Not all trips are about cutting digital ties. There’s a time and a place for unplugging, but tech-savvy travellers know a smartphone can be the perfect co-pilot.A new crop of functional, practical, how-did-I-ever-live-without-this travel apps pops up each year. Some make your journey faster. Some make it easier. Some make it cheaper. Others help you record your adventures and share them with friends and family back home.And did we mention that many of them are free? Below is a list of the best travel apps available now. Get packing and start downloading.

Citymapper

Citymapper is the ultimate urban transport app. A to B trip planning is made easy with real-time departures and disruption alerts, transit maps, line status updates, and arrival time estimates. The app covers all modes of travel: walking, subway, bus, rail, ferry, taxi, bike/car sharing. It even has Uber and Lyft integration. Citymapper offers more detailed information than Google, and is easy to use despite its comprehensiveness. Download Citymapper for iOS or Android.

Hopper

Hopper is an award-winning app that predicts when airfare prices will rise and uses push notifications to alert you when your flight is cheapest. Travellers with flexible dates can use the colour-coded calendar to spot the lowest fares in a month. In addition to sniffing out the best deals, Hopper also tells you which flights are inconvenient based on factors like long layovers and airport changes. Users can even save their passenger and payment info so future flight booking is a breeze. Download Hopper for iOS or Android.

XE Currency

XE is the go-to currency conversion site online, so it’s no surprise that the app is equally esteemed. Travellers can find exchange rates or convert any currency in seconds with the tap of a few buttons. The app even saves the last updated rates so it can continue to function offline. For business travellers, there is a suite of useful features like rates for precious metals and historic currency charts. Download XE Currency for iOS or Android.

PackPoint

PackPoint is the ultimate tool for determining what goes in your suitcase. The app builds a custom packing list based on the length of your trip, the weather at your destination, and any activities you have planned. Your list gets its own website, so you can easily share it with fellow travellers who are clueless about what to pack. Premium features include integration with Evernote and TripIt. Download PackPoint for iOS or Android.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a veteran on the best travel apps scene, but it remains one of the genre’s standouts. The app’s highlights include language packs that can be downloaded for offline use (invaluable when you’re roaming a foreign land without wi-fi) and instant visual translations using your phone’s camera. It also offers two-way instant speech translation in Conversation Mode and can read hand-drawn characters along with keyboard input. Download Google Translate for iOS or Android.

TripIt

TripIt is a travel agent that fits in your pocket. The app eases the travel hassle by consolidating all your plans into one place. After scanning your email inbox for confirmations, TripIt creates a single, easy-to-ready itinerary that covers flights, hotels, rental cars, and event bookings. Itineraries can be shared with contacts, making it easy to book group travel. Download TripIt for iOS or Android.

HotelTonight

If you’re the spontaneous type, HotelTonight is a must. The app makes it easy to book great stays at affordable last-minute rates by partnering with hotels and offering their unsold rooms. You can book the day of, or up to seven days in advance, giving you the flexibility to play it by ear, plus the confidence of knowing you’ll get a low price and top accommodations. Download HotelTonight for iOS or Android.

Splittr

While there are other apps out there for sharing expenses, Splittr is designed especially for travel. Simply add expenses as you go and Splittr will tell you who is next to pay and who owes what to whom. At the end of the trip, it generates a full report that can be emailed to your friends. Best of all, all currencies are supported and you can even mix them. Download Splittr for iOS.

Dayuse

Booking a hotel room for a few hours usually raises eyebrows, but Dayuse is out to change that. The app helps weary travellers find a place to kill time between flights, take a quick nap or shower, or finish an important work project before the deadline. With Dayuse, you can book a hotel room during the day at more than 4,000 properties in 20 countries for a fraction of the standard nightly rate – and you still get access to the amenities enjoyed by overnight guests. Download Dayuse for iOS or Android.

LoungeBuddy

Airport lounges aren’t just for long layovers and first class flyers. LoungeBuddy helps you find a place to relax, be productive, freshen up, or just get away from it all by locating lounges in more than 500 airports worldwide. Input the details of your trip and any applicable elite benefits or memberships, and the app provides a list of locations you can access for free or a one-time fee. Download LoungeBuddy for iOS or Android.

FLIO

Make the most of a flight delay or a long layover with FLIO, an app that handily contains all the info you could possibly want to know about more than 5,000 airports around the world. In addition to a flight tracker with real-time information, FLIO is an indispensable guide to each airport’s layout, lounges, eateries, transit options, wi-fi networks and more. It also offers discounts on food, drinks, retail stores and lounge access at hundreds of partner airports. Download FLIO for iOS or Android.

