1. Travelling light = Travelling happy
-For me, i wear the heaviest or bulkiest items on the plane (usually jeans), so that you can get by with a smaller bag. It isn’t necessary to have a different outfit for every day – accessories, light sweaters can transform a look and no one will notice if you’re wearing the same shoes over the course of a couple of days. Heels are definately not necessary!! Most importantly, never pack anything that will wrinkle. I prefer travelling when it is less cold and allows me to pack my dresses and shorts.
-Invest in good gear. Compression sacks, quick-drying and lightweight clothes, and the right toiletries are worth the investment.
-For ladies, always pack more underwear than you think you’ll need (buying them on the trip is usually unpleasant, time consuming and expensive). Use disposable underwear where possible, this will save you from doing your laundry.
-Have a system where you put things when you pack. Use clear ziplock bags where possible. That way, you’re less likely to forget something or lose stuff.
- Always carry a basic first aid kit
- Drink plenty of water
- Bring some vitamins when you travel.
- Do not overextend yourself and Sleep when you’re tired.
- Do not over-eat
- I use my camera/phone to take photos of important signage (name & street of hotel, coach number if i am travelling with a group etc) – it will come in handy if you don’t speak the language.
- Check in for flights online, as early as possible (usually 24 hours) to get the best seats.
- Taking notes with my camera. I take down eveything from beautiful scenary, nice hotels, yummy food, menu, people, performance and everything you can ever think of. So much so that when i blog about it 2mths later, i am able to recall and review about them. It is much faster than writing it all down and letting your food go cold.
- Know when it is worth it to spend the money by doing your homework before you arrive.
- I try to stay at hotels that offer breakfast, as it’s usually a good deal and convenient. When traveling with family or big group, its better to rent a house or service apartment, as you can save on food costs and they are generally roomier than hotels.
- You can get awesome hotel deals on most Sunday nights, even at high-end hotels as the leisure travelers are gone and the business travelers haven’t arrived yet. Always ask whether there is any discount and possible free upgrade. Don't rush to check in, instead wait till most of the guest has done so. Most hotel staff will have an idea on the room availbility by late afternoon and will be able to offer free room upgrade for you.
- Try to use credit card as much as possible, to limit exposure in terms of theft (cash), maximize exchange rates and getting the benefit of insurance in certain cases.
- Travel with a positive mindset and don’t let flight delays derail you.
- Stay calm. – it doesn’t change anything and only makes you feel worse. Be proactive, always looking for good options, from the planning stages all the way through to the end of the trip.
- Ask for what you want politely, but firmly. Someone else’s idea of a perfect vacation doesn’t have to be yours – don’t be afraid to try new things, but don’t be afraid to do what you like.
- Always have a back up plan.
- Do your homework before you go somewhere new. While I’m in full support of spontaneity, nothing is more annoying than arriving somewhere amazing and spending hours trying to figure out how to get from one place to another, or ended up eating in crappy restaurants because you didn’t have a few options in mind. Research, get guidebooks, watch travel videos, read reviews, etc,
- Don’t stay chained to your computer or smart phone. There’s so much you will miss when you don’t stop to enjoy your surroundings. and it could be especially annoying for others if you are travelling with companions.
- Talk to strangers and make meaningful connections. Let the people you meet do most of the talking and you’ll learn much more. It’s a great excuse to talk to locals (cab drivers, hotel staff, restaurant waiters etc). and if you are lucky enough, key suggestions will keep coming up and you know those are the real deals.
- Eat local foods. No matter where you are, there is usually some type of cuisine local to the area you are in.
- Be an extrovert and don't be afraid to try new things!
- Learn something. The best trips teach us something. Embrace opportunities to learn by taking classes in something that interests you. From one-day cooking or dance classes to week-long lessons in art, culture, language and activities, studying around the world is one more way to make a deeper connection with the local culture.
