When we think of buying or adopting a cat, sometimes we do not realise that we go on vacation or trips away from time to time, even if it is just a weekend. We will have to think about the best place to leave our pet. For this reason, in this article, we will point out the possible options that pet owners should leave when traveling for any reason. They are the following:

– Cattery: they are one of the best places to leave the pet during that time. It may look like a hotel, but for cats. It may be expensive, but the people who work here are experts in caring for and handling any type of emergency that may arise at any time.

– House: you can leave cats at home; they are fairly good at looking after themselves. If you’re not going away for too long, you could consider some of these recommendations:

1. Give a key to a friend: you can instruct a well-known person who visits each day to feed your cat, also to pour water and clean the kitty litter. This guarantees that you have all the supplies and some social interaction.
2. Leave the necessary food: if you are only leaving for a couple of days, you may be able to get away with leaving food and water outside for them. There are covered food containers that take a lot of dry cat food and the cats paw at the bottom to get the cat biscuits out; so they are able to get it out as they need it.
3. Keep your cat as busy as possible: if they being left inside, you should have toys nearby, also cat scratching poles, so that there are no problems with scratching the furniture.
4. Take care of hygiene: the litter box must remain clean and fresh at all times. The person who takes care of him during this time has to make sure that it stays clean, so they cat will use it.
5. Secure your house: before leaving you must make sure there are no problems at the entrance and exit doors so that the cat does not escape.

– Friend’s House: a neighbour’s house is another option and, at first, it may seem like a good idea, but it depends on if your cats are comfortable going to go to a new place with new people too. You don’t want them to feel abandoned by your usual owner. With this, you will have to spend a period of adaptation, something that will also happen when you return to your usual home.

The benefits and drawbacks of different options will vary according to different standards and perspectives.

A cattery will have the best professional experts to provide a good level of care, cleaning, and hygiene consistent for the welfare of your cat. It is the top option if you want top care for your cat and you want a place you can trust that your cat won’t get forgotten, run away, get into fights or get sick.

Whether it is a trip to the Burj or if you plan to walk your way in the local markets of Bangkok trying the lavish food variety, there are ways you can use to make your travel as light as possible. Thomas N Salzano, a travel lover suggests that handling heavy baggage during the journey can prove to be a hectic task. Packing your luggage smartly is one hack that every traveler should be acquainted with. Roaming around with a travel bag that is full of items that you will probably not use before, during, or even after the trip is a complete waste of time. So, why make your travel bag heavy when you can keep it light and enjoy the journey?

Walking around with a suitcase that is full of “maybe items” will only make the journey uneasy, awkward, and tiresome. However, simply keeping the backpack light will not end the challenge. For many people determining what to pack and leave behind alone can become a tricky task.

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If you are the “pack-it-all” kind of traveler and you always have to pay extra luggage fees because of excessive items, then the below-mentioned backpacking hacks will definitely help you in making it a comfortable travel experience. Continue reading to know more about how to pack your stuff and keep your suitcase light.

Want To Travel Light? Follow the below-mentioned tips By Thomas N Salzano

Use smaller suitcases

The logic behind carrying a smaller suitcase is that you won’t be intrigued to pack more items hence keeping the baggage light ad easy to carry. You will automatically pack only those items that are important during the journey. This way, you will not have any extra space left in the suitcase. If you are planning and are looking for the most ideal backpack, then make sure that it is something light and durable.

Fill-up usable suitcase space

Ever wondered or paid attention to the fact how simply shoving the baggage creates that little extra space for more stuff to pack? A little effort will definitely help you in carving some extra space in the backpack and keep it lightweight. Don’t cram it all up, pack systematically and fill up the leftover space with small pieces of clothing.

Use compression folders and pockets

Many new travelers are not aware of the aforementioned terms. Well, compression folders and pockets can really help you pack in a systematic manner save a lot of space in the suitcase. These are ideal for packing stuff such as shoes, small clothing, and toiletries.

Wear heavy clothing when flying

Try and wear the heaviest clothing article that you plan to carry in the flight. For example, it could be your bulky shoes, jackets, coats, pants, etc. If you think that your luggage will exceed the weight limit, you can try this hack and keep your backpack light.

Pack only the must-have items

This is a pro tip that many travelers ignore. You should pack only those items that you absolutely require on your travel adventure. Refrain from over-packing to avoid making the luggage heavy.

Thomas N Salzano says that even if you plan to travel long-term, you can keep your backpack light and make it a very comfortable travel experience for yourself. You can make use of convertible clothes for minimal clothes packing. If you’re traveling in winters, then you can wear your heavy clothing and pack the lighter layers of clothing. Another travel-hack is to mail some clothes and essential items to the next destination that you will be traveling to. You can receive the parcel on reaching the destination keeping the backpack light.

