Surviving The 2017 Solar Eclipse

It seems unlikely that you’ve managed to not hear about the total solar eclipse that will be happening across the USA. If you are planning to travel to see the totality of the eclipse, or even if you already live in the area, you have to be prepared. We’re here to bring you some advice for what might be one of the most crowded events in the past century.

Now something to keep in mind is that this is the first total solar eclipse in the USA since 1979. No matter where you are, if you are going to the totality area it is going to be very busy. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to travel to get into the path of totality.

First, if you’ve not made travel plans yet it is not too late, but know you’ll be paying a premium for any hotels that are left, or that you will have to stay a couple hours away from the path of totality and drive in the day of.

If you managed to get a hotel room within a town in the path, good job! Something to keep in mind though is that the town is going to be overrun. Gas stations and grocery stores may run out of food. Bathroom lines will be very long. Getting to eat at a restaurant will likely be impossible. Our advice? Bring yourself a picnic lunch to eat during the eclipse, along with beverages. Make sure you get gas before you get to town. As for bathrooms, you’re simply going to have to wait in line.

And get ready for traffic. There is going to be an insane amount of traffic. This is going to be true before the eclipse starts, during the eclipse, and after, so be prepared. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get from one place to the other. At least double the time, if not more. And if it is cloudy where you are? Traffic to move locations is going to be even more insane. Keep an eye on the forecast and don’t be afraid to change up your plans if you need to.

Traffic and parking in actual cities will likely be very difficult to find. You may want to head to a small town or somewhere very rural, which will be less busy. If you want a spot to park, get to town early. And maybe linger afterwards, as traffic will be very bad.

And remember that cell phones may not work, so do not rely on them for GPS or communication.

Stay safe, and enjoy!

Underrated Destinations That Allow You To Skip The Crowds

We’ve been covering travel the past couple of months to help you miss the crowds while on vacation. This month we’re going to list some of our favorite underrated travel destinations that you can head to instead of the more popular locations nearby.

Bruges, Belgium: A lot of people making a stop in Belgium will head to the capital, which is not only pricey but busy. The Old Town Square truly is beautiful, but if you’re looking for more beautiful architecture Bruges is the place to go. Central Bruges looks like a classic medieval town. But it’s not just the beauty of the city that will draw you in, it’s the activities. Visit impressive art galleries, beautiful churches, and sample delicious food.

Carcassonne, France: The city of Carcassonne looks like it has been lifted from a movie set. This fortified city looks like a classic medieval castle, surrounded by nearly 2 miles of walls, with dozens of towers, and has a fascinating history. Make sure you don’t only visit the castle, though. The lower town is a small, sleepy place with cute shops and cafes to enjoy.

Krakow, Poland: Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, and is well-known for its medieval core and proximity to Auschwitz. Many people who want to stay in a larger city during their visit to the famous camp stay here, but don’t take time to check out the city itself. Here you can get a feel of medieval times as well as modern times. Don’t miss Old Town if architecture is your thing. In the Southern Part you can explore where the Jewish ghetto was located while it was occupied by Germany. There’s tons here to see!

Upcountry/North Shore Maui, Hawaii: These areas of Maui are far less developed than the more touristy destinations in West and Southern Maui. In these areas you will find large farms, amazing surfing, and much more. This is a large area to cover, so we’ll just give you some top tips. Farther north is Paia, a historic town filled with rustic, locally owned stores and cafes. Beaches in this area have great windsurfing and surfing (but unless you are a pro, don’t try it yourself in winter). Farther south you can take farm tours and find fantastic farm-to-table restaurants. If you’re in Maui, take some time to explore this area and escape the crowds.

Hiroshima, Japan: Many people don’t realize that you are able to visit Hiroshima. It is not a large, radioactive wasteland. The city may have been leveled during WWII, but it has been rebuilt and is now home to over 1 million people. With the destruction of the city almost completely vanished, you can almost forget this city was leveled only about 70 years ago. The Atomic Bomb Dome is one of the only traces of that destruction that is left, simply because it was too difficult to dismantle and rebuild. You can visit the memorial at Ground Zero, but even that is just a small statue on an otherwise normal street. The Children’s Street Monument is a larger monument marking the bombing, and is very sobering. But not everything has to do with the bombing, and there’s plenty of other things to do as well!