-For me, i wear the heaviest or bulkiest items on the plane (usually jeans), so that you can get by with a smaller bag. It isn’t necessary to have a different outfit for every day – accessories, light sweaters can transform a look and no one will notice if you’re wearing the same shoes over the course of a couple of days. Heels are definately not necessary!! Most importantly, never pack anything that will wrinkle. I prefer travelling when it is less cold and allows me to pack my dresses and shorts.
-Invest in good gear. Compression sacks, quick-drying and lightweight clothes, and the right toiletries are worth the investment.
-For ladies, always pack more underwear than you think you’ll need (buying them on the trip is usually unpleasant, time consuming and expensive). Use disposable underwear where possible, this will save you from doing your laundry.
-Have a system where you put things when you pack. Use clear ziplock bags where possible. That way, you’re less likely to forget something or lose stuff.
2. Staying Healthy
- Drink plenty of water
- Bring some vitamins when you travel.
- Do not overextend yourself and Sleep when you’re tired.
- Do not over-eat
3. Using Technology to Your Advantage
- Check in for flights online, as early as possible (usually 24 hours) to get the best seats.
- Taking notes with my camera. I take down eveything from beautiful scenary, nice hotels, yummy food, menu, people, performance and everything you can ever think of. So much so that when i blog about it 2mths later, i am able to recall and review about them. It is much faster than writing it all down and letting your food go cold.
4. Be Smart About Your $$
- Know when it is worth it to spend the money by doing your homework before you arrive.
- I try to stay at hotels that offer breakfast, as it’s usually a good deal and convenient. When traveling with family or big group, its better to rent a house or service apartment, as you can save on food costs and they are generally roomier than hotels.
- You can get awesome hotel deals on most Sunday nights, even at high-end hotels as the leisure travelers are gone and the business travelers haven’t arrived yet. Always ask whether there is any discount and possible free upgrade. Don't rush to check in, instead wait till most of the guest has done so. Most hotel staff will have an idea on the room availbility by late afternoon and will be able to offer free room upgrade for you.
- Try to use credit card as much as possible, to limit exposure in terms of theft (cash), maximize exchange rates and getting the benefit of insurance in certain cases.
5. Loyalty Programs
Pick your favorite airline and hotel program and try to stick with them as often as possible. Many credit cards also offer millege as rewards for conversion and redeem air tix. That said, sign up for every reward program you encounter. Even if you don’t earn enough points for a free night with a particular hotel chain, there may be many offer perks (special pricing) up for grab.6. It’s All About Attitude
- Stay calm. – it doesn’t change anything and only makes you feel worse. Be proactive, always looking for good options, from the planning stages all the way through to the end of the trip.
- Ask for what you want politely, but firmly. Someone else’s idea of a perfect vacation doesn’t have to be yours – don’t be afraid to try new things, but don’t be afraid to do what you like.
- Always have a back up plan.
7. Earn your experiences
- Do your homework before you go somewhere new. While I’m in full support of spontaneity, nothing is more annoying than arriving somewhere amazing and spending hours trying to figure out how to get from one place to another, or ended up eating in crappy restaurants because you didn’t have a few options in mind. Research, get guidebooks, watch travel videos, read reviews, etc,
- Don’t stay chained to your computer or smart phone. There’s so much you will miss when you don’t stop to enjoy your surroundings. and it could be especially annoying for others if you are travelling with companions.
- Talk to strangers and make meaningful connections. Let the people you meet do most of the talking and you’ll learn much more. It’s a great excuse to talk to locals (cab drivers, hotel staff, restaurant waiters etc). and if you are lucky enough, key suggestions will keep coming up and you know those are the real deals.
- Eat local foods. No matter where you are, there is usually some type of cuisine local to the area you are in.
- Be an extrovert and don't be afraid to try new things!
- Learn something. The best trips teach us something. Embrace opportunities to learn by taking classes in something that interests you. From one-day cooking or dance classes to week-long lessons in art, culture, language and activities, studying around the world is one more way to make a deeper connection with the local culture.
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