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Travel Tech 101 – The Hoboroll by Gobi Gear

Chris Boothman
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15
Travel Tech 101 – The Hoboroll by Gobi Gear

Packing your suitcase or carry on luggage is great whenever you are taking a weekend trip to the city but what happens when you are heading to the outdoors and venturing off on a camping break? I am sure that you have all experienced trying to cram all of your belongings in the bottom of a backpack and then finding it near impossible to find anything. This week’s featured Travel Tech 101 product is the wonderfully named Hoboroll by Gobi Gear! This will undoubtedly solve all of your packing headaches before heading on your next camping trip.

We recently took two trips to Mount Magazine State Park and Petit Jean State Park here in Arkansas and found the Hoboroll to be the perfect travel companion to carry all of our necessities. Although we only ventured on a weekend getaway, we were delighted by how this product was lightweight, surprisingly held a lot of clothes and easy to use!

Gobi Gear History

Chez Brungraber, the Co-Founder of Gobi Gear has been an avid traveler for many years and while trecking her way through the African desert and hiking the Great American West, she realized the hardship of either sharing a duffel bag with her husband or trawling through a suitcase trying to find a  clean pair of socks!

Hoboroll

Brungraber designed the Hoboroll not only to satisfy her own personal needs but also to focus on a market niche that was clearly there to be occupied.

While writing this review on the original Hoboroll, I am delighted to announce that after reading this review if you consider purchasing one of these,  Brungraber has released a Kickstarter campaign for the updated version 2.0 which is likely to be even bigger and better than the model we have.

What is the Hoboroll?

So what exactly is the Hoboroll? Well, in a nutshell it is the answer to all your prayers! In all seriousness, this is a life-changing design that both Heather and I can attest to being a great option when traveling. I love the description of this product on Gobi Gear’s website:

The HOBOROLL is an essential stuff sack for every adventure, keeping items internally separated while on the go.

Hoboroll Gobi Gear Packing

Hoboroll Features

The Hoboroll has 5 internal compartments that facilitates the division of your travel gear and is also open at either end to allow for ease of access. The two drawstrings at either end and the two cinch-down straps are the key to making this product as effective as it is.

Hoboroll Features

Imagine when you pack a sleeping bag or tent back into the original bag? Well, this is a similar technology but even more sophisticated because it allows for compression of everything within the Hoboroll yet maintaining the separation of your belongings.

Pros

As I mentioned, the Hoboroll really is a great option for anyone who likes the outdoors and loves to travel. Whether you are taking a weekend getaway as we frequently do or are taking a longer round the world hike, this is likely to fit your needs in one way or another! Here are some of the key advantages of the Hoboroll:

  • Packing Efficiency
  • Compartment division allows you to easily keep clean and dirty clothes separated
  • Facilitates finding smaller items that frequently get lost in the corners of suitcases e.g. socks
  • You can clip your keys to the tool loop adding extra functionality

Cons

  • Main disadvantage is this is primarily only for clothes and small items. Perhaps more beneficial for the female traveler also because trying to fit a guys size 12 shoes in here is not easy!

Summary

Overall, I would definitely recommend purchasing the Hoboroll by Gobi Gear. There isn’t much else out there in the market that is directly comparable with this and I love the unique design and the compression approach used here.

Hoboroll Gobi Gear

I am really excited to check out version 2.0 especially with the adding features that Brungraber has added such as a secret compartment for keys, valuable items etc. Go on folks, take a look at Gobi Gear’s product range and try a Hoboroll for yourself!

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received a free sample from Gobi Gear for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*

Interview – Brenden Palmer (Worldly View)

Chris Boothman
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2
Interview – Brenden Palmer (Worldly View)

Featured today in our latest blogger interview series is Brenden Palmer from Worldly View, a relatively new site in the travel blogging industry. We have started following Brenden recently and are really impressed by his travel philosophies and ideals about traveling the world.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with the Brenden using his various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Brenden for taking time to interview with us today!

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Tuscan Countryside

Name: Brenden Palmer

Hometown: Ottawa,  ON (Canada)

Introduction: My name is Brenden Palmer and I’m probably clinically obsessed with traveling (if that’s even a thing… and if it is, would that be good? I think it is!).

I run a new travel blog over at Worldly View with cheap budget travel tips and much more. I’m a 21 year old student traveler, so if I can do it, you can too!

