So it’s coming up to that time of year again, and that means that you are going to be another year older. Your birthday doesn’t have to be the same old, same old as you always do. Why not do something really unique this year and mark the occasion with something that really floats your boat. Here are 3 ideas for unique ways to celebrate your coming of age in style for this year’s birthday celebration.

Island Hopping on a Cruise

What’s better than spending your birthday lying on a sandy beach on the edge of the ocean? Laying on lots of different sandy beaches as you cruise the islands and visit lots of different places to celebrate your birthday! Whether you like to fly solo, want to celebrate with a partner or friends, there is something so wonderful about spending your birthday relaxing on the ocean, with stops to distant exotic lands along the way. Imagine sitting aboard a cruise ship with a group of your best friends in the world, sipping bubbly and looking out over the vast ocean depths, as whales and dolphins come to visit. Check out the Cruiseabout website for which cruises are heading out to the sea near your birthday.

Climb a Mountain

There are some things in life that we may never have the opportunity to do, and there are some that we probably wouldn’t think to do. Imagine having your birthday cake this year on the peak of a mountain, where the air is so fresh that you can feel every breath going into your lungs, and filling you with its sweet clean feeling. You don’t have to overdo it, or push yourself further than you are able, but setting out to climb a mountain for your birthday is something that you can really show for this occasion, and you’ll feel proud that you were able to do it. When friends ask you ‘what did you do for your birthday’, climbing a mountain is going to be a great conversation piece and you’ll have heaps of stories to share about the experience.

Go Ski-diving

This one is certainly not for the feint hearted, but as they say ‘you only live once’, so why not make this birthday one to remember by jumping out of a plane! To go sky-diving tandem you don’t need to have lessons, you just have to have the guts (and maybe a little bit of stupidity) to jump out of a perfectly good plane and fly through the air at a million miles an hour! With most sky-dive companies the person that you are strapped to has a camera on their helmet which records the whole thing so you will be able to show your friends and family evidence that you really did it! Most cities have small airports where there are contractors that do sky-diving so have a look today and plan for an awesomely dare-devil birthday experience this year.

CC Nchill4x4

The post 3 Unique Ways to Spend This Year’s Birthday appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.

People who love to play in the water are rediscovering the art of stand up paddleboarding (SUP.) In ancient times, travel between islands was by paddleboard. Then, in the 1960s, the beachboy surfers of Hawaii started using paddles to reach the outlying breaker waves, which they use to surf.

What Is Stand Up Paddleboarding?

Just like the gondoliers who paddle small vessels along the canals in Venice, paddleboarders stand on their board while paddling. Additionally, SUP is gaining popularity as an exercise activity, because it gives a great core workout. Beginners, as well as seasoned athletes, train and surf anywhere there are calm waters or ocean surf, worldwide. Stand up paddleboarding is a surface water sport, and even a swimming pool works if there is enough room.

It is very easy to learn, taking less than one hour to master the basic technique. Moreover, women find it easier to paddleboard then men do, thanks to their body’s lower center of gravity. Even celebrities are getting in on the action by using it as their exercise of choice at luxury resorts that are near water. All ages and skill levels are finding that stand up paddling is easy, fun and a great way to sight see or just relax.

Equipment Needed To Paddleboard

Paddleboarders only use three pieces of equipment: a paddleboard, a paddle and a leash. Paddleboards are wider than surfboards. The widest ones are the most stable, which makes them the best for beginners. Boards are anywhere from nine to 12 feet long, and the width is between two and three feet. Comparison charts, such as those at islesurfboards.com, explain the different shape designs and their uses. Paddleboards come in all colors, sometimes being hand painted with beautiful scenes or designs.

One paddle can propel the boarder forward, using either side for paddling, with vertically straight strokes kept parallel to the board. Turning is easy by paddling on the side of the turn in an arc motion and leaning the body in that direction. The leash is a line connecting the board and the paddler, which keeps the board within reach.

Safety Tips For Paddleboarding

This surface water sport is safe for anyone who can swim, but life jackets are legally required in the United States when paddleboarding in open waters. Slowly paddling on still water is the best way to acquire skill. Many wave surfers combine their love for speed and thrills with paddleboarding, and it is quickly becoming the number one surface water sport, worldwide.

The post Budget Adventures: Stand Up Paddleboarding appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.

A family vacation should be fun, interesting and free from worry about the costs, so choosing the kind of trip to take is important and working to a budget is essential. There are good deals to be had on airfares to Europe and, once there, taking a road trip with the kids provides an economical and exciting option – there are some fabulous scenic routes to take that everyone in the family will enjoy.

Driving Through Europe – Scaling the Heights

Driving on mountain roads in Europe is a favorite for spring and summer vacations – many of the higher peaks are covered in snow come winter and hundreds of skiers inhabit the slopes. The Oberalp Pass in Switzerland is extremely popular.  It has many winding twists and turns, taking visitors high up into the Swiss mountains and affording some really spectacular views.

