Earlier this year, I announced I was opening this website up to guest posters. For years, I turned away unsolicited guest posts, but, this year, I decided it was time to change that policy as I want to add more voices, opinions, stories, and tips to this site. I want to bring in people out there who have helpful information and insight I might not have, especially now that I’m traveling a lot less. So, if you’d like to write for this site, here are our guidelines for submissions: What Content Do We Want?First, what kind of submissions are we looking for? We’re interested in the following (and only the following) areas:
Your pitches should have a focus on budget-related issues: cheap things what to do, budget accommodation, good companies or apps to use, travel hacks, or ways to save money. We want the kind of service article that will help readers travel cheaper, better, and longer. Of course, travel stories are great too, so long as they contain a lesson or advice that can be used to help people travel. Typical posts are 1,000-2,000 words, are super detailed, contain lots of useful links, and have tips and tricks not found elsewhere. I love insider knowledge! How to Submit a PostSend an email to [email protected] with the exact title “New Guest Writer Article Submission” Include the following:
Here’s an example of a good email:
Simple and to the point. If I like your pitch, I’ll reply. Please DO NOT follow up. While tenacity can often be appreciated, DO NOT follow up. I get too many emails. Please follow the rules above too. I like people with an attention to details so if you send an email with the wrong subject line or miss any of the other following rules, we’ll delete your pitch! Finally, please note that if you send me a draft and I find that it will be too much work to edit, I reserve the right to reject it. Additionally, since I am pretty picky, there’s also 99% chance I’ll ask you to make changes to your draft so please expect notes and rewrites. Oh, and we pay $250 USD per post. That’s really it. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. Matt The post Want to Write for Nomadic Matt? Here’s How! appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/write-for-matt/
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5 Best Places To Stay In Mumbai (for all budgets) The city of dreams, Mumbai, often still referred to as Bombay, is one of... The post 5 Best Places To Stay In Mumbai (for all budgets) appeared first on Global Gallivanting Travel Blog. from https://www.global-gallivanting.com/best-places-to-stay-in-mumbai-bombay-budget-hotels-in-mumbai/
From the blue waters of Tayrona National Park, the sweeping views of the Cocora Valley, and the ruins of San Agustín, Tierradentro, and the Lost City, to the white colonial buildings of Popayán and the hustle and bustle of its metropolises, Colombia is packed with things to see and do. I’d wanted to visit Colombia for years. And after spending six weeks there, I must say, it lived up to the hype. I mean I’ve been fawning over it a lot in my last few posts. And I know I’m the millionth blogger to do so, but it really is as incredible as people say. (Even getting knifed there couldn’t stop me from loving the country.) I had falsely assumed that six weeks would be enough to get a good sense of Colombia. After all, six weeks is a fair amount of time to spend anywhere. But I was wrong. Given its size and the sheer number of activities, it was barely enough to scratch the surface. Yet I did manage to see a lot. Today I want to share my list of what I think are the best things to see and do in Colombia. These are the activities and places you should try to focus on when you visit: 1. Cartagena
But despite the crowds (and there are a lot of crowds), I really enjoyed Cartagena. While there aren’t a lot of tourist activities (you can do most of them in a single day), what makes it a wonderful place to visit is just that: it’s somewhere you can slow down, relax, and gorge on the phenomenal gastronomy. For more, check out this blog post about Cartegena and all my favorite places to eat there. 2. Tayrona National Park
It’s easy to visit as a day trip from Santa Marta. I highly suggest you start early at the big entrance at El Zaino and exit the park through Calabazo. This underused route takes a whole day, and once you pass the Cabo San Juan campground, you’ll get the last half of the trail to yourself. Try to avoid visiting during January and weekends, when the crowds on the beaches and hiking paths are at their peak. 3. The Lost City (La Ciudad Perdida)
(Tip: You cross a lot of rivers, so be sure to bring an extra pair of shoes or flip flops for when you cross the rivers. You’ll easily ruin a pair of sneakers along the way.) 4. Salento
5. Cocora Valley
(Tip: Start early to avoid the brutal midday heat, since there are a lot of exposed areas here.) 6. Bogotá
For more, here’s a list of all my favorite things to do – and places to eat – in Bogota. 7. Cali
8. Popayán
While you don’t need a lot of time (take the walking tour, climb the hill, see the churches, and you’re done), I do suggest staying longer to enjoy the slow pace of life. So much of Colombia is go-go-go, it’s nice to find a place that’s more “stay and relax a while.” 9. Tatacoa Desert
10. San Agustín Archaeological Park
11. San Gil
12. Providencia and San Andrés Islands
