Travel Around Barcelona
06 Aug
Travel Tips

Look to the Future: Alternative Ways to Travel Around Barcelona

 

During these testing times on the back of the COVID-19 virus, many people have seen future travel plans be cancelled for the foreseeable future.

As frustrating as this is, we strongly believe that respecting the health measures in place all over the world should be observed by all. As well as this, that health is the most important thing for everyone right now.

However, we feel that one of the best ways to get through this is by thinking of exciting things to plan for when normality resumes. Therefore, we have looked to show you all the alternative ways you can travel around Barcelona. So that, when the day comes, you can get around Barcelona in a unique and fun way.

Barcelona is a city full of diverse people, traditions and… transport! It is normal in the city to be seen getting about on some truly unique modes of transport. Therefore, to give you the lowdown before your next visit to Barcelona, we have compromised a list of some of the…

Alternative ways to get around Barcelona

In this way, you will fit in like a true local as you cruise around the city centre!

Vespa Yego

Despite being from Italy, the Vespa has become a very popular way to get around Barcelona.

You will see many locals driving them to and from work as the majority of people working in Barcelona, live in apartments in and around the city. Therefore, having a vespa makes sense due to not taking up too much space for parking and having a relatively low upkeep. With the use of mobile payments through apps, some companies have teamed up with the Barcelona council to offer rentable vespas all over the city. Our favourite is YeGo, these are easily recognisable with their mint green colour! They are dotted about all over the city and you simply download the app and use that to unlock the vehicles. You need not worry about their charge (yes they are electric!), as they are charged up over night for you to use the next day. Their price is €0.25/minute.

Electric scooters

Another new trend are electric scooters!

These are big in Barcelona and nearby Valencia. They offer a very alternative way to get around Barcelona, as people access them in stores or online and rent them for an hourly rate. Most of these places will ask for a deposit before using, but their hourly rates are affordable and fair. Our favourite place to rent electric scooters in Barcelona is Lynx as they drop off the scooters at your accommodation in as little as 2 hours and you can keep them for days at a time! After having your fun, you can get them collected again. This is hassle free and gives you more time to explore the city! They cost €25 per day and €126 per week!

Bike

One mode of transport that has been around a little longer than those mentioned so far, is the bicycle!

These are found all over Barcelona and get locals from A to B. Our recommended bike rental if you are a local is to use is Bicing, an initiative set up by the Catalonia government as an initiative to get people out of cars and buses, to get around the city. If you are just in Barcelona on holiday, then you should use Born Bike. Here you can rent them from their office by Barceloneta Metro stop and pay for different hours, as well as for a couple of days!

Their prices are as follow and includes a map as well as a bike lock:

2 hours             6€
3 to 5 hours     10€
24 hours         15€
2 days             25€
Extra day          7€

Hop on hop off bus

Lastly, for those looking for a more relaxing way to get around the city centre of Barcelona, then there is the hop on hop off bus.

This is perfect when you have a limited amount of time in Barcelona as it goes via the monuments of the city centre at a leisurely pace for you to enjoy. A normal bus ticket costs €27 and allows you to, you guessed it, hop on and off any time of day! This way you can get around the city centre, seeing the sights from the Sagrada Familia to the Camp Nou!

 

Travel
04 Aug
Travel Tips

Amazing Ways To Travel Healthy And Safe

 

Traveling should be an exciting and merry experience.

We get a relaxed mind and have enough time out of our busy work schedules to meditate on other vital aspects of our lives.

However, some traveling experiences can be stressful, overwhelming, and intimidating, especially when you do not plan well.

To have memorable moments and enjoy the trip, you need a proper plan to guide you. Knowing what to pack and other essential things you need is the beginning of a healthy and safe trip.

Here is what to consider during the journey.

Mind What You Eat

Healthy living starts with what goes into our bodies. You can avoid many health-related challenges when you eat healthy food. During travel, you need to be careful about what you consume. Although there is the excitement that comes with traveling, which can make you eat anything and everything along the way, you need to watch out and stay disciplined.

Bad healthy habits can get you sick and uncomfortable and spoil your fantastic journey. Plan on eating nutritious food and healthy snacks, fruits, vegetables, and avoid luxury food. Also, limit the intake portions and avoid fatty, high sugar, and salty food.

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential to your body at all times. It flushes out toxins from the body system and keeps you looking fresher and feeling relaxed from the inside out. Get an efficient and portable water filter instead of purchasing disposable plastic water bottles.

Have it filled with water and stay hydrated all through. In case you are traveling to hot areas, ensure you pack extra water. As an added advantage, staying hydrated will balance your lymph system, keeping you focused, and enabling you to remain active through the joinery.

Get Enough Sleep

A healthy and robust body needs sleep, whether in the day or at night. It boosts both mental and physical health and keeps you safe throughout your trip. You can take a nap while on transit and also once you arrive at your destination to achieve your sleep goals. Although your sleep pattern may change due to change in time zones, try to fulfill the recommendable hours per day.

