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Snacks & Drinks for a Fabulous Summer on the Road

Summer is the time for adventures, so many of you might decide to engage in a fun road trip. Whether it’s a cross country trip or a short one, you will need something to keep you fresh and energized. That is why you should always be prepared and pack some snacks and drinks.

Nuts for Snacks

The most popular snacks are crisps, but they are packed with sugar,they help when you have cravings as any other safest appetite suppressant. For hot days on the road, you will need something that has more nutrients. Thus, nuts make a perfect snack for the road. They are travel-friendly, salty and can satisfy your daily cravings. Grab a few plastic containers or bags and make your favourite nutty mix with walnuts, peanuts, almonds and so on. You can even throw a few dried pumpkin seeds and raisins into the mix and have a healthy snack filled with the good stuff only. In case you need some inspiration, here are several great mixes.

Plenty of Water

Let’s face it – you will be stuck in a metal box for a good part of your trip. It is hot outside, but the AC might only cause more damage than good. You will be sweating a lot, therefore losing a lot of water and energy. That is why you really need to hydrate your body.

The best solution is water, of course. However, bottled water is quite expensive and it’s not really eco-friendly. That is why you should prepare your own water. You could use, for instance one of those reverse osmosis water filters with cartridges to remove the bad stuff and keep the water in a thermos or recycled bottles. This way you can save some money, since you will need plenty of water for the trip, and manage to stay hydrated and happy.

Trip-Friendly Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables offer a perfect light snack that hydrates your body. Berries, apricots, grapes, apples, peppers and tomatoes are perfect refreshments, but you can also eat most of them dried. You can easily store fruits in smaller lidded containers and keep them in a travel cooler, so your healthy snack will always be at hand. However, you might want to stay away from fruits that could cause a mess in your car, such as cherries and watermelon, since you wouldn’t know what to do with the pits.

Cooling Cocktails

If you are looking for some additional fun on the road, you can always rely on alcohol. However, never drink and drive; this type of refreshment is only suitable if you are going to park you campervan and stay somewhere overnight or if you are travelling by bus or a train. Mix a few of your favourite cocktails and put them in a thermos bottle or a flask to keep them cool. Whether you like them fruity and sweet or not, they will certainly cheer you up, hydrate you and make the heat and travelling more bearable.

fruit

Energy Bars

Most of us turn to candy bars for energy while on the road. However, those delicious treats are packed with sugar and bad calories. So, whenever you are craving sweets on the road, you should turn to energy bars that have less sugar and more nutrients. You can pack a few granola bars to boost the protein and fibre intake or you can make your own energy bars. With these you will surely get the energy you lack during a hot summer day, but avoid the sugar trap.

Cheese and Crackers

For some extra boost during your trip you can turn to this classic combination. Cheese and crackers are filled with protein with whole-grain carbohydrates that will keep your hunger at bay. Prepare slices of your favourite cheese and some crackers and store them in a cooler. As soon as you start craving some food, take a few of those and you will be good for the rest of the trip. However, if you wish to combine them with something sweet, you can always throw a little peanut butter or apple slices on top.

Yogurt the Almighty

This dairy product can serve both as a light snack and a refreshing drink. Whether it is in a travel-friendly tube, mixed into a smoothie or combined with fruits and granola, it will be perfect for you and your family. It keeps you fresh, adds calcium and vitamin D to your daily nutrition and contains plenty of probiotics to keep your stomach healthy and prevent diarrhea. Just make sure to keep it in a cooler and you are good to go.

sandwich

Healthy Sandwiches

Sandwiches are one of the most perfect and favourite snacks, and they can provide you with enough protein and grains to keep you well-fed. Not to mention how delicious and satisfying they are. Depending on the ingredients you choose, you might have to store them in a cooler. However, you can opt for some peanut butter jelly combinations that will satisfy both your hunger and a sweet tooth, but you don’t have to keep them cooled.

Nearly everyone loves road trips, but making frequent stops to get some food and drinks can be expensive and tiring. In order to solve both of these problems, make sure you have some of these snacks and drinks packed before you start the engine of your free campervan.

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The Strangest Overseas Driving Laws That Could Catch You Out

It’s hard enough trying to remember all the laws of your own country, let alone memorising those from overseas. When you’re next in any of these countries, make a note of these driving laws which could catch you out.

Don’t stop for pedestrians – China

Kicking it off with a doozy, this Chinese law actively encourages you to continue forwards, even if you see a pedestrian coming.

That’s a little harrowing when you think about it – and certainly something you’d need to watch out for if you’re a stranger in the country.

While jaywalking might be actively punished in places like the US, there’s still an expectation on the part of the driver to stop. On the brutal streets of China, that apparently isn’t the case.

No Speed Limit – Germany

If you’re out for a nice drive on the German autobahn network – effectively their equivalent of a motorway or highway – you’re not actually forced to follow any kind of speed guidelines.

That might sound somewhat scary if you’re a beginner, but it isn’t too bad. People are allowed to travel at whatever speed feels best for them – with different lanes offering varying acceleration.

Worryingly though, stopping or breaking down is illegal – meaning you can’t head out if you even remotely suspect you might be in danger of either of those things happening.

6-Eyes – Spain

For some reason, Spanish law states that if you require glasses, you must carry a second pair when driving.

I suppose the concern is the first pair might break – but then, it begs the question as to how that could happen without already having crashed?

Glasses don’t tend to fall apart off their own steam – they need something to cause them to break in the first place…thus making the second pair somewhat superfluous.

Blind driving – USA

Only the good old U.S. of A could pump out such an obscure law, yet, amazingly, in the state of Alabama it’s illegal to drive while being blindfolded.

It speaks volumes this would even need to be implemented as a regulation in the first place and does leave one wondering how it came about.

Whatever the circumstances which brought in this bizarre rule, I guess we can’t argue you definitely shouldn’t drive without being able to see. Well done Alabama, I guess?

Drink and drive – Costa Rica

It’s perfectly legal for people driving in Costa Rica to have a pint of beer while they’re out for a casual drive.

Wow, talk about liberal views on drink driving right? Wrong. Despite that rule, it’s an instant jail sentence if you’re caught with more than 0.75% of alcohol in your blood. If an officer pulls you over and finds probable cause that you committed DUI, make sure you read review about BAC Tests and Breathalyzers.

It’s not really clear why a nation would be so casual in one regard, yet so stringent and authoritarian in another. The simple solution to avoid catastrophe is to avoid drinking and driving at the same time altogether.

These are just five of the most bizarre driving laws from across the globe which could catch you out. Make sure you don’t fall for any of these when you’re next in any of these countries, or else you could find yourself in a spot of bother.

Exploring the Natural Wonders of NZ’s South Island

New Zealand’s South Island is undoubtedly one of the Earth’s gems when it comes to natural beauty. Being rich in flora and fauna alike and home to some of the most remarkable scenery spots in the world, narrowing the list and pinpointing only a several places worth visiting is an extremely hard task. With a lot of consideration and with absolute uniqueness as the primary criteria for securing a place on this list, here are the places that should not be missed while exploring the natural wonders of the South Island. Of course the list could be different tomorrow!

Kahurangi National Park

Karamea, a small town located at the peak of the South Island’s west coast, is a perfect example of a tucked away place that offers the original spirit and the atmosphere of the area. The town itself is a great place for both relaxation and numerous exploration possibilities of the surrounding area. The two places that absolutely must not be missed are the Oparara Basin and the Heaphy Track. The former hosts some of the most marvelous looking rock arches, the Oparara Arch being the most impressive one with the length of 200metres, which makes it the largest natural rock arch in the southern hemisphere, while the latter is in our opinion New Zealand’s greatest walking track that will keep you occupied for days.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound was rightfully deemed as the world’s eighth wonder by the famous Rudyard Kipling. The beauty of the nature leaves everyone who has ever visited it breathless. Carved by glaciers, the dark fiord waters are filled by numerous waterfalls cascading from the surrounding mountains and ancient rainforest, some of which have never been touched by humans. This natural gem can be explored on foot, biking, cruising or taking scenic flights. Any of those will provide a lifelong memory of this beautiful place.

Penguins of Oamaru

You do not have to go all the way to Antarctica to observe the penguins in their natural environment. Oamaru hosts two species of penguins, the yellow eyed penguin and the world smallest little blue penguin. The time of the year when they can be seen onshore is between May and June, when they are preparing nests. They are rather noisy at the time and you will not have any problem locating them. Do not be surprised if you bump against them far away from the water, they make nests as far as 300 metres from the sea. Be careful while driving since they tend to cross the roads often.

Whale watching at Kaikoura

Kaikoura is situated less than three hours north of Christchurch. The unique underwater geography makes a great environment for vivid marine life rich in nutrients and in quantities that meet the regular requirements of the giant sperm whales. This makes the waters surrounding the town of Kaikoura a perfect place for whale watching. Other beautiful animals are present as well, such as dusky dolphins, seals and a great number of birds, including the albatross. The lucky ones may even spot different types of whales, too.

Mount Cook

Also known as Mount Cook, Aoraki is the highest mountain in the Southern Alps and another wonder of nature the South Island abounds in. With the height of nearly 4000 meters, Aoraki stand proud and welcomes the visitors all year long. Although its beauty can be seen from scenic flights, the real experience is visiting the mountain in person. Mount Cook village is a perfect place to settle and venture into exploring the surroundings, featuring New Zealand’s longest glacier and numerous iceberg lakes.

The diversity of the South Island relief, flora and fauna and climate areas guarantees one of a kind experience and presents an exploration opportunity for all kinds of visitors, from adventurous types to those who prefer organized tours and guided sightseeing. One thing is for sure, it will take time just to scratch the rich nature surface of this beautiful place, let alone encompass all of it. With this in mind, how about getting a free car and taking your time to fully enjoy the natural wonders South Island has to offer?

Article by Lillian Connors.

