Top Travel Tips ✈️
Collection of Top Tips from Shannon's Travel-Loving Friends
Traveling can be stressful, so I've gathered tips from my travel-loving friends to share this week. From travel apps to packing to overall travel rules, enjoy this roundup of tips to help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable.
When to Travel
“Seek out the shoulder season (Spring and Fall). I’m not a fan of crowds, but bad weather can ruin a trip real quick. But the shoulder seasons often provide a nice blend of emptier/cheaper sites with weather that’s good enough to enjoy your destination.” - Tad Heath
“Always take the first flight out no matter how painful.” - Julie Hines
“Always take a red eye flight with a baby.” - Devin Donnelly
Travel Apps
“I use an app called Wanderlog. I used it to plan recent trips to Europe and Mexico City which made planning super easy and efficient. In the past, I would use a combo of Google My Maps (to pin interesting attractions on a map), TripIt (to consolidate flight, hotel and rental car information) and Excel (to create an itinerary). I can now easily do all of this now using Wanderlog!” - Jane Kang
“Download and use the TripIt app – it’s been a game changer and I love it! It organizes all the information in one simple place (hotel, flight, rental car, etc. And if you do the paid version, you can add all other things like tours, dinners and more).” - Leigh Oshirak Schuberth
Packing
“I keep two toiletry kits packed and ready to go at all times, one for short trips and another for 2 weeks or more. This saves so much time packing. And I never leave my hotel or Airbnb without a mini kit with hand sanitizer, lotion, Advil, bandaids, lip balm and a tiny sunscreen.” - Rebecca Weill
“Bring baby wipes and the medicine cabinet and then, let it go and just enjoy the ride!” - Julietta Skoog
“You don’t need more than three pairs of shoes on any trip.” - Antonia Richmond
When I pack for vacation, I think about some comfortable walking shoes (wear on plane), like white tennies that look cute with sundresses, shorts, or jeans, my Berks which can go from beach to lunch (for warm weather trips), and a variety of basics, like skirts, pants, jeans that are neutral and blend in with my other options. I like natural fabrics that breathe in hot climates, rather than synthetic fabrics.” - Sharon Palmer
“Always bring a black satin pillowcase. Before I travel I get my hair blown out and with the use of a satin pillowcase, that style can last for days. I used to travel with white or beige pillowcases, but I wound up leaving them behind. I switched to black satin and that was a game-changer! As I scan the room before I’m ready to leave a hotel — that color stands out!” - Bonnie Taub-Dix
“Pack carry on, if you can. Always have a change of clothes in your personal item just in case the second bag gets gate checked. For long trips, pack less than you need.” - Melissa Jones
“Bring bug spray or essential oils to keep bugs at bay, stash a few extra band-aids in your bag, and pack some gallon-sized zip-lock bags with napkins – you never know when you might need them!” - Yezenia Manke
On the Plane
“I always pack a snack. The dietitian in me brings a medley of nuts and dried fruit. For a hit of protein, fiber and crunch that lasts — it’s the way to go in case of delayed flights.” - Bonnie Taub-Dix
“I never board a plane without an eye mask, ear plugs, headphones, extra phone battery, a small pouch of various basic pills for pain or discomfort, nasal spray, and a good book. I also never assume there will be power at the seat or a screen that works properly.” - Kassie Borreson
To Check or Not Check Bags?
