Adventurous Andrea

The Solo Female Travel Blog

travel advice

6 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Volunteering Trip

by

Source

Are you looking for a way to give back to the world, help people in need, and feel as though your efforts are being appreciated? If so, volunteering is a fabulous way to do it, but rather than just volunteering at a local event, many people choose to go on a volunteering trip. For those in the medical community, volunteering trips take place all around the world, providing those less fortunate with the medical supplies and care they desperately need.

If you are one of those who are either part of the medical community or is currently studying to become a member of the medical community and you’re thinking about heading off on a volunteering trip, here are five things you’ll want to do know beforehand.

Consider Volunteering Before You Attend Medical School

While many people assume that volunteering is meant to be done after you complete your medical training, this isn’t true at all. In fact. By volunteering before you even attend school, it can provide you with an eye-opening experience. You’ll discover what it’s like to work in the front lines, dealing with real-life patients and real situations during critical times.

It can also provide you with the insight you need to come home and pick the best school for you. Websites such as bestsurgicaltechschools.com is also a great tool when it comes to narrowing down your choices.

Make Sure that Your Volunteer Role Doesn’t Take a Job Away from Locals

You will also want to look into the actual role you will have as a volunteer. Is it taking a job away from a local? Obviously, that isn’t the goal. You want to be able to help the community, not take away from it.

It Won’t Be Glamorous

Going into a volunteer position with the right mindset and expectations is essential. Volunteering isn’t about doing something that is interesting to you. Rather, it is about providing an essential service to those in need. This also means you need to be prepared to make a commitment to give your all and keep an open mind as you will probably be trying all kinds of new things, and placed in new situations.

Research the Organization

Before you pick an organization to volunteer with, you will also want to take a little time to research them. You want to look at what their goals are, what services and methods do they use, what do they define as success, are their goals locally driven, do they only take qualified and vetted volunteers, and is the work you are providing sustainable to the community?

Approach the Experience with a Positive Attitude

If you truly want to get the most out of your experience and provide the most value to people, a positive attitude is required.

A Memorable Experience in Life

A volunteering trip can be a truly special and memorable experience in your life. In fact, you may decide that it’s something you want to take part in on a regular basis after seeing the difference your efforts make.

The Best Places for Instagram Photos in Los Angeles

by

Half the fun of a trip to Los Angeles is taking the perfect photos for Instagram. It’s more than just a matter of standing on a street corner or pointing at a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Your Instagram photos need that something extra so that you can show your friends and family details of all the fun you’re having in LA.

Fortunately, Instagram photos are an art form, so whether you’re an American travel blogger or simply a traveller who likes to take beautiful pictures, we’ve scouted out all of the best spots for you to snap that perfect pic. Hold your selfie stick, smile, and wait for all of your friends to love following along with your adventures in La La Land. Here are our picks for the most instagrammable spots in Los Angeles:

Urban Light at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has lots of great photo spots. The outside of the museum is both architecturally stunning and colorful, with multiple sculptures and displays right outside. Snap a picture of yourself in front of one of the garden sculptures in the multi-acre park that’s adjacent to the indoor museum.

Inside the museum, you can find one of the most impressive and diverse art collections in the world. Latin, Japanese and Islamic collections are just some of the many pieces that inspire at the LACMA. The only limits to selfie spots at the LACMA are the limits of your imagination.

Paul Smith Wall

Another one of the best places for Instagram photos in Los Angeles is the Paul Smith Wall. To sum it up, it’s pink. In fact, it’s all pink.

The notable wall is on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. Its distinct, bright pink color makes it a favorite Instagram spot for locals and tourists alike. Think of a fun pose or even do a handstand to make this selfie sizzle.

Griffith Observatory

At Griffith Observatory you can see the city, see the stars and snap a stylish portrait. The observatory is high above the city. It’s a great spot for an aerial shot of the whole, glamorous town. The building is also a stunning spot to snap at night. Check out the building’s indoor displays and exhibits while you’re up that high above town.

Venice Canals

Take a selfie here and you might convince your family and friends that you’re actually in Italy. The Venice canals are a world away from the hustle and bustle of business as usual in Los Angeles. While you take a leisurely stroll you can stop as you cross one of the archways or admire the unique architecture of buildings in the area. You can reach the Venice Canals Walkway by public bus, so it’s a convenient spot for travelers. Washington Boulevard and Pacific Avenue is a great place to start your visit to the area.

The Hollywood Sign

It might have been done before, but it’s never overdone. The best place to take an Instagram that says Los Angeles is, of course, none other than the Hollywood Sign. Your smile in front of the Hollywood Sign sums up your stay in Los Angeles whether you stay for a day, a decade or a lifetime.

When you’re on a mission to take a selfie in front of the Hollywood Sign, you want to make sure that you head to the perfect spot. Canyon Lake Drive is a good option if you have a car. That lets you get as close as possible to the sign in a vehicle. Beachwood Canyon Drive gives you a nice clear shot from directly in front of the sign. The Highland Shopping Complex is a bit farther away but it’s also a good place to get a clear view of the Hollywood Sign.

So grab your friends, smile and take that perfect Instagram photo. With so many great places to take Instagram pics in sunny Los Angeles, your only problem is choosing which pic to post first. You might even get to snap a selfie with a celebrity.

