Confessions of a travel tip junkie: Check the altitude of where you are traveling. Many of do not live at altitude and don't think about its effects. However, altitude sickness and being short of breath is real, especially if you have certain medical conditions. When you plan that once-in-a-lifetime hike or exotic trip, make sure you know how high you are going and stay hydrated (and don't be afraid to pack some altitude meds...just in case!).
Confessions of a travel tip junkie: the beach is not free of bugs. People often forget that paradise is a natural environment. While you may easily remember the sunscreen, don't forget the bug spray. Itching is not fun on vacation.
Confessions of a travel tip junkie: Book your cruise early. As early as you can. I explain, rather painfully, to MANY shocked clients that the best rooms on cruises book up early...especially on holiday cruises. Did you know that Disney just released their rooms for 2017? Yeah like that kind of early. Lots of extended families love to travel together and getting multiple rooms close together (or the coveted multi-room or family space rooms) can be challenging and expensive when the rooms are picked over. Most cruise spots can be held with a low deposit. If you want to cruise, get a reservation early and change it later if you decide to do something different.
Great deal this weekend on Southwest Vacation packages. Need to go somewhere between now and mid-April?
Confessions of a Travel Tip Junkie: When you travel, you don't always have a full load of laundry. If you need to do some washing, by hand or machine, it can be helpful to be able to do just one small load. You can mix your colors and whites if you wash on cold with a Shout color catcher.
Confessions of a Travel Tip Junkie: Whatever you pack for bags, make sure you have a small, easily carried, bag for everyday. When I travel out of the country, I often have a large (and heavy) carry-on. If I use this bag for everyday walking around while traveling my back will hate me. My feet will hate me. I will hate me. So, I never leave home without a small backpack so I can leave my larger bags at the hotel. You can thank me later...after the people on the public transportation thank you for not smacking them with your ridiculously overpacked giant bag.
Confessions of a Travel Tip Junkie: Everywhere is known for something food-wise. These famous dishes are often where geography and history collide happily in your mouth. Dim sum in Hong Kong? Paella in Spain? New York Pizza? Whatever "it" is: you need to try some. And ask the locals where the best place is to get it. Not only will you get a mouthful, but probably an earful about the long list of reasons a certain restaurant is THE best. And you'll make a friend. It's worth it.
Confessions of a Travel Tip Junkie: I love to walk foreign food markets and see all the beautiful fresh food. But experience has taught me that if can't peel it, wash it myself in filtered water, or watch it come out of flaming hot oil, I don't eat it. Yes, that is sad. But I have taken parasite medication (and loads more Imodium) more than I care to remember from breaking this rule. Many people forget when they travel to watch out for raw produce washed in local water...but they will remember later. Trust me.
Dining reservations over Spring Break open up in this month. It's time to get your plan together!
Confessions of a travel tip junkie: Pack the sunscreen first. Nothing cramps your vacation style like being burnt alive. Going to the amusement park? Hiking? Outside concert? Beach (duh)? Standing in line? Sunscreen should always go with you. They even sell tiny tubes of it. No excuses. You never know when you will unexpectedly be stuck in the sun. And guess what it costs to buy sunscreen at all those places when you realize you don't have it? That'll give you heart burn.
