Elona the Explorer

Author: Elona Karafin

Planning a Summer Trip to NYC? Take This Advice

If you’re in the middle of planning a summer trip to NYC, there are tons of articles and blog posts devoted to the “do’s and dont’s” of visiting the city that never sleeps. Before you get too worried about your visit, keep in mind that whatever you decide to do, you’re going to have a trip of a lifetime (and will likely plan a return trip).  Summer in NYC is a special time of year. Is it hot? You can almost count on it, but there’s something about the hustle and bustle of the crowds and the seemingly thousands of things to do, that the heat may be the last thing on your mind.  Consider the following when planning your summertime trip to NYC: Dress Comfortably and Wear the Right Shoes Everyone wants to look cool when they’re visiting The Big Apple. Don’t be afraid to abandon some of your “best looks” for comfort, especially if you’re going to be walking around the city most days. Wear breathable clothes that don’t wrinkle easily and wear comfortable shoes. Even if you see hundreds of others wearing heels and flip flops, your feet will thank you if you wear something more sensible. Don’t forget to put on a layer of sunscreen and carry a water bottle. Even if the temps are pleasant, the heart of the city heats up. Be an Attentive Pedestrian There seem to be a lot of “rules” for pedestrians in NYC. Some of them may be helpful, while others just seem like another New Yorker’s opinion. The crowded sidewalks can feel a little overwhelming. Don’t feel like you need to keep up with the foot traffic (because you’re likely to miss out on some great sightseeing) but if you choose your own pace, stick to the right lane much like the “rules of the road.” It’s also important to pay attention to the intersections and crosswalks. Even if you have the right of way, pedestrians are injured in accidents every year because drivers run red lights or simply don’t see a pedestrian. Make eye contact with motorists before you step off the curb and stay off your phone while walking across the phone (in general, this is a good rule to consider when walking). Don’t Try to Over-stuff Your Itinerary With hundreds of things to do, particularly during nice weather, it can be a little overwhelming to create an itinerary. While some people love (and need) to have a travel itinerary, try to free your schedule up a bit and be spontaneous.  There’s a good chance that you won’t be able to do everything you want to do during one trip, which is one of the many reasons why many people revisit NYC annually. While iconic landmarks are a “must” on nearly everyone’s list, don’t be afraid to take your time and browse the neighborhoods and local hotspots. Use Common Sense When Navigating the City While some parts of NYC may be unsafe than other parts of the city, it’s not necessarily more dangerous than other cities in the U.S. Do the activities that make you feel comfortable and if something doesn’t feel right, rely on your intuition. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions or help and if you feel like you’re in danger, remember that 911 is just a phone tap away.

Flower Hacks and DIY Flower Ideas

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Top 8 Things to do in Dominican Republic’s Northeastern Coast

1. Snorkel at El Fronton El Fronton is one of those places that you see and think “I can’t believe I am in Dominican Republic.”  It’s an incredibly remote, picturesque beach surrounded by massive cliffs and bony palm trees. From first glance, it looks like a scene out of the Philippines. You can only reach El Fronton by a boat (local boats are available along the coast) … and you will likely get the pristine beaches all to yourself. Snorkeling there is an absolute must, as a big reef faces the beach directly! 2. Take photos at the colorful Avenida de la Marina One of Samana Bay’s prettiest attractions is Avenida de la Marina: a charming 2km stretch of colorful houses along the waterfront. It is the perfect place to walk around or catch golden hour on the benches along the promenade. This is easily the heart of Santa Bárbara de Samaná and you’ll see locals and tourists enjoying the lovely views. There are many shops and souvenir shacks, too! 3. Whale Watching in Cayo Levantado Every year between January and March you can see the Humpback Whale migration in Samaná Bay. Approximately 2,500 whales visit Samaná Bay every year to mate and birth and put on a spectacular show for locals and visitors alike. 4. Go Kiteboarding in Cabarete While driving through the coast of Cabarete, you will be amazed by the hundreds of kite-surfers soaring through the sky like a flock of migrating birds. Cabarete provides some of the best kitesurfing conditions in the Caribbean due to its warm climate and consistent thermal trade winds. There are a number of beaches suitable for various levels of kiteboarding: Kite Beach, Cabarete, Bay, Encuentro, and La Boca to name a few. There are also many schools – the prices are relatively similar across the board so don’t go price shopping but rather find an instructor that you feel comfortable with! 5. Rent a Catamaran in Sosúa For me a perfect day is waking up in a warm climate somewhere out in the ocean on a boat or a catamaran. It’s having the freedom to jump in for a swim or to snorkel … to drink crisp rosé … and to be in good company. When you find yourself in Sosúa, I recommend you do just that and book a full-day, sailing tour on a 75-foot catamaran that includes two snorkeling stops. Fun fact: Sosúa was first settled by Jewish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany. Sosúa was home to about 700 Jewish WWII refugees that were welcomed on the Island between 1939 and 1945. There is a synagogue and Jewish Community Museum near the city center! 6. Go Ziplining at Dominican Tree House For me a perfect day is waking up in a warm climate somewhere out in the ocean on a boat or a catamaran. It’s having the freedom to jump in for a swim or to snorkel … to drink crisp rosé … and to be in good company. When you find yourself in Sosúa, I recommend you do just that and book a full-day, sailing tour on a 75-foot catamaran that includes two snorkeling stops. Fun fact: Sosúa was first settled by Jewish immigrants who fled Nazi Germany. Sosúa was home to about 700 Jewish WWII refugees that were welcomed on the Island between 1939 and 1945. There is a synagogue and Jewish Community Museum near the city center! 7. Get Lost in El Choco National Park El Choco National Park is the heart of Cabarete. Just minutes away from the beach,  you can embark on a plethora of hikes, mountain biking, swimming in fresh water lagoons and exploring caves. You can expect to see a wide variety of animals from birds to lizards and the luscious forest is home to fresh cacao, medicinal plants and caves! 8. Explore the colorful historic streets of Puerto Plata Puerto Plata is arguably the most vibrant town in Dominican Republic, with a collection of preserved 19th-century Victorian style houses. In fact, the photo above is a small shop inside of a 200 year old home! In Puerto Plata, you can ride the [only] tramway in the Caribbean to Pico Isabel de Torres, a 793m high mountain within the city. Puerto Plata’s wealthy history dates back to 1492, when Christopher Columbus caught a glimpse of it from his ship. You will feel that history vibrate through you as the streets of Puerto Plata teleport you hundreds of years back.

