An idea is born

The sun was shining through the black Dutch clouds. We were leisurely having our Saturday breakfast together. Four girls chilling and laughing over cups of steamy cappuccinos and plates filled with yummy chocolate pancakes.

Then, an adventurous idea dawned on us. Why not making the most of this sunny day (really rare in the Netherlands; the sun here is like the unicorns – everybody talks about it, but almost never sees it)?

We didn`t need much convincing. In five minutes, you could see us – four radiant girls who have mounted their old-fashioned omma fiets (Dutch granny bikes), firmly determined to drive them all the way from Groningen to the North Sea (30km).

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva (the fourth girl)

Our end destination was the seal center in Pieterburen– the largest seal rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in the Netherlands, where injured and orphaned seals are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Why going there? Because seals are cute. And what kind of person can resist seals anyway?

Adventure on two wheels

3,2,1…and our little biking adventure was off for a flying start. The sun was shining for two hours straight (wow) and we kept on riding across the bike lanes crossing the endless green Dutch meadows. From time to time, some roaming cows or a windmill showed up to liven up the monotonous landscape.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

Our first and only stop was at a hipster camping by the canals. It was a pleasure to eat our hummus and cheese sandwiches on a sunny meadow hidden behind a tiny forest. After devouring our food along with a cup of strong coffee, we felt the juices flowing again. A few jokes about how our butts hurt and we were off to continue our ride.

As you may expect in the Netherlands, the sun disappeared from the horizon. Instead, it was replaced by a ferocious wind (riding in a tiny sleeveless T-shirt didn`t look so cool anymore). But we are not quitters, so we continued riding against the wind and managed to reach Pieterburen.

To Pieterburen and back

Playing with the seals is fun. But you should never ever do it, as we were told! Turns out that these adorable creatures are savage beasts that can bite your fingers. Luckily, no one lost a finger and we even got a bonus tour around and got introduced to each and every seal.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

Each seal had a name and a story. Tommy, for example, was sick and recovering in the sanctuary. Jenny was found injured and helplessly lying on the seashore. Both of them will be released back into the wild once they feel better. What a wonderful thought: it`s never too late for a new beginning!

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

It was getting darker and colder. Our plan was to take the bus back to Groningen and pay extra for the bikes. Freezing in our T-shirts, we were impatiently waiting for it to arrive. When it did, we got a nasty surprise: bikes were not allowed! Switching to plan B, we rolled our (short) sleeves up and rode 30 km in the fierce wind and freezing temperatures.

Lessons learned

You might be wondering: did you learn something from your bike trip to Pieerburen? Yes, we did:

• Lesson 1: Never go on a biking trip in the Netherlands without a jacket!
• Lesson 2: Bikes are not allowed in buses and Dutch drivers make no exceptions even for a group of freezing girls. So, plan your trip carefully, having that in mind.
• Lesson 3: Life`s better with friends. And a little adventure won`t hurt. Riding long distances in the cold is bearable if you talk about the meaning of life and play associations and mystery-solving games.

IMAGE: Kalina Tekelieva

All this thigs up… plays the role of rehabilitation 🙂 of the soul.

 Over to you

Why not embarking on an adventurous journey? What could possibly go wrong? And don`t forget to share your fun experiences in the comments down below!

The post 4 Girls on a Bike Trip to the North Sea appeared first on 203Challenges.

Practical travel tips for Italy

1. Italy welcomes millions of tourists every year, but don’t expect Italians to speak English. Before you go, it’s well worth jotting down some useful phrases in Italian. Italians are genuinely flattered when a foreign visitor makes an effort to speak their language, and will open their hearts to you.

2. If you stay long-term in Italy, you’ll need a personal tax code (called a codice fiscale, something like social security number in the USA) to get access to various services, or to rent an apartment.

3. August is the worst month to visit Italy (especially after August 15) because all Italians take their vacations at that time – the roads are jam-packed, many places are closed and the beaches are crowded.