Top Tips

Getting there – Getting to LA from London takes 11 hours 15 minutes. If you don’t want to feel cramped and uncomfortable for that long, business class is definitely the way to go. Obviously business class to Los Angeles can be rather pricey, but travel experts like SkyClub.com can get killer deals on premium seats.

Getting around LA – In order to snap these photos it’s best to get around by car. Either order an Uber Pool (a super cheap and easy way to get around LA) or rent a car from the airport and download Waze to help you get around.

Where to stay – If you want to be conveniently located for all the sights and nightlife we’d recommend West Hollywood. Try the Mondrian, which puts on an epic pool party in its Sky Bar on the weekends.

Why You Should Book a Cruise for 2017

by

10-Amazing-New-Cruise-Ships-Currently-Being-Built-8b

A cruise holiday is often subject to a lot of stereotypes – it’s expensive, only pensioners go on cruises, it’ll be boring. But one in eight foreign package holidays is now a cruise, showing that it’s an increasingly popular choice for travelling, for people of all ages. Here are three reasons why you should consider a cruise in 2017.

1.  Plenty to Keep You Entertained

Cruises aren’t just for pensioners. You can meet people of all different ages as cruises are popular with everyone, from young and old couples, or families with children. On-board, there’s something for everyone and you won’t complain about being bored.

The facilities on cruise ships are excellent, offering their guests a number of bars, casinos, discotheques and theatres to keep them entertained on a night. Most have a gym so you can keep up your fitness regime while you’re away or indulge in a pamper session in the spa.

2.  Excellent Dining Options

If you’re a foodie, a cruise will offer you countless options for dining. The main dining room and buffet are often included in the cruise fare, but if you don’t mind paying a little extra, there will be a number of upscale and casual dining spots to satisfy your appetite.

In general, cruise ships offer a sit-down meal in the main dining room, which will often have a dress code at dinner but if you prefer something more casual, most ships will also have a buffet restaurant. On larger cruise ships, guests can choose from a variety of smaller, specialty restaurants where you’ll find French, Italian, Japanese cuisines and many more.

3.  Perfect for Exploration

There’s a common misconception that a cruise holiday means you’ll be stuck on the ship and won’t have much time to spend in port. However, if you pick the right deal, you can find cruise-and-stay packages, or spend an extended stay in port. For some cruises, port stops will last a few hours, or even most of the day, with the option to go on pre-planned excursions.

One of the key benefits of a cruise is that you can visit several places in one holiday. Not many other holiday packages offer you the chance to see places like Italy, Greece and Montenegro all in one trip, like the MSC Musica cruise from Iglu Cruise. It’s perfect for those who want to get a taste of each place and decide whether to book a longer visit in the future.

Throw away any misconceptions you have about cruises and book your next adventure today. You won’t find many other holiday packages that offer you such variety in terms of destinations, dining and entertainment.

 

City Breaks to Sample in 2017

by

The vibrant energy of the city, although it can get chaotic at times, is one thing that most people find appealing in an urban metropolis. From its busy shops to its crowded streets, cities can offer a different kind of experience. With this, if you are planning a city break, keep on reading and we’ll suggest some of the best places that can be taken into consideration.

times-square-1160467_960_720

New York

Known as a concrete jungle, New York is one city that is often included in the travel bucket list of many people. It is home to some iconic landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. One of its top attractions is the Central Park, an expansive greenery in the heart of the city. Whether it is summer or winter, there are lots of activities that you can enjoy in the park. Never leave New York without visiting Times Square.  Make sure to snap a shot of its streets with busy people and adorned with bright billboards. There are also plenty of museums to visit, such as Solomon Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, American Museum of Natural History, Museum of Modern Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Rome

This is one of the best cities in the world when it comes to history. Its rich past is one thing that has captivated the attention of many tourists. While a lot of other cities are dense with towering skyscrapers, in Rome, you can see ancient structures, such as the Colosseum and Parthenon. The Spanish Steps, which are located at Piazza di Spagna, is another attraction that should not be missed. There are also many museums that you can visit, although not as grand as the ones in Vatican. Do not leave Rome without feasting on pizza and gelato.

cape-town-1562907_960_720

Cape Town

From breath-taking landscapes to pristine beaches, Cape Town is one city that has it all. Whether you prefer to go out partying or just enjoy a laidback ambiance, there is something that you will enjoy here. Among others, one of its best attractions is the Table Mountain National Park. If you want to sample the best wines from the region, on the other hand, head to Cape Winelands. For its beaches, Boulders Beach is one of the most popular, which is known for its penguins. Meanwhile, if you are looking for a shopping and entertainment centre, take time to visit Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Dubai

The luxury of Dubai is over the top and hard to rival by any other city. One of its best attractions is the Burj Al Arab, a 7-star all-suite hotel with interiors that glitter in gold. Meanwhile, in Downtown Dubai, you can find Burj Khalifa, which is known as the tallest structure in the world. On its base, you can find the Dubai Fountains, which holds the record of being the largest dancing fountain in the world. Your holiday in Dubai is also not complete without heading to Palm Jumeirah, a collection of man-made islands and is home to a number of hotels and casinos. If you’re feeling brave then you can try sky diving.