Website: Worldly View

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

My favourite aspect of traveling is discovering new things and figuring out new ways of doing things along the way. Even the little things like trying to figure out how to use a different type of washer in an apartment I’m renting in Europe are very interesting to me. Things like trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B and getting lost along the way are interesting and exciting.

Actually, I don’t believe in getting lost, rather I believe that you’re just finding your way. I like to discover and I like to be in new places.

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Austrian Alps

For me, being in the same place for too long causes me to feel like it’s too much of a routine. I hate routine. Travel breaks me out of that and allows me to feel free. I created my website to simply share my travel experiences with others. I feel that a lot of people I know personally have a lot of misconceptions about travel and if I know a select number of people who all have these, then others must have them as well.

I created my website to inspire others to go out and see the world. I created my website to motivate others to follow their dreams.

In sharing my experiences as a budget student traveler I hope that I can do that. Even if I only do it for one person, then it was all worth it in the end. I have no idea where my website will take me, but that’s the beauty of it all. I like venturing out into the unknown. It excites me and I hope it excites you too.

How many continents have you visited? 

Two

How many countries have you visited? 

21-30

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

Paris.

There’s just something about that city for me. I love its small cobblestone streets. I love the people, the food, the red wine, and the atmosphere of what I feel when I’m there.

In having said that there is something about every destination I travel to that is my “favourite” in some regard. Every place is different, has a different charm, has different people, and every destination has different things that make that particular destination great.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

I would spend an indefinite amount of time traveling to every corner of the world. I want to discover as much as possible and I want to see as many things as possible. I want to meet as many people as possible.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Phone and Camera

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Train.

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

…a supermarket or a grocery store. It sounds boring, but it’s really not, as I like to cook a lot (not all — I love trying local food!) of my own food when I travel. Also, the supermarket allows me to not only see what’s different than at home, but it allows me to experience something new. For me that’s what traveling is all about.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be…” ― John Lennon

These are words I live by. There’s nothing that I do in my life that isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing.

At the young age of 21 I’ve traveled to many countries, started a company, now started a travel blog, and more. Traveling has always been my dream and my goal, but society always taught me that you had to get a job and settle down. That’s fine if others want to do that, but it’s not me. I’m following traditions and norms, no longer.

I’m doing what others want me to be doing, no longer. There’s something very appealing about living a lifestyle where I don’t know what tomorrow brings. The security of regular and normal life terrifies me.

Brenden Palmer Worldly View Paris

I’m currently traveling in Europe with my girlfriend. I’ll return back home in a couple of weeks. After this, I’m planning on taking some time off from school to travel. I have no idea how long that will be, but I have a plan in place to sustain that lifestyle for as long as necessary. I’m lucky enough to have a job where I can work from anywhere.

My website will include all of my stories, what I’ve learned along the way, and more. I blog as often as possible (usually daily) over at Worldly View. I hope you can come check it out!

Saturday Snaps #9 – Ruins of Bolton Abbey

Chris Boothman
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10
Saturday Snaps #9 – Ruins of Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey Ruins

Location:  The Ruins of Bolton Abbey located near Skipton North Yorkshire, England

Author: Chris & Heather Boothman (A Brit & A Southerner)

Description: Throughout England you will find a number of castles that are still standing but many of the most intriguing to explore are those that just have fortified ruins left. This image is taken at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire, probably a spot unknown to many yet an attraction that symbolizes archaic beauty.

The history of these ruins dates back to the 12th Century so that really puts into perspective how old this is. Walking around the grounds of Bolton Abbey is rewarding not only to capture images such as this, but also because of the natural beauty that surrounds this part of Yorkshire.

We have done quite a bit of exploring in this part of Yorkshire and would highly recommend anyone visiting England to take some time and check it out! Haworth, Skipton and Knaresborough are just a couple of other villages and towns in this part of the county that deserve exploring.

If you plan on heading to this part of England, I would highly recommend taking the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway which is a great way to see other parts of Yorkshire and also capture the history of these iconic ruins.

Top 5 Locations on The English Riviera

Chris Boothman
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20
Top 5 Locations on The English Riviera

Dubbed the heart of the English Riviera by tourists and locals alike, Torquay is a gorgeous seaside town that combines a mixture of seaside atmosphere with big town attractions. Surrounded by stunning coast and countryside, the towns of Torquay, Babbacombe, Paignton and Brixham offer fantastic all year round holidays for everyone who want their holiday pound or dollar to go that little bit further than if they ventured overseas.

