—Shandana A. Durrani​

International cities have long been ahead of the curve in terms of environmental initiatives and sustainability. European cities often lead the way, especially those found in Nordic countries. While cities such as Malmo, Sweden, and Reykjavik, Iceland, have adopted sincere green practices, in terms of livability and quality of life, Oslo, Norway, is tops. That’s why it’s the winner of the first GreenLux Award for most environmentally friendly international city.
 
Why Oslo? It has a long history of environmental concern, long before other cities jumped on the eco bandwagon. The government spurs on the populace by promoting sustainability. The Oslo city council voted to replace heating oil in city buildings with renewable energy sources by 2012, which is ballsy considering how much energy the metropolis uses. The government provides incentives for new buildings to promote energy efficiency. All buses running on fossil fuels will be converted to biofuels in 2011. The city is lowest of all European metropolises when it comes to CO2 emissions. Eighty five percent of school children walk, bike or use public transportation to school (the rail system is run on hydroelectric power). Ninety four percent of household waste is recycled. A majority of the population lives within a short distance of public green space, which they utilize in record numbers. All of this in a city that is one of the wealthiest in the world.
 
Walking around Oslo, you can see its environmental commitment. The air quality is good and the streets are free of trash and refuse. Locals are active year-round, enjoying the public parks and numerous waterways, even in winter. One can’t help but notice that everyone walks, bikes or takes the train/subway everywhere. Maybe it’s the unique topography of Norway that lends itself to this. Fjords, those majestic inlets created by glaciers, surround so much of the country. The scenery is breathtaking but the terrain can be tough to traverse if you aren’t careful, making driving a bit hazardous as times. Thus, this isn’t a car-crazy city. Most residents don’t have one car, much less two or more and the rail and bus system is so efficient that getting around is a breeze.
 
The city’s isn’t a culinary mecca like New York or London, but Oslo still has a number of great slow food purveyors, farmer markets and community gardens. The three-day Matstreif food festival is held every September on Town Hall Square. Fresh produce, baked goods, cheese and cured meats are available. Overland Community Garden sits on 25 acres at which 300 part owners cultivate herbs and produce. Erling Mos As sells fresh fish and seafood and has been a local favorite for four decades. Additional small-scale farmers markets occur throughout the summer and fall at Karl Johans Gate.
 
Finding an eco-friendly hotel isn’t difficult in a city known for green businesses. Thon Hotels is a chain of environmentally sound hotels in Northern Europe. The hotels are chic and comfortable with plenty of green trappings, from organic dining to waste reduction to energy saving initiatives to utilizing only eco-friendly products and amenities. There are 12 in Oslo proper, near many tourist sites such as the Munch Museum and the Opera.

Jet lag (dysrhythmia) has by many been dismissed as merely an unpleasant side-effect of air travel, but new research suggests that the body clock is often not synchronized with an air traveller's new time zone causing common problems such as fatigue, poor concentration, trouble sleeping, irritability, minor depression, altered estimation of time and distance and digestive problems.  The research also showed that more serious problems like memory loss, shrinkage of parts of the brain, negative impact on blood pressure and was even implicated in the incidence of cancer.  Studies show that jet lag worsens with age, particularly after age 50.

The symptoms are at their worst in the first two days after crossing three or more time zones. The general rule is that, without any specialized treatment, adjustment time takes about a day for each time zone crossed. However, if left untreated, two or three weeks may be needed to completely realign all rhythms correctly.

For many travelers jet lag can certainly put a kink in a long awaited vacation.

So how can we combat jet lag?  There are certainly no lack of products on the market claiming to beat the jet lag blues.

According to Helen Murphy, Sr. Editor, Health & Wellness Advice at Consumer Review a good jet lag remedy should contain clinically proven ingredients such as GABA, DMAE, L-ornithine, L-theanine, Magnesium and more. A good formula, should provide a dual action ‘relax and refresh’ benefit: to de-stress and relax during the travel itself plus optimize balance and re-tune circadian rhythms upon arrival at your destination.

Ms. Murphy’s recommends three products, Research Verified Jet Lag Relief (#1 top pick, but often out of stock), NO-JET-LAG, (#2 pick, and sold on Amazon), and Jet Lag Rapid Reset (#3 pick).

There is another option on the market now, however, that seem quite popular - the pocket-size Litebook Edge.