4. In many parts of Italy, regional trains (treni regionali) don’t run on Sundays. This inconvenience is usually partially covered by a local bus that stops at each town on the route (but not always at the railway station – don’t forget to ask for the actual location). So if you have to head somewhere on a Sunday, plan carefully!

5. You’ll want to take photos all the time, so getting a second memory card and a back-up battery pack for your camera is a really good idea.

6. When visiting a world-famous attraction, buy your tickets in advance if possible. Leonardo’s Last Supper in Milan, for example, can be visited only with a reservation, and tickets sell out months in advance.

7. Bring comfortable shoes. Italy’s big cities require a lot of walking to get from one attraction to the next, while in small towns streets are often made from cobblestones and are not high heel-friendly.

8. Even if you don’t have much time, spend at least one night in a small, non-touristy town. Your hallowed status as a foreigner will guarantee you a warm welcome from the locals and a deep, genuine sense of communication that is hard to achieve in the big tourist centers.

9. Most shops, supermarkets and restaurants close between 1 pm and 5 pm. On Sundays they are closed all day. My first Sunday in Italy, in a small provincial town, was marked by hunger and desperate roaming around the city in search of somewhere to buy food. I found nothing. In the end, I had two spoons of sugar (the only edible product at home) until one bar finally opened its doors at 3 pm and I filled my kitchen with croissants.

A proverb many travelers swear by!

Food and drink

10. If you eat at a restaurant, you may find two add-ons on your bill – service and coperto (cover charge). They are usually a fixed sum per person. The only region where coperto is illegal is Lazio, which includes Rome.

11. Choosing a small, family-run restaurant or trattoria two blocks away from the tourist area is the best idea 99% of the time.

12. You will recognize good gelato by its bland colors. They don’t put artificial colors or flavors in quality Italian ice-cream. That’s why banana gelato will usually look grayish rather than bright yellow.

13. If you want to try having your morning coffee the Italian way, order an espresso at the bar, gulp it down while you stand and exchange some gossip with the bartender. There’s no sitting at a table or leisurely sipping here.

14. Don’t ask for ketchup or mayo on your pizza. It is considered rude to the cook and a demonstration of bad taste. You’ll be happy to discover that Italian pizzas don’t actually need anything more.

15. Plan a visit to a food market. Most cities and towns have a weekly/monthly farmer’s market (ask at your hotel when and where it takes place) where vendors will be happy to offer you free samples of cheese, olives, bread and cookies. It is usually acceptable to bargain at these markets, especially if you plan to buy in bulk.

16. A typical Italian meal consists of antipasto, primo, secondo, contorno and dolce (appetizer, first and second courses, side dish and dessert). Italians seem to have no problem swallowing this glut of food, while a foreigner trying to compete with them will most probably be sweating and having trouble breathing by the time the tiramisu is served.

Practice dolce far niente

17. Dolce far niente (literally translated as ‘sweet doing nothing’) is the Italian concept of not hurrying, not taking anything personally, taking your time and enjoying life. It’s one of the best things you can learn from your trip to Italy.

18. Let yourself fall in love with an Italian girl/boy. Because what would a holiday to Italy be without a touch of romance?

19. Italians are famous for their transportation strikes, so allow for a few extra hours when you head to the airport.

20. Try hitchhiking in Italy. The last time I did it in Sicily, I was picked up by two lemon-growing workers who took me and my friend to the beach, even though they were not going in that direction. They were so nice that they even offered to come back later and take us to the town where we were staying.

21. It’s no use arguing with Italians about whether they did or did not invent pizza, pasta, football or fashion… Facts are powerless when it comes to national pride. Just enjoy the delight on their faces when you agree that Italy is the best country in the world!

22. Or simply forget everything and follow the wise man’s advice: visit Italy at least once a year!

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Stroll around Nyhavn

Nyhavn or the new harbor is Copenhagen`s most popular spot, which is absolutely free to visit. Go for a leisurely stroll around and marvel at the tall ships and picturesque houses. Don`t miss on house number 20, where famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen was living in 1835 when he published his first volume of fairy tales.