WiFi Map

The days of travelling comfortably without wi-fi are long gone. Unfortunately, fees for on-the-go internet can quickly add up, particularly if you’re a frequent traveller for business. Enter WiFi Map, a crowdsourced service that highlights free hotspots near your current location and provides the passwords needed to use them. The app provides access more than 100 million wi-fi networks worldwide. Download WiFi Map for iOS or Android.

AirHelp

Ever felt irritated by an airline (who hasn’t)? AirHelp could turn that irritation into cold, hard cash. Submit your details if you are denied boarding or your flight is delayed, diverted, cancelled or overbooked. AirHelp checks to see if you’re entitled to compensation and manages your claim. If the claim is successful, the company takes a cut of the payout and automatically sends you the remainder so you don’t have to lift a finger to get what you deserve. Download AirHelp for iOS or Android.

DayPass

An all-inclusive luxury resort may be out of your budget, but download DayPass and you can still rub shoulders with the jetsetting elite. DayPass unlocks access to amazing pools, famous beach clubs, rejuvenating spas, private gyms and unparalleled culinary experiences at 500 handpicked hotels and resorts across the globe – no overnight stay required. Browse by day, destination or amenity, and book instantly through the app. Download DayPass for iOS or Android.

Roadtrippers

If your next great adventure involves four wheels and the open road, don’t leave home without this essential companion app. Enter your route into Roadtrippers and watch in awe as the app trawls its extensive inventory of scenic views, local eateries, campsites, museums, amusement parks, quirky attractions and other off-the beaten-path oddities to suggest stops based on your interests. Select what you like and Roadtrippers will automatically redraw your travel map accordingly. Download Roadtrippers for iOS or Android.

The post Best Travel Apps For Globetrotters appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Not all trips are about cutting digital ties. There's a time and a place for unplugging, but tech-savvy travellers know a smartphone can be the perfect co-pilot.

A new crop of functional, practical, how-did-I-ever-live-without-this travel apps pops up each year. Some make your journey faster. Som...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

The post 15 Essential Apps For Travellers appeared first on D'MARGE.

It’s a manoeuvre cringed at by some, fantasised about by others, and reserved for the bold few willing to risk all. It is the bathroom shag… and it happens more than you think.

The Art Of Toilet Tango

From the two feet showing under the cubicle, to the sheepish female giggle in the men’s bathroom, to the crashes and bangs from within the stall, bathroom sex happens somewhere every weekend. And as grimy and dodgy as it is (perhaps that is its appeal), this weekend, in trashy clubs and classy cocktail lounges alike, at least a couple of patrons will be drunkenly stumbling off to the bathroom together.

Although it has been some time for me, there was a period in my life when this was a go-to move. There was something hot about just needing to have a girl then and there. And I would always look for the same four things that would indicate to me that there was a fair chance that a girl was up for it.

Does She Have That Sexy Vibe?

This is the least obvious, and least practical, of all the things to look for, however it’s critical. After some experience out in the trenches, you will start to detect that ‘sexy vibe’ very quickly. Some girls go out for sex. Whether they’re trying to get over a break up or they’re simply horny, point blank – some girls go out looking for action. And if you’re the lucky candidate for the evening, you will see it – if you know what to look for.

It’s in her eyes, in the way that she faces you, in her vibe. There are pregnant pauses loaded with sexual tension. Regardless of what she is actually saying, her whole essence will be screaming “Take me”. Sometimes it’s obvious, other times subtle. But it’s there. And if she is in the throws of this hormone induced lust, then she will be much more up for an ‘adventure’ than Susan from the office who just came out for a drink after work.

Is She Willing To Be Away From Her Friends To Be With You?

A girl willing to walk away from her friends to follow you indicates two things. A) That she is very comfortable with you, she trusts you and she will follow you. B) That her primary interest for the evening is her own good time, more so than hanging out with the girlfriends.

Leaving her friends to follow you – be it for walk to the bar (my favourite), to go for a cigarette, or even just to sit somewhere and chat – tells you a lot. And you’re now in the leader seat, plus you’ve established some privacy. It’s compliance testing 101: asking someone to do something in order to test how willing they are to do it. If she is happy to follow you around the bar, then she’s much more likely to happily follow you, hand in hand, to the bathroom.