As one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations, there’s no shortage of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets ranging from luxury hotels to charming Bed and Breakfasts and quality self catering establishments such as the vast array of well maintained caravan campsites.

During our travels around England in 2010, we stayed outside of Torquay in the village of Ipplepen, just on the outskirts of the famous horse racing town of Newton Abbot. A short 20 minute drive from the lively town of Torquay, we were in the perfect location to mix entertainment with solitude for those moments where we wanted to relax in the midst of the quiet countryside.

Here are 5 great places worth visiting if you are staying on or around the English Riviera:

Torquay

Torquay

There is so much to do in Torquay ranging from the vast array of shops to various fishing/boat excursions on offer to travel around the Torbay estuary investigating the beautiful coastline on offer in this part of the country. There are really two great ways of spending a day in Torquay. You can park at Abbey Park at one end and then either spend the morning taking part in activities such as tennis, pitch and putt or watching the experts on the crown green bowling. Walking along the seafront enables you to take in the wonderful sea air and sample some of the local tourist gift shops before tasting some of the delectable Devonshire ice cream available from various vendors.

After you reach the end of the seafront you are in the heart of Torquay’s shopping district with a nice range of shops available, from the high end department stores to the more affordable shops such as Poundland (there is something for everyone’s taste and budget). For those American readers out there, Poundland is like Dollar General but as my wife points out, there really is no comparison given the great deals and quality products available at this store! We all like a bargain right?

You can walk the entire street although I must add that there is a gradual incline that gets steeper as you start at the bottom and work your way up but you can do a nice loop that will take you to the top of the slope but then drops back down to Abbey Park. There are a number of cafes available along the way for a quick bite to eat or you may want to grab a quick cornish pasty from one of the local bakeries.

The second option would be to park by the heart of the shopping district, in one of the multi-storey car parks. From this point you don’t have to worry about doing too much walking but you can spend the morning shopping and then the afternoon relaxing on the seafront by the Torquay Harbour.

Visitors could also sample the local football team, Torquay United FC, by taking a trip to Plainmoor to watch the Conference outfit perform (former football league team).

Brixham

Brixham

Brixham is a great little fishing village and offers a marina as a hub for the local fishermen and tourists to experience a great day sampling the local offerings. Walking from the car park on the front gives you the opportunity to see a whole range of fishing vessels, some which have obviously seen many rough trips out in the open waters.

As you walk into the marina area there is frequently a local fish market available for tourists and locals to purchase fresh fish just after they have been caught at sea. Many of the local gift shops are quaint and tourists can browse around to their hearts content.

A couple of hours in Brixham will be sufficient to see everything available but for the pure beauty it is worth checking out if you are in the area.

Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot

The home of Newton Abbot racecourse which frequently hosts high quality horse racing days, Newton Abbot is a small market town located in the Teignbridge District of Devon about 15 miles from Torquay. Shopping is available just with any market town but some of the local parks are particularly enjoyable to spend a summer afternoon walking around.

With pubs packed full of character, atmosphere and charm and serving great local Devon produce, you won’t be limited to the usual ‘pub grub’ when it comes to eating out in Newton Abbot.

Our recommendation for local pub food would be to visit “The Sloop” located in the nearby village of Kingskerswell just outside the town center of Newton Abbot on the road into Torquay. The atmosphere in The Sloop is great and the food is very appetizing.

Babbacombe

Babbacombe

Situated on the north eastern fringe of Torquay, Babbacombe is a small town filled with a wealth of character and a rich history of smuggling, fishing and intrigue. Probably the most famous attraction in Babbacombe is the world famous “Babbacombe Model Village” which offers thousands of miniature buildings, people and vehicles along with animated scenes of English humour and vintage character.

For anyone interested in venturing underground, Kents Cavern is a great opportunity to take photos of historic Stone Age remnants. Tours are available and generally last just over a hour.

Paignton

Paignton

Paignton is yet another coastal town along the stretch between Torquay and Brixham. The most famous attraction here is probably Paignton Zoo which offers over 3000 animals from across the globe.