Try to make it when tens of thousands of black crabs migrate to the sea. This happens twice a year for about a 1-2-week period between April and July, so it’s not always easy to nail the timing. 13. Medellín
It’s one of the most popular destinations for expats and tourists in the country. While it’s easy to get lost in Gringoland here, try to get out of Poblado or Laureles and see the locals’ side of town. There’s more to the city than those two areas! 14. Guatapé
Most people, though, come to climb the steep (and difficult) staircase to the top of the monolithic Rock of Guatapé (La Piedra) for some of the best views in the country. Guatapé is a long day trip from Medellín (hostels in the city organize them throughout the week) so I recommend trying to spend at least a night here so you aren’t as rushed and can enjoy the area little more. 15. Chingaza National Park
16. Barranquilla
But there’s a lot to do here when it’s not carnival season as well. Make sure you visit El Museo del Caribe, a museum offering an interesting insight into the history of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There’s also a special exhibit dedicated to Gabriel García Márquez (the famous author who wrote Love in the Time of Cholera). 17. Tierradentro
18. Manizales (and Los Nevados)
19. The Caribbean Coast
20. Punta Gallinas
21. Minca
There are a lot of waterfalls in the area as well. Two of the best are the Pozo Azul and Marinka. Both have swimming holes at them too. Be sure to check out the sunset Mundo Nuevo Hostel. It’s an amazing vantage point. Colombia has a million and one things to do. I lost track of all the places I kept wishing I had time to visit. You can spend months there (and a lot of people to do). However, I think this list is a great start. My recommendation is that if you’re short on time, fly (the bus rides are long) or just stick to one area of the country and go in depth around that region. Trying to “see it all” in Colombia is just a recipe for burnout! Book Your Trip to Colombia: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Looking for the best companies to save money with? Want More Information on Colombia? Photo credits: 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21, 22 The post My 21 Favorite Places to Visit in Colombia appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/best-places-colombia/ The passion of Discover Corps’ guide, Orelvis, is clear from the moment you first meet him. His enthusiasm for his country and showing you his country is infectious. As you explore Havana and the surrounding region “Elvis” provides colorful commentary that only deepens your experience. It’s no wonder, that many travelers can’t help but form a strong bond with their insightful guide.
So what better person, to share in his own words, what a trip with Discover Corps like Cuba: Preserving Nature’s Wonders is really like. Take it away Elvis! The post Interview from Cuba: Discover Corps’ Guide Orelvis appeared first on Volunteer Vacations | Discover Corps. from https://discovercorps.com/blog/interview-from-cuba-discover-corps-guide-orelvis/ Our Goa, Hampi & Mumbai South India 2 Week Itinerary My amazing Mum has come to visit me in Goa for a couple of... The post Our Goa, Hampi & Mumbai South India 2 Week Itinerary appeared first on Global Gallivanting Travel Blog. from https://www.global-gallivanting.com/our-goa-hampi-mumbai-south-india-2-week-itinerary/
Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s fast-paced, futuristic, and bursting with weird and wonderful activities to keep you busy, including gorgeous shrines, palaces, and temples; hip clubs and bars; and fashionable people and shopping, not to mention cherry blossoms. Tokyo lives up to all the hype you’ve heard about it. You never know what you’ll find here. One second you’ll run into a group of women dressed in pig masks and ’80s dresses and the next you’re in a robot café. Or a centuries-old temple. It’s also one of the biggest cities in the world, home to over 13 million people — almost 40 million if you count the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s massive! Not surprisingly, it’ll take some time to see it all. And there are so many nooks and crannies to explore that it’s easy to get lost. Here is my suggested itinerary on how to visit the best restaurants, sites, and activities in Tokyo: Table of Contents Tokyo Itinerary: Day 1 – Ueno Park, Museums, and Asakusa
Eat just-caught sushi for breakfast and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere at the world’s largest tuna market. The auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly breathtaking. All around you are fish with colors and shapes you didn’t know existed. I have never seen more seafood I couldn’t identify. The old outer market where you can find food and shops is still in the same location, in Tsukiji. You can still head there to eat and look around but the main market is now in Toyosu. Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, +81 3-3542-1111. Admission is free. Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, +81 3-3520-8205. Open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free. Relax in Ueno Park
National Museum of Western Art 7-7 Uenokoen, +81 3-3828-5131 , nmwa.go.jp. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and free for seniors and anyone under 18. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum 5-21-9 Shirokanedai, +81 3-3443-0201, teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors. Stroll Along the Meguro River Check out Asakusa
