This holiday season will be unlike anything that most people have experienced in their lives. With cases of COVID-19 rising in many places, some are starting to batten down the hatches once again as we prepare for cold and flu season in addition to the presence of coronavirus. And while we’d like to not allow this to continue affecting our lives when we’d rather be celebrating with friends and loved ones, striking the right balance at this time can be difficult. [Read more…]
3 Tips For Traveling To Israel For The First Time
While most people’s travel plans are currently being canceled or postponed, there’s no harm in planning for the next trip that you’ll be able to take once the world gets back to normal function.
One area that you may want to consider visiting is Israel. Especially if you’re a religious person, Israel could have some particular significance to you. Or, if you’re just a lover of history, the region of Israel can be a great place to explore and learn more about. So if this is something that interests you, here are three tips for traveling to Israel for the first time.
Understand Shabbat
Like most places, Israel is likely to have very different legal cultures and traditions than you’re used to. Arguably the best example of this is their observance of the Sabbath or Shabbat.
According to Anthony Grant, a contributor to Trip Savvy, most things around Israel are closed from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, which is when the Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat, is. While you will likely still be able to go to a restaurant to eat, a lot of public transportation stops running during this time, so make sure you plan for this when nailing down your itinerary while you’re in Israel.
Learn Common Hebrew Phrases
Although many of the people living in and visiting Israel will speak at least some English, it’s always a good idea to learn some of the most common phrases that you’ll be using when visiting a different country.
Wendy Altschuler, a contributor to Forbes.com, shares that some of the best phrases you should learn in Hebrew, which is the official language of Israel, are:
‘Shalom’, meaning ‘Hello’
‘Toda’, meaning ‘Thank you’
‘Ken’, meaning ‘Yes’
‘Lo’, meaning ‘No’
‘Bevakasha’, meaning ‘Please’
With these phrases at the ready, you should be able to at least attempt to speak to the locals of Israel in Hebrew, even if you’re not able to have an entire conversation in this language.
Be Vigilant Against Violence
Just like with most places that you’ll visit around the world, there’s always a chance that some sort of violence could break out while you’re traveling around Israel. But while you can’t know when and where something dangerous will take place, you can create a plan to keep yourself and the rest of your group safe and ready for whatever may happen.
As part of this, Elizabeth Smith, a contributor to USA Today, warns that you should take extra precautions when you’re in the Old City or when visiting religious sites, especially if you choose to visit on a Friday, during the weekend, or over a holiday.
If you’re wanting to plan a trip to Israel, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for your first adventure there.
3 Tips For Safer Highway Driving
Driving on the road is one of the most dangerous things that most people participate in on a regular basis. Even if you’re a safe driver, there’s really no telling what kind of accident could happen either to you or around you every time you cruise down the road.
As a general rule, the faster you’re doing in your car, the more potential for danger you’re risking. Because of this, it’s critical that you take it seriously whenever you’re driving on a highway or freeway.
To help you with this, here are three tips for safer highway driving.
Know What To Do In Emergencies
Before you plan to spend a lot of time driving on highways or freeways, you should first educate yourself on what you should do if there’s any type of emergency that takes place on your route, either with you and your vehicle or not.
According to AARP, you as the driver should only stop on a highway or freeway if you’re having a real emergency. And when you do stop, be sure you pull over as far as you can off of the road and that you put on your emergency hazard lights so that other drivers can see you from far enough away. If you’re coming up to an emergency that happened in front of you, it’s best to slow down and move to the side of the road farthest away from the scene. Additionally, if emergency vehicles are coming up behind you, slow down and move over to the right so the cars can pass you on the left without you having to stop completely.
Maintain A Safe Speed And Following Distance
Part of what can make driving on highways or freeways so dangerous is the fluctuations in your driving. For this reason, Jana Rhodes, a contributor to MotoSafety.com, recommends that you do whatever it takes to maintain a safe speed and following distance around other cars.
If you’re driving in open space, you may want to put on cruise control so you can ensure that you maintain a consistent speed and don’t wind up going too fast. And if you’re driving close to other cars, it’s safest to give the vehicles in front of you enough space that you could safely stop behind them if they were to jump on their brakes.
Stay Out Of The Left Lane
On most highways and freeways, there will be at least two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. When this happens, Jason Kavanaugh, a contributor to Edmunds.com, shares that you should only move to the left lane if you’re actively passing another vehicle.
Not only is this the law in most places, but staying in the right lane is also going to be much safer for you than jumping back and forth between lanes or driving primarily in the left lane.
If you’re worried about how to keep yourself and others safe when driving at the high speeds of a highway or freeway, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you become a better driver in these environments.
Best Road Trip Routes For Fall In The U.S.
Fall is on the horizon. When the season begins to change, so do the leaves on the trees. The sudden shift in nature is a gorgeous spectacle worth more than just a few hours in the car.
Planning a road trip around the excellence of Fall is always an enjoyable plan of action. Take the time this Fall to get out and enjoy the changing of the seasons. Here are a few of the best road trip routes in the U.S. for the upcoming season.
3 Tips For Road Tripping As The Solo Adult In A Car Full Of Kids
Taking a road trip in and of itself can be a stressful experience. What with the potential for inclement weather, crazy drivers on the road causing car accidents, and the possibility of your car breaking down, it can be hard to find a moment’s peace when on the road. But add to this equation a car full of kids and you being the only adult and this could be a recipe for disaster.