By Barbara Cole, Ph.D.

Returning the keys to my rented Skoda, I sighed relief. I had driven alone nearly a thousand miles throughout southern Ukraine. 

Relieved no drunken drivers had whammed the Skoda, all oncoming vehicles in my lane swerved right, and I had not rear-ended autos lacking brake lights, I breathed success. 

How had I, a senior, managed to get myself from San Francisco to Ukraine and multiple other cities alone without knowing the local language? How had I managed to travel in more than eighty countries, most where English isn’t the dominant language when I lacked fluency in all languages aside from English, without hiring guides or translators? 

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How to feel more refreshed and energized after
sitting for hours on a plane or in a car

As much as we look forward to a fabulous destination trip this spring/ summer, no one likes the thought being crammed into an uncomfortable airline seat for hours. Even long car trips can cause our back and legs to feel cramped and stiff. Physical therapist Robin Singer has some creative ideas the whole family can use to build in movement, utilize purposeful fidgeting and perhaps even burn a few calories as you travel to/from your summer vacation destination.

Kids may get restless, but for adults sitting for a long time may be downright dangerous

Your circulation slows when you’re just sitting. Over time, this can cause physical and mental fatigue. If you’re trapped in a sitting position too long, it’s easy to get just as fidgety and nervous as youngsters do when they can’t move around. After all, your energy must go somewhere.

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Gone are the days when flagpoles were used only for occasions! Today, you can use this as a part of your external home decor. It will let people know about your choices regarding your sports team or any spiritual symbol that you love to showcase. If yours is a business house, you can hoist your corporate logo at the top of your building or close to the gateway. Additionally, you can also use these flags for product launches and special events like car rallies and walking marathons. Each event needs a different type of flagpoles. 

Every homeowner has a different taste and needs about flagpoles! Even business owners have a particular thought for their brand promotion and advertisement. For this, it is essential to know the multiple flagpole types. To know more on this and even make a purchase you can check out the Poles Flag for Sale online. 

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Can you really not go anywhere and call it a vacation? Even more importantly, can you take time off, stay at home or go away, and unplug from the office? As the Staycation enters its second decade, what’s changed and made it an attractive alternative for many families? Discovery Map, the leading provider of curated guides to top attractions, cities and towns throughout North America, has some pointers for those opting to stay at home for vacation this year.

“The Staycation became a thing after the 2008 crash when many families simply didn’t have the resources to take that trip to Disneyworld or the rental fee for that lakeside cabin or ocean cottage, so they stayed at home for vacation,” said Peter Hans, president of Discovery Map International since 2005. “This year, there are a number of families who didn’t quite get as large a tax return as they had in years past. Consequently, the Staycation is back on the table for some families.”

While the Staycation may be in its second decade, the ground rules for fun and stress-free breaks remain pretty much the same.  For starters, no contact with your office allowed.  Just because you’re not going away for an extended trip is no reason to be calling in to the office. Time off is meant for you to rest up and recharge your batteries. You can’t do that if you’re never mentally away.

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Like most people, you probably love travelling to various parts of the world. It broadens your mindset in ways you could never imagine. You get to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the planet human beings inhabit. In the process, you meet new people, taste their cuisines and learn about their culture. You can even boost of making new friends. Such an opportunity may only come once in a lifetime. You obviously want to relive the memories of such visits at a later stage. One way of achieving this objective is by maintaining a travel scrapbook. It is a decision you won’t regret making for a very long time.

Is it worth the time and effort to maintain a travel scrapbook?

In the digital age, most people may consider maintaining a travel scrapbook out of date. They may even regard it to be old fashion. These individuals may assume no one has the time and inclination to pursue this hobby. After all, everyone has hectic lifestyles to lead. They also may argue that there are other ways to cherishing the memories of their travels. Today’s smartphones allow holidaymakers to take numerous pictures of places they visit. These vacationers just need to remember to back up such images and print them. However, it may come as a surprise to them to know how many travellers indulge in it.

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Photo: by Kaymar Adl, CC BY 2.0

Holidaying can feel intimidating when you’re mobility impaired, but it needn’t stop you from seeing more of the world, experiencing new cultures or even just soaking up the sunshine. Everyone should be able to travel in confidence, sometimes all it takes is a little prior preparation. We’ve put together the perfect itinerary for a few days on the Costa del Sol, but follow the same steps and you could plan out a dream holiday just about anywhere.

Choose your Destination

This step almost goes without saying, but give plenty of thought to it. Winter holidays can be more troublesome, ice and snow make getting around more difficult. If your heart is set on a wintry break then try to choose a city location where paths will be regularly cleared. Sunshine holidays are easier to prepare for, but very rural locations can have bumpy terrain underfoot.

Marbella makes a great destination, because although it has all the beauty of a more rural beachside holiday, it is a town with well-maintained sidewalks. Most importantly though, it benefits from the perfect holidaying climate. It is protected on its northern boundary by stunning mountains, which as well as being wonderfully picturesque, also shelter the city from cold winds. The climate is further improved by the low annual rainfall and a staggering 2900 hours of sunshine per year. Weather-wise, it couldn’t be a more perfect holiday destination. [Read more…]

A home is a little heaven for you and your family. Building a home is a step by step process that involves a lot of time spent to find the perfect one for you. Choosing a place to settle down is a thoughtful process and is influenced by a lot of factors. If you have kids in the family, it is essential to ensure the area has a good education system and lots of options for schooling. Safety and peace of mind are non-negotiable factors as well when you’re choosing a city to settle down.

Choosing a place also depends on the type of place you grew up in and the kind of place you would like your children to grow up. Children tend to have a happier childhood in small towns and the countryside away from the hustle of the city. The air quality will be superior and so will be the quality of life. If you are looking forward to creating a home in a suburb, you can consider the state of Meridian in the state of Idaho.

Living in Meridian, Idaho

Meridian, is a city located in Ada country that is one of the faster-growing places in the USA. This is a city that is built for business and designed to be lived in. It is popularly known as “The center of the treasure valley” due to its geographical position in the treasure valley. This is a great place to settle in due to its growth and employment opportunities.  Another advantage of this city is the fact that most of the residential areas are relatively new. The amenities provided are top notch as well. [Read more…]