REPOST: 6 Ways to Travel Healthier

It is hard to stick on your diet or general healthy eating plan while you're traveling. This article listed tips for staying healthy while enjoying your travels.

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It’s that time of year — the end of winter, the awkward transitional period when everything is muddy and lukewarm. It can make anyone seek warmer climes. If you are trying to incorporate some more traveling into your life, there’s no need to let your healthy eating fall by the wayside. Here are 6 tips for staying healthy while still enjoying your travels.

Ditch the sugary bars. Energy bars are great in concept, but unless you’re mountain biking the PCT, you probably don’t need all that sugar. Try to find a bar that has 10 grams of sugar or less to keep your blood sugar balanced and your energy up — check out the Larabar Roasted Nut Roll.

Don’t overindulge at breakfast. Generally, when you’re traveling, you don’t want to be weighed down by a belly full of eggs, waffles, and bacon — not that that wouldn’t be delicious. Instead, opt for a cheap single-serving Greek yogurt with granola, or oatmeal with berries, or even a latte if you’re not a breakfast person. It’ll be cheaper than a grand meal, and will keep you seeing sights all day without feeling hungry… or bloated and lethargic.

Avoid fast food. Prepare a few snacks — nuts, granola, jerky — so that you don’t feel like fast food is your only option. Fast food will make you feel sluggish and unhealthy. Traveling should be a positive experience! There are always better options. It just takes a little planning.

Indulge a little. Small indulgences are a healthy addition to your travels. Have a little dessert or maybe indulge in a warm, buttery croissant one morning while watching the sun rise. Having a few treats, as long as you’re not consistently overeating or relying on sugar and caffeine to get you through the day, is wonderful and fun no matter where you are.

Make one meal a day veggie-centric. It can be easy to forget about veggies when you’re traveling — they’re not always convenient and they’re not always the sexiest of options. But, if you make one meal all about vegetables — probably lunch — you’ll feel cleaner and more energized for it.

Don’t drink at every meal. That wine with dinner is great, but when you start tossing in beers with lunch and mimosas with breakfast, your trip is going to start looking much hazier. Spend your time enjoying new experiences, not the extensive list of cocktails.

Go experience life: see new places, meet new people, have fun. That’s what life is all about! There’s no need to let your healthy eating regimen prevent you from going out and enjoying your life. How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle when traveling?


For more helpful tips and tricks for travelers, follow Louis Habash on Facebook.

Not for the faint-hearted: Adventure travels

The Adventure Travel Development Index (ATDI) defines adventure travel as an interaction with nature, culture, and a physical activity, with at least two or preferably all three present on a trip. If your idea of a fun vacation includes adrenaline-pumping getaways, then below are some of the places you should consider visiting on your next holiday:

France

If you're a seasoned mountain biker, you will enjoy visiting Avoriaz in France. Travel the French Alps on your bike through man-made trails and alpine tracks over 650km long. I suggest going there in June to make it in time for the Pass'Portes du Soleil mountain bike festival and join more than 4,000 other bikers in a 75km downhill race. In September, the lifts are closed to make way for skiers who want to race down the mountainside.
 

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Slovenia

There is much to do in Slovenia, which was formerly part of Yugoslavia. You have a choice of hiking, biking, or water sports like river rafting. Discover the beauty of 8,000 caves in Slovenia by hiring a guide and go by foot or bike. White river rafting takes you down from Soca River to Bled. Cultural tourists will enjoy the ancient architecture and the rich history of Slovenia.

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China

Take an adventure of taste and culture by experiencing authentic Chinese cuisine. Visit Shanghai or Beijing for this culinary adventure. You can also visit Yangshuo, a former fishing village that was dubbed the adventure capital of China, if you’re into rock climbing. The best time to visit is between September and December so you can take part in the climbing festival in November.

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Find more thrilling adventures and picturesque destinations by following me, Louis Habash, on Google+.

