Uncharted Traveller

Category - Travel Somewhere, Anywhere

Explore Bali in Luxury with Flag in the Sand

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Experience the alluring splendour of a luxury trip to Bali, a beach paradise infused with luxury villas, delectable foods, and enchanting ancient temples. From the white powdered sands of Seminyak Beach, the elegant palm trees swaying in the breeze, the secluded villas and personal touches which make all the difference, the stunning sunsets over the Indian Ocean, the exquisite taste of grilled snapper à la Jimbaran and the wonder of Uluwatu Temple as it sits perched up high on a dramatic cliff side.

Explore off the beaten track in style and unwind in some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world. Bali will leave you refreshed, recharged, and in awe of everything this magical island has to offer.

Bringing luxury concierge to travel

Flag in the Sand are a luxury travel and lifestyle concierge company who focus on the fine details which make all the difference on a luxury tour to Bali, from the perfect flight itinerary, to private laundry service, specific destination advice, and even providing clients with a personal mobile phone upon arrival. Flag in the Sand leave no stone unturned, and such meaningful extras genuinely shine through on this amazing luxury tour to Bali.

Travelling in style to Bali is an experience in itself with seat upgrades for extra legroom and a private VIP line at immigration in Ngurah Rai airport but nothing can take away from the luxury accommodation waiting on the other end.

The Beach House consists of meticulously designed one bedroom villa’s located next to Seminyak Beach, the infamous stretch of golden sand with a trendy nightlife and endless charming boutiques. Words cannot accurately describe the superior nature of this incredibly luxurious accommodation and with a private swimming pool, private kitchen and comfortable lounge, the Villa’s make for a perfect escape to complete privacy and to unwind in idyllic surroundings.

Flag In the Sand local experts will always be on hand to ensure an entirely seamless travel itinerary and any additional needs. Whether it be an organized tour, reservations a recommended restaurant or even just a local shopping trip.

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Visit Ancient civilization in Bali

Another highlight on this tour of Bali, are the many ancient attractions around the island such as Pura Luhur Ulu Watu (also known as Uluwatu Temple) and Pura Tanah Lot. The first of these is a beautiful temple on the Bukit Peninsula which is located high up on a dramatic cliff side with stunning views of the ocean and lush surroundings which feature many local monkeys. Pura Tanah Lot is on the opposite side of the island and while it is often frequented by crowds of tourists, it makes for a serenely beautiful sight at sunset which makes a visit here most worthwhile. Once more, local experts are always on hand to explain the history, architecture and culture of these special locations along with ensuring a safe trip between each destination.

In the very heart Bali you will also discover the culture capital of Ubud which delights visitors with attractive streets full of intimate café’s and art galleries, while a trip to Celuk village later on is an amazing insight into the local silver trade with a wide range of hand crafted jewellery on display in this charming authentic village.

Taste the local culture

And then there is the sensational food and world class restaurants, no visit to Bali would be complete without tasting the local dishes and experiencing the beautiful setting in each of these fine restaurants around the island, handpicked by Flag in the Sand travel experts. The grilled snapper “à la Jimbaran” in the Jimbaran Bay Seafood Café and blue fin tuna in Mozaic Restaurant are two favourites amongst the fine variety of food on offer, while the glorious view from Mejekawi restaurant on Seminyak beachfront is just an example of the fine setting you can expect to surround your evening meals.

Bali is a photographer’s dream, a tasting bonanza, a haven for relaxation and a land with endless interesting attractions. Yet while it may seem and sound like a uniquely fascinating destination, nothing could ever outshine the enchanting nature of this magical place, as seeing Bali for yourself with Flag in the Sand.

You can find more details for this Luxury tour to Bali by contacting Flag in the Sand directly.

Take Advantage of These 5 Travel Card Perks

Travel card perks

In many ways, I learnt as much from customers during my time as a consultant, than I did whilst training to become a “travel expert”.

In all my time working as a Travel consultant in Calgary, Canada there were many tricks, tips and secrets I learnt along the way with regard to booking airfare or getting the most out of travel savings, but this was never more so the case than when I discovered the huge advantages of travel card perks and having not just one Aeroplan credit card, but several of the best travel credit cards.