A wonderful drive in Greece is the short route from Ioanniana to Meteora. Visitors are captivated by the scenery and awestruck by the sight of ancient monasteries that appear to be clinging precariously to steep rocky hillsides. It really pays to bring a camera or camcorder on this trip – the vacation movies will be really rewarding.

The Carpathian Mountains are the highest in Romania and for 56 miles the Transfagarasan Pass winds through them.  There are switchback roads on the hillsides and a small lake at the mountaintop, from where the views are breathtaking. No buses or public transport travels this route so car rental is essential to make sure the family has the thrill of getting to the summit. The road negotiates its way through a short tunnel and if you keep driving you will eventually arrive at Bucharest.

Driving Through Europe - Coastline Circuits

If a European tour includes a trip to the United Kingdom, the Pas de Calais in France is an ideal route to take. This will bring family and car from chic Le Touquet, via Boulogne, on a 160-mile trip to the ferry and the Channel Tunnel entrance at Calais for the ongoing trip to England. This is an enjoyable drive passing the sandy beaches that adorn the Opal Coast.  There are also homey countryside landscapes and historically significant seaside towns and ports.

Norway is rightly famous for its outstanding natural beauty, with an extensive rugged coastline of deep fjords and thousands of islands. An intercity trip from Oslo to Bergen treats visitors to two different landscapes – on one side high snow-covered peaks, reached via deep green forests, and on the other the still blue fjords reflecting the landscape like a looking glass. Wildlife can be spotted en route – look out for elk or moose, some of the many Scandinavian birds and perhaps even a whale or two as the road gets closer to Bergen.

Driving Through Europe - Hitting the Road

Car rental in Europe is affordable and increasingly popular; trips are not tied to bus, plane or train schedules, and the pace of the vacation can fit with the family’s own preferences. European rental companies expect their automobiles to be taken to different countries, and most hire cars are relatively new and have all necessary safety and maintenance equipment. The currency is the same everywhere on mainland Europe and in Ireland. Fuel prices will differ, but with a little advanced research prices can be estimated and routes plotted. Family hotels and guesthouses are plentiful along major routes and in popular tourist areas.

CC Peter Fenda

The post Driving Through Europe: The Most Scenic Routes appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.

There is no more pleasurable summer experience than enjoying an afternoon or evening at a great American ballpark. Sitting in the sun, breathing in the fresh air, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs permeating the atmosphere, you can’t help but enjoy America’s original and favorite pastime.

As to which place is best to watch a game, I prefer the traditional locations, so it’s a tossup between Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park for starters.

Let’s go with the “friendly confines” of Wrigley first. This fantastic venue gets the nod over Fenway due to the party possibilities before and after the game. If you and a companion walk into any of the many bars located across the street from the park wearing Cubs baseball hats, you’ll be sure to get at least one drink on the house. The neighborhood is known as “Wrigleyville” and has a variety of bars and restaurants as well as souvenir shops where, if you are from out of town, you can purchase baseball hats of your favorite team. However, no free beer for you in the highly Cubs biased drinking establishments. Once inside the park you will immediately notice the cozy environment and great sightlines ( assuming you don’t get stuck behind a post securing the upper deck). The bleachers are always popular and the vines covering the outfield walls are a sight to behold. The old scoreboard hovering over center field is iconic in itself. Of course, even after departing the area following the game, Chicago is one of the top tourist spots in all of the U.S with its many parks, museums and landmarks such as the Willis (previously Sears) Tower. A ride down Lake Shore Drive while viewing the majestic skyline must not be missed.

Fenway Park is located in Boston’s Kenmore Square. It is more a warehouse district then a recreational area like Wrigley’s. When inside, the first thing you will probably notice is the “Green Monster”. Thats the tall wall enclosing the parks left field. Baseball hats are available here too, at one of the many souvenir booths and the one with the big red “B” would be my choice sitting among the avid Boston fans. It too, like Wrigley, is small, seating just over 37,000. I hope you enjoy crowds however since entering this season the Red Sox have sold out in excess of 700 straight games. Boston is another city well worth visiting even after the cheers have ended and you leave the game. Many historical sites await your perusal and partaking in some seafood cuisine should not be missed.

Other cities with ballparks I would recommend include the newer retro style parks such as in Detroit, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. They are normally located near the cities downtown area, many time with the tall buildings providing a backdrop to the field itself. These are styled after parks like Fenway and Wrigley but upgraded with all the modern amenities. These stadiums will offer not just classic baseball hats, but newer versions in a wide array of colors and styles.

Old reliables like Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles and of course the new Yankee Stadium in the “Big Apple” never go out of style.

I guarantee you, no matter which destination you might choose, once you’re taken out to the ballgame and enjoy some peanuts and crackerjacks, you won’t care if you ever get back.