Have Dinner with Ninjas Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, +81 3-5157-3936, ninjaakasaka.com. Open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays) Drink in Golden Gai Tokyo Itinerary: Day 2 – Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes
Though you can’t go inside (or get super close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony, though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming. Admission to the grounds is free. Visit the National Art Center 7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, +81 3-5777-8600, nact.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit. Eat Below the Girders Superhero Go-Karting 4-12-9 Sotokanda, +81 80-8899-8899, maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. Open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city. Check out a Sento Visit a Quirky Café
Tokyo Itinerary: Day 3 – Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots
Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden During spring, this beautiful park is one of the best spaces to see cherry blossoms. My favorite part is the Japanese landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city. 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, +81 3-3350-0151, env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is 200 JPY. Visit Shibuya Crossing Eat at the Robot Restaurant 1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, +81 3-3200-5500, shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends. Hang with the Harajuku girls Experience a Tea Ceremony
Watch Traditional Japanese Theatre 4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, +81 3-3545-6800, kabuki-za.co.jp. Performances are held almost daily. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Expect to pay at least 1,000 JPY for a single-act ticket. Tokyo Itinerary: Day 4 – Take a Day Trip
Visit Daibutsu (the Great Buddha) 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, +81 467-22-0703, kotoku-in.jp. Open daily 8am-5:30pm. Admission is 200 JPY. Get Touristy at Tokyo Disneyland 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, +81 45-330-5211, tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl. Open daily 8am-10pm. Admission is 7,400 JPY for adults and 4,800-6,400 JPY for children, depending on age. Hike Mount Mitake Gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone Visit the Ghibli Museum 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, +81 570-055-777, ghibli-museum.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY for adults, with discounts available for youth and children. There are limited tickets available each day so book in advance. Tokyo Itinerary: Day 5 – Tokyo Tower, Sumo Match, and Samurai
4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, +81 3-3433-5111, tokyotower.co.jp. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is 900 JPY for the main deck or 1,600 JPY for the top. Visit the Samurai Museum Kabukicho 2-25-6, +81 3-6457-6411, samuraimuseum.jp/en. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY per person. You can explore the museum on your own or in a group tour, which are conducted every 30 minutes. Walk across the Rainbow Bridge Watch a Sumo Match 1 Chome-3-2-8 Yokoami, Sumida, +81 3-3623-5111, sumo.or.jp/kokugikan. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 2,200 JPY. Drinks at the Park Hyatt 3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, +81 3-5322-1234, hyatt.com. Open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-1am. Where to Eat
For more places to eat, check out this post on the best places to eat in Tokyo. Extra Resources
Tokyo is a massive city. You could spend a lifetime here and still not discover everything there is to see. But if you follow the itinerary and suggestions above, you’ll be able to have a fun and insightful visit and leave this sprawling capital with a nuanced perspective of what life in Tokyo is like. Best of all, you’ll be able to do it without breaking the bank! Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Looking for the best companies to save money with? Looking for more travel tips for Japan The post How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/tokyo-itinerary/ This Traveler Plans to ReturnFor Discover Corps traveler, Barbara, her Cuba travel experience was so powerful she is already planning a return trip one year from now. During her adventure, she explored the country, felt the warmth of the Cuban people, and witnessed a moving reunion, years in the making. Barbara provides all the details below of her Cuba: Celebration of Arts & Culture vacation: Why did you choose Discover Corps versus another travel company?Service and depth of relationship have been a source of meaning, enrichment and satisfaction for me most of my life. Discover Corps (DC) is true to itâs motto âVacations With Purposeâ. When I first received the catalog, recognized that this was a special kind of travel that incorporates some of my core beliefs. Both of my DC trips, one to Peru and this to Cuba, have been so rewarding in many ways. I believe that travel to another country where one sees and meets the local experience, is one of the most life expanding times. Thank you Discover Corps! What is one thing you wish youâd known before traveling to Cuba?Iâve been intrigued by Cuba for some