Paignton is also infamous for being a great location to visit “car boot sales” which are similar to a flea market and give locals the opportunity to sell many of their no longer needed belongings. Visitors travel from afar to visit these sales in the hope of picking up a bargain and generally if they look hard enough there will be something out there. The bartering and haggling is part of the amusement and entertainment involved in taking part in such an event.

Paignton has award-winning golden beaches that are among the very best in Britain while Paignton Pier is overflowing with things to do, including a great crazy golf course that tests even the the experts out there and of course the stereotypical candy floss stalls and amusement arcades for those interested in playing with a few pennies in the hope of winning millions!

Have you visited Torquay or any other spot on the English Riviera?

Weekend Wanderlust


5 Tips to Make The Most of Weekend Getaways

Chris Boothman
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28
5 Tips to Make The Most of Weekend Getaways

Many of you that have followed us for the last 18 months will know that much of our travel is done over the weekend or long weekend breaks, hence how we frequently coin the phrase ‘Weekend Getaways’. We really want to focus our attention on the so-called ‘Weekend Traveler’ who has a full-time job during the week but loves to experience the world whenever time permits.

Life as a part-time or weekend traveler as we will refer from now on is very different to someone who is fortunate to be able to travel for a living or nomadically moves around the world. As a weekend traveler, we don’t have the freedom to spend days or weeks in a specific location, rather we have to concentrate on experiencing a location in just a few days or in some cases hours!

BUT….after reading this post we will have shared with you 5 tips that will help you make the most of any weekend getaway that you take. Follow these simple principles and you can have as much fun as someone who spends weeks there.

Plan

Spontaneity is such a wonderful concept to follow when you are traveling but when taking a weekend getaways it is imperative that you ‘PLAN’ effectively and efficiently prior to the trip. Ask yourself a series of questions. What do you want to achieve when you are in location x? How are you going to get around the location? Where do you plan on staying while in the area?

Once you have answers to these questions, start planning your trip. Book your flights, book your hotel, book your rental car if this is you desired method of transportation! All of these will allow you to have a solid framework in place prior to traveling and everything else can fit in between.

Plan Your Trip

Establish the type of trip you are taking. Have you visited this spot before? If not, are you interested solely in seeing the main attractions or are more about visiting ‘off the beaten path’ landmarks? Are you taking the trip for a specific reason?

A lot of our weekend getaways tend to be sport related (yes, I am a huge sport follower and love visiting live sporting events) so whenever we plan our trip we likely look to see which sports teams or events are taking place in the region and plan the rest of our trip around that.

Maximize

Determine exactly how much time you will have in a location and ensure that you ‘MAXIMIZE’ your time while you are there. If you fly out on Friday evening and then return Sunday evening, the likelihood is that you want to do the majority of your exploring on Saturday.

Maximize Time

You may be fortunate to have some time on Friday evening but you also want to maximize your time on Sunday prior to flying home. All too often we see people that have a flight on Sunday think they don’t have sufficient time to do anything that day. By all means leave enough time to get to the airport without panicking, but be an early-riser and enjoy the time you have.

I want to emphasize the importance of getting up early when you take a weekend getaway. Let’s be honest, you will have time to sleep and recover when you get home or during weekends you don’t travel anywhere. The earlier you can get out and about, the more time you will have to cherish your experiences.

Focus

Taking a weekend getaway is all about ‘FOCUS!’ Focus on achieving everything you want to see and experience in the location. Focus on managing your time effectively. Most importantly though, focus on having fun because as a weekend traveler you have to appreciate your time in a spot is limited.

Have Fun Relax

One thought that I always carry with me though when I travel somewhere for a weekend getaway is that even though I may only be there for a couple of days, I tell myself that we can always return here again if we enjoy it!

Immerse

Cultural Immersion has become a familiar topic in the travel domain in recent years. Why? Well, the reality is that in order to fully appreciate a destination you have to allow yourself to be immersed in the local culture. You may be asking, how can you do this if you are only visiting for one or two days? The answer is simple, ‘IMMERSE’ yourself the way you want to! Only you can determine what you define as culutral immersion.

New York City Cultural Immersion

Whether this involves sampling a backstreet restaurant for the best local cuisine or simply taking a walk around the city through back alleys, you have the opportunity to decide how you immerse yourself in the location. That is one of the ultimate beauties of traveling, there is no right or wrong way of doing things, it’s all about personal preference.

