Image by skitterphoto CC0

Air travel is a mixed bag of experiences. Waiting, rushing, mild panic, boredom, elation, feeling travel sick… Here are a few things you can do to even out those highs and lows and be a bit less stressed next time you travel by aeroplane.

Hacks for before you check in

• Customise your hold bag – bright tape is perfect for making your luggage stand out at baggage collection.
• Pack all essentials in your hand luggage – just in case your hold bag goes missing, you’ll still have your chargers and toiletries to get you through the first day.
• Download all your tickets and passes – just in case you have no connectivity make sure you can access them offline!
• Have a hard copy of all essential travel documents – just in case your phone gives up altogether.
• Take a photo of where you park – bay 6B is not memorable after a week in the Bahamas.
• Wear your bulky items – to avoid paying for extra baggage.

Hacks for before you go through security

• Pack your devices and liquids at the top of your hand luggage – it saves time!
• Empty your pockets before you get to security – it saves time!
• Finish up the water in your bottle – so you can get a cheap refill the other side.
• Choose the security queue with business travellers – they tend to be more prepared so go through faster.
• Never queue behind families, hen parties or stag dos – they tend to faff more and be less prepared so go through slower.
• Choose the left queue – apparently most people are right-handed so will go right as it is easier. Left hand lanes should therefore be quicker.

Hacks to get you through the wait the other side

• Use headphones for noise cancellation – not for music so you don’t miss important announcements.
• Connect to the airport Wi-Fi – or risk maxing out your data allowance before you even get to your destination.
• Brush up on key phrases – Duolingo is an addictive language learning game and will make the time fly while you actually boost your language skills!
• If you haven’t already got it, get your travel insurance! A call with the lovely team at worldwideinsure.com will make the time fly while you’re waiting for your flight.

Hacks for on the plane

• Board last – if you are the last on, you may well get that elusive upgrade.
• Sit over the wing – you are less likely to feel turbulence. Morning flights are less likely to be turbulent too.
• Don’t sit by the bulkhead – that’s the safest place to secure babies in bassinets, so more likely to be where the screaming is.
• Ask for seconds if you are hungry – not all passengers take their meal so why not have what’s leftover if you are still hungry.

Kilimanjaro © Discover Adventure

If you love the idea of adventure you have probably considered signing up for a fundraising adventure – a great way to realise travel dreams and raise money for a good cause at the same time. We spoke to Discover Adventure to find out what makes this type of break a great alternative to a regular holiday, and what to say to sponsor sceptics who think they are just paying for someone else’s holiday!

Why choose a fundraising adventure over just going on holiday? 

On a fundraising adventure, your trip has purpose. Each step you take, you are making a difference to people’s lives and each challenge that you face within your adventure is overcome with the motivation of supporting a meaningful charity and the sum of money that your supportershave donated.

And when it comes to the actual adventure – exploring a new location as part of a sponsored challenge allows you to disregard the expectations you would usually have on holiday. You are more likely to embrace the local culture and communities you meet and expose yourself to the natural elements – refreshingly liberating compared to the usual holiday comforts.

You will also push yourself out of your comfort zone, make friends for life as the emotional rollercoaster of your adventure draws you closer, and you will experience totally new things, things you probably never expected you would.

Ultimately, the benefits of an adventure last for much longer than a relaxed holiday would!

Which are the most popular adventure holidays?

Our Kilimanjaro challenge has been a really popular adventure this year, especially due to the recent #ReturnToKili celebrity team that trekked Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief. However, our iconic once-in-a-lifetime adventures are constant favourites: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, Great Wall of China Trek and the London to Paris Cycle to name a few. Although we have found in recent years our shorter adventures are seeing an increase in popularity as people can squeeze them into busy schedules. Our Saharan Mini Adventure is 5 days long and gives you the real desert experience whilst lapping up Moroccan culture, and our Northern Lights Winter Trek in Iceland is another growing fascination for many of our participants.

Stelvio © Discover Adventure

Which are the most challenging adventure holidays?

Our adventures are measured on a scale of Yellow, Orange and Red, with Red graded trips considering factors such as altitude, tough terrain and long days on the ground. Our King of the Mountains Cycle Series includes some of our toughest rides, such as the Stelvio & Classic Italian Climbs Cycle. This takes on some legendary climbs including Passo di Gavia, Passo di Mortirolo and Passo dello Stelvio. Whilst on the trekking side of our adventures, trekking Kilimanjaro, Africa’s biggest mountain, and our Everest Base Camp Trek are challenging treks to take on.

Don’t forget your Travel Insurance! Many activities are covered by worldwideinsure.com policies as standard, adventure sports travel insurance can easily be added to your policy, we provide flexible cover for casual or competitive participation AND we offer travel health cover for snowboarders and skiers with our Winter Sports Travel Insurance.

Any tips how to choose the right challenge?

The bigger the challenge, the bigger the sense of achievement – but what one person considers a walk in the park, is another’s mighty mountain. Start a little out of your comfort zone and choose something that excites you. Whether it’s a rush of adrenaline, or a stir of emotion, if it gets you thinking, could I really achieve that? That’s your challenge.

Great Wall of China © Discover Adventure

What about those who think fundraising adventures are just “sponsoring someone’s holiday”?

A lot of charities may never have seen this fundraising had it not been for the individuals deciding to do these challenges. Bear in mind that people are always willing to sponsor others to do things beyond their comfort zone. Training is essential, preparation is key and the determination to overcome whatever it is that challenges you most from the experience is more than enough to warrant being sponsored.

When you are fundraising you want to showcase the challenges you are facing in order to drum up donations, and you want to be able to pull out some of the most challenging elements of the experience. Whether it’s the fact you are trekking three countries in three days or the many lows you’ll endure alongside the mighty highs along the way. These are the things that make it totally different from a holiday!

Adventure travel challenges are designed to test you, so don’t be fooled by the mesmerising views you’ll catch en route, and remember – it is an incredible achievement to raise any money for a cause close to your heart.