Hello!

There is no better time to travel than right now – although that’s not always possible, so thinking ahead to 2019 is also good! Whether you are planning a family holiday or an epic gap year, there are so many amazing and exciting places to see – I find that the more places I visit, the more destinations I want to add to my bucket list. So here are just 5 exciting destinations to visit in 2019.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is unlike anywhere else and needs to be seen to be experienced. Despite being incredibly busy, the locals are known for being super polite, and the younger generations’ fashion is really fun and colourful.

You will not want to stop eating and exploring, which is ideal because the food is delicious (although most of it will not be familiar!) and the public transit is the busiest in the world. However, it is also incredibly efficient and clean – so that makes up for the busyness.

Be sure to experience the beautiful temples and shrines and walk around the gardens for some respite from the busy urban city.

Tanzania

One of the biggest draws to visiting Tanzania is the fact that it is the home of some of the biggest game reserves and parks in Africa. If you want to see the Big Five, then there is no better place. If you time your trip right, you could also catch the Great Migration, which is where over a million wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle take on the yearlong trek between Tanzania’s Serengeti and the Masai Mara in Kenya. It really is a sight to behold. Alongside seeing the animals in their natural habitats you could also spend time relaxing on the white-sand beaches or taking a boat trip across the turquoise waters.

Iceland

There are very few places in the world quite like Iceland. If you visit between May to June you will experience 24-hour daylight, or around the 20th - 22nd June jump on a tour to experience the midnight sun.

Another incredible natural phenomenon is the aurora borealis or Northern Lights, which can often be seen between September and April, so you’ll have to choose between the two! The Geothermal baths are a must visit to bathe in, and it wouldn't be the “Land of Ice and Fire” if it wasn’t for the glaciers and volcanoes that cover the island.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Over the past 20 or so years, Dubai has sprung up from the desert and become one of the most exciting places on the planet. The skyline is breathtaking and this cultural melting pot is home to incredible diversity, which makes it a perfect place for anyone who wants to eat their way around the world while staying in one place!

It boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year and has fantastic beaches to relax on. Dubai doesn’t do things small, from the tallest buildings in the world to the biggest mall which hosts incredible giveaways in January, including prizes such as gold and cars. You might end up coming back richer than when you left!

The Maldives

If you are looking for some ultimate luxury, book yourself a trip to the Maldives; it’s an absolutely stunning place to relax and indulge. For a little more adventure, try some watersports such as snorkelling, surfing and jet-skiing or just rent a private yacht to spend a day sailing around paradise. The food is delectable and you can treat yourself to a spa treatment in your beachside villa. Bliss.

I could easily go on and on with other places to visit in 2019 – there are just so many options! 

Where are you planning to visit? Let me know in the comments!

 Best wishes on your holiday booking!

*Collaborative Post

Hello!

Travelling can have a huge impact on the world. Sure, it can really help a destination’s economy be boosted by all the extra cash brought in by tourists, but there are also some big negatives that can affect the local community too. For instance, it often leads to gentrification that can price local families out of the cheap areas. Not only that, though, but the environmental impact can also be huge as long plane journeys and car travel can damage the environment.

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Because of this, a lot of eco-conscious tourists and travellers now try to give back while they are on vacation. By doing so, they can improve the local community at the destination they travel to, and lessen the overall impact of their travels. Is this something that you are interested in? Here’s a quick guide that can help you give back while travelling the world.

Take an ethical tour

If you are interested in travelling with a tour group as part of your trip, you should investigate the company you book with. Ideally, you should always book with an ethical tour group. These are ones that donate part of their profits to local charities based in the areas they travel to. Some of them will even hire local people to help create jobs in the area. It’s always best to go with these ethically minded companies rather than ones that don’t try to fix the negative impact they have on local communities.

Volunteer with a local charity

Some charities welcome tourists to volunteer with them while they are travelling. This is usually a very popular option with people who are on their gap year. But, as you can see from the example set by Kirk Chewning, you don’t have to just be on your gap year to help out with a charitable organisation. If you are travelling through a region that has recently been blighted by disaster, you might be able to help with the relief effort. Alternatively, you might want to travel to an African country and help to build schools and wells.

Support local businesses

Of course, supporting charities isn’t the only way you can help local people. If you buy products from local businesses, you will be helping to keep their economy afloat as well. Similarly, it is always best to use public transport rather than hiring vehicles from outside companies. It may not seem like much, but you will actually be providing a big boost to the local economy.