Reflect

So you have just taken a trip somewhere for a weekend getaway and then you return home and consider the whirlwind weekend you just experienced! ‘REFLECT’ on the positives but also consider some things you would do differently the next time you take a trip. Would you be better opting for a different hotel location? Did you choice of transportation make it more difficult to see everything on your list of attractions?

Reflection From Trips

Reflection is a great way to achieve more positive outcomes on future trips. As I indicated with my recommendation on immersing yourself in a society, only you can determine the success factors from your trip. Everyone is different and we all have different expectation levels.

Summary

So there you have the 5 key words to maximize your next weekend getaway! Plan, Maximize, Focus, Immerse and Reflect are the keys to success in my opinion. I am sure there are other correlations that you could use but in essence, traveling on a weekend getaway can be just as rewarding as a longer trip.

5 Tips Weekend Getaways

Our love for traveling the world has only increased since we started taking more weekend getaways. Our horizons have broadened as we have realized just how much you can see in a short time. Of course it’s tiring when you take long trips over a couple of days and then return to work on Monday morning but honestly that’s all part of the experience.

As our tagline of our website suggests ‘Explore the world one weekend at a time’ – try it out, you never know just how much you may enjoy it!

What are your top tips to help part-travelers enhance their experience?

Paris Day Bike Tours Giveaway

Chris Boothman
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13
Paris Day Bike Tours Giveaway

Is there any better way to see all of the hidden gems of Paris than by taking a bike tour of this iconic city? Are you planning on taking a trip to the wonderful Parisienne arrondissements in the near future?

Thanks to Fat Tire Bike Tours, we are delighted to offer a fantastic giveaway today offering two people the opportunity to explore Paris by bike!

Fat Tire Bike Tours

Imagine riding around the Paris landscape in style on your two-wheeled companion, taking in the architectural wonders of the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees along the way. Fat Tire Bike Tours – Paris offer both day and night tours and people that have taken these tours have nothing but positive experiences to share!

So what are you waiting for? Enter our giveaway at the bottom of this page for a chance to explore everything Paris has to offer for FREE!

Fat Tire Bike Tours Grand Prize Giveaway

Fat Tire Bike Tours – Paris is also offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a Grand Prize of a Free Trip to Paris for two! The Grand Prize package, includes airfare for two, a five night stay at the Fat Tire Flat, and an unlimited amount of exciting tours of Paris for two from all Fat Tire Bike Tours, Easy Pass Tours, City Segway Tours and Classic Walks of Paris selections.

Fat Tire Bike Tours Grand Prize Giveaway

For more details on this opportunity, please click here and don’t forget to enter. THE DEADLINE FOR THIS GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY IS AUGUST 31ST, 2014. 

WIN 2 Paris Day Bike Tour Passes

Enter below for a chance to win 2 FREE Paris Day Bike Tour passes!! We are honored to be partnering with Fat Bike Tours – Paris to offer this great opportunity to our followers.

After visiting Paris last year, we can attest to the fact that anyone visiting Paris for the first time will have a great time there. However, we are certainly envious of the winner of this great giveaway as they will be seeing Paris in whole different light!

THE DEADLINE FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS AUGUST 31ST, 2014.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Travel Tech 101 – Revolutionary Products by Inateck

Heather Boothman
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13
Travel Tech 101 – Revolutionary Products by Inateck

We consider ourselves to be proactive travelers, by planning our trips beforehand,  finding hotels and flights well in advance, along with maps of the best attractions to visit. One of the coolest aspects of traveling is packing, however some common questions that go hand in hand with packing are things like: What bag should I bring? How do I organize all these cables? What gadgets should I take with me to improve my travel experience?

Travel Tech 101

We are introducing a brand new series on our site (yes that’s right yet another series!) called “Travel Tech 101,” a series devoted to focusing on the latest and greatest travel gadgets/technology products that will help you on your travels.

Travel Tech 101

With the rapid development of technology and brand new companies all around the world releasing products every day, we are hoping this series will introduce you to some new tech products that will fit your needs.

Inateck – Experience is Everything

In order to kick off this new series we would like to introduce you to a company that you may not be familiar with – Inateck.  One thing that immediately stands out with Inateck is their motto – “Experience is Everything”. From our experience, we have found that when a company recognizes what their customers want, the experience of using their products is always worth it! Inateck does just that – they focus their attention on developing high quality products that are functional for everyone, especially travelers.

