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London is the gin-drinking capital of the world
Here at Flash Pack, we have a penchant for all things gin. You could say that our appetite for this tipple is so great, it rivals our passion for travel. Well, almost – but we will say this. We owe juniper berries quite a lot. Both travel and gin are potent and moreish delights, with…
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Two unsung mental health benefits of travel
Most of us loathe the phrase “finding yourself” when it comes to travel. And with good reason. What does it even mean, after all? Looking wistfully onto the horizon of some distant ocean? Exploring your spirituality on the Khao San Road? It seems so naval-gazing and false. A parody of itself. There ARE, in fact,…
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Why everyone should be a career chameleon
“Everyone should have at least seven careers in their life,” my dad used to tell us kids growing up. I never really knew what he meant at the time – it sounded exhausting – but now I get it. Job-hopping is no longer the red flag for flakiness it once was. To the contrary: some…
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6 career break worries that everyone shares
Want to take a career break but keep talking yourself out of it? You’re not alone. Carving time out from a job is a major move, and we all face similar worries in making the leap. Too often, fear gets in the way of what could be a life-changing opportunity. Here’s how to quell your…
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How solo travel peels back layers of stress
Most of us are quite unaware of the stress we carry around with us. It’s etched into our shoulder blades, and lies heavy in our jaws. It’s insidious; a slow-growing force that is far more powerful than we might imagine. Stress is a hard emotion to manage, largely because it remains hidden. We don’t understand…
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Why Flash Pack group travel works brilliantly for introverts
Alone time is important for lots of people Being “on form” is something that I quietly dread. I’m not exactly shy – on those ridiculous extrovert-introvert scales that are churned out now and again, I fall squarely in the middle – but nevertheless, the idea of banter is enough to bring me out in a…
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Why travelling alone gives you the edge at work
We all know the boss who regards taking time off work as a suspect act: something that’s borderline flaky. Like: yes, *technically* you’re allowed holiday but it’s really inconvenient that you’re actually taking it. Naturally they don’t say this (hello, lawsuit), but it’s implied in every suppressed eye roll and reluctant signing of a holiday…
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The delights and challenges of dining alone
Dining alone is one of those rites that everyone should try at least once in life. There’s no sweeter feeling than strolling into a restaurant somewhere new, and savouring the hubbub all around you over a spicy pad thai and a bottle of Tiger beer. Or a creamy lobster bisque and a glass of Sauvignon.…
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Three life-altering benefits of adventure hiking
A new study has revealed that hiking is officially the most popular activity among adventure travellers, outstripping kayaking, scuba diving and horse-riding as a must-have experience abroad. So, what is it about the simple act of traversing the Great Outdoors that appeals to us so much? Here, we take a closer look at the free and…
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A healing journey: travel and coping with grief
Coping with grief is no easy thing, but travel might help heal after losing a loved one, offering perspective and the chance for new beginnings When you suffer the loss of someone you love – a friend, partner or family member – your entire world pivots as you go through the many stages of grief.…
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A life-changing rite: your stories of solo travel
Solo travel is booming right now, as more and more of us are choosing to roam alone in this glorious world of ours. The trend for travelling alone is gaining pace all the time, according to industry experts who appeared at 2017 Abta Travel Convention this weekend. Ben Ross, head of print at the Telegraph, said…
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How to travel the world on hand luggage only
Too much choice weighs us down in life – and in travel, this burden is literal. We’d all like to be that person who flies easy and light, zipping through the baggage carousel area before hopping on a Vespa into town. Not for them a frantic last-minute tussle to rearrange their backpack weight. Nor do…
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How to speak to strangers when you’re travelling alone
How to make new friends when you’re travelling Meeting new people is one of the great delights of solo travel. But how do you go about starting a conversation to begin with? For some travellers, this can be a point of mystery. If you’ve never travelled alone before, it might seem a bit awkward to…
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Solo travel fuels this major happiness habit
When did you last have a conversation with someone while covertly checking your phone? Us too. With the virtual world never more than a thumb swipe away, it’s increasingly hard to spend time alone with people without an interfering bleep or message flash. And yet, being genuinely connected with others has once again been identified…
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The one travel talent of people in their 30s
We’ve all made bad travel decisions, right? That might be waking up in Bangkok to discover you’ve tattooed your face with a septic-looking motif (looking at you, Hangover guys) or it could be opting to take that “fun” bus across Paraguay – a choice you come to regret ten, bum-numbing hours later… But as we…
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This woman quit her high-flying job to work and travel in a van
Many of us dream of ditching the rat race for something a little more fulfilling – but few actually pluck up the courage to do it. This is particularly true when we have what is, on paper, A Really Good Job. But Kristen Bor is not the kind of woman to stand on ceremony. …
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Three ways to get upgraded on a flight
Long gone are the golden days of air travel where you could simply flash a winning smile at the air attendant and score an instant upgrade. Less room and a growth in elite flyer programmes mean the prospect of being bumped up to Business or First Class is an increasingly elusive one. The popularity of…
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Meet the woman, 74, who traded love for lifelong travel
Love the notion of lifelong travel? If you needed any further inspiration to get out and see the world, let this be it. A 74-year-old woman has recalled how she turned down a string of men and at least one marriage proposal to spend her life on the road. Carmel Murray from Dublin now has…
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Soul-mate city: take our quiz to find your dream destination
Everyone has a soul-mate city. That one brilliant place that speaks to who you are. The destination that makes your heart skip a beat and your spirit soar from the moment tyres hit tarmac. The difficult part is, working out where in the world that might be. But fret not; we’re here to help –…
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Sex and sleep are the two keys to happiness
What makes us happy? We’re on a never-ending quest for this elusive goal – but the answer could be simpler than we think. A good sex life and plenty of sleep are two factors that impact wellbeing beyond anything else, according to an intriguing new happiness index developed by social scientists. The scale was created…