8 Travel Tips That Make A Difference

They say it’s the little things that matter most… we tend to agree.

2017. The year that I have dedicated to travel. A weekend getaway to the coast, a 16-hour flight to spend weeks on foreign soil, or a dreamy trip to Todos Santos with FP Escapes…whatever the opportunity, I intend to explore as much as my little body can handle. But with travel sometimes comes inevitable roadblocks, just as every rose bush has its thorns (…to paraphrase Abe Lincoln). Below we have curated a list of 8 seemingly small travel tips that can have BIG payoffs in ensuring a successful, stress-free trip. For more travel tips, check out these articles and please feel free to add your own tips in the comments below.

Back it up. In the unlikely event of an emergency or accident (like the time I forgot my wallet on a London-bound train), make physical and digital backups of important documents like your passport, visas, driver’s license, social security card, and birth certificate. If you are traveling with your laptop, back up your files and photos to a hard drive before you leave.

Stash cash. One afternoon, during a recent trip to St. Lucia, not-a-one ATM was working. Luckily my partner and I had enough cash between us to grab a quick bite and taxi back to our hotel. If you can, bring a few hundred dollars in cash. Stash it spots like rolled-up socks, a toiletry bag compartment, or a patch in your backpack. Tip part 2: alert your bank to your travels. Let them know that you will be on the move to prevent any unwelcome holds on your card.

Carry a scarf. Everywhere you go. Though a sarong would work as well, I suggest a lightweight cotton scarf. Other uses? Eye mask, head wrap, fashion accessory. You can also wet it with cold water on hot days and tie it around your neck for instant relief. I’ve also used mine as a makeshift towel and handkerchief. The uses are endless on the road. Tip part 2: You may also want to invest in some earplugs. You never know when you’ll need to pull those bad boys out.

Get out from behind the camera. Yes, we take a lot of photos… and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! Everyone wants to capture memories. But just remember that traveling is not about “getting the shot.” Once you click, step back, put the camera down and relish in the view. Let it sink into your soul. Pick out each and every detail. Commit it to memory.

Stay conscious of your health. Oftentimes when I am traveling, I mentally enter “vacation-mode”. I will assume we are all familiar? When eating habits, workout routines, and general wellness practices fly out the window. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a cocktail on vacation (I once ate only fresh local bread and cheese while in France — six days! — and may or may not have had one too many rum punches in the Caribbean), but what I DO suggest is to keeping your health in mind. Stay hydrated, get enough sleep, moisturize your skin, protect yourself from the sun, stretch, meditate, take your vitamins, eat lots of local produce, and even get a workout or two in with these fitness routines you can do anywhere.

Take notes. As you speak with guides, locals, concierges, new friends, take notes! I cannot tell you how many times I have heard about breathtaking hikes, amazing restaurants and shops, or local hidden gems but, because I didn’t write them down, I forgot the details and completely missed out! Ugh, I am bummed now just thinking about it. Don’t be a nerd like me — write it down!

Bring coconut oil. This will be your skin’s saving grace. Pack a small container of all-natural and organic coconut oil (I live and die by this one) and use it as a face and skin moisturizer, lip balm and makeup remover. Also use on your dry spots, sunburns and cuticles to keep them feeling nourished.

Practice patience. Things will go awry, this I promise you. Flights will be delayed, suitcases will be lost, you will miss a train, you will be exhausted, you will have trouble communicating with locals, you will definitely break a nail, drop your phone, and/or feel anxious at some point. But, friends, that’s the beauty of travel. You are brave enough to step out of your comfort zone. Applaud yourself for that. When things turn upside down, breathe deep and push away the thoughts of frustration. Practice patience. Wear your bright, beautiful smile and be grateful of the bigger picture.

+Your turn! What would you add to this list?

Follow Joanna on Instagram. Photo by Melodi Meadows.

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Taking notes is something I MUST do!! I love writing everything down. I’d add have wifi to this list though, just because ;)

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

Lilly
7 years ago

I think the most important tip is one you forgot… PACK LIGHT! I always over pack and then get stuck waiting for luggage. Remember you’re on vacation. It’s not about what you wear it’s about the experiences.

Lilly Scheels

Amie
7 years ago

Fantastic advice!

I recently crashed back down to reality after a 4 month trip around Europe with my fiance in our tiny purple camper-van, and one thing that struck me is the number of tourists/ travelers who don’t seem to be truly ‘present’ in their adventures. Also, the ability to keep calm and accept things that are out of your control and, more often than not, out of the control of cashiers, wait staff, airport staff, etc. really does help everyone in the end and sometimes sees you taken better care of than an obnoxious tourist who is making a stressful situation worse. Regardless of what they entail, approach each and every day of your trip as an adventure – you will be amazed at how much you truly see and take in with this state of mind.

Bonus Scarf Tip! A lot of churches in Italy and Spain enforce strict dress codes that require shoulders and knees to be covered (men and women alike), so packing one or two scarfs/ sarongs in your backpack can avoid disappointment.

x

7 years ago

This is such a helpful post for me right now! I’m heading out to Bali on my own for a couple of weeks and it’s my first solo trip outside of Europe so I am on full pre-holiday mode! Some have said this already but travel light and bring a basic healthcare kit with paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters, something in case of food poisoning… if you’re ill having that at hand makes you feel so much more comfortable!

Inma x | sunshineandglow.com

7 years ago

Great tips! Thanks ;)

7 years ago

Great tips!

x
StephC

http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/

Amanda
7 years ago

This is a start, but there’s a site I really like that covers so much more if you really like to get out there and see the world: http://www.journeywoman.com/index.html

Ellen
7 years ago

I second the tip for a travel first aid kit. I always have a small baggie of Advil, antacids, baby wipes, prescriptions, contacts, bug spray, antidiarrheals, etc. You may not need them (which is always great!), but you’ll certainly thank yourself if you do need them!

Another tip I would add is prepping an airplane “sleep pack,” especially for long haul flights. I keep earplugs, extra headphones, eye mask, face towelettes, melatonin, lavender essential oil, toothbrush, toothpaste , etc. in a small makeup bag. Easy to pack in a carry-on and has all my essentials for a (somewhat) restful flight and a quick refresh when I land.

Carl Johnson
7 years ago

On stashing cash, the best place is pin it in your underwear.

7 years ago

Thanks for taking the time to share these travel tips! They are absolutely valuable. I agree with taking notes (as I tend to forget all the info as well. These days I just whip out my phone and write it on the notes app). Practising patience is also truly important and I genuinely believe that traveling has made me a more calm person because a lot of time, traveling throws you into impossible situations and once you come out of those, it’s like “been there done that”. Nothing to fret anymore.

I also think it’s important that we travel at our own individual pace and not rush to see too many things based on too many recommendations as a we’ll end up tiring ourselves and that wouldn’t be enjoyable anymore.

Love from Singapore,
Yeeling

http://artelounge.net | An Online Space for Travel + Inspiration

6 years ago

I was looking for this kind of information that I received from here..

6 years ago

AWESOME tips!
Totaly agree with getting out from behind the camera.. sometimes you just need to enjoy the moment.