Naturally, I met clients from all backgrounds and each of them enjoyed a varying degree of comfort but regarldess of this, most of the frequent travellers knew exactly how to be shrewd when it came to taking advantage of the Aeroplan cards which offered the biggest rewards. Whether it was the backpacker who usually sought the lowest price or the high flying business man who wanted nothing but the best airlines and upgrades, the frequent traveller always knew exactly how to get the most incredible rewards on their travels, with a minimal amount of effort.

In many ways, I learnt as much from customers during my time as a consultant, than I did whilst training to become a “travel expert”, and these encounters, along with a huge amount of “insider information” served only to help me to understand, and then identify, the best travel credit cards in the entire industry.

For example, Many travel cards in Canada require you to spend a specific amount within the first few months, but did you know that you that this is not the case with TD’s Aeroplan Infinite Visa? As long as you activate the card by using it to purchase and keep it open for 90 days, it’s yours!

Already have an Aeroplan credit card?, Get another.

Likewise, another incredible way to amass a serious number of Aeroplan points, is by having more than one card. An ex client brought this to my attention when he showed me his two American Express Gold Rewards Credit Card, why did he have two?

Put simply, you receive 25,000 air miles for free when you activate an AMEX travel card and if you apply for a second card, you will receive an additional 25,000 air miles. I need to also point out that these air miles are permanent regardless as to when or if you use the card after they have been activated.

Sound too good to be true? Well it’s not, and there’s also no risk involved with the strategy.

Morale of the story: If you plan on taking a trip anytime soon, it would make sense to start checking out the best Aeroplan travel cards on the market and then get signed up with little effort, to star reaping the rewards.

You can find a list of the best aeroplan credit cards in Canada here.

Don’t listen to them, You Are Good Enough

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“There was no thought process. It was just dark, very dark. The possibility of having to speak with another person was too much so I avoided the bars and was instead sitting on the floor finishing another beer. The decision to stay at an expensive hotel was a last ditch effort to feel better and I was sitting on the ground because it felt like a pathetic thing to do. It was easier to feel sorry for myself that way.

The carpet was cold as I leaned back up against the bed staring into space and the curtains were open for the lonely city lights to make their way in to the room. I wondered if anyone I knew had ever felt this low before. It was devastating.”

This paragraph is an extract from the book and describes the Cape Town hotel room I stayed in one year prior to when I decided to spend one year riding a bicycle alone through Africa (2014). It also goes some way to explaining the real truth behind starting the trip outside a Cape Town hotel rather than anywhere else.

I had never told anyone this as I was already busy listing to everyone telling me not to go to Africa on a bicycle, that it was dangerous, unknown or too big but simply put, I had chosen to return to the Africa because it was the scene of a nervous breakdown and this felt like the right way to face my personal demons and begin piecing myself back together. It was wishful thinking but in the end, it actually happened.

I arrived in Bangkok this week and this was another place I visited around that time when things continued to spiral out of control. All I can say right now is that everything looks very different to before and I could never have imagined the sequence of events over the past two years which have brought me to the point of feeling this way now.

I think it’s important to use this experience to reach out for anyone who may either be in a dark place of their own this new year or simply not know where they want to go in life. I was there, in fact I would still be there had it not been for all the support from so many unexpected places and the simple choice I made to stop feeling like a victim.

Finally, I had no real reason to believe any of this was possible but the fact that I am here right now has proved otherwise and so I hope that whatever it is you want this year, whether it be something or someone, that you realize you are in fact good enough and it can in fact happen if you only decide that it should.

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Online Media: Travelling Africa has never been easier

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I first travelled to Africa back in 2008. The scenery was much the same as it is now, but the social landscape has changed with the rise of the internet, and the smart phone in particular, has grown drastically since then. I guess it’s always easy to be nostalgic but thinking back, it’s hard to believe I managed to get from one place to another without access to the online world we have today and it probably wasn’t such a great idea either, to be travelling along without any idea as to recent travel warnings or the latest on Drumbeat news.

It hasn’t changed all that much in terms of scenery, but taking a trip around Africa is more easy now, than it ever has been.