Taiwan: Taiwan is still not on a lot of westerner’s radars, but it should be. With amazing food, beautiful national parks, and hot spring resorts, this paradise is a great destination. There’s four main areas to explore so we’ll give a bit of insight into all of them.  Taipei and the surrounding area is the busiest part of Taiwan, so if you want to avoid crowds this isn’t the place for you. If you can handle some crowds spend a couple days here because there’s tons to see. Northern Taiwan is by contrast largely wild. There are beautiful scenic areas, hot springs, and villages all waiting to be explored. Central Taiwan is known for its mountains, but also houses busy cities with great nightlife. And of course, the more tropical, south Taiwan is filled with pineapples and beaches. There’s something for everyone in this country! 

Less Crowded Attractions at Popular Vacation Spots Part Two

The summer months are the most popular times to travel. You may have big dreams to see big locations across Europe, Asia, and America. But you may also find yourself nervous about the huge crowds you will face at these locations. While we certainly wouldn’t advocate that you head to Rome and skip the Coliseum, we’re here to give you some less popular but equally spectacular attractions you can visit when you need a break from the huge crowds.

Rome, Italy

Like we mentioned, don’t skip seeing the various sights of ancient Rome. They are well worth the crowds, but you can still experience some amazing, less busy sights after you’ve checked off those bucket list items. Our first piece of advice is to go to some of Rome’s smaller museums. You will find amazing art, historic artifacts, and beautiful sculptures without the crowds. You can also find many less-visited Roman ruins that are beautiful, but less known. Some examples include Ostia Antica, catacombs, and the Caracalla Baths. With over 1,000 churches in Rome, you can visit plenty of beautiful, smaller churches to escape the tourists. Rome does have some green spaces, so if you need a break head to Rome’s parks for some peace. If you want an alternative neighborhood, San Lorenzo is a hip area where you will find cheap bars, tons of students, and street parties. Trastevere is a charming neighborhood that doesn’t have many sights, but has an old-world feel. Go here to explore with no goal in mind, except to see some beautiful buildings, great restaurants, and unique shops.

Prague, Czech Republic

This beautiful city has become more and more popular in recent years. Luckily there’s still plenty of amazing sites to see that aren’t crowded by tourists. While the Prague Castle is beautiful, a lesser known, equally beautiful option is Vyšehrad, a castle with grounds that are perfect for a picnic. While of course you will want to see Old Town, walk around residential neighborhoods to see beautiful architecture and quiet, lovely streets. Strahov Monastery is absolutely beautiful, and has much less tourism than other areas of Prague. Get away from the crowds and enjoy the serenity of the Botanical Gardens. If you want to enjoy the waterfront in a quiet place, head to the Rašín’s waterfront to watch swans, sail boats, and simply to enjoy the view. Want to explore a beautiful area without the crowds? Head to Zbraslav Chateau, which feels like it’s miles and miles away from Prague.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin has a lot of history, and some main places you are going to want to see. But once you’ve gotten past those, there’s tons of things in Berlin to do that will keep you away from crowds of tourists. Don’t skip a beer garden, but do find one that is in a less tourist-central area. Do head over to Museum Island, which has not only the most visited museums, but small, strange museums you’ll be surprised to see exist. If you want to enjoy a flea market without the crowds, head to the lesser known RAW Flohmarket, where more of the locals shop. Looking for something unique? Tempelhofer Feld is an abandoned airfield that is now used for grill parties, picnics, and even wind surfing. Berlin has a huge underground scene, so if you feel a bit more daring, go looking for it! (But please, be safe).

Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand is an extremely affordable vacation, meaning every year it gets more and more crowded. There’s tons to see in this busy city, and plenty to do off the beaten path! The first thing you can do is simply walk and explore without a destination in mind. You’ll find tons of culture, street food, shops, and markets just by walking around. There’s plenty of unique museums which will be less crowded than the traditional museums. If you’re looking for a quieter beach scene, head to Hat Tri-Triang to avoid some of the bigger, louder crowds.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans has a reputation as being a big party city, and is filled with tourists at many different times of the year. There’s plenty to see, and plenty of ways to avoid the touristy crowds. See the French Quarter, but then get exploring. The Garden District is a beautiful area filled with parks and gardens to explore. And there’s many other unique neighborhoods to explore outside of the French Quarter. The cemeteries may be morbid, but are fascinating, but be careful as some of them are in not-so-safe neighborhoods. Try heading to Frenchmen Street to get a less touristy street filled with clubs and bars. And of course, like most cities, check out some of the more obscure museums such as the Pharmacy Museum or the Voodoo Museum. 

Less Crowded Attractions at Popular Vacation Spots

Last month we brought you a blog post about less crowded travel destinations to visit. While that is great for some, others have dreams of seeing some of the more popular travel destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, and Hawaii. While you may go there to enjoy some of the more popular attractions, when you need a break from the crowds there’s plenty of less busy attractions you can visit and enjoy. This month we’re going to share some of those places with you, so you can enjoy your vacation without constantly being surrounded by crowds.

London

London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and for good reason. With a mix of newer technology like The London Eye and older history like the Tower of London, there’s something for everyone in this amazing city. If you want to get off the beaten path, we have some suggestions. First, walking tours. We cannot emphasize enough how enjoyable these are. You can do them on your own or take a tour, which usually only has a couple dozen people at most. These walking tours can be focused on many different things, from famous filming locations to the haunts of Jack the Ripper. Looking for royalty? The Kew Palace may be more modest, but it lacks huge crowds and is still a sight to see. Want a great view? Primrose Hill is a beautiful park with beautiful views. And if you like cemeteries Highgate Cemetery is rarely crowded and is beautiful, overgrown, and the guides have many stories to share. And if nothing else, just walk. Wander. There’s always cabs and tube stations to go to if you get too lost. There’s tons to see and do in the city.

Hawaii

Our first pieces of advice is to not choose Honolulu as your destination. Oahu is beautiful, but easily the most crowded of the Hawaiian islands, especially if you stay in Waikiki. You’ll be surrounded by tourists the entire time. Try the Big Island, or if you want something a bit more commercial, Maui. If you do choose Oahu, don’t stay in Waikiki. You don’t fly to Hawaii to be in a city, you fly to Hawaii to enjoy the natural beauty of the islands. If you do choose a different island, you are in luck, as the attractions will be much less crowded. And that includes the beach. Stay away from beaches in resort areas, though, as they get more crowded.

Amsterdam

This increasingly hip city is also getting increasingly busy. If you want to take in the charm of the city without the tourists, here’s our advice. While we’d never tell people to avoid the big museums, Amsterdam has dozens of small museums on niche topics to choose from. You should also take a ferry across the river, which takes you away from the city center where you can explore less visited neighborhoods. De Pijp is full of hipster cafes, bars, and shopping. It’s a small city, so one of the best things you can do is rent a bike and just explore. Check out side streets, watch the canals, and just soak in the atmosphere.

New York City

If you’re here in America, this is the most likely place you will visit, and also one of the easiest places where you’ll see nothing but tourist traps and crowds. You cannot avoid the crowds in New York. It is simply impossible. But you can find things to do that are less crowded. Sure, check out the MET, but then head to the Cloisters to see art from medieval Europe. Central park will be packed, but lesser known parks such as Fort Tryon Park will not be. And don’t only go to popular museums, check out the many smaller museums. And don’t only take in Broadway, take in smaller theaters, comedy shows, poetry readings, and more.

Tokyo

Tokyo in Japan is a huge city and a huge tourist destination. Japan though is actually known for its quirky side, so finding some odd attractions is not uncommon. But don’t be fooled because there’s tons of attractions out there the average tourist doesn’t find. Shimokitazawa is a small neighborhood filled with character and less tourists than Harajuku, but with a similar feel. Check out some themed restaurants such as the Robot Restaurant or TheLockUp. For a quieter area, check out Kagurazaka, which started as the geisha district and is now filled with kimono shops and teahouses. Yanaka market street is less busy but still filled with authentic clothing, street food, and crafts.