The perfect brew: Dream destinations for coffee lovers

If you're getting tired of your usual Starbucks concoction, why not make a trip to these lovely destinations where you can get the best coffee? Here are the top three places where you can find the best brews to start your morning:

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A goat herder named Kaldi from Ethiopia discovered the first coffee berry and since then, Ethiopia has been considered as the birthplace of coffee. There is no doubt that coffee is a huge part of Ethiopian culture, its history, and many of its traditions. Drop by its capital city, Addis Ababa, for a first-class coffee experience. Join the coffee ceremonies (where you can enjoy making your brewed coffee) or go café-hopping to taste the city’s special brews.

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Rome, Italy

Rome is not only a home of fine cuisine but also a place where coffee is strong and delicious. There are many notable cafes to visit. If you enjoy a full-flavored brew with little to no sugar or cream, then Rome is the place because most locals love their coffee black.

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Taipei, Taiwan

Locals would much rather have brewed coffee over espresso because they find the latter to be too strong. Taiwan’s coffee is always freshly brewed and of high quality, making a cup of joe very pricey but well worth it. You've got to try the Taiwanese slowly brewed coffee at least once in your life.

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Follow Louis Habash on Twitter to find more wonderful destinations to add to your travel bucket list.

Take a Vacation in Your Home City of Los Angeles: Part II

In Part I of this series, you learned ways to appreciate your own city by taking weekend vacations exploring the colleges and universities of the area, as well as visiting downtown. Part II of this series will give you a wider appreciation for some of the destinations in the area that may be familiar, yet unexplored.

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Venice Beach: The boardwalk along the beach is about 1.5 miles long. Spend weekends exploring it three different ways: By foot, by bicycle, and on inline skates. Walking by foot, you will be able to view the interesting people and sights. On one side of the boardwalk is the ocean and beach. On the other side are buildings that look like they could be at home in Miami Beach. In front and to the side of you are people with painted faces, bathing suits, parrots on their shoulders, and folks performing juggling and feats of strength. And make sure you visit Muscle Beach, the outdoor gym where Arnold Schwarzenegger and other body builders worked on their physiques.

The Strand: On the day that you decide to bike the Venice Beach boardwalk, make sure you continue on the 20 mile strand that runs along the coast from Torrance Beach to Pacific Palisades. During your ride, you will pass plenty of places to stop for a bite or a beer. If you are riding with one other person, consider renting a tandem so that you can easily talk during your ride. College students often schedule a pub crawl along this route, which means that they walk, bike, or skate from one bar to another, meeting up with friends at each one.

Louis Habash is a travel writer based out of Los Angeles. He will be the first person to tell you that he, Louis Habash, does not appreciate his fair city often enough.Visit this Facebook page for more.

Take a Vacation in Your Home City of Los Angeles: Part I

The greater Los Angeles area is such an interesting blend of cultures, landmarks, diversions, and types of entertainment that people visit from around the world for their vacations. Those who live in this city do not consider the fact that they spend every day in a location that others choose as a vacation spot. If you live in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, you can create vacations for yourself every weekend.

The College Weekend: Los Angeles is home to USC, UCLA, Whittier College, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine, and many more. Spend a day walking around the expansive and beautiful UCLA campus, watching students throw Frisbees and relaxing in the sun. Walk into some of the old and new buildings. Visit adjoining Westwood for lunch. Check out the Pepperdine campus, which overlooks the ocean at Malibu. Walk around the USC, urban campus. Get a feel for the differences in cultures and student bodies at these institutions.

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The Downtown Weekend: This part of the city holds great interest for its art, Asian and Latino cultures, its Red Line and its architecture. You can see multicultural murals in many locations, including parts of the subway. Visit the Central Library and gasp at the painted ceiling in the lobby and the Ivanhoe paintings around the building. Get lunch in Little Tokyo, then take a ride up Angel’s Flight. On a different weekend, visit the Jewelry District to find a special ring at discount prices. Then top off your wardrobe at the Fashion District. On a third weekend, visit Olvera Street, the birthplace of the city and home to a Mexican-style plaza and buildings dating to 1818. And make sure you run across the street to Union Station to sit in the lobby and look up at the ceiling.

Louis Habash is a travel writer based out of Los Angeles. As a person, who understands the appeal of vacation spots to visitors, Louis Habash also appreciates the appeal of his hometown.Visit this blog site for more about him.

