New Bike Club In China Allows You To Cycle On The Roof

by Jessica Festa on

While rooftop lounges, bars and pools are common, have you ever heard of a rooftop bike club? Holland-based NL Architects is bringing Dutch bike culture to southern China with a new concept in cycling.

The rooftop velodrome is actually part of a resort in Sanya in the Hainan province, and will feature a pagoda roof with curves and inclines to increase cyclists’ speed and velocity. Moreover, underneath the track are restrooms, a glass-enclosed cafe and a bike rental area. To get downstairs, a large staircase sits in the center of the track, which appears to float in the air.

Completion of the rooftop bike club is set for the end of 2012.

[photo via nl architects]

Tips For Staying Fit On The Road

by Jessica Festa on

At home I’m a health and fitness nut working out six days a week and eating a diet high in nutritional value. While this can sometimes be hard to maintain on the road, it isn’t impossible. To help you stay in shape while traveling, here are some tips.

Stop Thinking You’re On Vacation

Many people often have this idea that when they’re traveling they’re “on vacation,” meaning they can eat whatever they want. Unfortunately, your body doesn’t know you’re on vacation and your metabolism isn’t going to all of a sudden be put into overdrive. While you should absolutely sample all the local foods, do it in moderation. For example, if you’re in France and want to sample one of their amazing chocolate croissants, have a small one or cut one in half and have it with fruit. And remember, while different regions have delicious desserts and rich entrees, they have healthy delicacies as well.Cut Your Bread In Half

When traveling, sandwiches are a very convenient meal on the go. Moreover, most buses and airplanes that serve food will often give you a bread-heavy meal or a roll on the side. While you don’t need to cut bread from your diet completely, you also don’t need to eat the top and bottom of a foot-long sub. I usually take off the top slice and eat the meal as an open-faced sandwich. Additionally, if you’re in a place where multi-grain bread is accessible, get it.

Get Outdoors

Just being outside makes most people naturally want to move around more. Not only that, but outdoor activities are energy and mood boosters. Explore the landscape through hiking, biking, horseback riding, jogging or whatever way you enjoy. Not only will you move more, you’ll eat less because you’re busy and not sitting around.

Pack Healthy Snacks

My friends always joke that I’m perpetually afraid of starving to death. Whether I’m in a metropolitan city or the middle of nowhere, you can bet I have fruit and granola bars in my purse. It’s not that I think I’m suddenly going to find myself stranded for days without food – although if that did happen, I would be prepared – but that I don’t want to be forced to buy a greasy sausage or an unhealthy bag of chips if I’m hungry. Not only does this tactic help me stay slim, it also saves me money.

Instead Of A Bus Tour, Opt For A Walking, Biking Or Running Tour

For most bus tours, there is usually a more active option. Almost all cities offer walking and cycling tours. Sometimes these are even free, such as when taking a walking tour with SANDEMANs NEW Europe in various European cities, BA Free Tour in Buenos Aires, Free Tours by Foot in New York and I’m Free in Sydney. There is also something called “sight running,” which allows tourists to view a city through jogging.

Visit The Markets

Exploring local markets is a great way to get to know a culture and a city. They’re also great because they sell fresh foods. If you’re in a place where you’re nervous about eating the fruits and vegetables, opt for produce with a peel, like bananas, avocados and oranges. Wash your hands after peeling to remove any germs from the peels.

Take A Cultural Class That’s Physical

Classes aren’t always about sitting, reading and listening. In fact, there are many classes that allow people to gain insight into a culture in an active way. Try Tai Chi in China, tango lessons in Argentina, samba in Brazil or yoga in India. You may even discover a new hobby to take home.

Learn To Read The Nutrition Facts

Just because a food’s energy may be written in kilojoules instead of calories doesn’t mean your body can’t tell the difference. You can easily Google the conversion and figure out how to read the nutrition labels in the place you’re visiting. Furthermore, make sure to check if the nutrition facts are written per serving, package or 100 grams, as this will make a big difference in how much calories and fat you’re actually consuming.

Take Advantage Of The Hotel Gym

If your hotel has a gym or pool, make use of it. If you need to motivate yourself a bit more, think of it as getting the most for your money. Bonus points if you specifically book an accommodation because it has a fitness center.

If You Have A Smartphone, Make Use Of Diet And Fitness Apps

With our technologically advanced world, there are tons of apps available now to help us stay on track with our diet and fitness goals. No matter where you are in the world, you can have access to calorie counters, exercise trackers or workout programs via your mobile. Some of my favorites are Lose It!, which helps you count calories; My Fitness Pal, which tracks your food intake and exercise and has an enormous food database; and Daily Full Body Workout, which gives you a 10 to 30 minute exercise routine each day.

Keep A Healthy Mind

Being away from home, while exciting, is stressful at times. Make sure to set aside time to really relax. Spend a day in bed reading, rent a movie, visit a spa, or nap in a hammock on the beach. While each city offers many things to do and see, remember that you can’t see everything. Don’t be too upset if you can’t do it all, as it’s just another reason to re-visit the destination in the future.

[photos via JessieonaJourney, jessieonajourney, matt hutchinson, hotelcasavelas2]

Fliers beware: Are you at risk for deep vein thrombosis?

by Jessica Festa on

For those of you who have ever worried about the health risks associated with airplane travel, Compression Stockings has something for you. The company has created this detailed visual based on numerous studies explaining how travelers who are taking long flights are at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and how they can improve circulation in their legs and feet.

According to the Vascular Disease Foundation, DVT occurs when “a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in the large veins of the legs or pelvic area.” What’s scary is that while some cases of the condition are very painful, others go completely unnoticed. Furthermore, if the blood clot forms in the deeper, invisible veins it can immediately become fatal, possibly causing a pulmonary embolism.

While the above infographic is basically a cute advertisement for the company, it actually has a lot of useful information on it. You’ll be able to learn what the ailment is, how flights affect the body, risk factors, and prevention methods. There’s even a section for the fashion-conscious who are interested in using compression clothing. Even if you don’t choose to purchase compression stockings, it’s always good to understand the health risks associated with travel, and ways to keep yourself safe. If anything, this image should help push you to drink lots of water, elevate your legs, and walk around the plane at least once per hour.

For a better view of the infographic, click here.

10 tips for dealing with travel fatigue

by Jessica Festa on

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling long-term or for only a week, travel fatigue can happen to anyone. You’re tired, cranky, and you really couldn’t care less about seeing another museum, cathedral, or castle. Maybe you’re even thinking of cutting your trip short. Before taking drastic measures, try using some of these tips to help you get over your travel fatigue.

Exercise and eat healthy

It can be easy to forgo your fitness routine and opt for all of the rich, filling foods that you wouldn’t normally eat at home. For budget backpackers, it often becomes a habit to buy whatever food is the cheapest, which usually means greasy and unhealthy. While saving money is important, so is your health, and for you to enjoy your trip you need to be 100%. Start out by drinking lots of water and going to the market, where you can buy affordable and fresh produce. Also, start some kind of exercise routine, whether it be visiting a local gym, running through a park, or attending an active class of some kind.Take the pressure off yourself

When traveling, people often feel like they must experience every little piece of the city. And, if you’re only spending a short time in one place, the need to see millions of sites in a short amount of time can definitely be draining. Instead of trying to visit every single church, castle, museum, art gallery, park, and monument in town, narrow your list down to a few sites you’re really excited about and spend more time doing less.

Stay put

The actual travel part of traveling, the trains, plains, buses, taxis, cars, and boats, can be exhausting. While you may feel like you’re missing out if you’re not constantly on the go and seeing as many cities possible, you can also aim to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the city that you’re currently in. Instead of only skimming the surface of a destination, you now have the chance to really get to know the culture at a slower and less tiring pace.

Pamper yourself

It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a luxury vacation or budget backpacking trip; when you’re feeling travel fatigue, it’s important to make yourself comfortable. That doesn’t mean you need to buy the most expensive spa treatment on the menu or book a night at 5-star hotel, but adding a little luxury into your trip can help you perk up. Get a massage, relax in a sauna, or reserve a hotel room with a comfortable bed and cable.