You can wait till bedtime and extend your alarm and only wake up when your body and mind are fresh and fully relaxed. You can’t achieve much during the day with a fatigued body, so ensure you set aside time to take a nap to relax the spirit, mind, and body.

Be Active and Exercise

During the journey, your body may get fatigued due to prolonged sitting hours. Even if you have space to stretch up your legs, you still need to stay up and stretch your body. There are local scenes at your destination and also along the journey. You can create time to take a walk in the new town, watching out for new things as you go.

If you like physical activities like biking, hikes, skiing, find out the possibility of accessing such events in the new town. However, if you are not a fan of physical exercise, you can get out and bask on the sun to get some fresh air, taking a few steps, breathing in and out. The bottom line is to keep the body active and freshened. It keeps you safe and healthy from body pains and other health-related ailments.

Take Some Time to Meditate

Meditation has many health benefits, and it allows you to think about life away from your busy work schedule and family. You get ample time away from daily distractions to focus your mind. Even if you are traveling with friends and family, you can still create time for yourself.

If you had piled up heavy thoughts in your mind, this is the time to let go, get free, and feel relaxed. There are many emotional, mental, and physical side effects of stress. It affects your mind, nerves, joints, muscles, and other body vital organs.

So, chill out, get a journal to read, write something about life, or something you like to do or what you want to achieve in the next five years. Document what makes you happy in life, and how it contributes to your health and wellness.

Take Care of Your Physical Body

As you keep your emotional and mental status safe and healthy, don’t forget about your physical body. When out on physical activities during the trip, remember to protect your body from harmful elements like hot weather, heavy rainfall. Use protective gear during outdoor activities and other protective essentials. Take care of yourself so that you go back home sound, healthy, and safe.

Conclusion

How you take care of yourself during the trip determines your fulfillment. Keep it all safe and healthy so that you have thrilling and memorable moments. Maximize every opportunity to make it a joyful moment of your life by staying safe and healthy.

 

plastic
26 Jul
Travel Tips

7 ways to reduce plastic waste with your ISIC card

 

Single use plastic. The most maligned material of the past decade: everyone is talking about and everyone is trying to reduce it, including the saviors of saving students everywhere over at ISIC HQ! On top of introducing virtual cards, they’ve also secured all these discounts on products that will help your save money AND the planet. Plastic-free props, guys.

1. Go VIRTUAL with ISIC

As part of our effort to reduce plastic production waste, we were excited to launch virtual ISIC, IYTC and ITIC cards earlier this year, eliminating the need for plastic cards here in the USA. You can still purchase one of their new kind-to-the-planet virtual ID cards at the normal cost of $20. If you’re a full-time student, under 31 or a teacher, get yours now.

2. Say no to plastic utensils

Sunday hangover got you swiping right to potential food-baes on the delivery apps? Be sure to request NO utensils with your order! If you can make it to the front door, you can make it to the silverware drawer in the kitchen. Plus, never be tempted by plastic utensils during your lunch break by picking up one of these re-usable sporks from Snow+Rock. (ISIC discount: 10% off in-store).

3. Save your coins and avoid plastic carrier bags

While not implemented nationwide, this seemingly small charge on one the world’s #1 consumer products (along with retailers who have implemented their own policies) has helped reduced the number of carrier bags issued in the US. Let’s see that number drop even further by swapping to reusable carry bags.

4. Use your own reusable cup

Don’t be fooled by paper to-go cups, they usually have an inner plastic lining that can’t be recycled, not to mention plastic lids. If you’re running late to class/work/most things and must get takeaway, bring your own reusable cup to your local coffee dealer. Or go to LEON (ISIC discount: 15% off). They’ll pour your life energy into biodegradable, compostable and recyclable cups.

5. Straight from the tap

Tap water in the US is the most rigorously tested in the world, actually making it safer to drink than bottled water. Plus, it’s free! So why not pour it into a reusable bottle from the purveyors of PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING WE EVER WANTED TO BUY IN THE WORLD over at Hema. Plus, they also do eco-friendly washing up liquid. Legends. (ISIC discount: 10% off).

6. Straws suck, big time

Do the ocean a favor and request no straw with your drink orders. Not a fan of having to lift a glass to your lips (#thestruggleisreal #butisitreally), or paper party straws that go soft in minutes? Invest in reusable straws, problem solved.

7. Rethink disposable health and beauty items

Items like toothbrushes, disposable razors and shower gels all have plastic-free, eco-friendly alternatives. Introducing ISIC’s fave new discount partner, Acala (ISIC discount: 15% off). They’re an all-natural online store with a mantra of plastic free and zero waste packaging. Items range from bamboo toothbrushes and charcoal toothpaste to shampoo bars (hello never-having-to-worry-about-the-30z-liquid-limit at the airport again).

Ready to help save the planet with an ISIC card? Head to our site to buy one, eco-warrior!