It’s time to update your bucket list of trails to explore this 2020!

New trails to discover doesn’t mean you have to forget old ways. Remember to always keep your safety a top priority. So, even though we’ve reached the start of a new decade, we still need old-time favorite hiking aids like boots and hiking poles!

We’ve rounded up a couple of hiking trails that you might want to put on your list, including some old favorites and new ones.

1. Inca Trail, Peru

History buffs would definitely love this trail as it lets you go back in time and walk the path of the ancient Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu in Peru.

This part of the world was made by the Incan Empire as the center for their civilization and important settlements back in the day. No wonder, it’s one of the most popular tours in South America.

The hike is composed of three trails, with varying lengths and difficulty. It usually takes 4 days to complete the 25-mile hike with a handful of steep climbs and narrow paths along the Andean mountain. The altitude may also be an issue for you, so you better make sure that you are fit to do this adventure.

But above all, the best part of this hike comes at the end, where you can finally pass the Sun Gate towards the iconic Machu Picchu.

The best time to visit this trail is of course during the dry season which runs from May to October. The only problem you might encounter is the volume of tourists that also want to explore the Inca Trail.

2. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Since we’ve welcomed another year, I think we’re all ready to take it up a notch when it comes to adventures!

The Everest Base Camp in Nepal is the closest we can get to the actual peak of the highest mountain on Earth. It may not be the actual mountain, but it is still challenging enough to give you the amount of thrill you are looking for.

The Everest Base Camp has a height of 18,193 feet and would need you to take a leave from work a month. The hike itself takes three weeks to complete, and the remaining week is for recuperation as the challenge is not an easy one.

It’s an intense hike, but you will be rewarded with the beautiful sceneries across valleys and mountains.

Take note that it’s best to have a guide all throughout the hike, especially because you need to plan the trail that you will take for the day. There are also acclimation days that you need to consider in order for your body to adjust according to the changing altitude.

The best time to visit is during the fall season between October and November.

3. Indian Himalayas, India

If you want another challenging adventure but a less popular one for the lesser crowd, the Indian Himalayas is a perfect trail for you.

It may be less known compared to the Alps and the Everest, but it is definitely one of the most daring hikes in the world. This trek is notorious for its cliff edges and dizzying heights.

You have to survive the 24-day hike from Spiti to Ladakh for you to be able to truly say that you’ve accomplished hiking the Indian Himalayas.

If this is your first time hiking this mountain, don’t be too ambitious with your itinerary. You need to make sure that you acclimate well and that you have to adapt to the local festivities around the area.

If you happen to encounter some locals, be gracious enough to greet them. They may even have some helpful tips for you.

The best time to take this trail is from late October until May.

4. Snowman Trek, Bhutan

The Snowman Trek in Bhutan has one of the most beautiful treks in the world, but also one of the hardest! Some people even admitted defeat as they were not able to finish the trek because of the crazy unpredictable weather in the higher part of the Himalaya.

Its altitude is the main reason it is considered to be one of the most difficult treks. In fact, there are some that say the Everest was climbed by more people than this one.

Given the challenging altitude, the distance is also one thing to consider. It takes a full month to complete the trail!

Altitude sickness is common among hikers of this trail, so if you feel like giving up because your body can’t take it any longer, it’s fine. Make your health and safety your topmost priority.

You can always come back and complete the trail once you are in a better physical condition.

5. Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike, USA

You may have gone hiking in one of the smaller trails of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, but since the new year means new challenges, it’s high time to take a more daredevil-ish hike.

The Rim to Rim hike in Grand Canyon is typically considered to be a strenuous backpacking trip that will take around 2 to 3 days of descent and ascent. It’s a 23.5-mile hike, which is not really suitable for a day hike.

You can start from the South Rim going to Bright Angel Campground on Day 1 and then head towards the North Rim on Day 2.

The best months to do the Rim to Rim hike is in May, the end of September, and October.

6. Pacific Crest Trail, USA

The Pacific Crest Trail or PCT is the second longest trail in America since it stretches from Mexico to Canada. The trail goes through California, Oregon, and Washington.

Now, have you seen the movie Wild? Reese Witherspoon played the role of Cheryl Strayed who hiked 1,100 miles of the PCT out of sheer desperation for self-redemption. She completed the hike after 94 days.

Obviously, the PCT is a long commitment hike that will really take you around 4 to 6 months to complete. You may need to pitch a tent in the middle of the wilderness, manage to get your own food if you run out of supplies, and to learn how to be ready for the unpredictable weather.

You may start walking on a hot temperature and then find yourself freezing after a couple of weeks. This hike really needs thorough planning including the permits you have to secure.

7. The Long Range Traverse, Canada

The Long Range Traverse in Canada is one of the most enjoyable trails on the planet, although to be honest, there really is no official trail in this area. It’s more of going around the Gros Morne National Park with a map and compass at hand.