Are You Able To Touch Her & Vice Versa?

Touch is a huge indicator of her interest in you. This breaks into two parts. 1) is she touching you? and 2) is she reciprocating your touch (i.e. when you touch her, is she comfortable with it, and touching you back)? And are those touches in more intimate regions than her shoulder or arm – perhaps the lower back or leg? If there was ever an indicator that a girl is ready to go, this is it.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Most Men Don’t Have Dating Abundance

Does She Kiss You?

Kissing is not an absolute requirement at this point, but it is a fair indicator that she is into you and that she is not hugely concerned about what other people think. If she hesitates to kiss you in a bar, what are the chances that she will go with you to the bathroom? Likely slim.

How To Go About It

If it’s on, and you feel that it’s on, just say something like “Come with me” with a cheeky smile and take her by the hand. Ask her if she is feeling adventurous, or even just “I want you, follow me”, perhaps “Let’s go somewhere private”. What’s most important is that you take the lead on this.

Note: opt for the disabled bathroom if possible, they’re cleaner and more spacious. And obviously, lock it. I’ve had more than one security guard come busting in on me.

The Take Home

Whether it’s for you or not, it’s certainly an adventure, and certainly makes for a good story. And before you say it – what kind of woman would get frisky with you in a toilet? Well, a model, a dentist, a navy officer, a sales manager, a pilot – these were some who did with me. You never know who might just want to get down on it and be a little dirty.

Chris Manak is an expert dating and lifestyle coach who runs Manic Workshops.

The post A Gentlemen’s Guide To Bathroom Fornication appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s a manoeuvre cringed at by some, fantasised about by others, and reserved for the bold few willing to risk all. It is the bathroom shag… and it happens more than you think.

The Art Of Toilet Tango
From the two feet showing under the cubicle, to the sheepish female giggle in the men’s...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

The post A Gentlemen’s Guide To Bathroom Sex appeared first on D'MARGE.

Let’s be honest, your timepiece collection is incomplete without a Rolex Submariner. The Submariner is a true classic among luxury wristwatches, revered not only as a sport watch but also as an elegant personal accessory for the discerning gentleman.

While the watch rose to fame for its ground-breaking functionality when it was first conceived, it soon became even more famous for the sporty good looks that make it beloved by mavericks of land and sea alike.

Origins Of The Rolex Submariner

The first Rolex Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Swiss Watch Fair. Rene-Paul Jeanerret was the director of Rolex at the time, and under his guidance the brand began developing dedicated “tool-watches.”

Tool-watches were specialised timepieces specifically engineered for individual tasks, and designed to withstand even the most difficult conditions. The Submariner was one of these timepieces, a watch designed with the unique needs of the deep sea diver in mind.

Before the Submariner was released to the public, an early version was put to the test in 1953. Auguste Piccard and his son Jacques attempted a world diving record while wearing Submariner prototypes. They claimed the record, and the Submariner survived the adventure 10,335’ below the ocean’s surface.

Over the years, Rolex has made only a few changes to the Submariner’s classic style. Innovations over the course of the watch’s 50+ year history include a helium escape valve, a 31-jewel movement, superluminova hour markers, and an even greater depth rating of 300 meters.

The latest version was launched at BaselWorld 2012, and the Rolex Submariner continues to be one of the most recognisable timepieces on the planet.

The Submariner In Popular Culture

The list of famous names associated with the Submariner is endless. James Bond, Sean Connery, Steve McQueen, the British Royal Navy…just to name a few. Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian ethnographer and adventurer, wore a Rolex Submariner during his famous 1970 sea expedition that proved ancient mariners could have crossed the Atlantic using the Canary Current. Jacques Cousteau – celebrated filmmaker, explorer, inventor, and author – also sported a Submariner, and may even have had a hand in its development.

Iconic Rolex Submariner Design

As the name suggests, the Submariner was conceived to venture through the greatest seas. To accomplish this task effectively, Rolex employed 904L stainless steel for the casing to prevent salt water corrosion. This appointment comes with zero compromises as 904L steel is commonly found in aerospace and chemical industry applications where extreme resistance to corrosion is required.

Another defining characteristic of the Submariner’s 904L steel is its highly polishable finish, allowing the watch to retain its fine aesthetic appeal even in the harshest environments.

Design also extends to the steel bracelet which ensures that the watch can withstand the rigours of diving. An Oysterlock clasp prevents accidental opening during physical activities whilst an intuitive Glidelock system on the bracelet allows for fine fitting adjustments on the go without the need for tools.

