Travel Smart This Summer

Soon, my husband and I will be going on a trip out of the country for the first time in several years. We used to be avid travelers, but with the pandemic, it definitely slowed down for us. Now that we are back in travel-mode, I find myself remembering some of the adventures we went on and how to best execute a fun and worthwhile trip while avoiding any big travel blunders.

As the summer approaches, I know more people will be planning trips, whether domestic or international, and we all need reminders on how to make the prep and actual vacation as seamless as possible. While I’m no expert, I have a couple tips that should help you out when planning your next adventure.

Flights & Budgeting

The best tip here is to plan ahead. I like to have rough travel dates chosen and a few options for where I’d like to go. When that’s decided, I set up price tracking on Google flights for those places and my desired travel window. You will get emails with available flights when prices are low, and it can save you a lot of money—especially if your dates are more flexible. I also think it’s a good idea, if available, to choose an airline that has a hub at your closest airport and consider becoming a member of their frequent flyer program or becoming a cardholder. If you travel often, the rewards are worth associated fees.

If you are a Costco or Sam’s Club member, you could also check for discounted vacation packages or save money if your membership covers certain attractions or activities where you are traveling.

Packing

When traveling internationally or to smaller or more rural places, it may be smarter to pack lighter. I was once stuck dragging luggage on a tiny dirt road in pastoral Switzerland, and I would advise against it. Even the cows judged me. Remember to check where you are going (you could even find walkthroughs of your destination on YouTube) and think about how you will get your bags where they need to go.

As far as what to pack, I have a packing checklist that I’ve made throughout the years and categorize items so I can easily find them in my bag. It will depend entirely on your needs, but some things that are often forgotten or overlooked are really good walking shoes that have been broken in, weather appropriate layers, correct adapters for foreign outlets, downloaded maps and translators in case you lose service or WiFi, an international phone plan if needed, copies of tickets for public transportation or other reservations, and a small first aid kit with common over-the-counter medications.

Homecare & Safety

If you are leaving your home for an extended amount of time, make sure you give a trusted person a key in case of emergency. This is especially important if you have children or pets staying back. If you don’t have a lot of family in the area, it’s vital to find neighbors, vetted sitters, or bring in trusted family members to take care of children or pets, water any plants or gardens, and do check ins. Even if your house will be empty, it would be worth it to find people or neighbors you trust, so you can rest easy on the trip you took so much time and effort planning.

While you are traveling, be sure to always be aware of your surroundings. It’s much easier to become a target in a place you are unfamiliar with. Be sure to use locks, safes, and any other safety measures that are offered to you. Research if there are any areas you should avoid and remember there is safety in numbers!

Before you leave, consider providing a copy of your travel documents to a family member or trusted person in case of loss, theft, or damage. It’s also generally a good idea to let people know your whereabouts and location.

There are so many other tips for traveling, and I encourage you to do some research on your specific destinations, but this is a good start. Just remember to be smart, respect new places and cultures, and enjoy the adventure you are on. Traveling is an amazing way to not only have fun, but to gain perspective and appreciation for all of the unique and beautiful places in the world. I hope you get to go to new places this summer and that you have happy travels!