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5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Traveler in You.

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5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Traveler in You.

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the previous year and set yourself goals and resolutions to stick to in the new one. If you are a keen traveler, or want to make 2016 a year of travel for you, then we have the perfect resolutions. Read on to find out more and don’t forget to tell us below what resolutions you will be making!

I will have more original and unusual experiences abroad  

So you’ve seen the Colosseum in Rome, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona but why not make 2016 a year of more unusual travel experiences? Try out an escape room in Budapest, eat at a cafe on a horse-drawn cart in the US or visit the Museum of Eroticism in Paris!

I will use more travel hacks when I go away

Who doesn’t want a New Year’s resolution that will actually make life easier? We all tend to stick to the same packing and travelling routine, but why not use some travel hacks to change-up your vacation game? You can find loads of these on Pinterest from hacks on how to meet locals abroad to how to survive those pesky long-haul flights!

I will support the local economy wherever I stay

The best part of travelling is seeing and living local culture, what’s more you can really participate in supporting the economy of the country you are visiting. You could take a tour with a local, buy handmade goods from the local market or choose to eat with a local instead of in a restaurant chain. Not only can you feel good about every converted dollar you spend, but you’ll learn a lot about local customs, culture and traditions too!

I will try things out of my comfort zone

If the thought of visiting Tokyo both appeals and terrifies you perhaps it’s about time to step out of your comfort zone and get ready for some new experiences in 2016. You could try zorbing in Phucket, dine in the dark in Barcelona or eat snails in Paris!

I will have a digital detox while on vacation

This may be the most difficult resolution to stick to for the instagram addicted among us. But some time away from social media, work emails and the internet in general can really make you appreciate your time away and shift your focus from the phone screen to the local landscape. Take the time to watch the sun set, and not through your iPhone lense! Although, if you don’t think you can manage such a commitment…We do have some tips on taking the perfect travel selfie!

Don’t forget to comment below with your New Year’s Resolutions for 2016!

 

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How to Take the Perfect Travel Selfie

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How to Take the Perfect Travel Selfie

 

Don't get us wrong- We are always grateful to the kind strangers who will take photos for us during our travels. But let's face it, we are sometimes left with photos that are blurred or captured from undesired angles. If we are at locations that are less populated and travelling solo, we only have ourselves to rely on if we want our faces in photos. 

Taking the perfect selfie requires a combination of equipment and skill. Here are some ways we can capture the best self-shots!

1. Selfie stick 

With a selfie stick, you no longer have to worry about having a hugely magnified face in your photos. All you have to do is to place your smart phone in the clamp and adjust the stick to a desirable length and angle before you take the shot, getting in all those beautiful landscapes. Some come with a separate bluetooth remote to take the shots while others have a built-in button.

Do take care when using the selfie stick so that it does not become a hazard to yourself and others. It will also be helpful to note the list of places where selfie sticks are banned so that you do not get caught off-guard. 

2. Timer function

Even if you are in a place where the selfie stick is banned, there is nothing to stop you from taking selfies. The timer function in your cameras exists for a reason. Simply hold your camera up and angle to a desired position before activating the timer. Opt for a delay period so that you have enough time to steady your hands and your photos are less likely to turn out blurred.  

Some smart phones have a timer function but if yours does not, simply download a self-timer application and get snapping away!

3. Background matters

The background is just as important as your face as the travel selfie should show the places that you have visited. Strike a balance between face and background by positioning your camera or smart phone such that your face is at a corner so that the background will be more prominent in your selfie. Your camera or smart phone will also need to be sufficiently far away from you for that. 

Even if you do not have long arms, you can make use of a selfie stick so that your travel selfies show your face and enough of the background!

4. Lighting

Lighting conditions will affect how your travel selfies turn out, not to mention your facial expressions. A perfect travel selfie is taken in optimum lighting conditions and if you will be outdoors, the best time to take that selfie is during sunrise or sunset as the sun is lower and light conditions are more flattering.

Whether you are indoors or outdoors, avoid taking your travel selfie in overhead lighting or your photos will show dark shadows under your eyes. Nobody wants their travel selfies to show dark circles, even if we have them. 

5. Look Good

A travel selfie should look flattering so do what you can to look your best! Looking good will make you feel good and when you feel better about yourself, it will show in your travel selfies!