time. I believe that I would have done more reading in regard to the revolution and the power structure that has been in place but is changing due to more progressive leadership. I am continuing my reading of these things and find that I have a deeper understanding even after the trip. Tell us about the most memorable experience from your trip.This is hard to just choose one, so I wonât! The place we visited that was so memorable, was Muraleando. The gentleman who had the vision and the means to âmake it happenâ, turned an unused tank that had turned into a junk pile, into a community center where art in all its forms takes place. Classes are given in pottery, painting, dancing, music and other art forms. In addition to being such an intense focus on art, it is a service to the community in providing a beautiful venue for life events such as weddings, at no cost to the participants. I loved every minute in Muraleando! I must share another experience that made this trip exceptional. One of our group had lived in Cuba until the age of seven. She was part of the Pedro Pan Movement. During the revolution, there were fears for the children. Many fled to other parts of the world with the help of family members who had gone before. Our lovely Carina joined her aunt and uncle, then her parents came three years later. Carina had never been back to Cuba all of these years. One afternoon we went to the address where she knew she had lived the first seven years of her life. She was able to enter and to talk to the current residents. It was a very moving time for her and a very tender time for the rest of us to witness this moment. Bigger picture, I loved the beautiful and strong expressions of art both on the streets and in galleries and museums. I loved the passion that Cubans have for their history and their future. I loved seeing the light of appreciation when we spoke with local people. They really are a genuinely warm and welcoming people.
What did you think of your guide? What about your accommodations ?Tury was beyond exceptional! Always there with so much history and information about a wide range of topics. He was very vigilant about the safety of all of our group. He was delighted to give us, âsurprises that I know youâll loveâ! And we did! Almost every day there was a wonderful surprise ahead â a stop with a ride on a railway cart, a stop at a yummy fruit stand and the wonderful dance performance that was done just for us. Thereâs more, but you just need to GO to learn more. I was pleasantly surprised at how lovely our casa was in Havana. Our host was welcoming and lovely, the rooms were nicely furnished and spotlessly clean. In Trinidad our group was in three different casas, all in the same block. These casas had been renovated in such a lovely manner. Again, the hosts were so gracious and welcoming. On the evening we were on our own for dinner, we found a nice little place right across the street. We were delighted with the service and food. Our waiter was also delighted to have us all fill his little place. Are there any clothes / shoes / toiletries / camera equipment items youâd say are must-brings on this trip?The Travel Portal on the DC website covered this nicely. I did well with short sleeves and a pashmina as a wrap for evening. We did have lovely rain twice and the umbrella came in handy. What would you say to someone thinking about traveling to Cuba with Discover Corps?JUST GO!!! Everyone Iâve shared with has said that they would love to go to Cuba. I can reassure them that travel with DC has been so well supported and implemented. Anything else you would like to add?Since returning Iâve had so many strong responses to the Cuban experience. It seems that it is such an intriguing country to many for numerous reasons. I would like to return in a year to again experience all that it has to offer. I often find that reading about a place Iâve been after I was there is more meaningful. I will use this year to read more to have a deeper understanding of the history of Cuba. Iâll also, probably, take a Salsa Dance class! Five Cuba Travel OptionsDiscover which Cuba trip is best for you and your family from these 5 options:
The post Ask the Alumni: Cuba through the Words of a Discover Corpsâ Traveler appeared first on Volunteer Vacations | Discover Corps. from https://discovercorps.com/blog/ask-alumni-cuba-words-discover-corps-traveler/ Updated: 4/8/2019 | Originally Posted: 07/29/2009 Note: So much has changed since I originally wrote this post 10 years ago (also, isn’t it crazy that I’ve been blogging for so long?) that I thought that this funny little article needed an update. The Flashpacker is long gone. The Digital Nomad has risen. Others have remained the same. I redid this entire post on the curious species that is the backpacker after having embedded myself in their culture and learned their curious ways. You always hear about the distinction between tourists and backpackers, but even among backpackers, we love to group each other into categories by who is the “better” traveler. Check into any hostel, and you will find a variety of travelers wearing their distinctive tribal gear and people going “Yeah, that guy over there? Definitely the partier.” So who are the backpackers? What kind of types have I identified in the hostel jungle? After years of research, many! Here are some of the more common species of backpackers that can be found in a hostel’s jungle: The Spiritual Traveler