The Submariner bezel is another special design feature that distinguishes the iconic timepiece from others in the diving space. A closer look at the watch will reveal the finer details with 60-minute graduations engraved into the bezel to allow the diver to accurately monitor diving time and decompression stops. The bezel itself is made of corrosion-resistant ceramic to make it virtually scratch proof and given a knurled finished for optimal grip under the water.

A Timeless Movement

Looking beyond the external design elements of the Submariner will reveal an equally impressive movement in the form of a self-winding calibre 3135 developed entirely in house at Rolex.

It follows the same stringent criteria of all Rolex perpetual movements which have been certified as Swiss chronometer pieces by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). To further  aid in its rigorous exploits, Rolex have fitted the Submariner with a Parachrom hairspring to offer greater resistance to shocks and to temperature variations. Power reserve meanwhile is a sufficient 48-hours – more than enough to accompany a wearer’s short diving stint at sea.

This special movement affords the watch an hours, minutes and seconds function with a date window model forming part of the spin-off Submariner Date model.

Variations On A Theme

Two distinct models of the Submariner exist in the Rolex portfolio. The Submariner and Submariner Date both follow the stringent design aesthetics that have made it one of the most recognised and iconic diving watches to date.

The original Submariner comes only in the aforementioned 40mm steel with a black Cerachrom bezel along with an hours, minutes and seconds function.

The Submariner Date takes this fundamental design and add a date window along with a plethora of colours and material finishes for the most discerning watch aficionado.

The extensive colour combinations of the Submariner Date includes a black dial with a black bezel on steel, green dial with a green bezel on steel, a blue dial with a blue bezel on white gold, a black dial with a black bezel on yellow gold, a blue dial with a blue bezel on yellow gold, a blue dial with blue bezel on steel and yellow gold and a black dial with black bezel on steel and yellow gold.

Where To Buy A Rolex Submariner

Besides the Rolex store, there are other secondary Rolex retailers that also deal with pre-owned samples of the Submariner line. These are the places you should look for in Australia and online.

Sydney

LK Boutique – 38-46 Martin Place, Sydney NSW
Swiss Concept – 90 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW
J Farren Price – Shop 2, St James Centre, 80 Castlereagh, Street Sydney NSW
Nicholas Hacko – Suite 403, Level 4, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW
Hardy Brothers – Various Locations

Melbourne

Rolex Boutique – 85 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The Hour Glass – 252 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC

The post Rolex Submariner; The Watch That Was Built To Last The Ages appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

No man should need to endure a derelict pair of shoes. Not only do your shoes define the type of man you are, they can also determine whether or not you'll get lucky with that cute bird at the bar.

This brings us to the lost art of shoe polishing. The practice traces its modern origins to the mi...

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The world may be your oyster, but there are some pearls you’ll never see. Amongst the planet’s many wonders are places that are too dangerous, too protected or too secretive to visit. Only a select few will ever experience these exclusive spots, sometimes at the risk of injury or death.

If you’re planning your next holiday, cross these 10 illegal travel destinations off your bucket list. They’re beautiful and mysterious, but totally forbidden to travellers.

Poveglia | Italy

Remember Shutter Island? Poveglia is a real-life version. The small isle, located between Venice and Lido in Northern Italy, was once home to a mental institution that allegedly tortured and experimented upon its patients. Prior to its stint with the mentally ill, Poveglia was used as a quarantine colony where the dead and dying, some of whom were mistaken for corpses, were burned on giant pyres during times of plague. Today the island is widely considered to be haunted, and both locals and tourists are banned from visiting.

North Sentinel Island | Andaman Islands, India

In the Bay of Bengal is North Sentinel Island, home to the indigenous Sentinelese people – and no one else. Not only is the island difficult to reach thanks to the surrounding coral reefs, it’s also almost impossible to visit due to the hostility of its native population. The Sentinelese reject contact with all other peoples, and will use force to ensure they remain untouched by modern civilisation. The Indian government has declared the entire island an exclusion zone, and unless an arrow in the leg is your idea of a good time, it’s best to steer clear.

Area 51 | Nevada, USA

No list of forbidden travel is complete without Area 51, a hush-hush military base in Southern Nevada. The site wasn’t officially acknowledged until 2013, when released CIA documents confirmed its existence. What happens there is similarly shrouded in mystery. It’s most likely used for the development and testing of aircraft and weapons for the US military, but conspiracy theorists believe its real purpose is extraterrestrial research. Alien enthusiasts frequently visit the surrounding territory, but Area 51 itself is strictly prohibited.