It’s not that Africa is “dangerous” but rather that it can be a difficult place to travel when nobody speaks English, when there are no road signs, when there are no buses going your direction on any given day and when you can’t get a straight answer for something as simple as the rate of exchange.

It’s also not wise to be travelling into areas without any prior knowledge in terms of whether there is any recent conflict or significant events; on one particular trip, I took a bus from Tanzania up through Kenya, completely unaware that Al Shabab had been initiating terrorist attacks in the areas. It was fortunate to have travelled without incident but in hindsight, it wasn’t very wise.

In hindsight, I genuinely believe that if I had access to modern online resources back then such as maps or travel advice, the trip would have been so much easier, not to mention a lot safer. So having now travelled extensively around the world, I can say that I no longer travel without access to certain resources anymore and by staying up to date with Google maps, currency exchange apps or up to date travel news in Africa; with the help of online media, travelling through Africa has never been easier.

Kananaskis Country: Escaping into the Cold

Kananaski Country

“ I still believe in paradise. But now at least I know it’s not some place you can look for, ’cause it’s not where you go. It’s how you feel for a moment in your life when you’re a part of something, and if you find that moment… it lasts forever”

Leonardo di Caprio, The Beach.

Winter can seem like an unpleasant time all over Canada. It teaches people to hide within the underground walkways of Toronto, to despise getting out of bed on dark Calgary mornings, and then dread leaving their working day behind in Winnipeg, for to go back out into the cold again.

Things is, as explained in a recent interview with Corporita Magazine, most Canadian’s choose a sun vacation for a Winter break as a means to escape this harsh weather, when actually, it’s not so much the cold that everyone is hoping to leave behind, but rather the lack of adventure and routine that can accompany city life.

Truth is, a Winter getaway in Canada is not only a less expensive idea but also an experience which allows you to appreciate the simple things in life and to do so in such a way that you could never learn on a sun bed in Mexico.

Leaving the routine for Winter

For anyone who has never been; the stillness of a morning in Kananaskis Country is enough to remove every single thought of Puerta Vallarta from even the most cynical of minds. Snow covered peaks provide the backdrop in the Rocky mountains and as the icy lakes begin to crack at first light, the fresh cool air serves only to emphasize that beautiful feeling when you get lost in a moment.

Because that’s really what escaping is all about; it’s about leaving the routine behind in search of that elusive feeling you get when visiting somewhere as breathtaking as the Kananaskis Wilderness.

The towns of Banff and Canmore are two places to stay near Kananaskis where comfort, ruggedness and adventure meets nature, where the embers of a fireside bring warmth after a day on the mountain and where the hiking trail outside the window, will see you rising with the sun to explore the frozen world outside some more.

Moral of the story: Kananaskis Country will make you feel alive but more importantly, it will leave you with a deep appreciation for being part of the Country on your doorstep and thankful that paradise is everywhere in life, even when it’s cold.

Ps. You can find all the best travel inspiration for more getaways in the online corporate magazine in Canada mentioned above.

Change: When were you last present?

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Understand that most people feel the same way in life except at different times and there really is nothing to separate most of our problems except the timing in which they come. Everyone has setbacks too and it can help to look at our heroes to understand how life is not a straight line, that it really is a climb with many obstacles on the way up.

It’s not commonplace to be empathetic for oneself nor is it to learn from the same advice we are so used to giving others and so we most often continue down the same path to disillusion until it hits us square in the face. Although it may be a vague memory, if you take a look back, maybe way back – you can almost see that time when you were doing what you wanted to do, when you were with someone special or when you were somewhere you at least wanted to be.

It’s so easy to be negative now, it’s so easy to complain about what went wrong, to fall upon reasons for why you are here and not where you had hoped you would be. This wasn’t the plan, we both know this but it doesn’t change anything. You are not working at what you love anymore, you are lonely or having a hard time coping with past mistakes.

But for how long since you stopped believing? When was the last time you were present and who are you even talking to?

Sometimes I need to remind myself that there was such a time – that there was a night when I was gazing at the stars, that there was a morning when I smiled through breakfast, that there is still a way to move forward and away from the disillusion.

