enjoy, but it doesn’t come cheap. Priced at a whopping $100,000 per night, it might take a lottery win to get you there, so perhaps you ought to play Powerball onlinebefore you organize your itinerary, as that extra £373 million would undoubtedly come in handy. It’s not just space you’re buying. As well as its five bedrooms, six bathrooms, library, ballroom, and rooftop terrace, those who stay the night also have their very own chef to prepare their meals, Frederic Fekkai to tame their tresses, and Bergdorf Goodman to offer on-tap tailoring whenever they need it.

The Royal Penthouse at the Hotel President Wilson, Geneva

Should you have bucket loads of cash and a penchant for European travel, then perhaps the Royal Penthouse at the Hotel President Wilson would be more to your taste. Reported to have played host to everyone from Rihanna to Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jackson, this suite comes fully outfitted with bullet-proof glass to protect you and panoramic views of Lake Geneva to soothe and succor your soul. Complete with twelve bedrooms, a host of opulent marble bathrooms, a billiard room, gym, Jacuzzi, and more, it takes up the entire eighth floor, and the price reflects this.

The Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel, New York

New York also features a second time on this list, thanks to its Ty Warner Penthouse. Located at the Four Seasons Hotel, this luxurious pad sits 700 feet above the ground, and offers the amazing views you’d expect. Decadently styled and sumptuous, it comes with floor-to-ceiling windows and sprawling glass balconies, so you can make the most of the city’s skyline. Although the suite has just one bedroom, it is most definitely the stuff of dreams, with Japanese silk furnishings, rock crystal sinks, and an interior picked out by IM Pei and Peter Marino. Unfortunately, but nonetheless expectedly, it doesn’t come cheap, with an overnight stay likely to set you back $60,000.

Tell us, if money were no object, which of these suites would you be sleeping in?

Adventures August 29, 2020

Relax at the Algarve’s hottest beach club

With the Portuguese travel corridor currently open I decided to squeeze in a dose of vitamin sea and take a few days out to unwind in the Algarve. Just a two-and-a-half-hour flight away and sunshine guaranteed right up until November, makes it the perfect place to escape and relax. Within 24 hours of Portugal going back on the ‘safe list’, my hotel pool was quickly filling up with families also looking to take advantage of not having to quarantine so I decided to escape all the chaos and booked myself into Purobeach, Vilamoura.

With eight beach clubs around the world, this global lifestyle brand is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ if you are looking for luxurious beachside socialising. These iconic beach clubs successfully combine al fresco dining, poolside partying and beach glamour. Set in the vibrant Vilamoura marina amongst the million-pound yachts, bustling restaurants and bars is their chic, super luxe Portuguese club.

Purobeach, Vilamoura offers two distinct areas, the garden and beachfront, both with a different vibe. The garden is an oasis of lush greenery, with the swimming pool taking centre stage. Crisp, white Balinese beds and loungers flank the azure pool, a DJ plays chilled tunes while the super friendly staff serve drinks and attend to your every need. I opted to spend the day on the beachfront which offers the same sophisticated ambiance as the garden but with a livelier atmosphere. The music is a notch louder and the DJ pumps out the kind of music that makes you want to get up off your lounger and dance. All the big comfy beds come with fluffy towels and face out to the Atlantic Ocean making it the perfect spot to soak up the sun. Staff flit across the beach serving drinks and checking in on the guests throughout the day.

Food is served in both areas. I chose to eat lunch on the beachfront. You can sit inside or out, both spots have amazing views of the sun kissed sand and cobalt ocean. The restaurant is light and airy with a buzzy vibe, small groups begin to gather around tables, sharing plates and chatting above the music. The menu successfully fuses international flavours alongside local Portuguese produce and influences. Fresh seafood, tasty salads and poke bowls sit alongside burgers, meat dishes and snacks, providing lots of culinary choice as well as vegan, vegeterian, gluten-free and lactose-free options. There’s an extensive drinks menu which also includes healthy juices and smoothies for those who don’t fancy a glass of the renowned Vinho Verde. I declined on the juice and tried a glass of famous crisp, lively Portuguese white which paired perfectly with my grilled sea bream. Served with baked new potatoes and a selection of vegetables and salad, the portion sizes are generous and you certainly leave the table satisfied. For those just wanting to visit the restaurant you can book a table direct. To celebrate the club’s 10th Anniversary they are currently offering a Seaside breakfast up until 12pm everyday until the end of August for 25 euros per person.

After a leisurely lunch I retreat back to my comfortable bed to read my book and people watch. By mid-afternoon the drinks are flowing, and people are socialising at the edge of the Ocean. As the afternoon crawls into the balmy evening the temperature is still in the mid-twenties. The beach is thinning out as people head back to their hotels, here at Puro things are still underway as the cool crowd carry on mingling and soaking up the last of the rays.

To book a bed or reserve a table at the restaurant visit purobeach.com/en/beach-club-vilamoura/

Travel August 27, 2020

Three Staycation Ideas that Won’t Make It Feel Like a Staycation

Did you have to cancel the ultimate vacation because of the coronavirus pandemic? You’re not alone. Many people had to put their vacation plans on hold because of lockdowns and travel restrictions. Adding to the anxiety, travel industry experts forecast that it won’t be till at least next year before traveling goes back to a semblance of normalcy.

You might as well enjoy some of your vacation time by going on an ever-popular staycation. Take a 3-day weekend or a whole week off if you can spare it. We all deserve a much-needed break. Here we’ve got a few out-of-the-ordinary staycation ideas that will make you feel like you still went on the vacation of a lifetime.

So let your hair down, ditch your custom-branded workwear for now, pour yourself a glass of wine, and be prepared to have some fun!