Donate unused air miles

If you are a member of an airline loyalty scheme, you will have probably been collecting air miles for quite some time. Got some air miles leftover that you might not use? Well, if so, you can donate these to a charity of your choice. Most charities accept them and use them to fly out their workers and volunteers so that they can help on the ground in developing areas.

There are lots of ways to give back while you are travelling. Which one will you try out?

Hello!

If you are looking to make the most out of your gap year, you will be thinking about partying or earning some money. The good news is that you have many more options that you can think of suddenly. You can take on an apprenticeship, a course, or a work experience abroad and see the world before you get your head down and study hard for your degree.

Below you will find a few tips on how to plan your gap year and make the most out of it.

Image via Flickr

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEERING

In case you would like to spend the year travelling the world, but don’t want to spend a fortune, you can get your costs covered  by an international organisation. You will be able to get free food and accommodation, and volunteer in remote locations, such in wildlife sanctuaries or within disadvantaged communities. You can volunteer in Central America and meet new people, while discovering your true mission.

STUDYING ABROAD

You might also want to take on a short course abroad and expand your horizons. You might be able to pick up a new language and improve your people skills. No matter if you are interested in marketing, business, or hospitality, you will find a course. Check out various opportunities to study at a prestigious swiss hotel management school and find new opportunities and interests, even job prospects in Europe.

FOREIGN APPRENTICESHIPS

You might already have a degree or skill you can put to good use and increase your knowledge about your selected industry. Foreign apprenticeships will help you get a better view of the global economy and understand the industry. If you come back with more knowledge than the rest of your future classmates, you will have a competitive advantage on the job market.

TEACHING ENGLISH

Many students choose to teach English during their gap year. The good news is that you will get to know new views, cultures, and languages, so you can improve your employability. You will be able to make friends for life, and even get free language courses and accommodation. You will, however, need to complete an ESL course before you can get a position at your selected destination.

HIRE A CAR

This may be one for those who have taken a few years out and have passed their driving test but it is still a mode of travel to a foreign country that is often overlooked. Whether to drive on to a ferry and head to Ireland or fancy going across to Europe and driving as far as land can take you, there are so many places you can go with your own car. However, if you fancy going that bit further, you can look into hiring a car! Not only do you get to experience a country behind a wheel, but you get to experience a new type of car and in some places, that is an adventure in itself. Beware though as many places only allow you to hire a car if your over 21 or have had your license for at least three years. Check the fine details!

Not learnt to drive yet? How about spending your summer learning!

Image via Army.mil

Talking of driving...

Fancy staying at home and getting nervous about university? Then another good way of spending your gap year is test driving various courses. Some colleges and universities have open days or weeks to help you make an informed decision about your education. You might also spend the time to take on online free courses, so you can find out whether the topics still appeal to you, before you make your final decision about the university or college. Instead of enrolling and finding out later that the course is not for you, it is possible to visit some of the lessons to see if you can get used to the schedule and the teaching methods.

It is important that you spend your gap year as productive as possible. Time never stops and never comes back, so you have to turn this free period to your advantage.

Don't worry about making the right choice right now! Life changes so do what you enjoy doing!

- KC xx

*Collaborative Post

Hello!

I've been having a nightmare with my internet lately and just as I was nearly finished writing and editing this post, somehow it all go deleted and I've not been able to recover it. How frustrated I am right now. Anyway, here I go again! Let's hope this post doesn't disappear on me now!

Over the years, between the two of us (Edmond and I), we have be to a wide variety of countries and places and no matter where we go, we always find ourselves wanting to go back. So in short, this is a post of places each of us want to go back to!

MEXICO

(K)

Mexico will forever be my favourite place. I constantly find myself wanting to go back because every time I do, I see and learn something new. So of course, I decided to make a career out of it. Hopefully one day in the near future I will be researching Mexican theatre history and find out even more and travelling there even more. Fingers crossed!

