1) Not sure where to go on your next vacation? Try writing down on (separate) little pieces of paper all the locations you want to visit, fold them all up, put them in a bowl, close your eyes, pick one out and whola, you've just selected your next travel destination!
2) However, if blindly choosing a travel destination sounds scary to you then perhaps you could benefit more from an analytical way to determine your next get-away! Try making an excel spreadsheet! If you're a planner like me, most of the time it really helps when I see things visually, so by following the simple screenshot below, next time you're gearing up to travel and can't decide on a location, break down each countries pros and cons via my excel grid in order to help you determine your destiny!
3) Once you've chosen your travel destination what do you suppose comes next? Ah, the ever so dreaded process of packing for the trip! But have no fear my fellow adventurer, let me share with you a few little packing tips - once you've chosen the destination/time frame of your vacation, the first thing you should do is google the weather/climate of the area, google image search photos of locals (to see what they are wearing), read trip advisor reviews and lastly, no matter how long your vacation is (ex. 10 day), always, always, ALWAYS pack enough close for a whole 2 extra days! Why? Well because depending on your location, weather conditions, natural disasters, etc. you can never be sure that in fact your return flight home is going to leave on time (I once got stuck in a destination for a whole extra week due to a snow storm back home), so you should always pack prepared to experience anything (and no one likes getting stuck with having no underwear, hehe)!
4) Now ladies listen up - let's get real, we all know that when we travel we want to pack several different types of shoes to go with our various outfits for every single day of the week... now assuming that you are packing for a non-American destination, guess what, your bag weight limit for the plane is only gonna be 20 kilos OR 44 pounds... a good 6 pounds less then you would be allowed to have if you're flying domestic! And for a lady, that 6 pounds less really makes a huge difference - seriously! So what are some good ways you might ask in order to help yourself meet the luggage weight requirement if you're not willing to give up on all those shoes you must have? Well - one, unless you are super dupper attached to your hair products (shampoo, conditioner, etc.), DON'T PACK THEM! Most, if not all hotels always have those little bathroom amenities (soap, shampoo, conditioner, even a sewing kit too), so use theirs! By not packing any of those small (but heavy) liquids in your suitcase you now probably just lifted a good pound or two (depending on how much you would usually pack), but if you still need to reduce the bags weight then it's okay ladies, take some shoes out, I'm sure you're one pair of tan sandals or black sneakers WILL go with everything!
5) In continuation from point number 4, aside from limiting the amount of liquids you pack in your suitcase, weight tip number two tends to be my most successful tip in terms of condensing my packing into just essentials - LADIES & GENTLEMAN I promise you, it really, truly, deeply does not matter if you wear the same outfit more than once in a week (GASP)! Now mostly for my ladies, let's get real, I too can be guilty of always wanting my outfits to appear as though I own a variety in my travel photos, but guess what, if you pack like 4 shorts and 6 tops (or my favorite suggestion, just bring 6 dresses and be done with it all), don't wear the same outfit two days in a row, take a break, and then recycle your favorite look from the week on your last day (but of course if you sweat a lot or are in a hot destination, just be sure to air your clothes out in your hotel room, I'm sure your friends or significant other won't mind the repeat outfit, and if they do, who cares! Only your happiness matters) and gentlemen the same goes for you, just own it!
6) Wow already onto number six, look at us flying seemly through these tips! Presumably now by this point you have already chosen your destination as well as began to pack you bags - but not so fast, let's not forget, that plane ride to your dream destination could take a while so shouldn't you pack a carry on? Of course you should - how else are you going to keep yourself occupied on your way to abroad! So what do I pack in my carry on bag? No matter the destination, Europe, America, etc. the following list are all my essential must-haves in my backpack carry on bag; fuzzy socks (because you know the airplane is gonna be cold), a good book (usually one i'm not that far into so I don't have to worry about finishing it on the plane, i can read it on the way back too), my iPhone + headphones (so I can listen to music or even play some mindless games), my laptop (primarily for in flight movies and so when I get to destination I can backup all of my camera's photos directly to my photo hub), of course my camera (however usually my camera is in a whole separate bag, and since you get two carry-ons on most flights this counts as my second bag), however note - not all airlines allow you to have two carry-on bags therefore you MUST check with your airline READ the FINE PRINT on everything you book (if you're not familiar with the courier you booked with) because nobody wants to get stuck in the airport with too much luggage and nowhere to put it, come on my fellow traveling friend, don't be that person who starts their trip off like this! Other backpack essentials include: a pen (you should always have something to write with at all times - especially think about the future custom forms you might need to sign), some gum, chapstick, hand sanitizer (within the fluid oz limit), Advil/Tylenol, any other important meds/vitamins (NEVER pack your medication in your suitcase - ALWAYS have it on your physical person), your jewelry (if you have any, also NEVER pack it in your suitcase, always keep it on your person, it could otherwise get stolen), any electronic device chargers, maybe a deck of playing cards, your sunglasses, your prescription glasses (if you have any), ladies don't forget your makeup (I carry mine on the plane but it's okay to pack it in your suitcase too, but if your suitcase is too heavy then put it in your backpack), and lastly of course pack some snacks! It's probably gonna be a long flight so any other pillows, stuffed animals, gourmet meals, etc. you wanna pack, go for it! Just be aware that you will be responsible for carrying these things with you the entire trip, so pack wisely and don't bring anything you aren't prepared to lose cause you never know what could happen! (NOTE: at end of this post, see carry-on packing list, feel free to save the photo)!