You may bring a GPS if you want but the signal may be tough, so a traditional map fair better in this hike.

The fun part of the Long Range Traverse is your chance to encounter moose, caribou, and black bears. They may look intimidating, but it is really part of the adventure you signed up for. They won’t hurt you as long as you don’t get too close.

Remember, these are still wild animals so anything that triggers them is all your doing.

Before you start the hike, a special location device will be handed to you which you may use in case of emergency. Once you press the button, a helicopter will come to pick you up right away.

8. Overland Track, Australia

The Overland Track in Tasmania is a 50-mile long hike that usually takes 6 days to complete. It is a well-maintained trail from Cradle Mountain to Lake St. Clair.

It’s an easy to moderate hike with the best view of Lake St. Clair, Australia’s deepest natural freshwater lake, and a number of vast forests and mesmerizing waterfalls.

Given the situation in Australia right now where part of Tasmania is also affected by the bushfire, it’s best that you put this on the bottom of your list but keeping it still while we pray for their recovery.

Traveling is difficult enough, but as any parent knows, just the thought of facing a long trip with a baby or toddler is daunting. And when that trip is on a plane with innocent bystanders as reluctant witnesses, just the thought is enough to curl your toes. So do you just grit your teeth and push through it, hoping for the best? Or is there a way to prepare, so the trip goes as smoothly as possible for you, your baby, and the innocent bystanders seated around you on the plane?

What are the best tips for travelers with toddlers?

Lay the Groundwork while Still on the Ground

The first step toward a smooth trip with a baby or toddler is to pack, pack, and then pack some more. Remember that when you are traveling with a baby, they are the rock star and the parents are the roadies. You will be lugging the bags around and making sure your little star has everything she could possibly require right at her tiny little fingertips. Your carry-on should contain enough snacks, diapers, wipes, and spare clothes to allow for any possible layovers or delays. Baby formula or pumped breast milk is allowed on flights and only needs to be screened separately through security.

Be sure to book either a direct flight or one with a long layover. Direct flights are best, because landing and takeoffs are hard on your baby’s ears and should be kept to a minimum. However, if you have to have a connecting flight, make sure you have a long enough layover that you won’t find yourself running through the airport holding a screaming baby and dragging your carry-on, car seat, or stroller. This is all the stuff of parents’ nightmares.

Instead, look for a longer layover so you have ample time for a bathroom break, diaper change, a quick meal, and a little time for toddlers to run around and climb airport chairs to work out some baby energy before boarding again.

If you can fit it into your travel budget, buy a seat for your child. While legally you can hold a baby on your lap until age two, on a long flight you and your baby will be much more comfortable with the extra room. The Federal Aviation Administration strongly urges parents to buy a seat for their child and strap them into a car seat for as much of the flight as possible.

Surviving the Flight with a Bag of Tricks

Pre-boarding is paramount when traveling with a baby or toddler. Some parents make the mistake of thinking they should wait until the last minute so their baby is stuck on the plane for the least amount of time, but that leaves you struggling down the narrow aisle with your baby and carry-on bags bumping seated passengers who will be eyeing you and your baby with suspicion, wondering if it’s going to be one of those flights with a screamer.

Instead, take advantage of pre-boarding so that you have time to get yourself and your baby settled before other passengers board.

For very young babies, the time to give a bottle or to breastfeed is during takeoff. This will help to protect your child’s ears from the pressure change. For toddlers, takeoff might be the best time to pull a special treat like a lollipop out of your bag of tricks. Sucking a lollipop will not only protect your toddler’s ears, it will also protect the ears of your fellow passengers from hearing your child’s screams.

With an infant, there isn’t a lot you can do on a flight except keep them fed, dry, and comfortable and hope for the best-case scenario—that the sound of the plane and the motion of travel will help them to sleep for most of the flight.

For toddlers, in-flight entertainment is the key for smooth sailing—or flying. Pack your bag of tricks with plenty of your child’s favorite snacks, including a few treats that you rarely let her have. These you can pull out to bribe or blackmail your child into behaving if a tantrum starts. Be sure you save the really good stuff for your child’s worst moments. You don’t want to give her the goodies right away and then have nothing left to tempt her away from her temper tantrum if one occurs.

Your bag of travel tricks should also be packed with small, age-appropriate travel games, coloring books and crayons, and an iPad, tablet, or phone with some downloaded kid’s shows. Now is not the time to worry about the amount of screen time your child is getting. Those rules—like the limiting refined sugar rules—can be left on the ground when you take off, and picked back up when you reach your destination.

Hotel Hacks for Travelers with Toddlers

Traveling with a baby or toddler isn’t just about having a plan for the journey, you also need a plan for the destination. This means ensuring that you have a good experience in your hotel or B&B. If you are in a single hotel room, ask for one with a large bathroom so you can fit a travel crib or pack and play in the bathroom.