Hacks for first time travelers

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There is always a first time for everything. And when you're traveling for the first time, you might feel scared or excited or even both at the same time. To ease your worries and to feed your excitement, here's a list of travel hacks you need to know before you go out and see the world:

Research

Some may argue that researching and planning your trip to the last detail can spoil the fun and ruin your vacation. There's some truth to that. However, it's also important to learn about the place you're going to and to know what you can gain from your visit. This can minimize missed opportunities of doing something you would've loved.

Take it slow

Don't rush to do everything. If you're only staying for a couple of days, choose the activities you really want to do and do them first. If you feel that you should have done more, you should plan another visit. This is better than trying to experience everything at once. You might not enjoy the view if you're rushing to see and do too many things. Relax, take it slow and enjoy your new surroundings.

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Be polite

You may be a visitor to a new land but that does not excuse poor manners. Being a gracious guest and having a kind smile can go a long way when you're away from home. This will help you make friends who can help you in your journey.

Learn to adapt

You will go to a place where the traditions, beliefs, and culture may be drastically different from what you're used to. Do not force your beliefs on others and learn to adapt to local customs. The beauty of traveling is seeing and experiencing the world's diverse cultures.

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Hi, I'm Louis Habash and I love traveling to the different parts of the world. Find more useful travel tips by following me on Twitter.

REPOST: Traveling to food festivals for oysters, chocolate and beer

All of us may be trying desperately (or at least occasionally) to eat enough wild Alaskan salmon, leafy greens and quinoa salads. But let’s be honest; if we’re making the effort to pack a bag and book a flight in search of flavor, it’s going to be for something decadent.

The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival in Ireland and the Salon du Chocolat in Paris are two more obvious choices for edible extravagance. Having just celebrated its 60th anniversary, the oyster festival has grown from a banquet for 30 to one of Ireland’s most celebrated events, with music, shucking competitions and historical tours marking the beginning of the oyster harvest (Sept. 25-27).

Salon du Chocolat hosts several events focused on the darling of indulgences, this year in Japan, Belgium, Russia and England; all amuse-bouches to the main course in Paris, a virtual fondue pot of international confectioners and pastry chefs mixing, tasting, building towers out of, and designing clothing with cacao (Oct. 28 to Nov. 1).

But some of the world’s richest treats aren’t quite as refined. Take, for instance, the “doppelbock,” a doubly strong version of an already thick and malty beer first brewed by the Paulaner monks in Munich in the 17th century. Oddly, it was brewed during Lent, when fasting allowed only the consumption of liquids. The more potent the beer, the more nourishment they got, or so the story goes, and the local flock was happy to follow their example.

Today, the tradition is celebrated during Starkbierzeit, or “strong beer time,” the first of Germany’s spring beer festivals (Feb. 27 to March 15). It begins each year at the Nockherberg brewery’s Paulaner beer hall and garden, former home to those crafty friars, with the tapping of the first keg of Salvator, the original brew, just as strong. Look for other varieties, as well as oompah bands and other entertainment, at any of Munich’s abundant breweries.

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival may have mile-long trains of crawfish bread and stuffed-mirliton, but the gumbos and gravies of the South Louisiana Blackpot Festival & Cook-Off in Lafayette win crowds with personality. Each pot entered in the festival’s 10th anniversary cook-off this year (Oct. 23-24) represents centuries of Acadian and Cajun history, family recipes tweaked and tooled over the years to compete for modern palates.

Crowds gather at competitors’ pots on Saturday evenings while the judges decide which wins the day in five categories: gravies, gumbos, cracklins (or “gratons”), jambalayas and desserts (yes, pies, cobblers and even cinnamon rolls cooked in cast iron).

Americana plays throughout, from the region’s best zydeco to Appalachian bluegrass, topped off with an accordion contest and square dancing lessons. And in the campgrounds, where most out-of-towners settle in for the night, there’s more grilled boudin sausage and fried catfish to be shared, most likely along with a fiddled fais-do-do from a neighboring tent.