Enjoy the game!

CC Express Monorail

The post Take Me Out to the Ballgame appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.

Selecting a destination to travel to can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t know a thing about the country you are travelling to. So many different factors apply to many people ahead of choosing a place. Safety, accommodation, tourist attractions and the types of facilities and infrastructure one can find in a country are all key reasons. One of the primary concerns, however, and one central to this site, is the amount of cash visitors are planning to spend. We know credit cards are an option, but even then, it’s important to reign in the scale of spending ahead of time, so as not to get swamped in debt for years and years.

For that reason alone we’re springing into action. Here are our recommendations of the top 5 cheapest countries to travel around in for those on a tight budget.

CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AROUND IN: INDIA

Known for a very long time as a budget travelling paradise, India is famous for Bollywood, sumptuous food and exciting outdoor activities like camel and elephant back riding, rafting and trekking. Also home to mountains, lakes and vibrant cities, India will no doubt give you an adventurous feeling at a very low cost.

CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AROUND IN: HONDURAS

Largely untouched by tourist hordes, Honduras is still clinging strong to its old ways of life. Friendly locals, proud of their traditions, make Honduras the perfect place for a getaway. Positioned slap bang on the Caribbean Sea, Honduras is perfect for those wanting to try their hand at scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking and other sea-based activities without having to shell out thousands.

CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AROUND IN: ARGENTINA

Although many South American countries might be categorized as some of the worlds cheap destinations, Argentina is one of the cheapest and most interesting. With a very rich culture close to that of Europe, you’ll find yourself enjoying interacting with locals, their famous tango and the Latin way of life. Cheap food and relatively inexpensive trips to sights like glaciers, salt flats – even cruises to Antarctica – make it a very attractive location for the budget traveller.

CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AROUND IN: THAILAND

Alongside India, Thailand has been on the global radar as one of the cheapest travel destinations in the world for a long time. A luxurious Bangkok hotel for a great price, combined with inexpensive, great tasting food, makes this country a bargain. Thanks to buses and trains, getting around and visiting the country’s many temples (at low or free entrance fees), beaches, snorkel trips and adventure expeditions is also very cost effective.

CHEAPEST COUNTRIES TO TRAVEL AROUND IN: MOROCCO

If you love the beach and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on European destinations, Morocco is the place for you. Home to the Atlas Mountains, the country is also home to fortified fishing ports and ancient imperial cities. Home to traditional Islamic architecture, Morocco has maintained its unique culture and proves to be a destination that is not only cheap but mind-blowing.

The post The Top 5 Cheapest Countries to Travel Around In appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.

So many waves to surf, so little time. Unless you are a professional surfer, chances are it’s difficult to satiate your passion for searching for and riding the perfect wave. Finding enough time to enjoy surfing while keeping up on day-to-day responsibilities can be tough, so here are some tips to help you maximize your time gliding across the ocean.

Have Surf Board … Will Travel

You never know when an opportunity to hit the surf may present itself; a surprise early release from work or a canceled appointment can provide an unexpected window of time for surfing, but if your surfing gear isn’t in the car, the opportunity is blown. Of course, this means you must have a vehicle that can fit a surfboard, but it doesn’t mean you have to get a gigantic SUV; there are smaller vehicles, such as the Kia Sportage at automotive.com, that fit the bill, too. A properly outfitted vehicle with a surfboard roof rack can help ensure that no opportunity to surf is ever wasted.

Pack Right, Surf Right

You know the motto of the Boy Scouts; Be prepared. A surfer trying to hit the beach as often as possible should hold the same belief. Each surfer has his or her own definition of essential surf gear: wetsuits, rash vests and guards, sunscreen, surf wax, surfboard leash and a key safe are usually on everybody’s list, but surfers should assess their own needs. It’s always better to err on the side of having too much than too little. If there’s room, include items like boots, gloves, hand sanitizer, shower wipes, basic first aid, bottled water, cooler and healthy snacks. Packing all surf related equipment beforehand makes picking up and going to the beach quicker and easier.

Surf Early and Often

One of the best ways to surf during the workweek is to surf early in the morning. There’s lots of evidence supporting the theory that exercise is better for you in the morning, and the beach is less crowded then, too. Ideally, try to time your arrival at the beach just before dawn. Then it’s a matter of staying till it’s time to leave for work.

And, surf efficiently. To maximize the number of waves you catch in proportion to your time in the water means you can’t be too choosy with which ones you choose, or in the time spent hustling on the beach. Spend an hour to 90 minutes catching seven to 12 waves to start the day off right.

It’s possible to work a full-time job and still surf almost as much as a beach bum. By packing beforehand, waking up early enough to greet the sun and sand and keeping a surfboard on board at all times, anybody who lives near a beach can pursue a passion for surfing.

The post Is Real Life Getting in the Way of Surfing? appeared first on Budget Travel Intentions.