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Whether planning a small staycation in your own backyard or looking to traverse the four corners of the world, Fast Cover Travel Insurance sees travel as a transformative experience. By taking the time to research and plan for your next trip, you can fully embrace all the benefits of indulging your feelings of wanderlust.
Rediscover your backyard
One of the great things about tourism and travel is that there are no steadfast rules. You can walk through your own hometown and be a tourist. You can even walk down the cobbled streets of a European town and be a tourist.
The key is mindset. Think about trying things that you normally wouldn’t. When you see travel as one big adventure, you soon start to realise that there are opportunities for adventure all around.
Top 5 hidden gems in Australia
1. Lake Bumbunga
Living in Australia there are always hidden gems for locals to discover. Take Lake Bumbunga in South Australia for example. This mesmerising pink salt lake is only an hour and 30 minute drive from Adelaide, but remains largely unexplored by Australians.
2. Heart Reef
Discovered in 1975 by one of Air Whitsundays pilots, the Heart Reef in Queensland is another hidden gem. While the Heart Reef can only be seen and enjoyed from the air, nearby lagoons can be explored by boat, mixing relaxation and scenery with a hint of adventure.
3. Hamersley Gorge, Karijini National Park
Other natural Australian wonders, apart from Uluru of course, include the Hamersley Gorge in Karijini National Park, Western Australia. Surrounded by towering cliffs and complete with cascading waterfalls and several hiking trails, adventure awaits in the heart of nature.
4. Mungo National Park
Mixing history with spectacular views is Mungo National Park in New South Wales. The park is one of the most remote and least visited national parks in Australia, however, it is the oldest place outside of Africa to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times.
5. Gippsland
Another hidden gem in Australia is Gippsland in Victoria. Look in one direction and see rugged mountain ranges and sweeping plains and mighty rivers and beaches in another. The activities are just as diverse. Think visiting the Fairy Penguins and a stay at Wilson’s Prom.
Our top travel tip for Australian trips
When rediscovering your backyard it can be easy to feel like you never really left home. However, it is important to note that Australia normally has three different standard time zones, but four in daylight savings time. By being aware of these subtleties, you can ensure that you don’t miss a flight or reservation
Cultural escapades
Travel is a transformative experience. This is largely because you get to experience different sights, sounds and cultures. There is a real richness to global cultures that can be quite alluring.
One of the best parts about travel is looking at the map, picking a destination and knowing that you are going to have a unique experience. No two cultures are the same, so each place you visit will be able to broaden your thoughts and beliefs in some way, shape or form.
Italian culture is deeply rooted in art, history, architecture and cuisine. Their culture informs everything from the meals they eat to the design style of piazzas and buildings.
While geographically located in Europe, Greek culture differs greatly from Italian culture. Deeply patriotic, Greeks love to get together with family and friends and debate topics both small and large. Another large aspect of Greek culture is enjoying a slow pace of life.
On the other side of the world, places like New Zealand have their own inherent culture. Viewed as being friendly and welcoming, New Zealanders are particularly proud of their history and have strong community bonds through activities such as sport.
Our top travel tip for cultural escapades
When traversing through different countries, it’s important to meet locals with respect. They are opening up their doors to you and in return, they simply ask for kindness. By approaching people of different cultures with an open mindset, you allow yourself to experience just how deep cultural ties run in countries around the world.
Eco-friendly travel
World Tourism Day celebrates the vast and varied benefits of travel, however, it’s important to note that travel can negatively impact the environment and locals. With this in mind, travel accounts for around 5% of global warming as a result of the CO2 emissions that stem from air travel.
- When breaking down the CO2 emissions that come from travel, 72% is the result of transportation, 24% from accommodation and 4% from tourism activities. Further, travelling can lead to overuse of water, degradation of land and increased landfill.
- While these figures are sobering, eco-friendly travel is on the rise. Also referred to as sustainable travel, this concept is all about taking in account everything from the economic and social to the environmental impacts of travel.
- This information can help to ensure that you are limiting your carbon footprint when travelling. While it may sound daunting, there are simple and yet effective tips that can help you infuse your next trip with sustainability. Ensuring that your transformative travel experience doesn’t come at the expense of the environment.
Our top travel tip
Before booking anything related to travel, however big or innocuous, have a think about the potential impact. For example, something as simple as a hotel changing the bed linen and washing towels every day can contribute to a strain on resources ranging from energy to water. With this in mind, look for accommodation and travel options that state eco-friendliness.
Bucket list adventures
The world is full of destinations to explore. That’s why more and more people are compiling travel bucket lists. These bucket lists can include everything from landmark destinations like Paris and New York City to more off the beaten track adventures in small towns or cities.
World Tourism Day marks the perfect time to add to your bucket list or start a new one. Much like with travel, there are no rules for a bucket list. You could write down the name of a specific country or an adventure you would like to experience in that country.
Our top travel tip
When compiling your travel list, you might decide that you want to experience snow at Christmas time. For a lot of people, the most obvious destination would be New York. However, if you are trying to stick to a budget, look for other less popular but equally beautiful cities to visit so you can save money while still ticking off a bucket list item.
How travel insurance fits into your travel plans
Whether travelling at home or abroad, it’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. This way, you have options in place should a health emergency arise, or a piece of luggage gets lost in transit. At Fast Cover, we provide a range of different travel insurance policies that may be able to suit the type of trip you're doing.
Final thoughts
World Tourism Day, while a day for celebration, also doubles as an opportunity to start planning your next trip. Instigating thoughts of travel, getting to experience new destinations, sites and cultures, World Tourism Day is a reminder of how transformative travel, in any form, can be.
As you plan your next adventure, remember that Fast Cover Travel Insurance is here with you on every step of your travel journey. Our comprehensive policies are designed with the hope that you can explore the world and love every minute of it, no matter where exactly your travels take you. Get an online quote and find the right travel insurance for you today.
