TRAVEL
Satisfying Your Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel

Coronavirus has impacted every single part of our day to day lives, with Governments around the world restricting travel and domestic activities.
Ultimately, for most of us, overseas travel is off the cards for the time being.
Image courtesy of https://www.cartridgesave.co.uk via Flickr
So what do you do if you’ve got compulsive Wanderlust and you can’t satisfy it by jetting off to a new far-flung part of the world?
A Piece of Advice First
Our first piece of advice would be to ensure you follow your local government guidance which is ever-changing. At the time of writing, there’s no real restriction on movement domestically within the UK, but in Spain, parks and open spaces are out of bounds.
So check your local laws before taking any of the tips in this article on board.
Fall in Love with Your Local Area
Many of us have parks, woodlands, forests and open areas that we have never even been too. And for lots of us, it’s easy to head out to open space without even seeing another person – helping us keep safe social distances in the current climate.
Check out Google Maps and look for open spaces near you and go explore somewhere close to home you’ve never been before.
Start on Next Year’s Travel Plans
I don’t know about you but one of the best ways that I get over the post-holiday blues is by getting planning the next one. And while this year is looking uncertain for now, what’s stopping you planning next year’s travel itinerary.
Scouring Pinterest, Tripadvisor and online travel websites is a great way to start making a wishlist. Something special to look forward to when this crisis is over
Virtual Reality Travel
If you have a virtual reality headset (our favorite is the Oculus Quest but there are lots of alternatives) then you have a world of virtual travel at your fingertips. The Youtube app for Oculus has tonnes of VR content from great organizations like National Geographic that let you immersively experience far-flung corners of the planet.
And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can always make it a visit to space!
The Home Staycation
For those of us who simply love to travel, isolation and a lot more time at home can be a challenging time for our mental health.
Try and find the time to talk to others, do things that relax you and keep in touch with friends and loved ones in whatever ways you can.
And if Covid-19 isolation is really affecting your mental health, there are tonnes of amazing organizations that can help including https://www.mhanational.org/get-involved/contact-us in the USA and https://www.samaritans.org/ in the UK.

Hamza Fazal is a reporter for The Hear UP. After graduating from the University of Abbottabad, Hamza got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. Hamza has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Hamza covers health and science for The Hear UP.
TRAVEL
The 7 Best Dog Breeds to Travel With

Whether you are an adventurous person who’s looking for a little company as you travel around the world or someone who simply wants a car companion as you enjoy local days out, you may be thinking about getting a dog. It’s no secret that some breeds will be easier to travel with than others, so let’s take a look at the top 7 that may fit your needs.
7 best dog breeds for travelling
While dogs of all sizes can make great travelling companions, we’ve decided to focus on small dog breeds, as these can be somewhat easier to take along when it comes to transportation, accommodation and more.
1. Dachshund
One of the most attractive things about Dachshunds is that they are friendly, inquisitive and love to learn. While they fit well within structured environments, they enjoy trying new things and can be easily trained. This lends well to travel and as they have long bodies and short legs, they can be taken as carry-ons on planes and won’t be any trouble when you need to transport a manageable crate.
2. Maltese
This toy breed is often the perfect size for travel as they tend to be on the lighter side and they have one of the friendliest dispositions on this list. You and your pup will love the extra attention and an added bonus is that they aren’t prone to shedding and can have little cleanup.
3. Yorkshire Terrier
When you are looking for a dog that will stay close by your side while being happy to socialise, a Yorkshire Terrier could be a great choice. These dogs are not likely to run very far from their owners while being small enough to transport with ease – and you may just find that they love travelling just as much as you do!
4. Pomeranian
As one of the smallest breeds, the Pomeranian can fit almost anywhere and won’t give you too much trouble when travelling, no matter the mode of transport you use. A plus point is that these dogs are extremely popular around the world, so you should find it simple to book a hotel that won’t mind their presence.
5. Russell Terrier
If you decide to choose a Russell Terrier as your travel companion, it may be worthwhile to keep in mind that they are energetic and love to explore, so the more adventurous the holiday, the better suited they will be.
6. Toy poodle
Just like the Maltese, the toy poodle is extra small and barely sheds, so you will be able to take him/her almost anywhere. The good news is that they are very loving and open to adventure while being pretty laid-back, so they’ll have just as much fun in a resort as they will on the open road.
7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are calm, friendly and easy to train, so you won’t have to worry about keeping them on a tight leash when you travel. They are easily adaptable and won’t typically get overwhelmed.
How to prepare for your trip If you have chosen your preferred breed and are ready to get your holiday started, be sure to pack everything your dog needs, too. From their favourite food to treats and toys, it can be important to cover all your bases as you never know how they will respond until you get on your way. Remember to make frequent stops for exercise and potty breaks to minimise accidents.

Khalil ur Rehman is a proud born and raised in Abbottabad. Khalil has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and The Verge. As a journalist for The Hear Up, Khalil covers climate and science news. [email protected]