Travel Tips
Embark on your next adventure with confidence! Explore my curated travel tips designed to help you navigate the world with ease and avoid common pitfalls. At Unique and Strong, I believe in informed and inspired travel.
Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes
Many travelers stumble into easily avoidable traps. From forgetting essential documents to overpacking, planning is key. We delve into common mistakes and provide actionable solutions to ensure a smoother, more enjoyable journey. Don't let oversight ruin your vacation; prepare smart and travel strong!
1. Give yourself the gift of time whether waiting for an Uber, catching a flight, or transferring trains. When my husband and I were coming back from Bordeaux France, we had to switch trains in Paris to make it back to London for our flight home. We were literally running at high speed to catch this train. The stress is just not worth it. Give yourself time.
2. Always, always, always use air tags when checking in your luggage. On our last adventure, the Airlines lost our luggage and we were out without 85% of our clothing, curling iron and hair tools, and facial products with makeup our entire vacation.
3. Plan a budget for your trip. This includes a daily budget as well as the entire budget. I actually put this on a spreadsheet and keep it in a folder so I Stay on track and can enjoy the vacation.
4. Check to make sure you have all documents updated including a passport, entry forms for other countries, and possibly your driver's license with a real ID.
Our 10 Must-Pack Essentials
Must have Mesh Bags
Portable 7-in Fold-up Fan
Bluetooth Speaker
Walking Shoes
A Fun Hat
Hooks for Cruise Cabin
Electrical Outlet for Europe
Kaftan
When traveling to another country, it is best to pack lightly with comfortable clothing. One thing that we started doing this last trip is packing outfits for each City we visited and then vacuum packing these items before laying them into the suitcase. This way, when we get to an area, I'm not going through my entire suitcase, but instead pulling out a package of clothing. You should also throw one package of clothing in your carry-on just in case they lose your luggage.
Packing must haves- These are just suggestions and what works for us.
1. Small bag of non-expired over the counter medications. I have been sick, sunburnt, and uncomfortable on vacation before. There is nothing worse when you can't find items that work for you. Just bring them with when you start your trip. AMAZON LINK
2. Travel, fold down fan and small, Bluetooth speaker. These are great if you need white noise in a very quiet environment like a hotel. We also love bringing it to the beach when we go to those tropical getaways.
3. A good pair of walking shoes. And, so your suitcase is not extra heavy, where these shoes on the airplane. There are so many slipping tennis shoe options nowadays which work very well when traveling. Skechers are my go-to. These Skechers are super cool because you can just slide your foot into them without tying.
4. I love a good vacation hat or two! I own a few of these in different colors and I can wear them on the plane so it does not get squished in my luggage, to the beach, or to sightsee. Sunglasses, go cheap and stylish, if you're anything like me, you'll lose them. Have fun with your looks, you're on vacation! Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen ALWAYS whether you're traveling or not.
5. For cruises, magnetic hooks make it easy to find those cords, hats, bags on the go.
6. For international, electric outlet adapters. A lot of hotels and airbnbs in Europe include at least one adapter, but I always bring extra as we are always plugging things in.
7. Lounging wear for after the pool, traveling on trains, being comfortable in the airplane. There is nothing better than throwing on a caftan after the pool or being on the water all day. I have even worn these out and about in Spain with a cute pair of sandals, big sunglasses, and hat while enjoying a sangria.
8. A very firm, and I do mean firm, neck pillow for the airplane. These flights can be long and you want to be able to catch some z's. Don't buy a cheap neck pillow from the airport, research and find a good neck pillow on Amazon. Here is the one I use. Also, I bought this foot hammock on our last trip, and it helped with finding comfort during the long flight.
9. Small fold up umbrella, rain gear, and beanie.
10. Angel bubble wrap bags for that special wine you want to bring home.
Foot Hammock and Neck Pillow
Travel Rain Jacket
Wine Bags to Pack Wine in Suitcase
Vacuum Packer System for Travel
Travel Tips to the Rescue
Ever wondered if those travel tips really work? Let me share a story where a simple tip made all the difference, turning a potential disaster into a cherished travel memory. These aren't just suggestions; they're your travel lifelines!
***Know where you are going! Even if you've never been there, do your research. Understand where you are staying and research that area. When we first traveled, which was to Italy, we learned that our hotels and airbnbs we're far away from the train station or the areas we wanted to tour. When this happens, you are spending so much money on taxis, Ubers and drivers. We now know to check the distance from a to b to c to d which saves a ton of money and time. If you have a disability and have equipment that you need to bring with you, make sure there is transportation that can accommodate these devices. Although we get lectured every time we call for an Uber, Eric and I always opt for an extra space Uber which is intended for larger parties, but we find them more comfortable and we can be guaranteed that my Go Mama scooter will fit perfectly to our destination.
Little-Known Travel Secret
Discover a travel tip so effective, yet so overlooked! I unveil a hidden gem of travel wisdom that can transform your journeys. Get ready to travel smarter, not harder, with Unique and Strong's best kept secret! Someone once asked, How do you travel? Well did this mean physically? With my schedule? Fear of the unknown? Or with my budget? Well I'm here to answer all three.
Physically? I learn as I travel. I have learned so much about accessibility and I focus on what I can do versus what I can't do.
Schedule? I am fortunate to have a career that allows for some decompression, rejuvenation, and recharging time. I am a teacher which explains my schedule! My awesome husband also has a career, but banks his PTO time accordingly so we can have this time together.
Fear? Eric and I have a motto between the two of us, I say to him, "You keep me safe, I will keep you wild and full of adventure!" Since I can remember, I've always wanted to see the world. I read about it in books, I studied languages, and I heard stories when people traveled. That was my motivation and it was enough drive to overcome any fear. Part of the excitement of traveling is learning about different cultures beforehand and while we are there. It is the one thing in the entire world that feeds my soul.
Budget? Anyone can travel, it's just a matter of what fits with your budget. You can find an adventure in a different country, in a different city or state, or just in your backyard for a staycation. Eric and I do not live in a lavish house and in fact have had our same house for 30 years now. We have also finished putting our kids through college and they are both financially independent with their own lives. Someone once told me, take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. Life is about experiences and living out loud, make sure your dollars are going toward that instead of things.