Travel

All posts in “Travel”

GMC Short Bus Adventure Van

You can have roots or wings, but you can’t have both, said someone somewhere at some point. It makes perfect sense to combine seeing the world with the ability to live on the road. If you are going to choose wings, then something like the GMC Adventure Van is an amazing option.

The adventurous trend of living in a van has surged recently, even if you adopt nomad status for a month or two, or if it’s your full-time lifestyle, a lot of fun can be had. Anyone who has ever tried living in a van will tell you about all the amazing things they experienced but also say the infamous line “but I was ready to come home” because of the lacking luxuries that living in a van brings.

A lot of committed travelers take their hand to making a bespoke van for themselves and their own needs, which is exactly what WeTravelByBus (a friendly couple) have done to overcome the supposed lacking comforts living in a van means. They transformed a GMC bus into an extraordinary live-in travel vehicle. The German couple and their Florida-originating vehicle have been hard to catch as they zoom from place to place in style.

The vehicle has a big roof rack but other than this addition, the previous owners wouldn’t notice any changes to its exterior. It’s when you take a look inside that the real wow-factor hits you. The seats have been swapped for kitchen counters, storage, a bed and get this, a wood-burning stove! When you are planning a similar feat, this could provide the perfect inspiration to board the adventure.

Follow Their Journey

October 10, 2018 / Comments Off

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Head Out With Some Beers And The Pelican Soft-Sided Cooler

The beach or swimming pool on a hot day with some ice cold beers is the recipe for a great time.. Although, it’s a lot less fun when you have to lug around a heavy cooler. Particularly if you have already had ‘arm day’ at the gym.

Pelican has a solution with their soft-sided cooler. Not only is it a lightweight alternative, this portable storage unit is also waterproof and leakproof, thanks to the ingenious Tizip zipper. The base is compression-molded and has anti-slip properties.

A double layer of 840D Thermoplastic polyurethane has been used to maximum effect to give the body of the cooler increased strength and resistance against grease, oil and temperature changes.

For security and ensuring your beer or food and drink is kept cool at all times, there is a double buckle locking system that gives easy access and a robust and durable stainless steel tie down that can be used as a bottle opener too,

So, if you are looking for a cost-effective and lightweight solution to keeping your beer and food fresh and cool on those hot days, we think the smart choice would be this Pelican Soft-Sided Cooler.

Add To Cart Now

October 8, 2018 / Comments Off

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Pop This Tent On Just About Any Car

From the highly reputable design school in Renens, Switzerland, ECAL, Sebastian Maluska took on the challenge of redesigning the humble rooftop car tent. He based this passion for fine tuning the pop-up tent because of his love of surfing and skiing. As he said, it’s always nice when you can be the first on the slopes or the water. In order to do that, you need to get sleep when and where you can.

That is what led him to design a new version of the incredibly practical pop-up tent, that could be installed on almost any car roof. He took a lot of inspiration from watching sailors participating in the Volvo Ocean Race sleeping inside a boat. So he made the new pop-up tent with an aluminum frame, chosen for its lightweight properties and used sailing fabric because of its waterproofing.

The tent has been designed to comfortably house two people and opens and closes with relative ease and will give stunning views thanks to its positioning on top of a car. As no-one really wants to climb up and down their car, a handy ladder has been stored inside a pocket in the fabric.

Although it remains to be seen whether this will ever make it to the production stage and see the light of day, we feel it could be an excellent alternative to what’s out there at the moment.

Learn more

October 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Morukuru Beach Lodge

If your idea of a perfect vacation involves the sea, sand, and exclusivity, you might want to consider a memorable journey to South Africa. Not only does it boast some of the world’s most exotic wildlife, but also the most beautiful beaches you can ever find. A little bit of exclusivity is an attractive option for those of us who value tranquility and that’s exactly what the Morukuru Beach Lodge offers its guests.

Located within the unspoiled coastlines of De Hoop Nature reserve, the discreet resort is a 3-hour drive from Cape Town or just an hour away via a private chartered flight. You can choose from four luxurious Ocean View suites or one Dune View suite, which lies in a separate structure from the main lodge. Each room provides guests with unparalleled sceneries of majestic sand dunes and the Indian Ocean. Room rates already include two guided daily activities as well as meals, snacks, and refreshments.

Utmost care was reportedly taken during the construction of the beach lodge to ensure that it had minimal impact to the environment. The eco-friendly establishment even relies entirely on solar energy given its remote off-grid location. However, a backup generator is on standby just in case the need arises. This is one guilt-free vacation spot for those who absolutely love everything nature has given us.

Book your stay here

Photos courtesy of Morukuru Beach Lodge

September 27, 2018 / Comments Off

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Aerion AS2 Supersonic Jet

I’m sure we were supposed to be teleporting by now, or at least crossing the Atlantic in 45 minutes…wasn’t that the prediction? Well the guys over at Aerion appear to be making immense strides at providing us with quicker flight times.