For a cheap and lip-smacking meal, grab some high-quality Danish beer and the beloved local snack – pølsebrød (the local hot-dog). Do as the Danes do – sit by the canal and enjoy your food while overlooking the sparkling water. Thus, you`ll get a bonus for immersing yourself into Danish culture. Plus, restaurants in the area are quite overpriced.

 
Experience Danish art and design

Copenhagen can rival Milan and Paris as far as art and design are concerned. The Danish capital is a can`t miss destination for design and art geeks from all over the world. Boasting stylish visuals in the form of art, furniture, and lightning, Copenhagen owns a unique art spirit. It is hard to ignore the charming simplicity that streams from the city`s street art, galleries, and museums.

Want to know the best part? Many of the Danish cultural attractions are absolutely free of charge.

Start with the Danish Museum of Art and Design. Normally, it costs 10 euro, but on Sundays the entry is free. If you are passionate about contemporary art, check out Nikolaj Kunsthal, the National Gallery of Denmark, and Kunsthal Charlottenborg. Another museum, which is worth visiting is the National Museum of Denmark. where you can learn about the excitingly ferocious Viking times.

Extra Tip: Note that each museum has a free entry in different days of the week, so be sure to check it in advance.

The green escape

The bond with nature is deeply rooted in Scandinavian culture and architecture. And Copenhagen is no exception. It is visible all around Scandinavian cities, where green spaces are worshiped by the locals.

Therefore, an authentic Scandinavian experience would include a visit to one of the numerous green parks and gardens that also happen to be free of charge. Enter the Botanical Garden that is perhaps the most impressive among them. It is also a nice option for a cold and rainy day with its glasshouses, where you can see an exhibition of more than 13,000 species. Make a quick online tour before you go:

Bike your way around

Another ultimately Danish thing to do is to bike around the streets of Copenhagen. The cycling infrastructure is top-notch, so exploring the city on a bike is safe, fun, and cheap.
It is possible to borrow a bike for a deposit of 20 kr that will be returned once you have finished your biking tour. Free bikes are available around the city from May to October and may be returned to any of the free rentals around the city.

Extra Tip: Note that biking without lights at night is illegal. Buy lights in advance, if you plan to bike at night.

Free up in Christiania

The Freetown of Copenhagen, Christiania, is a unique and controversial place you need to experience first-hand.

Christiania is a collectively controlled village, where settlers build their own houses and pay no taxes.
Most tourists are attracted by the chilled-out vibes, the fascinating architecture, and the fact that pots and hash are allowed within Christiania`s area.
But it is also important to know that Christiania differs from the rest of Copenhagen – it may be rough and violent. Follow the rules introduced by the locals in order to avoid unnecessary problems. For example, visitors are not allowed to take pictures, run and talk on the phone. Sounds strange? Christiania happens to be a strange place, and maybe that`s the secret to its charm.

Whether you like marveling at design and art, chilling in parks, or discovering extraordinary city spots, Copenhagen won`t disappoint you. And most of these activities are completely free of charge. Book a low-cost flight and free some time for your budget trip to Copenhagen.

For more tips see: 30 incredible things to do in Copenhagen.

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Organizing a cool surprise trip as a gift looks like a big hassle, but it’s totally doable in less than an hour. Just stick to this guide and avoid all distractions, please!