Top 5 Essential Products For People Who Fly Regularly

If you fly regularly, you probably already have your own travel kit full of essential items but there are a few more products that could turn that long haul business flight in to an almost luxurious experience while also being practical.

5 spots to try out if you’re a solo traveler in Australia

5 spots to try out if you’re a solo traveler in Australia We all dream of taking that once in a lifetime trip and exploring Australia, South East Asia and all the other exotic destinations on our bucket lists. Australia remains an incredibly popular travel destination – particularly where solo travelers are concerned. First-time solo travelers pick Australia as their destination because of its reliable, friendly people, plus there are plenty of opportunities for solo travelers to get down and dirty and explore some incredible spots. Here are just five. 1. Explore Australia’s great cities, Melbourne and Sydney Flying all that way without visiting Melbourne and Sydney would be an absolute travesty. Melbourne is the host of a number of incredible sporting events, such as the Melbourne Cup and the Formula One Grand Prix. If you’re less sports-inclined and a bit of a fashion lover, then it is also considered to be one of the great fashion hotspots of Australia, known to many as Australia’s fashion capital. Sydney is the home of the day-trip, with regular excursions held to both Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Two cities with so much to offer – you won’t want to leave either of them. 2. Visit the South – and Adelaide’s famous vineyards Wine connoisseurs behold. Sample Australia’s famous vines at Barossa Valley and relax after a tiring few weeks of exploration. The perfect experience when you’re tired and need to wind down with a glass of the good stuff. 3. Start on the East Coast and travel through Queensland Cairns, at the heart of Queensland, is the perfect city to start your adventure Down Under. Strategically positioned, Queensland also offers a direct route to the rainforest covered, sea-lined Northern Australia. Travel from Cairns onwards and explore Cape Tribulation and get in touch with your natural side – the Cape is home to thousands of different reptiles, mammals and plants. 4. Learn how to surf on Bondi Beach If you’re not afraid of getting a little bit wet, then taking a surfing day-tour might be a good prospect for you. Day tours are the perfect way to meet fellow solo travelers and ensure you experience something a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Companies like Let’s Go Surfing provide surfing lessons, equipment hire, and other tours in multiple locations across Australia, including Bondi. If you’re planning on taking part in excursions such as these then make sure you have the appropriate water sports cover for your trip – no one wants a holiday ruined through falling off a surfboard. 5. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef Referred to as one of the seven wonders of the underground world, visiting Australia and missing the Great Barrier Reef off your itinerary would be a silly mistake to make. Take a trip to Green Island, one of the islands in the Great Barrier Reef itself, and the perfect place to see crystal clear waters and Australia’s bright, colorful reef. If snorkeling itself isn’t your idea of a good time, you can still experience the reef from the comfort of a glass-bottomed boat.

7 Incredible Female-Owned Businesses that You Should Know About!

International Women’s Day is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to socioeconomic, cultural, political or ethnic divisions. Today, I want to put the spotlight on some incredible female business owners and I strongly encourage you to support them not just today, but every day.