Inateck

Inateck provides all kinds of revolutionary accessories or upgrades, including Expansion Cards, Power Supplies & Batteries, Hard Drives & SSDs, Cables & Tools etc. Today we are delighted to share with you our experiences of three very different products that each have their own benefits to taking with you on your travels.

Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Inateck’s Portable Bluetooth Speaker is a 10 watt bluetooth quality speaker that connects up to 10 meters from your bluetooth enabled device and can also double as a speakerphone in case you receive an incoming call. It is very small for the sound it packs and also has a ledge for your device to sit while the music is playing.

In the box you will find the speaker, a power cable to charge the device and an AUX cable in case that is needed as well. The speaker also has a built-in stand that allows the speaker to stand by itself and can also store away for easy access.

If you are like us and have those random jam sessions, $29.99 doesn’t ‘sound’ terribly bad at all.

Inateck Bluetooth Speaker

MacBook Felt Sleeve

A MacBook Felt Sleeve – I will be honest, the word felt had me a bit worried because I am not a fan of anything that has a texture (weird, I know). However, I decided I would give this a chance and focused my attention on the main reason we have laptop cases – protection! I can confirm that this case certainly does that but also does so in a stylish, modern way. The inside of the case has the best security lining that could prevent so many different issues from mold to water damage.

The case also has various pockets for your phone, earphones, and magazines. The main disadvantage to this felt case is that it apparently requires dry cleaning should you need to clean this (not sure if I see myself heading to the local dry cleaners with a MacBook case but you never know!)

Also included is an additional small sleeve for your MacBook charger, which is very nice because every time I open up my bag to get my charger I feel like I am playing with a jack in the box! For only $15.99 you are on your way to looking stylish and protected.

Macbook Laptop Sleeve

4-Port USB Travel Wall Charger

Who doesn’t love to see USB ports while traveling? This 4-port USB Travel Wall Charger allows you to plug into the wall and have 4 additional USB charging ports which is amazing, especially with all the devices we carry that require a USB charging cable.

Most of the chargers on the market right now can weigh you down with how heavy they are but this one is super light and compact. Inateck have guaranteed that this is about 10% faster that other standard chargers when charging 2 devices at the same time and from my experiences so far I can’t argue against that!

This item is worth the $15.99 to forget all those other chargers and just carrying this one plug – Now you just have to figure out how to organize all of those cables? Don’t worry, stay tuned to Travel Tech 101 to find out more…

USB Travel Wall Charger

Summary

Trying to pick and choose what products to buy can be difficult when you are uncertain of what gadgets are out there. These items are not new to the market, but they are revolutionizing how the products are being made. Each of these three products is relatively low-cost in comparison to their main competitors, immediately providing Inateck with a competitive advantage.

If you are in the market for any of these products definitely check out Inateck along with the rest of their diverse product line – I am sure there is something that will fit your needs!

Have you heard of Inateck? Do you use any of their products? If so, leave us a comment below we would love to know what gadget you are using! 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received free samples from Inateck for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*

Saturday Snaps #8 – El Teide National Park

Chris Boothman
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9
Saturday Snaps #8 – El Teide National Park

El Teide National Park

Location:  El Teide National Park on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain)

Author: Carmen Edelson @ Carmen’s Travel Tips

This photo was taken in the El Teide National Park on the island of Tenerife in the beauty Canary Islands. The Teide Volcano stands majestically in the background and Carmen has really captured a perfect shot here on a gorgeous day. I can just imagine exploring the wilderness here inside this national park before heading back to one of the coastal regions of Tenerife.

You can reach more of Carmen’s awesome work at her website and the following social media networks:

Website: Carmen’s Travel Tips

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmenstraveltips 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmenstrvltips 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/carmenstraveltips

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+Carmenstraveltips 

A Walk Around Downtown Indianapolis

Chris Boothman
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31
A Walk Around Downtown Indianapolis

Is there any better way to explore a city than to use your own two feet and wander the streets, unaware of the next hidden gem you may come across? While visiting Indiana’s capital – Indianapolis, our time there was limited but we both knew that getting out of our car and exploring the downtown district was the best approach to see this beautiful city! Deciding to take a walk around downtown Indianapolis really opens your eyes to a city that offers a nice combination of history and modern-day architecture.

