We need variety in our lives. Getting away from home and exploring new vistas, new cultures, new cuisine is stimulating to the brain and can be recharging for the spirit. It is a way to learn new life skills and increase your confidence in your own resourcefulness. However, change in routine and familiar surroundings can be stressful. There are a lot of big and little details that if executed, will add up to having a great experience. Gleamed from travel pros, here are some top tips to utilize so you can be building great memories.
Before Your Trip Airfare is typically the most expensive part of travel, so try to book a couple months out. A great site that includes more airlines to check for prices is Skyscanner where one can also look for hotel and car rental pricing. If you are taking a family trip, or doing an extended stay, you may want an Air BnB or Vrbo home rental to have a kitchen and cook your own meals for less than eating out. If you want the perk of access to a hotel pool, buy a Resortpass for the day. Share your itinerary with someone. If going overseas, make photocopies of your credit cards and passport and info on critical medications to leave with them, and a copy of your passport, and a backup credit card in your luggage as well. If traveling internationally, make arrangements for phone use, connecting with friends on WhatsApp where you can call via the internet. Notify your bank when and where will be traveling. Consider travel insurance to cover for missed connection flight, loss, theft, medical issue/illness.
Packing Rely on a travel checklist to help remember what is needed. You may want to include a backpack for day trips, and a scrubba wash bag for doing laundry (good for storing dirty clothes too). A couple of detergent sheets takes up less room than more clothes! If you are traveling as a couple and checking 2 bags, pack half his and half hers in each in case one luggage is lost you will each have some clothes. You may want to get an Apple Airtag for your luggage to know where it is. Have essentials in your carry-on such as medication, first aid kit, ear plugs, hand sanitizer wipes, small microfiber hand cloth, water bottle, change of clothes, toiletries, power bank and phone charging cord and the written address of your hotel. A popular hack is putting lotion in a contact lens case to hydrate skin on the plane.
Be Patient and Flexible Things don’t always go as planned, something is forgotten, a connection missed, luggage may be lost, reservation not found. Keep calm and know you can solve the problem or get help. Look at it as part of the adventure and be open to spontaneously changing plans. If your flight gets cancelled, get on the phone right away and have them help you rebook rather than waiting in line at the airport. Take a free walking tour, check out the tourism information center. Ask locals for their recommendations on what to do in the time you are there, where to eat, what to avoid.
Arrive Early to Avoid Crowds It may be tempting to sleep in, but an early start can avoid the crowds and help you to do more leisurely. You may want to pack your own healthy breakfast to eat in your room save time. Getting out at sunrise will help negate jet lag, wear comfortable shoes, layer, have sun protection and bring water. If parking a car in an unfamiliar area, take a photo of the nearest intersection street sign. Have an early lunch at the expensive restaurant you want to try (its cheaper than dinner!), and go to attractions while people are having lunch. Restaurants near attractions are generally overpriced, walking a few blocks you may find better places at better prices. Pace yourself, take a break in the afternoon in a park to people watch and rest in nature.
We all need a break from our work. People report elevated levels of happiness 8 weeks before taking their planned trip, and greater well being afterwards. Plan a new place to visit or a new experience like a cruise or glamping, an adventure vacation (e.g., river rafting) or a bucket list item like walking the El Camino de Santiago in Spain, or a pilgrimage. It can be a short cut to a new you!
Where there is no guidance, a people fail, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
SINCE 1979