1. Choose the topic [2 minutes] – you shouldn’t need more than a minute to decide what your friend (wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad, etc.) is most into. Animals? Consider visiting a farm or an epic zoo, or booking a nature safari. Wine? Find the best winery offer tastings in the region. Еven if you are a fan of wine, you will probably still be surprised by wine with a different and nice taste.
2. Choose the destination [20 minutes] – there’s no need to browse through thousands of properties – the fact that it’s a surprise will make the experience special anyway. Google something like ‘the best places for animal lovers in X destination’. Choose the main attraction of the trip. Then choose a hotel or guesthouse nearby. Don’t close any of the tabs with the destinations you’ve chosen and then…
3. Make sure the birthday boy/girl has no other plans for the day. Then proceed to the booking [3 minutes] – make a casual call to ask your friend if they have already planned something for their birthday, using the excuse that your colleagues are inviting you to go to the theater on the same day. Don’t reveal that you are planning something. If the answer is ‘no’, proceed to booking. If the answer is ‘yes’, try to get an idea of what it is and who is invited. I’ve reached such levels of plan sophistication that I called every single guest to tell them the birthday would actually take place at another place and time, and they should keep the secret and pretend to be attending the event organized by the birthday person. It worked perfectly well.
4. Send a mysterious invitation [5 minutes] – use free online software (like Canva or BeFunky) to create an fancy invitation. Include only this information: when and where the person should be and what they should bring. If you are taking them to a warm place, include flip-flops and sunglasses in the to-bring list. If it will be a wine tasting, you can ask them to bring aspirin. You’re done! Now wait until the birthday when you can…
5. Blindfold them for extra suspense – just when they think the mystery will finally be over, add some more anticipation by blindfolding them and playing their favorite songs while you arrive. Unless you need to board a plane. Unfortunately you can’t sneak a blindfolded person onto a plane…
6. Surprise!

…romantic

…add a spa treatment for two or a dinner at a rooftop restaurant to make it more memorable.

…adventurous

…book a bungee jump, a skydive or ride on horseback in the wilderness.

…kid-friendly

…because kids like surprises too. In fact, every trip is a trip full of surprises when you travel with kids (at least for you) because you can never know when little Jimmy will spill a whole plate of spaghetti on his sister’s head, while using the tablecloth at the restaurant as a cape. So just look up the best children’s activity nearby and bring the kids’ favorite toys and games. Kids are also usually happy to join in everything the adults do – if you let them. My friend’s daughter went paragliding for the first time when she was five years old, and she even asked to go for a second time.

Pin it because you will have friends with birthdays, like, every year:

Discover more gift ideas here: 52 best gifts that are actually unforgettable experiences

The post How to plan a surprise (birthday) trip in less than 30 minutes appeared first on 203Challenges.

Not all Cambodians, however, see you as a walking bag of dollar bills. You will meet many friendly, smiling people who are genuinely interested in you and your story. If you want to make friends with everyday Cambodians, here are three suggestions that helped me during my last trip to Cambodia.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Return for a second meal at a good restaurant

There are so many places to eat in Cambodia’s tourist areas that you might want to try a new one every time. Return to a place you liked, though, and you’ll experience true Cambodian hospitality.

We visited the same restaurant in Angkor Wat two days in a row and on our second day we got two free bottles of water when we were leaving. We couldn’t believe that the owners remembered us from the previous day, as there were literally hundreds of people eating there both times we visited. This heartwarming gesture was even better appreciated as it was a scorching day and I had been feeling a bit ill.

Smile at people

Every time we smiled at random people on the street they gave us a genuine smile in return. In tourist areas like Siem Reap, even toddlers would smile back and shout a sweet “hello” in English. I always smile at unknown people when I want to take a photo of them – in most cases, a broad smile makes them feel at ease and happy to be photographed.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Learn some phrases in the Khmer language

At one of the hostels we stayed at in Cambodia there were some useful phrases in Khmer written on the walls, but once I’d learned them, I started asking the receptionist for more. As this was a family business, soon the whole family gathered to give me a language class in Khmer, including their four-year-old twins who spoke perfect English due to the constant flow of tourists through the hostel. Even the little ones were happy to teach us some words in their native language.

©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Bonus tip: take it easy!

Being nervous, hasty or creating a feeling of urgency is useless in Cambodia, where nobody wears a watch and the phrase “take your time” is perceived as a rule. The best approach is to absorb the timelessness and stop trying to impose your concept of punctuality upon people if you want them to be your friends.

