Just a few things I've learned while globe-trotting...
My first plane ride was while I was still in the womb, & I haven't slowed down over 30 years later. My mom worked with the military, which meant we went where the troops went. While I was born in Texas, in 2nd grade my family moved to Okinawa, Japan. While living on the base, we would often catch "space available" flights to nearby countries. ["Space available" usually meant sitting around the airport until there was a flight with 4 open seats for my family to claim]. I had been to Japan, Korea (North & South), Thailand, Taiwan, and China, all before finishing 7th grade. We moved back to Texas for a few years before being relocated to Germany. I was there for my junior & senior years of high school, and in that time I went to Italy, Spain, France, & the Netherlands. Not saying I'm Carmen SanDiego, but I've been on my fair share of travels, and have no intention of stopping. Here's a few things I've learned along the way.
Don't be afraid to change plans & go with the flow
Often when traveling, people try to plan out every aspect of their trip. Where to eat based on research & reviews, what the popular tourist attractions are, what the destination has to offer. While this may be wise on some trips, on others it may prevent you from "living like a local" or stumbling upon a hidden gem. On a recent trip to Santa Monica, my boyfriend and I wanted to revisit a restaurant we had previously been to. We ended up stopping at the first patio we found due to hunger kicking in full force. It turned out to be a great experience, and I'm glad we tried somewhere new.
Know yourself
If you plan to try out all the local cuisine during the day, you may not want to pack a bunch of form-fitting dresses for the evenings, but instead pack an outfit that'll hide that food belly. Nothing's worse than being on vacation and having the feeling that you don't have anything to wear. Same situation if you tend to change or cancel plans last minute. Be sure to pack an outfit for lounging around the hotel, or wandering the surrounding neighborhood. This goes with my next advice...
Overpack!
I know that probably goes against what your mom, and most travel bloggers would say, but I've found it to be helpful. I'm not saying to pack 6 pairs of shoes for a weekend getaway (although I recently did), but if you can't decide between two outfits, bring them both! They say most people regret things they didn't do, rather than things they did do. This includes bringing that extra outfit! You don't want to be in a sour mood the whole trip because you're wishing you had brought your floppy hat to get that perfect beach pic.
Pack outfits of like colors
If you're debating between a few outfits to take, see if two or three ensembles can use the same shoes/purse/belt/hat/sunnies. Casual trip? Pack jeans or shorts that go with anything, and few tops to pair up. Dressing up? Bring one or two heels that will match every outfit.
Shoes are more important than you think
Personally, I like to go shopping before a big vacation, but doing so can be hazardous if that includes new shoes. You never want to take a brand new pair of shoes, especially if they're your main footwear. Even the most comfortable sandals or sneakers could end up rubbing the wrong way if you're exploring all day in them. Pack blister bandaids if you're bringing an "iffy" pair. Flip-flops, sandals, slippers, or something easy to slip on & off is a must for around the hotel. You don't wanna run down the hall for ice in a robe and heels... or maybe you do. But one last & very important thing to remember is that feet tend to swell while traveling!! Keep that in mind if you're thinking of packing a pair of shoes that are on the tighter side.
Unpack your suitcase
Take 5 minutes as soon as you get to your room... Hang up your clothes 👗👔 or put them in drawers 🧦👙, lay out your shoes 👠👟 & even unpack your toiletries 🧴 & makeup 💄 (or at least the bigger/most used items). Digging through your suitcase all vacation can be stressful, time-wasting, & cause clothes to wrinkle. Getting ready will be much more enjoyable if you know where everything is & it’s easily accessible. 😊👍🏼 Just remember to look over every drawer before check out!
Treat yo' self every now & then
Throughout college and in my 20's, I was all about saving money on airfare. I would fly Southwest almost exclusively since the airport was closer [Love Field rather than DFW], the flights were generally cheaper, you get two free checked bags, complimentary beverages (non-alcoholic), and I even had their rewards credit card, so I was earning free airfare. However, my travel partner as of late prefers to fly American Airlines first class. Even if you can't afford to do this all the time, I would suggest doing so if it's the first vacation you've had in a long time, if you're traveling far, or if you're simply in need of some extra pampering. You won't have to worry about remembering to check-in exactly 24 hours before departure, or risk getting stuck in a middle seat. You still get two free checked bags, but also complimentary beverages WITH alcohol, and a meal. I believe the vacation begins as you enter the airport, so if I arrive with some time to spare before boarding, I grab a drink at the bar or lounge. If you're in first class, as soon as you board you can ask for a drink; just finish it by take-off and be ready for another once you're in the air! The free meal adds to the experience, and I've yet to try one I didn't like.
Same goes for the accommodations at your destination. If you're usually frugal with your room, splurge once in a while on a popular, posh hotel or go for the impressive airbnb. You're more likely to wind up with a vacation you'll want to brag about to family, friends, and coworkers. Plus, you can't take the money with you to your final destination, so might as well treat yo self.
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