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A post shared by Kira L Curtis (@kiralcurtis) on Sep 20, 2018 at 1:52am PDT

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A post shared by Edmond Denning (@ehdphotography) on Aug 24, 2017 at 9:10am PDT

CANADA

(E)

One of the most incredible countries I have ever been to. Of all the beautiful places visited on our two week trip to Canada, I often recall my time in Quebec City. We were only here for around 3 days on our two week trip - nowhere near long enough to really take in everything. From the vast Fields of Abraham to the wide sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and the huge, unmistakably striking Chateau Frontenac, this is a city I recommend to everyone - and be sure to take your camera because there are so many amazing sights and views to capture on your journey around this unforgettable location.One of the most incredible countries I have ever been to. Of all the beautiful places visited on our two week trip to Canada, I often recall my time in Quebec City. We were only here for around 3 days on our two week trip - nowhere near long enough to really take in everything. From the vast Fields of Abraham to the wide sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and the huge, unmistakably striking Chateau Frontenac, this is a city I recommend to everyone - and be sure to take your camera because there are so many amazing sights and views to capture on your journey around this unforgettable location. 

CRETE

(K)

Being a drama student I often find myself research and reading Greek plays and learning about Ancient Greek societies so travelling to the play were that all began, where you can still physically see the ruins standing from the ground, is awe inspiring. We climbed to the possible birth place of Zeus! If visiting ruins and finding out about the history isn't all you want to do, and you fancy something more active, then Crete is known for its gorgeous cycling routes. We did one around the north coast and it was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences I've ever done. Definitely worth checking out!

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ITALY

(E)

A country dear to my heart. A unique, exciting place with so many amazing cities, towns and villages to visit. I have travelled to two of its most iconic destinations - Florence and Venice. They are both similar and different in many ways. If you're one for walking around for hours on end,  constantly finding little roads and alleyways, stumbling upon bars and restaurants and ice cream shops and pizza vendors then these two are really worth the trip. Your feet may hurt, but you'll walk away at the end of your visit wondering when you can do it all over again. Or at least, that's been my experience of it.  

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

(K)

Ever since my parents got married there 22 years ago, we haven't been able to stop going back. It feels like a second home, no matter what the current state is like. I first visited when I was 6 months old, though of course I don't remember anything. Going back when I was 4 years old was much more memorable, and then most recently only last year. Each time is completely different, even if I go and see the same things. It's such a beautiful country to visit, which such rich history. Maybe one day I can branch out my research to Dom Rep as well as Mexico.

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SOUTH AFRICA

(E)

Strikingly beautiful. Whatever you're into, whichever walk of life you come from South Africa has something for you to enjoy; a country with a myriad of languages, cultures, locations. Cape Town is perfect for those who love city life, backpacking and penguins. A combination only found in this city, and it does it perfectly. If you prefer to get away from the city, then perhaps a Safari in the Kruger National Park is for you. I have visited here several times and come away wanting more and more every time. South Africa is a true gem and one I can't recommend enough.

SPAIN

(K)

I may not have visited mainland Spain, I know Ed would tell you how vibrant and different every single little town and city is. I would love to visit Madrid myself to see the museums, Lope de Vega's house, and the vast amount of richly historical theatres. I have, however, visited the Balearic Islands a few times and though I'm not much of a party-goer, I love seeing the large expanses of hills where one day I would love to see all over again with a new set of eyes riding a bike or going hiking. There is so much that you can do which I believe is often overlooked by the night clubbing scene.

ZANZIBAR

(K)

What an incredible island. The second I arrived in Stone Town, I was blown away by the amount of cultures you see. In the two nights I was there we saw tribes people, found ourselves joining a Hindu colour festival, and witnessing a Islamic festival the following night. Coming from what is supposedly such a diverse country, I have never felt so surrounded by culture, history and equality in my life. Of course that's all coming from a tourist point of view and I am not fully sure on the current political state but to me it seemed like everyone living there was completely accepting of everyone else. Not only that but you take about an hour drive to the other side of the island and it is like you've landed in the Caribbean. It is absolutely stunning. I would love to go back and see more!

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There are some I would want to visit more than others of course but that still doesn't stop me looking for the best prices to go back to each and every one of these. Holiday booking is so difficult now because I can't decide whether to go back and see more of one place or find somewhere new. Also, it's forever up in the air as to booking a two back packing trip or a nice relaxing two week all inclusive. The next holiday probably won't be until next summer now, after I've saved up some money, but who knows. Before then, back to Mexico for Christmas it is!

See you,
- KC xx

*Collaborative post with Edmond and holidaygems.co.uk