7 TRAVEL TIPS: FOR THE GIRL ON THE GO
There are two types of people when it comes to travel. Those who plan ahead of time and pack days in advance. Or those who wing it and throw together outfits last minute. Personally, I’m a much better travel companion if I plan ahead and take out the guess work.
Traveling can be stressful at times. And since I’ve done more traveling in recent years, I’ve picked up a few habits that help me to feel less anxious when planning trips. So I thought I’d share some tips in case you also want to eliminate some of the stress of traveling.
1. CHECK THE WEATHER FOR YOUR DESTINATION
This might seem obvious. However, weather can change day to day. So, this is the very first thing I do prior to packing. It helps me to narrow down the items I need rather than just packing my entire closet. And as a female, I always like to be prepared when it comes to my outfits. I love using the app Swackett to see the weather for my upcoming destination. Not only does the app give you hourly weather previews, but it also has wardrobe suggestions that are weather appropriate. Packing is a breeze with this app.
2. PLAN YOUR OUTFITS
The method of planning your outfits in advance may seem time consuming, but I promise it will save you time in the end. If you know that on certain days/nights you will need more dressy outfits vs. casual, then this is a great way to plan ahead. I start with laying out each piece of clothing individually. Then I match pieces together to create outfits. Lastly, I add shoes and accessories to each outfit for a completed look. And then I pack everything accordingly. This also helps to give you a visual of what you have in your suitcase. You can also take a photo of each outfit to save for reference on your trip. Planning your outfits ahead of time will also help avoid packing unnecessary items. Because let's be for real, we've all over packed a time or two. No judgement here.
3. PACK EMERGENCY ITEMS
We've all been guilty of saying the phrase; 'If I didn't pack it, I'll just buy it". Well, that sounds great in theory. However, sometimes getting everyday items in an unknown place can be more trouble than it's worth. You can avoid all that by just bringing a few extra items that you may need during your trip. This way if something comes up, you can be at ease knowing you have these in your suitcase. Items to include are: band aids, Preheels (for those new shoes that will likely give you blisters), pain reliever, aloe vera (if you're planning on being in the sun), feminine products, anti-nausea, etc.) Target & CVS have the best selection of travel sized products.
4. LOOK INTO ATTRACTIONS & EVENTS
Traveling to a new city can be EXCITING! It can also be a daunting task trying to put together an itinerary for a trip. But thanks to social media, it can be easy to create a "wish list" of things to do & see during your stay. Try searching the name of your destination as a #hashtag on Instagram. This will allow you to see all photos that are tagged with that hashtag, often showcasing scenic sites, places to shop and even restaurants within that area. Time Out is also a great resource when planning a trip. You can look up attractions, free things to do and local events within the city you're visiting to help make the most out of your trip.
5. CARRY A TOTE BAG
Tote bags are a necessity when traveling. Especially when you're out sightseeing/shopping and don't want to carry multiple bags through out the day. They also double as a great carry on bag for the flight. You can throw in all of your usual purse items plus extras like headphones, iPad, makeup and more. And if you have a tendency to bring back more than you left with, pack an extra tote bag in your luggage for those items that don't fit for the flight home. This will save you from having to pay any baggage overweight fees.
6. INVEST IN QUALITY LUGGAGE
Whether you travel often or only a few times a year, buying quality luggage is worth the investment. I recently purchased new luggage from Calpak. And I'm OBSESSED. It's lightweight, glides on eight wheels and has separated compartments inside which provide more space for clothing, shoes & accessories. Calpak offers super sleek designs and durable exteriors making in easy to navigate the streets of the city and running through the airport. It has made traveling so much easier.
7. CHECK IN ONLINE
The airport is one of the most unpredictable places. And with constant changes to airline rules and regulations, it can be time consuming going through security and getting to your assigned gate. Checking In online is a great feature offered by most airlines via their website or mobile app. You can print your boarding pass ahead of time (from home) or download your boarding pass straight to your phone. And if you're traveling with only a carry on, you can bypass the airline check in counter all together. Getting through security is the next challenge. But now with CLEAR, you can navigate the line within minutes. CLEAR is a monthly membership that allows you to bypass the long lines of ID check and gets you straight to the security screening line. If you are a frequent flyer, you can now travel with more ease and save time.
Now that you're all packed up and ready to go...you can sit back, relax and enjoy your flight to your final destination. Preferably with a cocktail in hand.
What do you find helpful when traveling? Share your travel tips in the comments below.