How Do You Keep Your Stuff Safe While You Travel?

This was a massive worry of mine when I first started travelling. Now, I rarely think about it. So when a friend of mine asked me for my advice I thought I'd turn it into an article instead. Whenever I travel I always use a 4-point approach in order to keep all my personal belongings safe. And here's how I do it… Point 1 Don't travel with anything you can't live without/mind losing. This is the first rule. And as the saying goes… “Plan for the worst, but hope for the best” If you have something so personal to you that if you lost it you'd be inconsolable or devastated… don't travel with it in the first place! Simply leave it at home or in storage. I never travel with anything that I can't live without. For example, if you are about to hit the road for the next 12 months and you don't want to take along your brand new MacBook Pro - because you simple can't live without it - then buy a little E-book like the one below and travel with it instead. It's my number one tip for keeping your stuff safe… because, at the end of the day, you don't mind your stuff not being safe in the first place!!! Point 2 Only take your credit cards. I remember back in the day when I used to buy travellers checks before I departed on any of my travels! Now I barely take anything apart from some emergency money and my credit cards! Credit card should be taken over debit cards for several good reasons: 1. Credit cards will enable you to hire cars/ motorbikes (nowhere will allow you to leave your debit card as a deposit) 2. If your credit card gets stolen and money gets withdrawn, as long as you report it in time, you will usually be able to claim the stolen money back. The same is NOT true for money taken out by your debit card In the world we live in today, you are honestly never far away from a working ATM. And let's face it… you never, ever want to be walking around with more than a few hundred bucks on you. Again - as I mentioned in Point 1 - never travel with anything you mind losing! Point 3 Keep $200, in bills, stashed somewhere. Whenever I go travelling I always hide a few $100 bills around my person. This is your 'emergency fund' if anything should go wrong. When you're travelling from A to B it's best to put this in your sock or down your pants… in case something terrible happens like your backpack gets nicked or your wallet get stolen. If you want to be extra safe you could always buy a pair of 'Brief Safe's' like the picture below! Point 4 Buy a 'key safe'. This 'key safe' above is the greatest thing I've ever bought. When you leave your hostel all you have to do is attach it to your bed and 'hey presto'… your $200 emergency money and credit cards are totally safe! And if you happen to rent a bike or car it's a brilliant place to stash your keys and keep them safe while you swim/camp/sleep. And that's it for my 4 point approach to keeping your stuff safe while you travel. If you have any other point/s that you want to share feel free to write something in the https://www.andalastourism.com site :) Happy Travels!

The Maldives Honeymoon

Why is everyone in the world obsessed with the Maldives honeymoon?

It's probably got something to do with the fact that the Maldives is made up of more than thousand islands that rise from the middle of the Indian Ocean in order to form a paradise on earth.

Another thing about why the Maldives makes for such an amazing and idyllic spot for a couple on their honeymoon is that many of the hotels and resorts that are spread across the Maldives islands provide everything you could possibly wish for and have been designed with luxury and comfort in mind.

The Maldives were literally created for island lovers.

Couples who love the barefoot life, who love being together where the only footprints in the sand are their own, who love to relax on magical beaches, who love to do water sports by day and luxuriate in the ultimate creature comforts by night will truly enjoy honeymooning here.

It's like living an island dream. And due to the oceans slowly rising these islands are soon going to disappear forever. With that said - there's no better time than RIGHT NOW to book tour flights and go!

The only problem about going on a Maldives honeymoon is where on earth are you going to stay, and how on earth are you going to pick which hotel you are going to?!?!

There are some amazing Maldives honeymoon destinations out there such as: Shangri-La's Villingili Resort and Spa, W Retreat and Spa, or the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi. I would never usually say this as I am a firm believer of self-reliance, BUT in this situation the best way, and the way you are going to get the best discounts and deals is to book via a travel agent.

Usually with these agents like Jas Merah, they can help you map out exactly what you're looking for and what your budget will be able to get you. Plus as I said, they're also more than likely to give you a discount, which could include flights.

Either way, no matter how you book your stay - you are sure to fall in love with the Maldives. It really is one of those magical places on our fragile planet that everyone has to visit at least once before they die.

Barbados - Top Things to Do

In my opinion, Barbados is totally underrated. Not only does it boast fantastic hotels and beautiful islands - no other Caribbean country can match Barbados for the choice and quality of places to eat out! That's just one example of the hundreds of amazing things to do and places to stay, so even though I'm going to list the things I recommend - I can guarantee you that there are still hundreds of things in Barbados that are waiting for you to discover yourself and share with the world!

So what are the top 5 things to do that aren't chilling on Barbados's sublime beaches?

1. Harrison's Cave

Even though the hour-long tours are a little slow, it's well worth it as you get to see the huge underground caverns, which contain an impressive array of stalactites, stalagmites, streams, lakes and waterfalls.

2. Black Pearl Party Cruises

Many people out there still say this is one of the best activities in Barbados. It offers traditional Bajan hospitality, pirate history, great food, blue seas and the legendary Jolly Roger Rum Punch. Lunch cruises sail most days with two snorkel stops on the wrecks and to feed the turtles. There is an inclusive bar on all cruises and a delicious BBQ buffet! What more could you want?

3. Atlantis Submarines

This is definitely one of the more unique attractions that Barbados has to offer. If you can believe it - it's a real submarine! It takes you on a fully narrated underwater adventure, which includes a shipwreck at 130 feet, during the day or night!

4. Take an island safari in a 4×4

This is a great way to discover the magic of Barbados while going on an adventure that will undoubtedly lead you to discover many hidden secrets around the island!

5. Barbados Concorde Experience

I've put this last as I recon it's the best thing to do if you've got an hour or so to kill before your flight. And let's face it - not many people can say that they've been inside Concorde!

If you're there at the right time of year there are also two cool festivals that you absolutely have to check out!

1. Crop Over Festival (July & early August)

Barbados' big annual festival starts with the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals (a competition for the best calypsonians), followed by the Foreday Morning Jam (a wild street party), then Cohobblopot (a huge carnival-like show) and the Grand Kadooment (a spectacular carnival parade - on August 5 in 2013).

2. Barbados Food and Wine and Rum Festival (22-25 November)

This four-day event showcases international and Barbadian chefs, with cookery demonstrations, wine seminars and rum-tasting tours.

Now, if all you want is to go and chill on a beach - then here are the two best beaches on the island:

1. Enterprise Beach

This beach is a local favourite with its 250-yard-long strip of white sand on the outskirts of the south coast fishing village of Oistins.

2. Crane Beach

Now this beach is Barbados's piece de resistance! With its long and wide stretch of pink-tinged white sand, backed by palm groves and limestone cliffs, its arguably Barbados' most stunning beach!

And finally, and most importantly where to stay in style!

Now, in all honesty Barbados is home to so many upmarket hotels that I don't even know where to begin. However, there is one out there that has a pretty cool colonial feel to it and that is the Colony Club Barbados. This plush hotel has recently been given a facelift and now has a high-end plantation estate feel. In addition, the hotel now has healthy dining choices, an organic herb and vegetable garden, expanded children's programme, bespoke tours and excursions, activities and fitness classes.

If on the other hand you want to stay somewhere a little cheaper…a good place to go and stay is Sunswept Beach Hotel. Sunswept Beach is one of the very few simple, budget places to stay on Barbados' exclusive west coast - and it's right on the beach.