“Never check bags. I have a really good suitcase, which is the maximum size for carry on, and it has lasted me for 15 years.” - Sharon Palmer
“Pack light! And do not check your bag if you don’t really need to so when you arrive you can hit the ground running instead of waiting in baggage claim. Also no one but you cares what you are wearing on vacation and no one is going to notice if you wear the same thing twice!” - Amy Sherman
“Another (perhaps surprising) essential travel rule I follow is always checking a bag. I love fashion but as a work-from-home mom, I don’t have many opportunities to express my style at home. A trip can be a fun opportunity to dress well! It’s nice to have room for a couple of pairs of shoes… and I always add some cozy loungewear for downtime on the trip. It’s also nice to have room to pick up a few things along the way – with a carry-on you can end up with a bunch of cumbersome shopping bags on the plane. I love showing up at the airport and dropping my bag at check-in… it feels like instant freedom, and your hands are free to grab a coffee and a good book or magazine.” - Lia Heath
Upon Arrival at Your Destination
“Book an upscale hotel your first night in a new place. Staying in a comfortable accommodation allows you to catch up on a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel, be mindless in a hotel that is full service, and make plans for the days ahead. Whether you’re roughing it the remainder of the trip or continuing at a luxurious resort, it’s worth kicking off the trip right in a clean, comfortable space with a hot shower and breakfast in the morning.” - Colleen Wysocki
“Get a massage upon landing at your destination!” - Amy Hsiao
“Stay hydrated inside and out by drinking a lot of water and applying SPF and moisturizer regularly.” - Lindsey Whitehouse
Transportation
“Research your destination’s public transportation, taxi/Uber, and/or bicycle program before you get there and download any necessary apps.” - Antonia Richmond
Food & Drink
“The idea is to go where the locals go, eat what they eat and drink what they drink. If you only have a short period of time in a place, I recommend you ask a taxi driver if you can hire them for a few hours to take you around and show you what they think is special. Of course, you have to pick the right taxi driver, but in lots of places they’re competing for the tourist fares and you can see who seems to be bright-eyed and friendly. Another tip when touring is to go to the oldest, grandest hotel in town and have a drink or an iced tea. Even if you’re on a budget, you can spend a few dollars and experience all the ambiance and service that people are paying thousands of dollars a night for.” - Tia Woodward
“Always visit the grocery stores and markets on trips. This is one of my favorite things to do while traveling.” - Antonia Richmond
“I love food, and I hate missing an opportunity to have a great meal, so I spend a lot of time researching the best restaurants, bakeries, etc. in each place I visit. I use sites like Yelp and Tripadvisor, and I will also ask the people at the hotel for their favorite places. A lot of the best spots I’ve been to have been small, family-run, no frills restaurants where an elderly grandmother is just hanging out in the kitchen making authentic local dishes.” - Erica Alioto
“Research and book restaurant recommendations at 3-4 weeks in advance. You can make most reservations online, but some you will still need to call. I always reference Eater.com as well as ask friends for their recommendations.” - Shannon Gomes
Activities & Experiences
“I am a huge fan of Airbnb Experiences and Viator – a travel game changer for me! The experiences and tours are led by locals, often experts in their fields of art, architecture or culture, and they open your eyes to see local sights in entirely new ways. I did a tour of the Vatican with a philosophy professor that was focused on the meaning of beauty, and moved me to tears. And I sometimes do early morning runs led by local fitness instructors on Airbnb experiences. I’ll do this my first morning – it’s a great way to see the city and get oriented while it’s quiet and before the crowds descend.” - Rebecca Weill
“When visiting a very popular or historical destination, be sure to visit first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon before closing. Avoid the massive mid-day crowds at all costs!” - Shannon Gomes
“Plan an entire trip using Tik Tok so you can find all the cool stuff (hotels, restaurants, activities and more)!” - Allison Day
Travel Rules
“Learn about the culture you are visiting, be kind, have patience, try to speak the language, and don’t expect everything to be the same as where you are coming from.” - Antonia Richmond
“Choose quality connection and use the inevitable traveling challenges to model and practice flexibility, a sense of humor and solving problems with grace.” - Julietta Skoog
“Let go of the rules! While it is good to have a framework itinerary and places to stay, it’s best to leave some room to explore and some time to smell the roses. I find that some of the most memorable experiences happen by chance, and if you are always focused on your well-planned schedule, you might not notice the magic around you. Mishaps can of course happen, but they are often the most obvious when you are trying to abide by strict guidelines. Allow your mood, the advice of locals, the weather, or just the vibe to lead you along your way!” - Lia Heath