Read more: Angkor Wat: Sunrise or sunset (+useful tips)

How to beat the crowds at Angkor Wat

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The post 3 simple ways to make friends with Cambodians appeared first on 203Challenges.

Who is Aditi and what does she dream of? I am a 29-year-old full-time travel blogger, freelance travel writer, and also a postgraduate student in Asian Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. My biggest dream is to lead a purposeful life. Travel around the world connecting with people. I want to do good things for humanity. Her biggest accomplishment? I come from a small town in India and belong to a fairly conservative family. I have chosen not to follow the usual (the expected one) Indian life, if this is counted as an accomplishment, then I am in.

I think local cuisine is an important part of a trip because… food is the soul of the place. Food speaks so much about the destination – the cultural influences, the history of its people, the origin of the food, etc. For example – Bak Kut Teh, a pork rib soup, is famous in Singapore and Malaysia – this dish used to be the poor man’s food, in older times this soup gave them strength to do physical labour and cost them nothing. Over the time it has become a local delicacy. Similarly, the origin of Biryani in India is so fascinating.

I never travel without… a book.

Before setting off I always… I don’t think I follow any rules as such. I am an disorganised person.

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… to find a map.

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… Once when I was travelling solo in Eastern Europe in 2012, I got robbed on a night train from Krakow to Budapest. My DSLR and all the cash was gone, thankfully, they spared my passport and cards.

The trip that changed me… I recently did a bike trip in Arunachal Pradesh, the easternmost state of India. We were on a motorbike for 17 days. We biked through the villages and stayed with indigenous tribes (not homestays but in their homes). It was quite an eye-opener and self-reflective as I got to understand what kind of travelling I enjoy the most and that travelling should not be a pure pleasure but have a meaning.

The most helpful thing I’ve learned on the road that could be used in everyday life… Use of words – Please and Thank You – goes a long way. This I have learnt from my husband –  be more humble towards people and you will receive the same.

The place that surprised me the most… Siem Reap –  in a bad way. I felt overwhelmed by the western influence there. I had a modest and low-key image in my mind.

The place I would come back again and again is… The Himalayas, any part of it. No need to mention why.

The most friendly people are in… Singapore. No doubt about it. Only rarely I come across a grumpy taxi driver, but most of the time people are smiling.

The most challenging trip I’ve been to… the bike trip to Arunachal Pradesh in peak winter, we survived the brave temperatures of -7°C.

When I organize a walking tour, I always… 1. Collect the information and take 2-3 printouts to share it with the group members. 2. Make a WhatsApp group for an effective communication.

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… Travel Inspirations – people travelling in different ways without compromising with their lives. By travelling I don’t mean counting countries but really doing what they like. I have inborn wanderlust. I used to dream of faraway lands when I was young. By the time I reached my early 20s I started travelling on my own money. Now I am in my late 20s, married but have not stopped travelling. So, I guess if you are really passionate about something, nothing should stop you from doing it.

One travel challenge for everyone reading this… eat a local dish today and find out about its origin.

The post Inspiring travel bloggers: Aditi Mittal from The Sailing Bee appeared first on 203Challenges.

Flying is one of humanity’s greatest achievements. It’s also one of the most frustrating things you can ever do.

Flights are delayed, cancelled and rescheduled all the time, messing up your plans in any number of ways. It could be as harmless as losing the time you’d planned to enjoy a cappuccino and read your book. Or it could be as infuriating as missing your connecting flight.

It’s happened to all of us. But with a little preparation and the right information, you could avoid running like crazy around the airport or biting your nails at passport control, wondering if you’ll make it aboard the last train into the city.

Here’s what to do to minimize the possibility of your travel plans falling apart.

Book morning flights

There are plenty of external circumstances that can disrupt flight schedules: bad weather, air traffic, maintenance, suicidal birds etc.

Things tend to start alright, then get worse during the day. That means there’s a bigger chance of delays in the evening (according to the US Department of Transportation data). Nighttime seems to restart the machine and early flights (from 6 am to 10 am) have the highest chance of sticking to their schedule.

