Travel Tips & Packing Essentials
I'll be kicking of the week with some travel-related posts as in just one week I'll be making my way out of the country. The week will include these travel tips {see below}, my travel outfit, what I'm packing, and a list of things I want to see while on vacation in Morocco and Paris.First in my travel round-up are these travel tips. I've learned a thing or two about traveling. After all, we lived in South America and made several trips out of the country while there {Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile}. But with every new trip we plan, I learn something new and I'm always happy to share the tips. Thanks to social media and the ability to connect with others instantly, I've posed questions and have gotten great responses and tips! I also emailed a few friends.
Travel Tips & Packing Essentials1. If you are staying long-term, rent an apartment versus a hotel. This also works better if you are traveling with kids.2. If you rent a hotel and are looking for a boutique-style, Natalie offered her tip of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. They offer a great listing of extraordinary boutique hotels. Victoria suggested hotels.com for a wide variety of budgets.3. Triposo. This is an app for your smart phone and it lets you map out your routes and destinations and it has a listing of a variety of categories and recommendations so that you don't miss anything. Thanks to @noraeileen for this tip! And paper maps!4. Travel with a scarf and spray it with your perfume. It can double as an extra layer and it can freshen you up after your flight as it will be pre-scented. Or carry with you a small tube of your favorite perfume.5. Pack a battery booster for your phone. You don't want to run out of battery when you are out sightseeing.6. Travel converter and/or adapter for your appliances and electronics {hair dryer, straightener, iPhone, camera, laptop, etc.} Depending on your electronic/applicane, you may only need a power adapter.7. Don't leave without a travel steamer for your clothes.8. Learn the basics of the language. I've downloaded a French audiobook onto my iPhone and I open up the app on any chance I get. A language dictionary is also helpful and can come in handy.9. Make a checklist of what to pack and check it twice. My garment rack has been really handy in coming up with some outfits for the trip. I hang up what I think I will wear and it's been great. It's easy to visualize your outfits and figure out if you are missing a key piece. If you have room, the rack is totally worth the $15.10. Consult with any of your friends if they've visited before for information and recommendations.11. Make a list of all the places you want to visit before the trip, but stay open to spur of the moment adventures.12. Pack a notebook and journal information and location of the photos you take. I've done it in the past where I forget to take notes and when I return home and upload the photos onto my computer I've forgotten some of the pertinent information like the location and the name of the place.13. Before you head back home, don't forget to exchange the local currency into dollars. Unlike us and we left the country with Uruguay bills {shown in the first photo above}. They have now become a keepsake.14. If you have a long flight, pack a sleep mask with you so you don't have a hard time falling asleep.15. Pack books and magazines {or download onto your iPad}.16. Create a travel playlist with some new music or your favorite tunes to listen to. Don't forget your earphones. My playlist includes music by Lana del Rey, Lenka, Imagine Dragons, and Ed Sheeran. Tory Burch shared her road trip playlist here in case you are interested.17. Pack your camera. Don't forget to take extra batteries and an extra memory card.18. Check the weather and pack appropriately! My travel safety garment that I always pack - a trench coat. It comes in handy as an extra layer and it works well as a rain coat.19. A garment rack makes packing easier.For more travel tips, check out Goop's Fly Better and Marie Claire's article with Garance Doré.Shop the post:MapEasy's Guidemaps, J. Crew Collection Icon Trench Coat {similar here}, Louis Vuitton Passport Cover, Garment Rack, Frends Headphones, Travel Converter/Adapter, Travel Steamer, Love Quotes Hand Knotted Tassel Scarf, Porter Magazine, Ban.do Iphone Battery Booster, Rifle Paper Co. Travel Journals, Silk Sleep Mask, CameraiPhone photo by Sara Mueller