After heading past Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL team, we made our way down the main street and parked by the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza. For anyone heading to ‘Indy’, this is a great spot to park, it’s cheap at only a couple of dollars per hour and you have great access to the main landmarks in the city!

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

Built to honor the war veterans of Indiana, this plaza district consists of two war memorial museums and a plethora of monuments, statues, sculptures and gorgeous fountains providing a perfect historic setting to remember those lives that were sacrificed in the World Wars.

Indiana War Memorial Museum

The Indiana War Memorial Museum, in particular, is a great FREE experience that depicts detailed exhibits of the various wars that Indiana veterans fought in. The museum consists of three floors, though the upper floor is the stunningly beautiful Shrine Room which idyllically symbolizes the peace and unity following the Great War.

Indiana War Memorial Plaza

One of the most interesting features is the AH-1 Cobra Helicopter that is on display near the end of the self-guided museum tour. Dependent on which wars you have most interest in, there is something for everyone here and even if history is not really your thing, this is still worthy of your time to see such fascinating, intricate details that make up these exhibits.

Vietnam War Memorial

Some of the other leading monuments inside the Indiana War Memorial Plaza include the 100ft Obelisk that is located inside the Veterans Memorial Plaza. Other tributes can be found here to provide memories of the Korean War veterans along with Vietnam and other tragic warfare.

Korean War Memorial

Many war memorials provide a somber feeling as you reflect on the lives that have been lost, but this plaza really provides a more surreal, positive outlook on life with the beautiful architecture presented here.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

Heading north from the Indiana War Memorial, located in Monument Circle, is the Soldiers and Sailors Monument which is a global, iconic structure remembering those veterans that fought in the Revolutionary War and Civil War among others.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument Indianapolis

Comparable in size to the Statue of Liberty, this monument is yet another example of architectural genius and contains not only a gift shop and observation deck but also the Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum.

Indiana State Capitol

Of course, state capitols are always impressive buildings and Indiana’s located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis is certainly no different!

Indiana State Capitol

Even though we didn’t participate in one of the guided tours available here, it is definitely a structure worth gazing at for a few minutes before heading on to the next stop on your walking tour.

NCAA Hall of Champions

Indianapolis is all about those Indiana Hoosiers but what better place to get into the spirit of a college town that by visiting a museum devoted to college sports history. Located in White River State Park and also home of the NCAA national offices, the NCAA Hall of Champions offers not only a museum but also a great riverfront, canal walk with gorgeous scenery.

NCAA Hall of Champions

A tour of the NCAA Hall of Champions is definitely worthwhile and with admission priced at only $5 per adult, it offers cheap entertainment value for the family. Learn all about the various college sports offered by the NCAA along with a variety of interactive exhibits such as throwing a football and measuring your vertical leap (plus you can shoot some hoops in the full-size basketball court!).

NCAA Hall of Champions

Eiteljorg Museum

Located beside the NCAA Hall of Champions and the Indiana State Museum is the Eiteljorg Museum which is home to a series of exhibits devoted to the history of American Indians and Western Art. Learn all about the Native American tribes and see a variety of traditional objects, along with a personal collection from the founder of the museum Harrison Eiteljorg.

Eiteljorg Museum

I was pleasantly surprised at just how interesting downtown Indianapolis was. There is a lot to see and you can easily spend a full day here exploring just the museums and various sculptures that are strategically positioned around the downtown area.

Have you visited Indianapolis? What attractions are most appealing to you? Do you enjoy taking self-guided walking tours of a city?

Top 10 Reasons to Visit London

Chris Boothman
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Top 10 Reasons to Visit London

Many of our posts are focused on specific reasons/experiences to visit a particular location. However, if you are like us, you will enjoy a quick summary of the top 10 reasons for visiting a destination around the world. With that in mind, we are delighted to introduce a brand new series on our site that focuses on the “Top 10 Reasons to visit xyz”. Today we would like to share with you our Top 10 Reasons to Visit London!

I am convinced there are many more reasons out there and I am sure we all have very different opinions on what should be on each of our bucket lists, but we want to start the conversation by introducing just a few reasons that makes London such an attractive location for us.

I’m leaving because the weather is too good. I hate London when it’s not raining! – Groucho Marx

From a Brit’s perspective, is there any better place around the world to start than England’s capital city of London? From a Southern American’s perspective… well come on folks, this is LONDON we are talking about, need I say any more!