A light therapy device.  Light therapy is a natural, non-pharmaceutical method to help the body adjust to a new time zone by emitting rays of bright light that mimics the sun. It can be effective enough to actually adjust the body's internal clock up to six times zones in one day. There may even be an added bonus of raising levels of alertness and enhance moods. ​

You can purchase the Litebook Edge on Amazon for $162.  Is it worth the steep price?  The New York Jets seem to think so!  They recently sent their players to London with the device to help combat jet lag before a big game. They beat the Miami Dolphins 27-14.

The latest addition to Iceland’s vibrant craft beer scene  is Kaldi’s Beer Spa. Located in the village of Árskógarsandur close to Akureyri in North Iceland. Guests can now literally bathe in beer in one of the spa's seven tubs. The owners of Kaldi claim that bathing in the beer can have health benefits.

The spa opened last summer offers visitors an opportunity to bathe in tubs filled with beer, warm water, hops and yeast, while drinking cold Kaldi craft beer from tap.  Each tub can accommodate two people.  Guests relax for 25 minutes before moving on to another room for another 25 minutes of beer based treatment.

This is Iceland’s first beer spa, and it has been very popular with locals as well as tourists so it is a good idea to make reservations. 

The spa is modeled after popular Czech beer baths.  Beer spas are quite common in the Czech Republic and most of the largest Czech breweries operate spas that attract beer-lovers from all over the world. The Czechs believe that bathing in beer is good for the skin and that it’s overall a revitalizing experience for your mind and body.​

For anyone interested in craft beer you will not only get a fascinating insight into micro-brewing in Iceland but also about the culture and background to brewing and alcohol promotion in the country.

As a travel advisor one thing I do is to make sure that my clients get the most out of ther precious time while on vacation.   Did you for instance know that the Vatican Museums have more than 20,000 visitors per day!  Visitors can deal with frustrations such as long lines, inadequate or wrong labeling and unannounced closures of galleries. Not to mention the fact that, at 9 miles long, the Papal Palace can be pretty tough to navigate, but why when you don’t have to?


Let’s for instance say you have decided to visit Rome this June, and one of the highlights on your trip will be the Vatican Museum, one of the most beautiful and impressive places in the world.  Without planning you could easily spend up to four hours standing in line getting tickets, which is definitely not the best way to spend your precious time in Rome.


There are ways to avoid the worst of the crowds and get the most out of your visit. Planning ahead is your best bet to ensure success when visiting the Vatican Museums.
The Vatican Museum opens Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on the last Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Museums open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 pm. Check the Vatican website provided below for more information on holiday closings and special openings.

If you have a flexible schedule you can try to visit the museum in the afternoon for shorter lines or tour the quieter galleries, such as the Pinacoteca, at peak times and the most popular stops toward the end of the day. Visiting early in the morning is also recommended, particularly during high season.
​
To ensure that you get the most out of your trip I would recommend a Skip the Line Tour for fast-track entry, or even better a VIP Tour and enter before the doors even open to the crowds or at night when it is closed to the general public.

A couple of years ago I was able to enjoy a VIP tour in the evening, and having done the visit during the day with the crowds as well I can assure you that the two experiences were quite different.

Let me know if you would like arrangements made for Skip the Line Tours or VIP Private tours to the Vatican or any other popular sight.  This is part of the service I provide.​

http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/info/tutti-gli-orari.html    

Travel is a way to explore other cultures, people, food and places, and to see that there is more to life than just our way of doing things. Travel is a way to teach children respect for others and appreciation for life.

They learn to take care of themselves in new places. They learn that exploring is a must. They learn to ask questions. They learn how to navigate cities. They learn that life must be lived and not watched on TV or played on a video game.

When parents struggle to figure out what toys to give their children as gifts, consider giving the gift of travel instead - they will thank you for it when they become adults. When travel is given as a gift they will last much longer than the latest computer gadget or hottest electronic toy that you may have considered buying.

Teach your children geography by giving them age-appropriate atlases and travel books for the journey, and hang a large map on their bedroom wall where they can pinpoint their travels.

Older children and teenagers will be more interested in doing research for your travels if you let them help choose activities at your destination and or even help choose the places to visit.

Kids learn so much from seeing places, landmarks and wildlife in the places you're visiting.​

Younger kids need to stick to their normal schedules as much as possible, you need to give them their snacks and nap time. You don't have to see it all in one day.”  Make sure that they have a good amount of downtime during the trip.  Keep in mind that if you try to do too much it will backfire, and remember, it's not the destination, it's the journey.

Connecting with locals, discovering unique culinary experiences and holistic wellness are some of the top motivations for travel in 2018.  

The recently released American Express 2018 travel trend and top destinations report revealed international bookings are up 44 percent for the first quarter of the coming year as people are embarking on journeys around the globe for a multitude of reasons.

The study, which involved surveying more than 2,000 respondents, found that 57 percent of Americans have set exploring a new destination they’ve never seen before as their most important travel goal for 2018.

Nearly half of travelers, 43 percent, said finding a local culinary spot in a hip neighborhood is one of the most exciting dining experiences while traveling.  Travelers are looking beyond the pretty plate in search of authentic food experiences in local homes and from homegrown chefs.  

In addition, spontaneity continues to be incredibly important to travelers, 52 percent of whom enjoy getting lost and discovering hidden shops, restaurants or bakeries to create their own memories. Further underscoring the desire for the unexpected, 49 percent of Americans prefer trips with adventure and excitement. 

Additional highlights include:
—56 percent of U.S. travelers are willing to pay more to get better service, and 53 percent like to be pampered while traveling.
—Luxury travelers are increasingly booking premium seating with 68 percent planning to fly first or business class in 2018.
—22 percent of Americans say the most important travel goal for 2018 is to disconnect from technology, work and everyday life.

Another trend to watch for over the next 12 months is “social over solo travel.”    Solo travel still has its place, but 53 percent of Americans prefer a social travel experience during which they are able to connect with like-minded travelers for an optimal experience.

In addition, 57 percent of Americans are seeking to interact with locals when traveling. Still, others want to stay with locals while traveling.

The study also reveals the top 10 destinations for the coming year. The leading destination to visit in 2018 is Bali. 

The remaining destinations rounding out the top 10 include Costa Rica; Dubai; London; Portugal (Lisbon and Porto regions); Rome; Tel Aviv; Utah-Lorado (Park City, Salt Lake City, Aspen, Denver and Vail); Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City regions); and Zurich, Switzerland.

​What is on your wish list?

During my recent visit to Iceland I enjoyed a few hours at the Blue Lagoon, listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world.  Many may say it is a tourist trap, but it is is an oasis of relaxation nevertheless.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 12 miles (20 km) from the Keflavík International Airport and 24 miles (39 km) from the center of Reykjavík, (roughly a 21-minute drive from the airport and a 50-minute drive from Reykjavík).
The spa is based around the unique properties of the geothermal seawater in the lagoon.

The geothermal water originates 6561 feet (2,000 meters) below the surface, where freshwater and seawater combine at extreme temperatures. It is then harnessed via drilling holes at a nearby geothermal power plant, Svartsengi, to create electricity and hot water for nearby communities.
On its way to the surface, the water picks up silica and minerals. When the water emerges, its temperature is usually between 98-104°F (37°C and 40°C).

The geothermal water has a unique composition, featuring three active ingredients – Silica, Algae & Minerals. The reason the water has a light blue milky color is that the silica reflects sunlight. During summer there can also be a hint of green in the water. This is the result of the algae, which multiplies quickly when exposed to direct sunlight.

The geothermal water has many benefits. But there are a few things that you should keep in mind. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The Blue Lagoon also operates a research and development facility to help find cures for other skin ailments using the mineral-rich water.


The lagoon is a man-made lagoon which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every two days. It is the largest in the World. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.
Iceland has a strict code of hygiene and guests are required to shower prior to enjoying the geothermal spa.

Children age 8 and under are only allowed entry with the use of arm floaters, provided free of charge. The lagoon is not suitable for children under the age of 2 years.

The Blue Lagoon is accessible for wheelchair users with a ramp that extends into the water and a shower chair. There is also a private changing room available for those with special needs, complete with a roll-in shower.
Blue Lagoon is going through a phase of expansion. Construction is ongoing spring 2018, when a new resort complex will open.​

A few interesting facts:
The lagoon contains 2377548 gallons or 9000000 liters of water.
The water is self-cleansing – it renews itself every 40 hours.
Blue Lagoon is mostly 2.6 - 3.9 feet (ca. 0.8-1.2 meters) deep. Its deepest point is 4.59 feet (1.4 meters). 

If you would like to visit Reykjavik it is recommended to plan well ahead.  Hotels in Iceland have not been able to keep up with demand so to avoid disappointments it is recommended to book early