Peak hour for delays is around 6 pm, when you can expect to take off 20 minutes later on average. 

The early morning rule is cancelled out in some cities that often experience heavy fogs, such as San Francisco. If you fly from San Francisco, choose the afternoon flight.

Flights scheduled between 6 am and 10 am have the lowest chance of being delayed.

Don’t fly on Friday, fly on Saturday

According to a Business Insider article, 30% of Friday flights don’t make it off the ground on time, making it by far the worst day of the week for flying. Saturday, on the other hand, is a much better option.

Avoid the world’s most delay-prone airports

Statistics have identified the airports where delays are normal and on-time arrivals are the exception. As you will see, most are in China, so consider yourself lucky if your hometown’s airport doesn’t make this list (the data is from 2015).

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia

Xiaoshan Airport, Hangzhou, China

Nanjing, China

Pudong Airport, Shanghai, China

Shenzhen, China

Tianjin, China

Hongqiao, Shanghai, China

Guangzhou, China

Manchester, UK

Fuzhou, China

Bad news for anyone living in China…

Leave at least three hours between connecting flights

This is another trick to ensure that even if your flight is delayed, it won’t ruin your trip. Always leave at least three hours between connecting flights, especially if you have to change terminals at gigantic international airports. You’re better off enjoying a cappuccino with a book in hand than spending an eternity waiting for the next flight.

>>> Read more: 7 really simple ways to feel good after a long flight 

The post Which flights are least likely to be delayed? appeared first on 203Challenges.

That said, there are still a few ways to enjoy the Angkor Temples without every other man and his dog. Here are a few hacks and tricks to help you beat the crowds and skip the lines.

Buy your tickets the day before

If you arrive in Siem Reap in the afternoon, buy your tickets valid from the next day. Make sure you know the correct location of the office – it was changed in 2016 and is now quite far from the Angkor Complex itself. The office is open from 5 am to 5:30 pm, but the lines in the morning are chaotic from as early as 4:30, as all the last-minute tourists try to make it in time for sunrise. Tickets can be valid for one, three or seven days, so plan your sunrise and sunset tours carefully.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Don’t see too many temples in one day

On the first day, you are incredibly excited to see as much as possible, but then the sightseeing fatigue sets in and just a few hours later you realize you don’t want to see another temple for the rest of your life. This is a common mistake many visitors make. To avoid it, get a three-day or seven-day ticket and explore the Angkor Archaeological Park in small portions. Thus, if you’d planned to see Angkor Thom today but then realize that it’s full of people, you can leave it for tomorrow and move on to your next destination. It’s a good idea to mark the temples you’ve already visited in some way (on your map or your app) because, at some point, it’s impossible to keep track.

Religious blessing at Angkor Wat | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Waking up early won’t help

Everyone arrives before sunrise at Angkor, and while this would usually be a wise tip, waking up early is of no help here. The best times to explore the archaeological site are early morning and late afternoon, because the heat is unbearable at noon.

Ta Prohm (the filming location from Tomb Raider) | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Enter from the East Gate istead of the main West Gate

Assuming you have already seen the sunrise at Angkor Wat, begin the rest of your days by entering from the small East Gate instead of the main West Gate. This will give you the chance to enjoy the temples on this side of the archaeological park without being surrounded by hordes of tourists. No selfie sticks, no elbow-pushing, no vendors.

Angkor Temples | © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Go counter-intuitive

The three main attractions at Angkor are Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom (featuring the huge Bayon Temple), and Ta Prohm (the filming location from Tomb Raider). This is where the biggest crowds concentrate. If someone has just one day at Angkor, they will visit these three locations. The logical order of visiting these areas is: 1. Angkor Wat 2. Angkor Thom and 3. Ta Prohm. You can outsmart the crowds and avoid big groups by acting counter-intuitively and starting from the bottom of the list. For example Ta Keo – between Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm – is a ghost temple in the early morning.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat | ©Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Accept that some crowds are inevitable

Everyone wants to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, but the sight of the hundreds of visitors competing for the best photo spot in the mud by the bank of the pond in front of the temple may be heartbreaking. Accept it. Just like you, everyone wants to experience something they have seen in all those amazing photos. Be patient and tolerant. The same goes for the sunset at Phnom Bakheng and for climbing the Central Angkor Wat Tower, where only 100 people a day are granted access.