London is undoubtedly one of the top tourism attractions in the world and of course for very good reason! From the realms of historic heritage to the cultural immersion that this city offers, London has it all.

Please feel free to add your reasons for visiting London in the comments section and share with everyone what makes this beautiful city such a popular destination for global wanderers.

1. Big Ben

One of the most iconic landmarks not only in London, but around the globe! Big Ben is the nickname for the bell in the clock tower at the end of the Houses of Parliament and for decades has remained an integral part of London’s heritage.

Big Ben London

A trip to the English capital would not be the same without taking in this landmark, and of course why not take a selfie with Big Ben in the background as the clock strikes 12!

2. Buckingham Palace

Would a trip to London be the same without a visit to the home of the Queen – Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace London

Whether you are interested in British Royalty or think it’s an overhyped hypocrisy, the sight of the palace at the end of the Mall is pretty spectacular and well worth taking the time to experience.

3. Walking the London Streets

What better way to sample the real hidden gems that London has to offer than by wandering around the streets after alighting from one of the iconic London Tube stations.

London-Streets

Whether you are exploring the ritzy Kensington Gardens area or Hyde Park neighbourhood, I can guarantee that you will stumble across a treasured memory along the way.

4. Windsor Castle

Exploring London is not just about experiencing everything the capital city has to offer in the downtown area though there is plenty to see there that will likely keep you occupied for a few days!

Windsor Castle

If time permits, head west to the idyllic town of Windsor to see another of the Royal residences – Windsor Castle. Whether you are a history buff or not, this impressive structure will leave you standing in awe as you contemplate the history that surrounds this residence.

5. Tower Bridge

With the River Thames running through the heart of London, many of the bridges that cross this river are yet more impressive structures that immediately catch your eye as you enter the city.

Tower Bridge London

Possibly the most famous of them all is Tower Bridge that is steeped with history since its construction in the late 19th century.

6. Tower of London

By now you will have noticed that London and the surrounding area is full of palaces and royal residences. Let’s continue this theme by taking a trip over to the Tower of London which is a historic castle located on the banks of the River Thames.

Tower of London

Another landmark filled with history, taking a tour of this attraction will leave you with a plethora of knowledge about England’s history (some of which may leave a rather grim reputation due to rumored events inside the Tower of London!)

7. London Eye

In terms of recent modern architecture to have such an impact on London’s skyline, the London Eye that was constructed at the turn of the 21st century has proven to be an instant success.

London Eye

Situated on the banks of the Thames overlooking the city of London, taking a ride on the Eye is a perfect way to take in the spectacular views of the city.

8. River Cruises

A cruise along the River Thames is a great way to end a long day of exploring the city of London. Try one of the candlelit dinner cruises that are on offer or just take a trip to see more of London’s favourite attractions.

City Cruises London

City Cruises London offer a variety of tours from Greenwich, Tower and Westminster Piers and allow tourists to capture some cherished memories of not only some of the attractions already mentioned here but others such as the Royal Palace of Greenwich.

If cruising down the River Thames does not spark your interest, why not hop on Jason’s Canal Boat tours by taking a unique boat tour passing Lord’s Cricket Ground and Zoo among other attractions along the way.

Jasons Canal Boat London

The tour runs between Little Venice and Camden Lock, where you can alight and take in the famous Camden Markets.

9. Sporting Events

Let’s face it, England loves their sporting events so of course London is no different! Whether the Brits always are successful is debatable but there is a passion level second to none around the world when it comes to sport.

Wimbledon Tennis London

Dependent on when you visit London will determine the sporting events ‘in season’ but if you pick the month of June, England’s capital will be all about Wimbledon. The winter months will see football on the mind’s of everyone but there will likely be something for everyone.

Stamford Bridge Chelsea London

10. Retail Therapy/Shopping

Finally, if after visiting all of these amazing attractions you are still not exhausted, just like every other global city London has an abundance of great shopping options available. For the females reading this article, I am sure you would love to spend some time in Harrods department store but all leading global brands will likely have a base somewhere in downtown London.

shopping london windsor

But if the mainstream shops are not really your thing, check out some of the local gift/souvenir stores to take home a memory of your time in London!

So there you have our top 10 reasons to visit London, England! What would you add to this list? What are your experiences in England’s capital of the world?

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