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Top Spots for Vegetarian Dining in Lisbon

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Top Spots for Vegetarian Dining in Lisbon

Meat and fish may feature heavily in Portuguese cuisine but that does not mean that vegetarian travellers will starve when they visit Portugal. In fact, there have been more vegetarian eateries opening in Lisbon in recent years so there is definitely more options for the veggie-loving crowd than before. 

Here are some dining options for travellers to consider!

1. Jardim das Cerejas

If inexpensive buffets are the kind of dining experience you are seeking (and let's face it, who isn't?), make a trip to Jardim das Cerejas. This veggie eatery offers a large spread of vegetarian and vegan dishes, with most food options suitable for vegan consumption. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes desserts too! For the reasonable price that you pay, this veggie feast  is certainly money well spent. 

2. Restaurante Terra

 

For veggie lovers who do not mind splurging a little, check out Restaurante Terra. You'll be served top quality vegetarian food, using only fresh and organic ingredients. Again, this is served buffet-style and you can expect to find a delectable spread of veggie dishes of Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisines and even different Asian cuisines. Some of the dishes served here are suitable for vegan consumption but do clarify with the friendly staff if in doubt.

3. Oasis Vegetariano

While Oasis Vegetariano may not offer an extensive selection of dishes, it certainly does not fall short when it comes to the quality of its food. Its menu changes daily and with a choice of 4 dishes from the menu, you have the option of just having one dish or a combination if you fancy. Rice and a side salad will accompany the dishes that you pick and vegan options are available here – do check with the staff which dishes are vegan. Apart from main dishes, the desserts and fruit juices at Oasis Vegetariano are just as loved by its patrons! 

4. Paladar Zen

Buffet-loving vegetarian travellers will be spoilt for choice with yet another all-you-can-eat option! Paladar Zen offers a wide selection of hot and cold vegetarian dishes of different cuisines so if you can have both eastern and western options on your plate. Many of the dishes on offer are suitable for vegan consumption and that includes their desserts too! 

5. A Colmeia

If you are open to exploring less well-known veggie eateries, check out A Colmeia. This small restaurant serves up hearty veggie dishes accompanied with a side salad, all at affordable prices. Given its relatively hidden location, the atmosphere at A Colmeia is casual and relaxed, making it ideal for those looking to be away from the bustle of crowded areas. Even if you are not hungry for a meal, you can drop by for an afternoon over tea and cake and you pay very reasonable prices!

If you do not quite fancy the restaurant atmosphere and prefer a home-cooked veggie meal, try out a BonAppetour dining experience with one of our hosts in Lisbon! Some of our hosts are more than happy to accommodate guests on a meatless diets and are willing to customise a dining menu to suit such a dietary preference. Book a home-dining experience soon if you are planning a trip Lisbon!

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A New Way of Meeting People

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A New Way of Meeting People

In today’s world, there’s a slow but sure shift towards the concept of a sharing culture in which a regular person like your neighbour next door offers you a service and you either take it or leave it. Some of us aren’t very comfortable with this idea as we are all used to the certified “trusted” service providers but to be honest, there are very high rewards to be gained with just that small risk. BonAppetour is just one of the many examples!

Here at BonAppetour, we believe in a social way of dining where travellers can meet local hosts, wine and dine, and share stories over food. It’s a great way to enhance your travel experience – see the city through the eyes of a local!

Apart from BonAppetour, now there’s also Lunch Kaki, a social networking app which allows people to find someone to lunch with! All you need to do is send someone a lunch request or accept one. There are two kinds of lunch requests though. The first is a Last Minute Lunch in which you have a 10 minute availability time frame to organize a lunch meetup, and the second is a Random Lunch in which you plan a future lunch and wait for a successful match with others. If you’re rather sceptical about it, no harm bringing someone else along with you! It’s actually a great way to meet new people – just squeezing a meet up within a 40 minute break? You never know what could come out of it!

What we’d like to suggest is having a Random Lunch at a BonAppetour host family’s home! Bringing many people together for an authentic dining experience can open doors to interesting conversations and before you know it, the ice is broken and everyone’s comfortable with one another. After all, the more the merrier, but don’t forget to check the limit on the number of people which varies for every host. 

So go out there and get out of your comfort zone. There are many possibilities waiting to be realized! Life could surprise you at the most unexpected of times. Don’t forget to download Lunch Kaki and perhaps, plan a meet at one of our dear host families’ home.

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