Unless you bedshare or room share at home, you won’t want to start bed or room sharing on a trip, because a major change like that is likely to result in a sleepless night and a bad start to your vacation. Putting your baby or toddler down in a separate space will allow everyone a better night’s sleep. If your child is used to a dark room, a bathroom is ideal because typically there are no windows. If she normally uses a nightlight, be sure to pack one. The bathroom fan also makes great white noise to soothe a fussy baby to sleep.

Most hotels have small travel cribs available if you don’t want to have to check one with your baggage. However, if you go this route be sure to bring along a travel can of the best bed bug spray you can find and spray your baby’s belongings before packing for home. You should also spray your own things and your suitcases before checking out of the hotel. There are safe, natural bed bug sprays available in travel-sized cans that are ideal for protection against unwanted creepy crawly stowaways making their way into your home.

Be sure to bring along any special blanket, pillow, or “lovie” that your child needs for sleeping.

Hotel rooms and B&B’s should also be baby-proofed as much as possible to avoid any accidents or injuries ruining your trip (or your life).

Resources — Conde Nast Traveler, Huffpost, Travel Mamas, TravelandLeisure.com

Overpacking, underpacking, panic-packing—these are just some of the common mistakes that we often find ourselves stuck in before our departure date.

It gets tiring sometimes to be under such a situation every time there is a trip. Should not we all learn from the first time we did any of the packing mistakes known to mankind?

And just when you thought overpacking is the worst of them all, there are more mistakes that do not show their faces until you experience it for yourself.

Here are some of them:

1. Last-minute packing

Most of us are guilty of this one.

Last-minute packing is a dangerous habit! It can cause you stress and you would probably leave some items behind.

If you want a relaxed and stress-free trip, I highly suggest you avoid this one. Do not be a procrastinator.

You should be able to pack while you still have an ample amount of time on your schedule to think about the items you need to bring. Otherwise, you are just going to stress yourself out.

2. Doubled-up suitcases

Do not you just love it if you are traveling and at least one of your hands is free to hold your passport or your boarding pass, or do just about anything? Well, we often snatch that freedom away when we decide to bring a handful of bags with us.

Imagine walking around the airport with a backpack, a duffle bag, a handbag, and a tote bag. I mean, do not you feel tired carrying around all those with little to no room for easy movements?

The answer to this problem is a suitcase with wheels and a backpack that can serve as your carry-on luggage. A carry-on is essentially helpful if you have layovers.

3. Packing “just in case” stuff

This is a common mistake especially if anxiety gets the best of you.

It is a forceful habit of nature to pack “just in case” items and as much as we want to kill this one, we cannot blame ourselves for wanting to be on the safe side rather than regret not packing certain items especially on emergency cases.

But tell you what, these cases do not happen most of the time. And oftentimes, the items we believe we need to pack can be found in the city or country we are visiting.

Do not let overthinking take over your packing process. It is time to get into minimalist packing and save yourself from additional weight.

4. Bringing valuable jewelry

When packing, you should ask yourself, “do I really need this item?”

One thing that I have learned from a jeweler herself is to not bring any jewelry that is highly valuable. You probably will not forgive yourself if you lose it during any of your trips. But if you really want to wear something fancy during a trip, what you can do is to bring a decoy instead. No one would even know they are decoys.

Do not beat yourself into looking posh if you are endangering these items or worse, your life.

5. Improperly packed toiletries

You do not want to experience the horror of opening your suitcase only to find out that all your toiletries messed up most of your clothes and your valuables.

Essentials like shampoo, lotion, and conditioner can leak, that is a given. If you do not store it properly, assume the worst that could happen.

There are special bags and containers for these items so you do not have an excuse not to pack them safely.

6. Packing prohibited items

Packing prohibited items will not only cause you stress, but it will also cost you time, effort, and money since you have to deal with check-in counter attendants arguing with the items inside your luggage. The same thing goes for the staff at the boarding gate lecturing you about items that are not allowed on board.

It could even cause you embarrassment at the security checkpoints.

If you do not want any of these to happen, make sure that you check the TSA list of prohibited items and board your plane without a hitch.

7. Wasting bag space

There is no need for you to bring a huge suitcase if you are only traveling for a couple of days. What would you need those extra bag space for?

A real master of packing knows how to maximize the space inside their bags and being able to bring all that they need without overpacking.

You have to understand that even in packing, there is a purpose for everything and we should not shrug it off just cause we feel like packing is a superficial part of a trip.

Packing is everything we need to survive an entire adventure! You would not want to take it for granted, believe me.

If you are guilty of any of these mistakes, do not you think it is about time to change your ways and be a more responsible packer from now on?