Read more: How to eat tarantula in Cambodia (a full guide)

3 simple ways to make friends with Cambodians

Where to see Rafflesia in Thailand – the biggest flower in the world

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The Danish concept of hygge has taken the world by storm in the past year. Some people have found its meaning in cozy socks and candlelight, but for others it is a faraway philosophy revealing the secrets to a happy life. One thing is for sure – hygge has made us think of ways to improve our well-being and turn every moment into a celebration for the soul.

Things you should know about hygge:

• It is one of the central characteristics of Danish culture.

• It is pronounced “hoogha”.

• It translates roughly “coziness”.

• It is a psychological state of contentment.

• The essential facets of the hygge lifestyle are: coziness, a pleasant atmosphere, spending quality time with the people around you and connecting with nature.

• It was shortlisted in the Oxford 2016 word of the year competition.

5 ways you can apply hygge to traveling

1. Get comfy on the road.

Traveling is not just about the destination; equally important are the journeys along the way. You can turn the road itself into a hygge experience by choosing the means of transport you find most comfortable to take you where you need to go. Grab some nice coffee, get cozy, put your headphones on and listen to your favorite music while enjoying the view out the window.

2. Spend time outdoors.

Connecting with nature is one of the key components of hygge, and a big part of Danish culture in general. To embrace the hygge philosophy on your travels, make sure you explore the nature surrounding you. That could involve cycling, walking, surfing or simply sitting and observing.

3. Enjoy the little things.

One important element of the hygge lifestyle is thinking about everyday activities as if they are special celebrations. This works especially well if you are exploring an unknown place. On your next trip, pay attention to the food you eat, the atmosphere of the cafes you visit, the beautiful gardens you stroll through and every other detail that piques your interest throughout the day. If all those things make you happy already, you might be practicing hygge without even realizing it.

4. Come together.

Another element of hygge is finding happiness through socializing, and there is nothing more hygge than traveling with friends or family – the perfect chance to create memories and strengthen the bond between you.

However, traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t find togetherness on the road. With more and more apps like Rent a Local Friend, Couchsurfing, Showaround and Global Greeters, it is easier than ever to make friends wherever you go. That connection, according to the Danes, is one of the ingredients of a happy life, both on the road and off it.

5. Take it slow.

Travel, like many things in life, is about quality over quantity. Traveling slowly allows you to form a stronger connection with the places you visit, which in turn creates that hygge vibe of relaxation and coziness.

READ MORE:

WHAT TO DO ON A RAINY DAY – 20 IDEAS WITH FRIENDS

5 MINI HABITS THAT WILL FOREVER CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAVEL

10 CRAZY TRAVEL CHALLENGES FOR THE WILD-SPIRITED

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Here are the most useful Google Maps hacks, tips and tricks to use both when on the road and at home.

#1 Beat the crowds

When showing attractions, Google Maps has a feature called “Popular times” displaying the peaks and troughs of visitors’ interest during the day. This average data will help you decide when to visit in order to skip the longest lines. You can choose a day of the week and explore it hour by hour.

See the most popular visiting hours and then choose a calmer time for your visit.

#2 Use navigation offline

Navigation in Google Maps works even if you’re offline, which is handy when you’re abroad and want to save on data roaming expenses. All you need to do is download maps of the area you’ll be visiting in advance. Detailed instructions on how to do this are available here. This is also useful for domestic travel, when you plan to visit destinations with poor network coverage.