Supersonic travel has been the goal since 2003 when the Concorde last took to the skies. Aerion’s Supersonic AS2 Jet may just relight the fires of excitement. This jet has alien-like capabilities. Carrying 12 passengers, it travels at a speed that is actually faster than sound.

What’s their design secret? They have manufactured an airframe and wing that significantly reduces drag by 20% in comparison with Delta designs. This means the jet is capable of Mach 1.5 with a range around 5,466 miles. To translate this mumbo jumbo jet talk, it means you would be saving 3 hours on any transatlantic flight and more than 6 hours on a transpacific trip.

The flights are quick, but it will be a little more of a wait before us regular folk can expect to board one of these time-saving jets. The first flights are predicted to air at the start of 2021, but commercial uses aren’t expected until 2023.

Learn More

September 2, 2018 / Comments Off

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Swimply Is the Airbnb for Pools

Maintaining a pool is a pain. Between treating the water and skimming for bugs, it can sometimes feel like having one is more work than it’s worth. A better option? Swimply. Swimply is, essentially, Airbnb…

Burley COHO XC Bike Trailer

Travelling to faraway places by bike can often be difficult, mainly because most bikes don’t really feature any proper storage for lugging cargo along. Which is why Burley’s new COHO XC would be a perfect addiction to any bike, as it makes carrying all your travel gear more hassle-free.

The new COHO XC is a single-wheel trailer that attaches to either side of the rear hub of its tow bike. It’s just over 66 inches long and 21 inches high, and it can carry up to 70 pounds of cargo.

In developing the trailer, Burley prioritized adaptability above all else. Burley wanted the COHO XC to fit a variety of bikes, and to achieve that, it designed something called the Burley Ballz which, despite its laughably horrendous name, is actually a brilliant way of connecting and disconnecting the yoke.

Attaching the COHO XC to the tow bike is done by connecting the ends of the swing arm yoke to the Burley Ballz on the rear axle. The ends feature internal latches that can be released via a hand lever. The yoke can be spread or narrowed via a latch pull to fit a variety of rear axle widths. It sounds really complicated written this way, but it’s a relatively easy process, actually.

In terms of stability, the COHO XC features a spring suspension system that provides a smoother ride over rough terrain, so you will be able to take it nearly anywhere, be it fire roads, single tracks, or pavements.

If you’re looking for a bike trailer that can handle rough terrain, the COHO XC will definitely be a good good fit for you.

Burley COHO XC Trailer

August 26, 2018 / Comments Off

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Hitch Hotel Expandable Wheel-Less Trailer

When we talk about trailers, no matter the make or model, we immediately picture something with wheels. That’s all about to change as Hitch Hotel breaks the mold by being the first and only expandable trailer that doesn’t need them.

It might sound unbelievable at first, but the company was able to live up to its claim—thanks to the clever use of lightweight materials and innovative design. To keep its heft at a minimum, the trailer is constructed out of T6 aluminum and fiberglass. Built-in adjustable struts swing out to keep the camper stable when its drawn out to full length.

Fully-closed, the Hitch Hotel provides you with 60 cubic feet of space (enough for three full-size bicycles)—to store your additional cargo securely for travel. The magic actually happens when it’s fully-expanded, wherein you’re given a whopping 135 cubic feet sleeping area that’s roughly the size of a queen size bed. Moreover, its compact form factor makes it easy to store in your garage when not in use.

Compatibility requirements dictate that the portable storage/camper is ideally supported by vehicles with a class 3 hitch rating or higher. However, depending on the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your ride, some class 2-rated models might be able to support it. After all, the entire package just weighs in at a manageable 245 pounds.

Get The Hitch Hotel Here

Photos courtesy of Hitch Hotel

August 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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Sacromonte Landscape Hotel

If you are a wannabe wine connoisseur and want to try something different for a holiday, you may like the Sacromonte Landscape Hotel. This extravagant and modern accommodation has been built on the site of a 250-acre vineyard deep within the Uruguay region of Maldonado.

On-site, you will find 13 small, but comfortable cabins, farm-to-table-style restaurant and a fully operational winery. Decorated on the exterior with a mirrored front, each of the structures is rectangular and blend in with the landscape easily, to ensure that your main focus is always on that amazing Uruguayan countryside.

As the structures are topped off with roofing, they are even undetectable if you were trying to spot them from the sky.

On the interior of each cabin, there are floors constructed from dark stones and panels of light oak around the walls to provide a rustic and minimalist look. This approach to the decor is to ensure the floor to ceiling windows and their awe-inspiring views are the main focal point.

Every cabin has a private terrace that offers sublime vistas of the beautiful hills in the distance. Work is expected to be finished on this resort by September in 2018, but you can book now. So if you want to enjoy some exclusive Uruguayan wine in a calm and peaceful place, check it out today.