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How to Survive a Transfercar Road Trip as a Parent

For most people who have reached a certain age, the idea of a road trip is an image of a perfectly happy family having the time of their life traversing the country, discovering new places and experiences, learning about each other and forgetting about their worries.

Thanks to Transfercar, it is now possible for families who may not be “vehicularly well-equipped” to also enjoy road trips in cars and campervans that they would otherwise be unable to afford. This free rental car setup also enhances the road trip with an added layer of adventure, making it a truly unique family experience. Another great option is to contact camper trailer Sydney to get a hybrid caravan to travel with your family.

In reality, however, road trips are a much more erratic affair which can take its toll on everyone, parents in particular. I have had a ton of experience as a road trip participant, first as one of the children, but in the last few years also in the capacity of The Dad….Here are my tips:

Research Beforehand

The idea of a road trip that you undertake out of the blue may seem like an adventurous and exciting one, but in reality you are only inviting misery. If you just take off, it is far more likely than not that you are going to encounter nothing but boredom, sprinkled by occasional moments of panic.

You probably already have a route in mind and you should research it in depth before heading out. This will include finding the sights to see and experiences to be had. When doing this, you should keep in mind who you are traveling with. If your children are your average 10 or 15-year olds, a visit to a furniture manufacturer or a typewriter museum might not be the best idea. Stick with stuff that you know children love.

You might also want to make your road trip a teaching experience, both when it comes to the area you will be traveling through and when it comes to cars and driving. Children can learn plenty about cars and proper ways of taking long journeys on a road trip. Of course, if your own expertise is somewhat limited, there are always places where you can learn. This blog, for instance, is great for learning about repairs, this one is a fantastic one if you have daughters who might want to learn about cars from women’s perspective and this blog will teach you all there is about tyres. There is really no shortage of info out there.

Do not Overdo It

It is very easy to overdo it once you start planning your road trip. Many of us have those “tendencies”, so to say, to turn into scheduling monsters that cannot be contained and that are able to ruin even the most pleasurable of trips with their itineraries, their programme and immovability. It is absolutely essential that you do not turn into one of those monsters.

One of the best ways to avoid this is to be attentive of clues that will be all around you. If you keep hearing the sighs of your children in the back seat because the next bathroom break is not due for another 60 minutes, you are becoming the monster!

A road trip should be a pleasurable experience and you need to remember to be Zen from time to time. The planet will not fall off its axis if you miss a spot along your route or if the night catches you 13 kilometres sooner than you expected.

Relax. Enjoy time with your family.

Enjoying your Free Rental Car

If you decide to take advantage of Transfercar to find a vehicle for your family road trip, there are a few things that you will want to keep in mind. For example, it is going to be a one-way trip, so it might be a good idea to try and coordinate the free cars in a way that your family does not have to wait for days at your end destination before you can all drive back. The good news is that many people do these back-to-back bookings with Transfercar and it should not be a problem.

Another good idea would be to apply for a few vehicles in both your starting and your return destination so that you maximize the chances of landing the best possible vehicle at the best possible time. Also, depending on the size of your family, you will want to ensure that the car is going to be suitable for your road trip.

Finally, keep one thing in mind, road trips are fun adventures and with Transfercar they just might become even more fun.

AUTHOR: James D. Burbank is the editor-in-chief of a business-oriented blog BizzMarkBlog and a father of two. He has also been a huge road trip enthusiast his entire life. Oh yeah, he is also a huge Utah Jazz fan.

The Future of Car Travel

”Driving a vehicle is too dangerous for humans and will be outlawed when autonomous cars are proven to be safer”, claims Elon Musk, billionaire founder of electric car company Tesla. Despite the hype about driverless vehicles, experts say that it would take 20 to 30 years before they could co-exist with existing vehicles in cities.

However it is predicted that technology will take over from drivers in simpler situations such as traffic jams and parking within the next five years. Yes, in 2020 your new car will know how to park itself!

The future of car travel is not just about security and convenience, it’s also about saving time. Going driverless will prevent you from having a car accident and also give us the opportunity to do something else while on the road. Cars will become communal living rooms on wheels.

The concept design for the F 015 Luxury in Motion by Mercedes-Benz features a large interior space, finished in walnut, glass, leather and aluminium, along with four individual lounge chairs.

Selecting a manual mode would prompt a steering wheel to emerge from the dashboard, while the driver and passenger seats turn automatically to face the direction of travel. Sounds cool, uh? Patience, patience, it’s still a prototype.

French manufacturer Peugeot also has an exciting vision for the future. Peugeot Moovie, an environmentally friendly city car that looks very different from the norm… It’s made of foam, plastics, steel, polycarbonate and plexiglas amongst others… But it’s not operational yet, don’t get too excited!

But do you know what the real next step is? No roads at all! Yes you hear me, why drive when you can fly? A few companies are already working on the concept of flying cars and have came up with prototypes. Terrafugia is hoping to have flying cars within the next ten years! Check out their video here. We wouldn’t mind relocating this car!