These are just some starting points, but there’s obviously tons more to see out there! Maybe we’ll do more of these throughout vacation season to help you find the culture of these great locations without the crowds.

Best Destinations for Escaping the Crowds

Maybe you’re looking for a fun trip to use your tax refund on, or maybe you just want to get away from it all and have a nice vacation. For some, crowded cities and busy nightlife are what makes a vacation great. For others, it brings stress and they want something less busy and more secluded. Today we’re featuring some of the best destinations you can go to for a great vacation without the crowds.

1.      Negril, Jamacia has a small population and a large resort. It has amazing beaches to explore, a four mile long beach in fact, so even if the destination gets busy there’s still plenty of room to breathe. If you want more than sunbathing and swimming, you can snorkel, get pampered in the resort, or even go cliff diving! It’s a beautiful destination that offers tons of fun with less of the crowds.

2.      Sicily, Italy is a great way to still experience Italy without the crowds you will find in Rome or Venice. It can get more crowded in spring and fall, making it an amazing summer destination. There’s plenty of ruins to explore, museums to visit, and even an active volcano if you’re feeling adventurous!

3.      Sandbridge Beach, Virginia is the perfect destination for you if you’ve dreamed of the beauty of Virginia Beach but bristled at the crowds. Virginia Beach is indeed beautiful, but it is extremely crowded in the summer. Sandbridge is only 15 or so miles from the big resorts, offering you the same beautiful beaches in a more secluded location. You won’t get the big fancy resorts here, but you’ll get the solitude.

4.      Warsaw, Poland is an extremely underrated destination. While it is of course a big city, you won’t find the crowds here that you would find in London or Paris. Warsaw has a great deal of history, and plenty of museums that will allow you to discover that history. While many historic buildings were destroyed during the war there’s still a few standing that you can visit.

5.      Naperville, Illinois is the place for you if you love fine dining and shopping but don’t want to brave the crowds of Chicago. And if you want to take a day trip to Chicago, you can get there by train from Naperville, eliminating the stress of driving and parking. Once you tire of the many stores and restaurants, check out the historic Naperville Settlement or the scenic river walk.

6.      Cardiff, Wales may be a city, but it’s spread out enough that you’ll never feel claustrophobic. If you’re a fan of British TV, many shows are filmed here so there’s tons of great walking tours. If you’re not don’t worry, because there’s plenty of other things to do! Cardiff Bay is on the water with plenty of restaurants and shops, and Cardiff Castle is a beautiful place to explore. Plus it’s only a short train ride away from other cities in Wales.

7.      Rwanda, Africa is the place to go if you love nature. There’s too many natural wonders and too much biodiversity to list here, but we will give you a sample. See the Volcanoes National Park, travel through a rain forest, get close to gorillas, and observe giraffes. Plus if you want to relax after adventuring, there’s lovely resort towns to stay in. With so much nature you won’t be surrounded by crowds of people.

8.      South Dakota offers plenty of nature if you’re not feeling adventurous enough to travel to Africa. The Badlands National Park is reason enough to go. If you enjoy caves, stunning mountains, and small towns, this state has tons to offer without the huge crowds you’ll find at more popular state destinations.

9.      Bath, England offers beautiful architecture and history without the crowds you’ll find in London. The city has tons of places to visit, but rarely feels crowded. The Roman Baths are reason enough to go, and the spas will make it hard to leave. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, laid-back European destination, Bath will still give you the history without the busy pace.

10.   Door County, Wisconsin is called the “Cape Cod of the Midwest”, and for good reason. With beautiful views of Lake Michigan, spectacular shopping, the famous cherry pie, and few crowds, this destination gives you a luxurious beach feel without the headaches. Whether you want to relax and shop or hike and explore, you’ll be satisfied with a trip here.

      With so many beautiful destinations, you don’t need to force yourself to the “Big Name” travel destinations if the crowds will ruin the trip for you. So try one of these places out. You won’t regret it!

Do You Need Crowd Control At Your Wedding?

Crowd control isn’t often in the front of your mind when you are planning a wedding. It’s all about the food, the DJ, the decorations…but having the right crowd control is actually extremely important. What’s even better is that it does not have to be complicated.

Controlling your crowds at your wedding starts very early in the process…with the guest list. Creating your guest list is likely going to be one of the first things you do. The amount of people you plan to invite influences your catering, venue, chair rental, and more.

So, once it’s time to invite your guests, there’s a few things you need to make sure you do. Be specific when addressing your invitations. This means indicating if your attendee may bring a guest or not. This means giving specific names, versus generic ones such as “The Smith Family.” This way you know exactly how many people you are inviting.

The next step for crowd control is to handle your RSVPs appropriately. This may involve extra work, but it will really help with the guest list in the end. What you can do is call all of your guests and thank them for RSVPing. At this point confirm the amount of people their RSVP covers. For example, “Thank you for getting back to me Jasmine. I have you marked down for one. I can’t wait to see you.” This eliminates any confusion. As for people who do not RSVP, track them down and get their answers. Trust us, you don’t want to be scrambling to find somewhere for them to sit on your wedding day.

And speaking of seating, if you want to avoid more crowd disasters, be sure to have assigned seating. Open seating, where guests choose what table they want to sit at, is chaotic and causes a lot of awkwardness for your guests. Assigning a table means your guests know exactly where to go and makes the seating process much smoother.

Now if there are areas of your venue you need to keep guests out of, you can do this with some simple crowd control posts. They are a clear indicator that an area should not be entered. This isn’t strictly necessary, but if the venue layout is confusing it can be helpful.

A huge question you have to ask yourself is do you want to hire security? There are some good reasons you may want to shell out the extra cash. Security would be able to deal with wedding crashers, for example. They can also come in handy if conflict arises, which can happen due to arguments and alcohol. You don’t want your big day ruined by a fight!

We know that planning a wedding is stressful, but don’t forget to include crowd control in your wedding plans!

Keeping Your Events Safe

While in the midst of planning an event, there are many things to consider. You are likely thinking about seating arrangements, the entertainment, food, décor, and of course crowd control. But something that can be overlooked is security at events.

It may sound pessimistic to say, but you never know what is going to happen at an event. Mass shootings and violent crowds are unfortunately a real possibility that you have to be prepared for. We’re going to explain how to look at different aspects of your events to help you determine what kind of security you will need.

·        Where is the event being held? There are many facets to this simple question. Is it outdoors, where the public could get easier access to the event? Is it indoors, with few exits available? Is it in a neighborhood that is considered safe, or dangerous?

·        Who is going to attend the event? Is it an event that is open to the public, or is it by invitation only? What is the demographic of your group?

·        What/Who is the entertainment? Is there going to be music, or a speaker of some kind? What types of events are being held during this gathering? Could any of them be dangerous or cause an injury?

·        What is the topic of the event? Is it for entertainment only? Is it political? Religious? Is the topic of the event controversial? Could it lend itself to protests? You’ll need extra security depending on how you answer these questions.

·        Will there be alcohol at your event? Alcohol lowers inhibitions and while it can be fun, it can also lead to negative behavior from your guests. It can lead to drunkenness and altercations. Have staff on hand in case something gets out of control.

By answering all of these questions, you can get an idea of what type of security your event will need. We’ll give two examples.

Your event is being held inside a hotel ballroom in an expensive neighborhood. This event is by invitation only with a wide demographic. There will be music and dancing, so minor injuries may be possible. The topic of the event is an opposite sex wedding, so it is less likely to be controversial. There will be an open bar, so many people will be drinking. For an event like this, you will want some minor security in place in case the drinking gets out of hand or there’s tension between guests, but a large police presence is not necessary.

Now, another example. Your event is being held outside, at a public park in a neighborhood downtown. This event is open to the public. The entertainment is a speaker, and the topic is political. There is a high probability of protesters attending the event. There will be no alcohol served at this event, but crowds are likely to be rowdy. For an event such as this, larger amounts of security will be required. You would want to be in touch with local police and possibly hire private security, both in uniform and plain clothes to stop any situations from escalating.

By asking yourselves these key questions, you can determine what type of security you need, how much security you need, and crowd control measures that need to be put in place to keep your attendees safe.