July 26, 2018 / Comments Off

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The Dreamery by Casper – Exclusive Sleeping Lounge

If you regularly travel to and from New York City for business or pleasure and find that you are tired out and fatigued by your journey, your options for what you could do to recharge were very limited in the past. You could book a hotel room, of course, but that would cost you a truly exuberant price or you could just try and enjoy the city on low energy reserves. Well, that was until Casper established their highly exclusive and fantastic sleeping lounge.

The Dreamery at 196 Mercer Street in the city that never sleeps, is the brainchild of bed and mattress specialists, Casper. The Dreamery is a special and very magical space where you can go to unwind from a long-haul flight or stress-inducing time spent on the subway. There you are treated to 45 minutes of the most luxurious, uninterrupted sleep on one of the most comfortable beds you will ever lay your weary body on. Included in the price are complimentary pj’s, Headspace custom lullabies to help you settle and there are also a full range of face washes, toothbrushes and drinks for when you wake up.

Although it is less hassle if you book ahead, the Dreamery also accepts walk-ins. Go on, you know you’re worth it!

The Dreamy

July 21, 2018 / Comments Off

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Check-In Your Supercar For Etihad Trips? Done.

So, you’re thinking about travelling to Amsterdam and you packed your usual items: toiletries, clothes, leisurewear… But what if you want to take your Ferrari 458 with you? Say no more, says Etihad Airways!

Etihad Cargo has launched a new service called ‘FlightValet‘, where you can check-in and bring your supercar with you anywhere Etihad flies. So don’t even think about renting that Chevrolet Impala because now you can bring your Mercedes-Benz ‘Gullwing’ to Madrid. Porsche 918 to Frankfurt? Done.

Their services include:

Airport to Airport on the Etihad Network
Simple pricing
Single Sales point of contact in UAE
Trained staff
Proven capabilities
Charter services
A future option to branded Car covers and/or containers for privacy and protection

You can inquire about a quote through their website, which is a formality? Just put it on my Black Card.

July 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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Kumaon Hotel

Placed on a hill overlooking the city of Almora in the Indian Himalayas–a sacred place of contemplation where great people like DH Lawrence, Timothy Leary, and Bob Dylan among others, have often traveled to seek spiritual enlightenment, the Kumaon Hotel is an idyllic mountain retreat that submerges you into the stunning natural landscape.

The hotel (perched 5,250 ft above sea level) is made up of various buildings scattered around a 2.5-acre plot of land. The main building houses a lounge, library, reception, kitchen, and a cantilevered dining room that sits out over the valley, while the five chalets available offer two rooms each.

Constructed in traditional ways, the picturesque getaway uses local materials such as the fly ash brick, kaddapa (black stone), bamboo, Kota granite, and pinewood. A magical place for meditation, surrounded by arresting mountain views.

Book at Kumaon Hotel $200/night

Photos By Akshay Sharma

May 24, 2018 / Comments Off

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The 9 Most Interesting Metro Cards Ever Released

New York City is one of the most art-influenced and art-influencing places in the entire world. Aside from being packed with museums, art houses, theaters, galleries, and music venues, it’s the kind of city whose…

Slow Cabins

If the idea of getting away from civilization and spending a few days surrounded by unspoiled nature somewhere remote in Belgium sounds good, then you should consider checking in at Slow Cabins.

Designed as cozy retreats for anyone looking to relax or enhance their focus on work-related projects, these off-grid shelters make use solar panels and filtered rainwater. Wood-burning stoves keep the insulated cabins warm, while a minimally-equipped kitchen, small fridge, and food prep area let you do some cooking. For that purpose, you can also use the outside ceramic BBQ.

Complete with wet bathrooms, eco-textile-made double beds, and large windows for captivating views, the cabins are sized about 40 sqm each. With your stay, the hosts will also throw in a basket of locally-farmed produce and plenty of spring water for drinking.

Book at Slow Cabins $210+/night

Photos Courtesy of Slow Cabins

May 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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Cabinscape

Cabinscape is a Canadian company offering completely off-grid tiny cabin rentals for “intimate wilderness escapes.” The shelters are placed in beautiful landscapes, nearby the best trails and parks of Southern Ontario.

Solar powered and ecologically responsible, the cabins include everything you need for a cozy experience, including drinkable & running water, 4-burner gas stovetop, fridge & freezer, indoor bathroom, kitchen accessories, propane BBQ, and more. Some of the things you can do while you’re there (besides relaxing): visits to maple farms, swim, canoe, fish, hike, cross-country ski, among other fun activities.

Currently, there are two cabins to choose from, each overlooking pristine lakes with expansive wilderness views. However, if you’re looking to rent anywhere from July to November, you’re out of luck–the cabins are all booked.

Book at Cabinscape $121-$159/night