Do Nothing

Alright, so that might be the complete opposite of “having fun,” but hear us out. What’s the first thing you do on a regular weekend? We’re guessing you do household chores that you had to forego during the workweek. Even though most of us are working from home and have been doing chores in between working and possibly parenting, they still tend to pile up and might seem never-ending.

We propose that on the first one or two days of your staycation, you should do nothing. Forget the laundry. Forget the cooking and the cleaning. Order take-out. Binge-watch a Netflix show. Lounge in your bed or your couch all day if you want. Do anything besides what you would typically do. There’s a subtle are to being lazy, and the first couple of days of a staycation is the perfect chance to practice it.

Enjoy a Culture Day.

The Korean Wave is still riding high and fast. And we won’t judge you for using your veg out days to binge-watch a Korean drama or two. Why not try to recreate what you’ve watched in your home? If your original travel plans included international travel, you could do this for your country of destination too.

Decorate your home in that country’s flag. Print out photos of their scenery and landscape and frame them temporarily. Line up some movies, TV shows, or music from that country that you can enjoy. But most of all, get their food. Take it a step further and try to make it yourself. This way, it would feel like you’ve been transported to another world, yet you never even left home.

Do Volunteer Work.

Make your staycation count by taking some time to give back to your community. If you have kids, this is the perfect opportunity to teach them the values of compassion and kindness. Shelters, both for people and for animals, are always in need of volunteers, so they are usually the first place you can start with. If you’re a good cook, offer to bring a dish to a soup kitchen or volunteer to give out food. By doing something altruistic, you’re not only able to take a break from work but also feed your soul.

Spa days and camping out in your backyard are always fun staycation ideas, but these three activities will make it feel more like a vacation, less of a simple break from work.

Travel August 26, 2020

Carry On Essentials for Long Flights: A Checklist for Newbie Flyers

Flying can be equal parts exciting and stressful. Yes, you’re looking forward to that destination touchdown, but you can’t avoid the steps necessary to get to that point. One of those steps happens to be packing, which, more often than not, is a dreadful experience for many flyers.

Plus, that’s not the only thing you have to take care of, either. If you’ve been flying for a while now, you’ll know that the events leading up to the packing itself—shopping, making calls and arrangements, and more—can only add to the stress of the situation.

For the purpose of easing the load on your next flight, we’ve compiled a list of carry-on essentials for long flights. This is to help you stay ahead of the game and fly like a seasoned traveler.

Carry-On Essentials Checklist

Before putting your packing skills to the test, make sure you’ve grabbed all these essentials first. Also, since personal needs differ, you’re free to tweak the checklist as you see fit. What’s most important is that you’ve covered the basics, namely:

1. Cash, Credit Cards, IDs, Etc.

What should be inside your backpack or tote bag? Aside from housing your passport, your carry-on should also contain your wallet, a pack of tissues, and a hygiene kit. Make sure you have your ID, a bit of cash, and some credit cards in your wallet, too.

Beginning October 2021, the TSA will require travelers to present REAL IDs to fly within the United States. This could be either a compliant or state-issued driver’s license, a valid passport, U.S. military ID, or other forms of identification deemed acceptable.

2. Hygiene Kit

With a pandemic wreaking havoc around the world, it is all the more important to take extra health and safety precautions during a long flight.

Pack some antibacterial wipes, a travel-sized sanitizer, and a bottle of alcohol in your hygiene kit. In this way, you can disinfect handles and surfaces before touching them. Also, if you’re traveling alone, make it a point to keep to yourself and observe social distancing at all times.

3. Travel Toiletries and Airplane Essentials

A TSA-approved extra small cube is where you may place travel toiletries and airplane essentials, like earplugs, eye masks, chargers, pens, and journals. This clear and easy-to-grab container, when packed with all these flight must-haves, can make long hours in the air much less stressful.

4. First Aid Kit

Using another extra small or small cube that’s TSA-compliant, you can bring a first aid kit on your flight. There’s really no telling what could happen during your time in the air—you could feel sick from the airplane food or trip and fall on your way to the bathroom.

When packing a first-aid kit, make sure it includes the following:

Pain medication
Nasal spray
Altitude meds
Anti-diarrhea meds
Tissues
Antibacterial wipes

A first-aid kit might not be necessary if you’re only flying for two hours, but what if your flight is 18 hours? This may subject you to some serious boredom and some potentially “messy” and hassling situations.

5. Anti-Boredom Items

If sleeping doesn’t work, then there’s a bunch of items that just might help kill the boredom during a lengthy flight. You can pack a good book, an iPad, a pair of headphones, a charged laptop, or even a coloring book for an entertaining way to pass the time.

Again, you can place these items on a TSA-approved cube. Its compact size and transparency help you identify the contents in the cube and pull it out of your carry-on.

6. Stuff for Beating the Cold

There’s no questioning how cold it can get as you get higher and higher up there. As such, you’ll want to ready the following items to beat the chill and stay comfortable while flying. Here’s what you need to bring:

Neck pillow
Small blanket
Extra socks
Earplugs
Scarf

You may also call the airline ahead of time to see if they can provide any of these items. In most cases, a small blanket is usually available on the plane.

6. “Fresh” Pack

No one wants to arrive at his or her destination looking tired and out of it. Although a long-haul flight can leave you looking less than appealing, a “fresh” pack should be able to come to your rescue.

When packing a “fresh” pack, include the following items:

Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
Makeup
Floss
Mouthwash
Hand sanitizer
Retainer

Long Flight Must-Haves

Besides the basic travel essentials you need, there may be additional items you want to bring. We know our list isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to your long-flight traveling woes, so feel free to make adjustments as you see fit. In this way, you’ll never have to worry about packing or going on a long-haul flight as much as you used to before.