Jaded by the materialism of their homeland, they have come to reconnect with the world, find inner peace, and learn some tantra among the tourist centers of India, the hill tribes of Asia, or the shamans of the world. Travelers spiritus forgo material possessions, except for a computer, which they use to blog about the healthy snacks they are eating and tell people how much freer they are now that they have been to six retreats in Bali and went on a juice cleanse. These backpackers are usually found in South America, India, and Southeast Asia. The Hippie
Hippie travelers use local transportation, eat local food, and talk about cultural imperialism while watching the latest Hollywood movies on their Macbook and begging for money to get to the next place. They usually avoid most tourist destinations because “they’re too commercial, man.” Mostly found in India or other developing countries (because they can’t afford anywhere else). The Gap Yearer
Gap-year travelers like to party a lot, see the main attractions, sleep in dorms, and tend to stick to the beaten path. They are out to have a good time, meet other travelers, and come home with a few good stories before they start their career. They can be found wherever a round-the-world ticket will take them. The Partier
Mostly found in “party destinations” like Amsterdam, Thailand, Barcelona, and Prague. The Couple
They are found worldwide. The Better Traveler
This species is found being hypocritical in hostels all over the world. The “Remember When” Backpacker
He’ll talk about how Ios used to be quiet and no one had heard of Queenstown. He’ll describe the time when he was the only person in Costa Rica or sailing the Amazon. When asked why he’s still here if he hates it so much, he’ll quickly change the topic. This depressing species can be found in the same destinations he says are ruined now. The Digital Nomad
Carrying laptops, cameras, video cameras, and iPads, they spend much of their time behind their computer touting their free lifestyle and/or recent startup while often never seeing much of the destination they are at. Their first question is always about the Wi-Fi. They are found behind their computer, talking into their phone, and wherever there is good internet access and a cheap cost of living. Life in a hostel on the backpacker trail sure is interesting. There is a lot of diversity out there in the hostel jungle! To further investigate the habits of these fabulously interesting creatures, I shall continue to travel the world and stay in hostels. Ya know, for science! Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Looking for the best companies to save money with? The post What Kind of Backpacker Are You? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. from https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/what-type-of-backpacker-are-you/ 5 Best Hotels in Hampi (for all budgets) Hampi is, without a doubt, one of India’s most incredible places and one of my favourite... The post My Pick of The 5 Best Hotels in Hampi (for all budgets) appeared first on Global Gallivanting Travel Blog. from https://www.global-gallivanting.com/5-best-hotels-in-hampi-budgets-best-places-stay-hampi/
A few years ago, I read the book The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell. I think it originally came up as a suggested book on Amazon. I can’t fully remember. But, I stuck it in my queue, ordered it, and it sat on my bookshelf until it was time to read it. I couldn’t put it down. It was funny, well written, interesting, and an insightful look into Danish culture. It was one of my favorite books I read that year. Last year, I somehow convinced Helen to speak at TravelCon and got to meet her in person. Now, she has a new book out called The Atlas of Happiness. It’s about why people in certain places are happier than others. It’s a phenomenal book (you should get it). Today, Helen shares some of what she learned in researching that book! Here’s a funny thing: if you’ve been online today for more than a fraction of a second, you may have started to get the sense that the world is A Terrible Place. Even the committed traveler with an open mind could be forgiven for thinking that the outlook is pretty bleak. And if you’ve seen the headlines today or been on social media and you’re feeling low as a result, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get the idea that the world is becoming more miserable by the minute and that happiness is a luxury in these troubled times. But over the past six years, I’ve learned that there are people all around the world finding ways to stay happy, every day. And that happiness is something we’re hardwired to seek out – wherever we are. I started researching happiness in 2013 when I relocated from the UK to Denmark. I’d spent 12 years living and working in London as a journalist, and I had no intention of leaving, until out of the blue one wet Wednesday, my husband came home and told me he’d been offered his dream job…working for Lego in rural Jutland. I was skeptical to start with — I had a good career, a nice flat, great friends, close family — I had a life. Okay, so my husband and I both worked long hours, we were tired all the time, and never seemed to be able to see each other very much. We regularly had to bribe ourselves to get through the day and we’d both been ill on and off for the past six months. But that was normal, right? We thought we were ‘living the dream.’ I was 33 years old and we’d also been trying for a baby for as long as either of us could remember, enduring years of fertility treatment, but we were always so stressed that it never quite happened. So when my husband was offered a job in Denmark, this ‘other life’ possibility was dangled in front of us — the chance to swap everything we knew for the unknown. Denmark had just been voted the world’s happiest country in the UN’s annual report and I became fascinated by this. How had a tiny country of just 5.5m people managed to pull off the happiest nation on earth title? Was there something in the water? And if we couldn’t get happier in Denmark, where could we get happier? During our first visit, we noticed that there was something a bit different about the Danes we met. They didn’t look like us, for starters — quite apart from the fact that they were all strapping Vikings towering over my 5’3” frame — they looked more relaxed and healthier. They walked more slowly. They took their time to stop and eat together, or talk, or just…breathe. And we were impressed. My Lego Man husband was sold on the idea and begged me to move, promising we’d relocate for my career next time. And I was so worn out by my hectic London life that I found myself agreeing. I quit my job to go freelance and decided I would give it a year, investigating the Danish happiness phenomenon first hand — looking at a different area of living each month to find out what Danes did differently. From food to family life; work culture to working out; and design to the Danish welfare state — each month I would throw myself into living ‘Danishly’ to see if it made me any happier and if I could change the way I lived as a result. I decided I would interview as many Danes, expats, psychologists, scientists, economists, historians, sociologists, politicians, everyone, in fact, to try to uncover the secrets to living Danishly. I documented my experiences for two UK newspapers before being asked to write a book: The Year of Living Danishly, Uncovering the Secrets of the World’s Happiest Country. Since then, I’ve been humbled and moved to hear from readers from across the globe with wide-ranging life perspectives, but the one constant was a need to share the happiness secrets of their own cultures. Some of the themes that sprung out were universal — such as social interactions, exercising out of doors and finding a balance in life — while others were intriguingly unique. So I set out to research into unique happiness concepts from around the world, interviewing people internationally until The Atlas of Happiness — my new book-baby — was born. It isn’t a compendium of the happiest countries; instead, it’s a look at what’s making people happier in different places. Because if we only look at the countries already coming top of the happiness polls, we miss out on ideas and knowledge from cultures we’re less familiar with. Nowhere is perfect. Every country has faults. But I wanted to celebrate the best parts of a country’s culture as well as national characteristics at their finest – because that’s what we should all be aiming for. Here are a few of my favorites: Did you know, for example, that in Portuguese there’s something called saudade — a feeling of longing, melancholy, and nostalgia for a happiness that once was — or even a happiness you merely hoped for? And while Brazil may be famous for its carnival spirit, the flipside of this, saudade, is so central to the Brazilian psyche that it’s even been given its own official ‘day’ on the 30th of January every year. Most of us will have experienced a bittersweet pleasure in moments of melancholy — flicking through old photos, or caring about anyone enough to miss them when they’re gone. And scientists have found that this temporary sadness — counter-intuitively — makes us happier: providing catharsis; improving our attention to detail; increasing perseverance and promoting generosity. So we should all spend time remembering those we’ve loved and lost — then practice being a little more grateful for the ones still around. Finland ranked number one in this year’s UN World Happiness report thanks to a great quality of life, free healthcare, and education funded by high taxes. But there’s also something else the Finns enjoy that’s infinitely more exportable: kalsarikännit — defined as ‘drinking at home in your underwear with no intention of going out’ — a pursuit so popular it even has its own emoji, commissioned by The Finnish Foreign Ministry. In common with most Scandinavians, Finns aren’t shy about disrobing, and they all have such enviably well-insulated houses that stripping down to their pants is apparently completely okay even when it’s minus 35 degrees outside. What you drink and crucially how much of it you knock back is down to the individual, but it’s a uniquely Finnish form of happiness and mode of relaxation that we can all give a go. In Greece, they have a concept called meraki that refers to an introspective, precise expression of care, usually applied to a cherished pastime — and it’s keeping Greeks happy despite turbulent times. This is because having a hobby improves our quality of life according to scientists, and challenging ourselves to do something different also creates new neural pathways in our brain. Having a passion that you take pride can be