RELATED: World’s Scariest Travel Spots For The Adventure Man

Ilha da Queimada Grande | Brazil

Ilha da Queimada Grande sounds like somewhere you’d stretch out on a beach, tropical cocktail in hand, and sunbathe to the sound of azure waves gently lapping the shore. Until you hear its nickname: Snake Island. The inhospitable isle is home to no humans, only thousands of golden lancehead pit vipers – one of the deadliest species of snake in the world. The Brazilian government has outlawed any visitors from attempting to visit the island, barring the occasional scientist.

Lascaux Caves | France

The labyrinthine Lascaux Caves are home to one of the most celebrated examples of Palaeolithic cave paintings ever discovered. The ancient artwork, which primarily depicts large animals, is believed to be more than 17,500 years old. Unfortunately, you’ll never see it. The caves were once open to the public, but were closed when the carbon dioxide, heat, humidity and other contaminants produced by visitors began to damage the art. Today the UNESCO World Heritage Site is rarely entered by anyone other than a security guard, who only visits once a week for a few minutes at a time.

Surtsey | Iceland

Surtsey, a volcanic island situated off the southern coast of Iceland, is one of the youngest places on the planet. The island emerged from the Atlantic following an extended volcanic eruption in the 1960s. Only a few scientists have ever been allowed to set foot on Surtsey, making it one of the world’s most, if not the most, pristine natural environments. Researchers stay in the island’s only construction, a tiny hut with a few bunk beds, and must erase all traces of their existence when they leave. The purity of the environment is so closely guarded that visiting scientists once had to dig up potatoes a group of pranksters planted as a joke.

Mezhgorye | Russia

What happens in Russia, stays in Russia. Mezhgorye is a mysterious, closed town in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. Its residents are said to be working on a secret program related to nearby Mount Yamantaw, most likely a nuclear facility or bunker. When questioned about Mezhgorye, the Russian government has given a variety of inconclusive answers ranging from a coal warehouse, to a food storage area, to a repository of national treasures. One thing’s for sure: this illegal travel destination won’t be the site of your next spa holiday.

RELATED: 10 Most Dangerous Roads In The World

Bhangarh Fort | India

Located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, the Bhangarh Fort is a 17th-century structure steeped in mystery, myth and rumour. Legends about the fort involve curses, occult magicians, ghastly paranormal encounters and fatal accidents involving unsuspecting tourists. Today, Bhangarh Fort is considered one the most haunted places in India and the government has imposed strict regulations for entry. While you’re welcome to explore the ruins during the day, visitors are forbidden from entering the grounds between sunset and sunrise. Locals say those who ignore the rule are never seen again.

Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center | Virginia, USA

Unless you belong to the most elite echelons of US politicians and military personnel, you will never see this secretive facility. Mount Weather is designed to be the safest place on the planet, where high-ranking government officials can take shelter in case of a national disaster or global crisis. The massive complex is equipped with everything from power plants and hospitals, to police and fire departments, to dining and recreation areas, to a sewage plant and a mass transit system, to its own leaders and laws. Good luck getting past the chain link fences, razor wire and armed guards on doomsday.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault | Norway

A virtual tour is the closest you’ll get to visiting the Svalbard Seed Vault, which houses over 980,000 varieties of the world’s crops in a vast subterranean facility built 400 feet into a mountainside on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen. Almost every country in the world has deposited specimens into the seed bank. If a devastating natural or manmade disaster occurs, governments will be able to request seeds from the vault to restart their agricultural production. Employees of the facility are the only people allowed inside, but it’s for the best – in the event of the apocalypse, you don’t want to be the guy who accidentally destroyed the only hope of restoring the world’s food supply, do you?

The post 10 Most Illegal Places To Travel In The World appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The world may be your oyster, but there are some pearls you'll never see. Amongst the planet's many wonders are places that are too dangerous, too protected or too secretive to visit. Only a select few will ever experience these exclusive spots, sometimes at the risk of injury or death.

If you're...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

The post 10 Most Illegal Places To Travel In The World appeared first on D'MARGE.

There are two ways to approach growing old. Some take it on the chin, admit defeat and spend years regretting their decisions. Others go in a different direction. They decide youth should last a lifetime and proceed to erase any sign of aging.
Personally, I’m all for the latter. To hell with gett...

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