No matter what has happened or how difficult it seems, I know the situation is not the problem for a situation is something I can change.

I can change anything, can you?

Hiking Donegal: The Choice Is Always Yours

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This photo was taken while hiking Donegal, Ireland a few of weeks ago. I was travelling the west coast of Ireland while trying to work remotely in my tent each evening. It ended in disaster.

It was a logistical nightmare in which I was unable get any connection or signal to work online. As a result, I was very concerned during this trip about the constant thoughts of failure and the many reasons that almost stopped me from taking to it in the first place.

Ironically, these first steps of learning how to become a full time travel writer brought a distinct reminder for why it was suddenly so difficult.

The Atlantic ocean was crashing along the shore on a particularly stormy night and once more, I was fretting about not being able to get online again to earn any income and forget about the many obstacles that seemed to be unfolding each day.

With nothing else to do, I picked up a book and beneath the glow of my little head torch, I read a passage which told me everything I needed to hear.

“The red road is the tough road because it’s narrow, it’s winding, it’s full of storms and obstacles. The black road is easy, it’s straight and it’s wide, it doesn’t offer any challenges. The storyteller never says you have to travel this road or you have to travel the other road, they end up telling you the story of the red and black road by saying: the choice is yours, the choice is always yours.”

Thanks to the fact that all my clothes and the contents of the backpack were soaked, I ended up with an emergency blanket wrapped around me that night. But the next morning, I was still alive and able to continue until I found somewhere to dry off and reevaluate what I was doing.

In the end I decided to ditch the tent and go travel somewhere where the cost of living would be almost as small as living in a tent in Ireland. This is the story of a digital nomad; something tells me I have no right to be doing any of this but really, that’s got to be what life is all about, making a decision, and I choose the red road.

How to Get from Krakow to Auschwitz?

Birkenau

When I was trying to find out how to get from Krakow to Auschwitz recently, I had a difficult time trying to get information from the people at the hostel and tourist information. They all wanted me to go on a tour to Auschwitz.

I wanted to go alone and in some way, experience the journey there without the noise of a group tour. By all means if you want to go by tour and do not have much time, go by tour but for everyone else, the following is the easiest way to Auschwitz;

Train to Auschwitz or Bus?

Some people might want to go by train to experience the rail journey taken by the prisoners, as morbid as that sounds. Anyway, do you have to book tickets for the train to Auschwitz? No, you can just show up and buy one.

It takes 1 hour 30 minutes but I would suggest going to the central station early so you have time and room for error when finding the right desk.

However, I recommend you go by bus because they drop you right outside the Museum OR at the train station, if you are staying in Oswiecim. The bus takes 1 hour 30 minutes also.

Hotel in Oswiecim

There is not a lot online for hotels etc but if you check out Booking.com you will find a few reasonably cheap options in the centre of town. I stayed in the Home Traveller Hostel (Old Tree Villa Hotel is next to it) which I liked but it is a walk from the town of approx 2km. I did not mind the walk each day.

Auschwitz Ticket

You are probably best to reserve a place on Auschwitz.org which does not cost any money and neither does the entrance. I did not reserve and there was no problems getting inside.

If you have a bag, you will need to leave it on the tour bus or in the luggage storage at the entrance (kiosk to the right of the entrance).

Your time is unlimited from what I can tell and there are plaques all around the camp to explain what you are looking at.

Birkenau

A free shuttle bus will take you to and from Birkenau which is 4km away.

Warning, it is a very emotional place to visit.

Should you take a tour of Auschwitz?

In my opinion no, the groups look very rushed and miss out on a lot. However, the guides do explain everything brilliantly.

 

How the Best Vietnam Travel Company Changed Me

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The main question a person asks themselves when they are getting ready to travel anywhere, is whether to travel alone or on a tour. I wish somebody told me back then, what I know now today as my personal experience has left me in no doubt as to which one is best. Recently I took a tour with a travel company in Vietnam and it completely changed my perspective on how I travel at all!

I travelled alone for much of the past seven years but it is only in more recent years and since working as an International Tour Guide that I have realised the importance and much larger amount of enjoyment which can be found from taking a group tour.