of extra benefit to those who can’t say the same for their primary occupation. Because meraki can make life worthwhile if your 9-5 is more of a daily grind. Many tasks that need to be taken care of on a day-to-day basis aren’t particularly challenging or inspiring – from filing, to raising purchase orders or even — dare I say it — some of the more gruelling aspects of parenting. But we can break up the never-ending cycle of mundane work with our own personal challenges — things that we’re passionate about that we can genuinely look forward to doing. Our meraki. Dolce far niente — or the sweetness of doing nothing — is a much-treasured concept in Italy — often hashtagged on Instagram accompanying pictures of Italians in hammocks. Okay, so Italy hasn’t exactly topped any happiness rankings in recent years, but the cliché of the carefree Italian still exists – and with good reason. Italians do ‘nothing’ like no other nation and perfecting the art takes style and skill – because there’s more to it than meets the eye. It’s watching the world go by over coffee and a cornetto. It’s laughing at tourists. Or politicians. And crucially it’s about savoring the moment and really enjoying the present. Many of us search for relaxation by traveling to exotic locations, drinking to oblivion, or trying to blot out the noise of modern life. But Italians let the chaos wash over them. Instead of saving up our ‘fun quota’ for an annual escape, they spread it over the minutes, hours and days throughout the year and ‘enjoy life’ in all its messy reality. One of the happiest countries in the world, the Norwegians must be doing something right. And quite aside from their enviable Scandi-lifestyles and the safety net of all that oil, Norwegians have a secret ace card up their sleeves: a concept called friluftsliv. This roughly translates as ‘free air life’ and it’s a code of conduct as well as a life goal for most Norwegians – who like to spend time outdoors and get high, as often as possible. Anyone who’s ever visited the country will know that if you meet a Norwegian out in nature, their objective tends to be the highest mountain nearby – and there’s a saying in Norway that “You must make an effort before you can have pleasure’. Most Norwegians believe you have to work for things, to earn them with physical endeavors, battling the elements. Only once you’ve climbed a mountain in the rain and cold, can you truly enjoy your dinner. It’s an old fashioned approach to the good life but numerous studies show that using our bodies and getting out into nature as often as possible boosts mental and physical wellbeing. Which is all very well, on paper. But how to apply these principles and all the things I’d learned in real life? Well, I took it slowly — dolce far niente style. I had to learn not to be the archetypal Londoner, working all hours. Instead, I had to try relaxing once in a while. Radical, I know. Next, I got on the hobby train. I found my meraki in pottery, in cooking and trying out new recipes, often inspired by the countries I was researching. Some weeks, we ate well. Others, not so much (my husband still hasn’t forgiven me for ‘Russian month’). I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve done a fair amount of underwear-drinking, too. The Finnish concept of kalsarikännit and I are now firm friends. And because I was working less and being more mindful of living well and looking after myself, it was relatively easy to adopt the Norwegian ethos of friluftsliv. So now I try to ask myself: what did I do today? What did I climb? Where did I go? But the biggest mind shift was the realization that to be happy, we have to be comfortable being sad sometimes, too. That we’re at our healthiest and happiest when we can reconcile ourselves to all our emotions, good and bad. The Portuguese saudade was a game changer for me — helping me to come to terms with the life I thought I’d have and find a way to move on, without resentment or bitterness. Because when you let go of these things, something pretty amazing can happen. By learning from other cultures about happiness, wellbeing and how to stay healthy (and sane), I found a way to be less stressed than I was in my old life. I developed a better understanding of the challenges and subtleties of coming from another culture. My empathy levels went up. I learned to care, more. Optimism isn’t frivolous: it’s necessary. You’re travelers. You get this. But we need to spread the word, now, more than ever. Because we only have one world, so it would be really great if we didn’t mess it up. Hellen Russell is a British journalist, speaker, and the author of the international bestseller The Year of Living Danishly. Her most recent book, The Atlas of Happiness, examines the cultural habits and traditions of happiness around the globe. Formerly the editor of marieclaire.co.uk, she now writes for magazines and newspapers around the world, including Stylist, The Times, Grazia, Metro, and The i Newspaper. Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and TricksBook Your Flight Book Your Accommodation Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
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Jeffrey ClinardHi I am Jeffrey Clinard ,35 years old, By profession I am a photographer,I love to catch the beauty of Nature for this purpose I love to Explore the world. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |