AAC Journey Specialist Angie is a globe trotter and has channeled her passion for travel into a career. From hiking in New Zealand to quietly observing lions in the bush, her experiences have helped shape her life. We asked Angie for some of her best travel tips for seeing Africa and the world – she generously shared her thoughts…
Disconnect to reconnect: We love sending our travelers to the far corners of the world, whether to the jagged, snow-crusted peaks, towering icebergs and mammoth glaciers of Antarctica; the towering crimson dunes of Sossusvlei in Namibia; the volcanic archipelago of the Galapagos Islands; kayaking through the deafening silence in New Zealand’s Milford Sound; or to marvel at the northern lights in Iceland.
These far-off places offer the perfect platform to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of our lives. They are also the perfect platform to disconnect in order to reconnect with what really matters.
We encourage you – no, we dare you – to switch off your phone, log out of your Twitter account and just be present! If this is a jarring thought you might consider committing to WiFi-free days every other day…that way you can still post that amazing selfie you took with a wombat in Australia, or that perfectly timed snap of a snow leopard in India.
Leave your baggage behind: Both metaphorically and physically – leave it all behind! There is something to be said for traveling light!
Travel to our African destinations often entails stringent luggage restrictions for travel on light aircraft. While the same is not true for many of our ‘Out of Africa’ destinations, I have grown to love and adopt this same mentality when travelling anywhere, and everywhere. The ease of carrying just the essentials is exhilaratingly liberating. Let’s be honest – most people tend to overpack anyway. Don’t let it weigh you down!
Lean on a friend – aka your Journey Specialist: Before, during and after your trip – leave it to us! This is our passion and our specialty. So, sit back and enjoy the ride! We will be behind the scenes every step of the way making sure everything runs seamlessly for you. Surrender control, give us your trust, and enjoy the freedom!
Happiness is even better when shared: Whether trekking through the Amazon with your family, enjoying a romantic tour through Tasmania’s wine region or embarking on the solo adventure of a lifetime to meet the mountain gorillas – it is the people we meet along the way that often leave the biggest impression on us. Take time with each other. Take the time to make new friends. Take time to get to know the locals.
Part of the thrill of foreign travel is experiencing another country’s culture, and the best way to do that is to interact with the local people. Even a few words or phrases go a long way, and the best place to start is at the beginning. Jambo! Hola! G’day! Salama! Sawubona!
Take the leap: Don’t find every excuse under the sun to keep putting off the trip that you have been dreaming about…
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac
