Watch your step! Not only are these hikes around the world jaw-dropping, but incredibly risky. For the outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy intense weather, perilous wildlife and remote locations—travel experts Atlas & Boots have compiled a list of the riskiest hikes around the world, that we believe are pretty interesting!

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Everyone loves a good molten lava cake, but at Pacaya Volcaneo, this lava is actively erupting. Since 1965, the volcano has brutally derailed hikers from hiking to the top of the mountain. Pro Tip: Go at night so you can spot the lava flow easily.

Mount Hua Shan, China

This hike is a game of chutes and ladders, without a safety net.  Located in the Western Mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China, this sacred site is known for taking lives, about 100 a year experts say. The trail encompasses vertical ascents, falling wooden platforms and steep stairways.

The Maze, USA

Famously known as the site where hiker Aron Ralston spent 127 hours trapped in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah, The Maze is a sight to behold. But, don’t bother bringing your GPS, there is no signal in canyons. Be sure to pack a life jacket as flash floods are a regular occurrence.

So, be safe before you book your next adventure to these locations or anywhere around the globe! For more information on how to make your next trip unforgettable, visit Atlas & Boots.

Until next time,

The Terminal

GSP has implemented sustainable practices such as, rain water harvesting, the use of solar hot water, day-lighting systems and more. But we understand that sometimes it can be tough to stay true to the environment in a world full of top-notch accommodations that are not always eco-friendly. Below are small ways you can be eco-friendly while traveling.

1. Take a reusable water bottle

According to the Pacific Institute, the oil used in the production of plastic water bottles are enough energy to fuel more than a million cars and light trucks for a year. So, instead of turning to a plastic water bottle or to-go cup, consider travelling with a reusable water bottle that you can wash out when needed.

2. Choose E-Tickets instead of paper

Save a tree and choose to pull up your ticket on your smart device. This is a simple way to save paper and avoid a chance of misplacing your paper ticket.

3. Put your laptop to sleep

This is a win-win way to save your laptop’s battery life and save some energy for the earth!

There are several other ways to keep the earth’s wellness in mind while traveling, and you can check them out here!

Until next time,

The Terminal

Source: Travel Channel

Traveling with snacks through TSA can be tricky! It’s tough to save money and eat healthy at airports. So our friends at the Travel Channel have compiled a list of tricks and treats to make your own healthy, TSA approved snacks!

Don’t Forget 3-1-1!

All savvy travelers know the 3-1-1 rule! Better recognized as the 3-1-1 liquids rule, the TSA limited travel sized containers to 3.4 ounces or less. Any containers carrying more than 3.4 ounces of liquid should be packed in a carry on. However, a wide-mouth mason jar is the perfect container to carry some nibbles for a long flight.

Forget Rubbish – Choose Hummus

Nutritious and tasty, hummus is the superfood of dips! To bring the zesty dip on your next trip, you will need a wide-mouth mason jar and a plastic applesauce container. Fill up the bottom of your mason jar with your veggies of choice; say, carrots and celery. On top of your veggies, place the applesauce container, filled with hummus, directly on top of your veggies. Screw on the lid of your mason jar and you are set!

An Apple a Day Keeps Poor Weather at Bay

Who doesn’t love a crisp apple? A great source of essential nutrients, a crunchy apple is a must for any traveler. To keep your apple fresh and easy to eat, cut the apple into six pieces. Then, hold the apple together and wrap a rubber band around the fruit to keep it fresh. Place the apple in a Ziploc bag, with a travel sized pack of peanut butter and you are ready!

For more tips and tricks on TSA-Approved Snacks for travelers, visit the Travel Channel!

Until next time,

The Terminal

Don’t let wheelchairs or motorized scooters curtail worldwide adventures. With a little advice and encouragement, disabled travelers can successfully navigate and benefit from elaborate voyages. The New York Times spoke with Barry Cohen, who travels with his son Terry Cohen, to compile a list of benefits and savvy tips for a fruitful trip!

Medical Benefits
Unbeknown to many, there are enormous medical benefits for disabled people who travel. Handicapped people often sleep easier, feel less stressed and engage in more activity than normal when traveling. Disabled travelers also free their mind in travel mode, by interacting with new surroundings.

Loyal Companion
A helpful and attentive companion is a must! Travel with a person, or group of people, who can understand the physical limits of the person travelling. People who remain cool under pressure will thrive in any destination.

 Plan Ahead!
Don’t attempt a last minute trip and always plan ahead. Confirm locations are mobility friendly by calling ahead of time to ensure full accessibility. This will save time and prevent stress!

Friendly Destinations-Far and Wide
The U.S. and Canada are very accommodating to those with disabilities. Germany and Thailand are very helpful places-where people will go the distance to aid the disabled.

For more information on how disabled travelers can make the most of travelling the world, visit The New York Times for more information!

Until next time,

The Terminal

We have partnered with United Community Bank Ice On Main to host Below Zero With Heroes, an event honoring active military members and veterans. Please join us this Sunday, January 15, from 1-4 p.m., where a portion of the ticket sales will go to Honor Flight Upstate, SC. Anyone with a military I.D. may skate for $5.

Since 2008, Honor Flight of the Upstate has been committed to flying over 1200 veterans to Washington, DC. To honor and support our nation’s heroes, this organization flies veterans out to the nation’s capital to see memorials built in their honor, and to experience recognition for their service. Visit http://www.honorflightupstatesc.com/2011/ to learn more. We hope to see you this Sunday, January 15 to support an amazing cause!

When travelling, the last thing on your mind is, ‘I wonder how nice our bathroom is going to be?’ But many of world’s premier resorts are completely shifting our perspective on a room traditionally only valued for functionality.

Check out some of the most luxurious hotel bathrooms in the world:

Neptune and Poseidon Suites, Atlantis, The Palm Dubai – These rooms immerse you in the hotel’s Ambassador Lagoon which is home to 65,000 sea creatures! Both suites feature jetted tubs and come complete with all the amenities you could ever need.

Affresco Suite, II Salviatino, Florence – This one-of-a-kind bathroom is a work of art prominently displaying a freestanding tub of ancient Roman stone. As you soak, you’ll be treated to a revered fresco created by Italian painter Domenico Bruschi in 1886. 

Pacific Suite, Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, CA – This captivating view was created by carving into the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From your tub, you’ll be compelled to gaze out in awe at the wild blue yonder.

Check out other luxurious bathrooms, here.

Until next time,

The Terminal

In 1942, Henry Kaiser and Howard Hughes designed an amphibious plane that is, to this day, the largest plane ever constructed. Originally named the HK-1 to reflect its creator’s namesakes, this massive plane was later dubbed the “Spruce Goose” due to its wooden construction. This flying boat was over five stories high and had a wingspan longer than a football field.

Designed for transatlantic flights, the Spruce Goose only lifted off the ground once in its lifetime. On November 2, 1947 the winged giant miraculously entered the air for a flight approximately one mile in length at an attitude of 70 feet. Although brief, this jump turned skeptics into believers as the 36 passengers inside raced through the air at a speed of 135 miles per hour.

In February of 1993, the aviation icon was disassembled and transported by barge and truck to its current home: The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum located in McMinnville, Oregon. To read more about this flying marvel click here.

-The Terminal