7) Ready for tip number 7, I bet you are! By this point you should be so excited for your journey that you're ready to tell the world where you're headed - but not so fast my fellow adventurer... Now I know this might sound cliché seeing as how I write a travel blog and all, but when you go on vacation, never make it known to anybody in a flashy way that you are not home. Why do you ask? Well while I'm sure you've probably already got someone lined up to watch your home, take care of your mail, etc. while away (if not then you best get on that right away), but the more you post all those fabulous photos of you tanning on the beach or dancing around the Eiffel Tower online, especially if you don't have a public profile, you are just announcing to the world that you aren't home! Even more so, lets say you go out for dinner in England and you really want to post a photo online, in the moment, while you are physically still at the restaurant and you tag your location. Now you've just shared with the whole world exactly where you are in real time - and now I don't mean to scare anyone, but let's all put our thinking caps on now and be safe - please for me, do not post your location at the exact moment you are at a destination, wait until after when your in your comfy hotel room or next stop to post anything you might want to share :)
8) Of course sharing is caring, so please do share your travel photos online! In preparation for your upcoming trip, make sure you have all the camera essentials you might need to capture your experience! I personally own a Canon Camera that I love and take about 50% of my photos with... wait what! So what do I take the other 50% of my photos with, well my iphone of course! Even if you don't have an iphone, no worries, almost all smart phones these days come equipped with amazing built in, so for those days when you just don't feel like lagging your big bulky camera with you around your neck (or if you forgot to charge the battery in your hotel room like I so often forget) then there's no need to even break a sweat - just make sure your cell phone is fully charged and your good for the day, now you can travel extra light knowing just your cell phone, some cash and a bottle of water is all you need to carry around with you for the day!
9) Wow on number 9 already, I can't believe it's almost already time for you to go! But not so fast my fellow traveler - now so far we've talked about how to pick your trip, how to pack and even a few do's and don'ts while in destination, so whats next? Well you need to get on your plane don't you, for if your reading this post you probably haven't even left yet! Which is good because now I can share my 'night before the flight' travel tips with you! No matter when your flight is, morning, afternoon or evening, if you choose to do as I do, the moment you leave your house and lock the door, you won't have to worry about the 'did I forget anything at home' thought as you make your way to the airport. The day before a flight I always lay out my plane outfit on the chair closest to my bed (I personally never wear shorts on a plane, not even if I'm going to a hot destination because I don't like my skin touching the seat, but that's just me), I then put my eye-glasses next to my cloths (I never wear contacts on a plane), I pack my carry-on bag according to my tips mentioned earlier (#6), I check my emails, make sure I have all the TV shows I want planned to be recorded, I check the fridge to make sure all the perishable food has been eaten or thrown away (to ensure that nothing goes moldy while im galavanting away), and lastly, I make sure to set the lights on the inside of my house on a timer so that way at all times of the night it appears as though my house is being occupied (another great safety precaution), so the second I get in the car and leave for the airport, I know I am prepared for the adventure of a lifetime!
10) CONGRATULATIONS you've made it all the way to tip number ten!!!!! So what is this final tip, the final piece to the puzzle, the icing on the cake to planning your perfect vacation! Ladies and gentleman get ready for my final piece of advice.... while vacation you must 'Live In The Moment'! Live in the moment, what does that mean? Well my fellow traveler, think about it, you left home and traveled thousands of miles to be exactly where you only ever dreamt you would be, so of course take lots and lots of photos, but don't keep your nose stuck in your phone... and of course explore the foodie scene but please promise me you won't spend longer than one drink's worth of time in a bar - get out and EXPLORE, become one with the poele, learn some new local words, try some eclectic cuisine, visit every historical / fashionable / fun and exhilarating cultural site that interests you because who knows when you'll be back to this destination! Traveling not only makes me feel alive but it also makes me appreciate the world as I begin to make each country a little part of the house inside my heart so I can bring it back home! If these 10 travel tips have taught you anything, let me leave you with this quote, the moto though which I try to live my life by...
Until Next Time Fellow Traveler,
Cheers,
Lady Meghan Chayka
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