I personally have been in so many situations where my tiny bit of language skills has saved me. Let's start with a story. This was one of my more embarrassing moments while traveling...
Travel and Language Barriers
Is it Lame to Go on Tour?
It depends. There are a few factors to consider before making your decision about paying for a tour. The type of tour, the number of people participating in the tour, and your comfort and knowledge level of a destination or site are all worth thinking about. Let’s discuss some of the different types of tours you might experience.
Why Shoulder Season is Awesome
When I was a teacher, I was limited to traveling during the summer and spring break. I had to deal with large crowds, high prices, and generally sweltering weather. After leaving my teaching career, I had an opportunity to experience the joys of traveling during other times of the year.
I'm Not Ashamed to Be a Tourist, and You Shouldn't Be Either.
Tourists get a bad rap, and the label has grown to have a negative connotation. Because of this, it has become fashionable to say things like, “I’m a traveler, not a tourist.” This kind of phrase makes me want to pull my hair out because it sounds pretentious, judgmental, and frankly inaccurate. Let me explain why.
6 Little Tasks You Might Forget to Do Before Your Trip
Everyone knows to book flights, hotels, and maybe transportation before embarking on an adventure, but what about all of the other things you should do before an international trip? Often times these little tasks are forgotten and fall through the cracks, which could end up causing some big surprises - like a huge cell phone or having your bank cards blocked.
Top 16 Tips for Traveling with a Baby or Toddler
So many people say that you can never travel again once you have kids. As someone who is expecting a little one in July, I refuse to believe that. I know several people who have continued to travel both domestically and internationally with their children, and have raved about how rewarding it can be. I am determined to continue to do what I love, just as a family. And I look forward to her getting older when she can start to remember and benefit from seeing the world. But I know that there will be some changes in the way we travel, so here are some tips that I have compiled from the many parents who have continued to travel with their kids.
Deciding Where to Go
I don’t know about you, but my travel bucket list is pretty long and tends to get longer every day. Deciding where to go for an upcoming break can be quite a challenge sometimes, especially if you are traveling with a companion. There have been many times that my husband and I have had 2-3 places in mind, and struggled to pick which one to do. In this article, I’m going to give you 12 strategies to help you make your decision. Some you can do by yourself, and some are best for more than one person.
Traveling While Pregnant - First Trimester
If you are going to be traveling during your pregnancy, it’s impossible to predict how you will feel, but there are some things you can do to make it go more smoothly.
Trip Planning Made Easy - One Task at a Time
Deciding to take a big international trip is both exciting and overwhelming. Especially if your days are already busy, the idea of figuring out what you need to do and actually get it done can be daunting. What really helps me in these types of situations are checklists. I sit down and brainstorm everything that I need to get done, and then organize it into a realistic timeline for myself. But what if you don't know what you need to add to your checklist? This article has you covered. I'll go though each step in a timeline order.
How to Find a Cheap Flight (Even Without a Rewards Card)
If you know me, you know that I promote using rewards cards to get free or cheap flights around the world. But that's not what this post is about. This post is about finding the least expensive options for paying out of pocket. Here are 5 fairly simple ways you can save some dough on your next flight.
Staying Organized
There’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to travel. You’ll have different accommodations and transportation with varying confirmations and tickets. Especially on longer, more complicated trips, it’s easy to get confused and lose information buried in an email or in a specific app. Here’s my advice for keeping everything organized so you’ll feel at ease.
Most Common Travel Itinerary Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
It's easy to make mistakes when planning a big vacation. But even if you are a first time traveler, you can plan like a pro if you just prevent yourself from making these 5 avoidable mistakes.
How To Research and Book Trains
I love using trains, especially in Europe. I appreciate that most train stations are located right in the heart of a city. Airports can be a 40 minute cab ride away, while getting to the train station is much easier. If you’re going to book a train, follow these steps:
It's Time to get a Passport, Even for Domestic Flights
Starting January 22, 2018, residents of nine states will need a passport even for domestic flights. Each state’s ID does not currently meet security requirements. If you live in one of these states, get used to carrying your passport. And if you don’t yet have one, the process can take about six weeks, so now is the time to apply.
How to Make a Travel Budget
Planning for a trip is exciting, but making a budget and sticking to it is not always an easy task. These are the steps you need to come up with and track your travel budget. I've also included a free downloadable Excel sheet to help you on your way.
Should You Apply for TSA PreCheck?
Think about the last time you were at the airport. Did you arrive 2 hours early? Did you stand in a long security line? Did you envy those separate, shorter lines for people with TSA PreCheck?
Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car
Road trips are an epic way to slow down and explore more in a country than if you rely on public transit alone. While I never recommend using a rental car in a big city, there is something liberating about hitting the road for an adventure outside of the city. However, there are a frustrating number of choices to consider, fees to worry about, and other questions circling your brain when it comes to renting a car. Here is everything you need to know about booking a rental car.
9 Tips for Travel in Rome
Italy is a wonderland, and Rome is at it's center. In fact, I think that it is my favorite European city so far! And I'm not the only one who feels this way, which is why tourism reigns in this historic city. If you plan to visit Rome, there are a few things that you should know to make your trip more enjoyable.
What You Need to Know Before Visiting These Top NYC Sites
New York City is on just about everybody's list, and with good reason. It's amazing! There are so many great neighborhoods and awe inspiring sites. If you are planning a trip to NYC, I'm guessing that you are going to visit the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met). From firsthand experience, I've learned that these three tourist attractions do require a bit of planning, so here's what you need to know before you go.
30 Travel Mistakes and Lessons Learned
Traveling is all about trying new things, and with that comes making mistakes! You live, and you learn. Often times our travel blunders end up becoming our best stories and our most valuable advice to our fellow travelers. Here are 30 lessons I have learned from my personal travel mishaps and experiences. You don't have to make my same mistakes. Get out there and make your own!