In truth, it took all of these years of travel experience and the recent experiences travelling in Vietnam to understand that the reasons I had for going alone instead of on a tour, were mostly lies I told myself or at the very least, the result of wishful thinking. Here are the top 5 lies that I told myself:

  1. I will immerse myself in the local culture

This was usually the first lie I told myself and the first reason I had for travelling alone; that I would be able to get more involved with the local people or community by travelling without a group. The reality is, that a language barrier can mostly stop this from happening and in fact, the easiest way to get to know a community or get involved with the locals, is by taking a group tour.

  1. I will enjoy being alone and travelling without a tour group.

I kept telling myself this for years, that I would take to the life of a nomad and enjoy exploring places by myself.

The best moments of my travels, as with my entire life, have always been with other people and other travellers. Without people to share these sights or experiences, there is no meaningful way to create life lasting memories. I realised this very fact when I decided to take my first tour in Vietnam. Granted, I got lucky because I ended up visiting Halong Bag with the best Vietnam Tour Company and the like minded travellers on the trip are still great friends to this very day.

  1. I will use the time to learn about myself

I tried to maintain this lie for the longest time. I told myself I would read and write, enjoy the solitude and use it as a chance to get to know myself. However, quite opposite seems to happen when you travel alone. I am very comfortable by myself but to be honest, I found that most of my time spent travelling, was done so wishing that I had someone there to talk with along the way.

Again, this was something my tour in Vietnam would teach me; you learn more about yourself by travelling with a group of interesting people than most books out there.

  1. I will put myself out there and meet new people.

Wishful thinking. In reality, walking up to a group of strange people and introducing yourself is a terrifying even which, if we are honest – rarely happens!

The best thing I did in Vietnam was go online and ask friends if they knew of any Vietnam Tour Packages they could recommend. Once I booked the tour and walked into the meeting place the following morning, I was forced to put my fears aside, shake hands and finally, meet new people!

  1. Group Tours are expensive.

What a lie, if anything – Group travel has always been more cost effective than travelling alone. No more paying the full price of rooms alone and group prices for pretty much everything else including activities and meals.

I now know that my time to Vietnam would not have been anywhere near as good, had it not been for the trip I took with the best Vietnam Tour Company. In fact, it will be a long time until I travel alone again as whats the point in going it alone, when you can meet more people and have an even better experience on a tour.

Travel is Not a Far Away Place

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My feeling is that most people travel to experience a change of some sort in their lives but it means we wind up travelling to top destinations in far flung places around the world at a huge cost when really, a lot of what we are looking for is on our own doorstep.

Although  I was born here in Ireland, I realised recently that I knew more about Africa, South East Asia and South America than I did about my own Country. So I decided to take a hike in the Countryside somewhere for a break, to find out a little bit more about my homeland.

Derry & Donegal

I took a bus to Derry City which was an interesting stopover enroute to the North tip of Ireland, Malin Head. There is a great walking tour of the city walls and the history is no less than engrossing, with many sad stories along with uplifting messages to those who are open minded enough to hear them.

Malin Head was insanely beautiful. I stayed at the Sandrock Hostel there but it was most memorable for the beautiful country roads which winded around the headland to the most Northern point of the Country. There you will find the old outposts which were used by the British in Word War 1 and these same buildings were then used by the Irish during World War 2, as they attempted to communicate with oncoming German bombers. The reason for this was to let them know that the land below them was Ireland and not the nearby, United Kingdom.

New Experiences

It was nice to walk around this area and set foot inside the historic buildings before walking back along the roads through quaint villages with beautiful scenery.

I finished the evening off by watching a beautiful sunset over Malin Head and wondered why I don’t do these things at home more often? It was a wonderful feeling to get away from the city, to go somewhere new and refresh, at a low cost. It dawned on me that I usually travel to far away places for new experiences when I could so easily do them in a much more local travel destination.

I vowed to do it more often, to be more aware of my immediate surroundings and stop thinking of travel or adventure as a far away place. Because it’s not, Travel and adventure is what happens the minute you walk out that door.