Relax

At times, traveling can be stressful. Wondering how you’re going to get from Point A to Point B in time to catch a flight, dealing with lost luggage, or navigating a particularly confusing city can really weigh heavily on your mind. Try to find a way to relax and clear your thoughts. Meditation works for many people, as can taking a walk in a beautiful park or laying out on a nearby beach.

Connect with family and friends from home

Thankfully, it’s easy to stay connected on the road these days. Make a phone call, write an e-mail, or, better yet, video chat with your loved ones to help you feel closer to home. If you’re feeling really stressed, its also easier to vent to the people who know who best than complete strangers.

Do what you WANT to do

I find that so many times when I’m traveling, I find myself doing what I “should” be doing. Someone tells you to visit a beautiful church, a historical castle, or an educational museum and you suddenly feel like you have to do it. If you don’t like churches or museums, though, don’t go. When feeling travel fatigue, you need to focus on really enjoying where you are and what you’re doing, so seek out activities that you enjoy, even if they may feel less “cultural”.

Give yourself a routine

For some people suffering from travel fatigue, the endless days of sightseeing and wandering around can really wear you out. Giving yourself a routine, at least for a short period of time, can help give you a real purpose and a reason to be somewhere. Check the job boards at local hostels and see if anyone is looking for short-term help or find a volunteer organization to work with. If you can’t find a project on your own, SE7EN offers free and low-cost volunteer opportunities.

Make new friends

While alone time can definitely be helpful for relaxing and regaining your energy, you also don’t want to spend so much time alone that you’re bored and lonely. Seek out friends who feel excited about traveling and are not suffering from the travel fatigue syndrome. Their enthusiasm will hopefully rub off on you. Plus, simply going out for a drink, going for a walk, or getting dinner with new people can open you up to unexpected experiences.

Adjust your mindset

Although you may be sick of traveling, you have to tell yourself that it’s only temporary and don’t let it ruin your entire trip. Think about what a great opportunity you have, experiencing new cities and cultures, and try to spin any negative thoughts into positive ones. Wish you had a hot bath but the closest thing you can find is a bucket shower? Think about what a unique experience your having. Having trouble adjusting to the food? Remember you won’t be eating it forever and will also have interesting stories for your friends back home.

5 strategies for beating jet lag

by Jessica Festa on

When traveling, jet lag can really put a damper on plans. Instead of struggling to make it through the day and spending sleepless nights tossing and turning in your hotel room, try these five strategies that help to beat jet lag.

Practice before you leave

Before you leave for your trip, begin resetting your biological clock for the time zone you will soon be entering. About three days before your are set to fly, shift your bedtime by and hour or two in the appropriate direction. If you do this, it will be a lot easier to adjust once you land.Don’t sleep until bedtime

This is the most important rule when it comes to battling jet lag. Until it is nighttime in the city you are in, do not lay down. Go for walks, take in some sights, try out a new restaurant…anything but sleep. On the other hand, do not let your body stay up all night if it is not tired. You need to work to get yourself adjusted to the time difference.

Take care on yourself during the flight

There are many things travelers should be doing while on an airplane to keep themselves healthy. Drink lots of water and limit alcohol so that you stay hydrated and make sure you get up to stretch your legs frequently to avoid blood clots. While international flights often offer free beer and wine, skip it and opt for good old H2O. Your body will thank you when you are not dozing off during your afternoon bus tour.

Know your body

There are a few things to consider when booking your flight. Most importantly, how well do you sleep on planes? If you are not likely to get shut-eye during your flight, book your itinerary so that you land during the evening of your destination and can go right to sleep. However, if you know you’ll be able to sleep soundly in the air, it is wise to land at your destination during the day so you will be energized and ready to explore.

Think positive

Remember, you are in a new city and there is a lot to do. Think positive and stay excited about learning about a new culture, trying new foods, and taking great photographs. Sign up for tours that you find exciting and book excursions that will keep you active while quenching your curiosity.