#3 Save locations on your personal map

When I visit a new city or a country, I always research what I want to see, find the attractions on Google Maps and use the “Save” option to keep them at hand when I need to design my route later. You can choose to save the site under “Favorites”, “Starred places” or “Want to go”. Alternatively, you can create your own customs lists and sort them by destination, for example. Then, when you open the map, you’ll see all the places neatly organized on your to-visit list.

1. Type in the name of the attraction. 2. Click the “More info” button. 3. Choose the “Save” option. 4. Choose an existing list or create a new one (Berlin, New Zealand, Cheese museums etc.).

#4 Read reviews

Google Maps is one of the main sources of visitors’ reviews of hotels, restaurants, attractions, and even buses (which are reviewed on bus stops marked on the map). Of course, you should be aware that reviews are personal and influenced by many factors. Then again, if hundreds of people have complained about the cleanliness of a restaurant, you should take that into consideration.

#5 Send to your phone

If you’re researching destinations on your laptop but will need the information on your phone later, you can easily send everything you’ve done to your phone via SMS or email. This works if you are signed into your Google account on your both devices.

Send information straight to your phone.

#6 Ask questions and get answers

Google Maps has a forum-like feature where users can ask questions and get answers. The app accumulates the most frequently asked questions, which you can then see by typing the name of a certain location and scrolling through all the attached information.

#7 See upcoming events

Very few of us scroll down to the end of the information about a site in Google Maps. However, when you search for a bar, cafe, museum, opera house or other attraction and scroll down to the bottom, you’ll find a list of the venue’s upcoming events with a link to its website and further information.

Scroll down to see upcoming event info at the bottom of the page.

#8 Find all the cafes/museums/hotels around you, the lazy way

If you just type “cafe” or “museum” into the search bar of Google Maps, it will highlight these places in the area around you. It’s a great way to decide where to go next without having to trawl through thousands of reviews.

#9 Zoom in and out with only your thumb

Sometimes you only have one free hand to hold your phone, and zooming in or out with two fingers seems like mission impossible. Google Maps has solved this problem, of course! You can easily zoom in by double-tapping on the screen. If you want to zoom in and then out, do the following: double tap and hold, then slide your thumb down to zoom in and up to zoom out.

#10 Indulge in time travel

Google Street View has amassed a huge collection of images from around the world, and while the data has been updated with more accurate imagery, the old views have been preserved for the sake of ‘time travel’. When you’re in Street View mode, just click the small stopwatch in the top left corner of the screen and use the slider to see older images. Here’s a short video demonstrating this feature:

#11 Avoid traffic jams

If you’re connected to the internet, Google Maps will provide you with real-time traffic updates. The busiest roads are marked in red, allowing you to plan your driving route along the much quieter green lines.

#12 Measure distance between any two spots

Right click on the map and choose the “Measure distance” option from the dropdown menu. Then click on the map and fine tune the line that appears on it. With every subsequent click, a line will connect the spot you just clicked on with the previous point. This tool allows you to create elaborate routes and measure their length in increments.

#13 Add stops to an existing route

You are headed to your friend’s new house, but suddenly he calls and asks you to drop by the supermarket on your way to pick up some more beer. Instead of recreating the route from scratch, you can simply use the “Add stop” option and change the route. This tool is available in the dropdown menu by clicking the three dots next to your starting point.

#14 Remember when you parked (Android only)

After having parked your car, open Google Maps, tap on the blue dot and choose the “Save your parking” option.

#15 Share your location

If you have to meet friends who don’t know where you are and you can’t give them a decent explanation, just follow the instructions from the previous feature, but instead click on the “Share your location” option. You can choose a timeframe between 15 minutes and three days, or “Until you turn this off”. You can use Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Google, or any other contacts you have saved in your apps.

#16 Use voice commands while driving (Android only)

It’s not a good idea to take your eyes off the road while driving. Thankfully, you can make use of the “OK Google” command while using Google Maps navigation to answer queries like “Find gas stations nearby” or “Where’s my next turn?”.

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