Travel and organization

Travel and organization

For the savvy traveler, planning and organizing a trip is an absolute must for a great travel experience.  Numerous things can go wrong and are not in your control when you’re traveling.  However, there are ways to make your travel experience less stressful, and organization is critical. Here are a few things to think about before your next trip and why it’s essential to keep all your travel organized.

Reservation numbers and ticket numbers, although similar, can be crucial information if you’ve purchased your tickets through a third party.  Not all airlines use the same system, and while knowing your reservation number, which is a six-digit alphanumeric number, is helpful.  Some airlines require a ticket number that usually is at least ten numerical digits or more. Travelers can find both numbers on their itinerary, but many often overlook the actual ticket number.

Before you pack, think about your travel plans and what you will need on your travels rather than what you may want to carry.  Many travelers equate tropical destinations with all warm-weather clothing.  In reality, evenings can get cool, and while beaches are warm during the day, some can get rather breezy and cold at night.  Packing lists can be beneficial to remind you to pack what you need for a trip and handy in not forgetting your items when packing to return.

There are many methods of packing. Some travelers prefer folding or rolling their clothing, while others insist on using packing cubes to get the best use of luggage space.  Each method is as good as the next, but familiarizing yourself with the different packing styles can be helpful when organizing your packing for a trip.

Planning and knowing your essentials can make traveling a much more pleasant experience.  Having a travel first aid kit can be handy if you feel unwell during a trip.  Unplanned issues like having a headache or stomachache often occur, so having pain relievers convenient can be essential.  For some, a change of clothes is helpful, especially if you’ve ever arrived at your destination and find your luggage missing. Thinking ahead of what’s important during your trip will help you plan and pack your carry-on items with the essentials.

Other things to consider are books, magazines, or games to entertain yourself. A light jacket or travel blanket is helpful as many airlines no longer offer blankets as amenities on many flights.  Additionally, pilots usually make aircraft temperature adjustments, and individual body temperatures are always different. Another excellent organization tool is a travel wallet with your passport, ID, and copies of your airline, hotel, or car rental itineraries, and travel and credit cards.  Having one can be another great way to have your travel plans organized and accessible.

Have you used any of these organizing ideas?  Are there any others you have used? I’d like to know.

Realities of hotel stays.

Realities of hotel stays.

Anticipating your destination is never the same as finally reaching it.  The first stop of your travel is your accommodations, and whether Airbnb or hotel, here are a few ideas to keep in mind when you finally reach your vacation stop.

There’s always that “ahh” feeling when you finally reach your destination where you want to lay on the bed in either exhaustion or relief at finally reaching your goal.  Hold on! Most likely, the hotel did not change the duvet or bed covering since the last guest.  As a former flight attendant who spent most of my life in hotel rooms, I could write a whole blog post just on the realities of hotel bed coverings. Your first notion when reaching your accommodation should be to remove the outer bed cover, especially if you cannot tell if it’s fresh linen. You can always tell this with white sheets and bed coverings.

Another hotel tip is to never drink from hotel glasses, especially those found in the bathroom before you wash them yourself.  I have often walked into hotel rooms in the process of being cleaned and, from my lived experience, often seen the maid wiping rather than washing the glasses.  Since Covid, many hotels have switched to plastic, but if your hotel has not, be mindful and wash those glasses before you use them.

Always check your sheets before you get into bed.  If after you’ve checked in and your bedding appears slept on or wrinkled, you can request to have them changed to be entirely sure they are clean.  In addition, check your towels, and if they appear soiled or used, please request fresh towels. Often only the towels used are replaced, and those not used stay in the room despite a new change of guest.

Along the same lines as hotel bed coverings, hotel carpets are also rarely cleaned.  I would highly suggest that you treat hotel carpet flooring as you would with public showers and never go barefoot.  Carpets are often only vacuumed between guests, but when maids are rushing to have rooms ready and the carpets appear clean, this is usually not done.  In most cases, when the carpet is soiled and needs cleaning, it is often only a spot treatment as this can take a room out of service.  Maids avoid this by heavily vacuuming instead, so be aware and try not to go barefoot.

These hotel realities are often not found at pricier hotels and accommodations, but sometimes the price does not guarantee quality.   Be aware that the standards you expect from your hotel may not be the reality.  Remember that these and other hotel realities can be addressed and do not have to spoil your vacation.

Have you had any unexpected hotel experiences? I’d like to know.

Travel snack ideas

Travel snack ideas

In a few weeks, my colleagues from the airline industry indicate that some limited food and beverage services will soon return for airplane travelers.  It’s always a good idea to travel with your snacks as airport food is expensive, delays are unexpected but a regular occurrence, and you may have your own dietary needs.  Here are a few snack ideas to keep in mind when you plan your travel to save you money and are healthy for you.

Fruit

Fruit is one of my go-to travel snacks.  Whole fruits like apples, pears, and bananas are great to have and travel well if packed correctly.  Cut fruit is also a great choice, but it should be fully drained of liquid and chilled the night before departure.  Another great idea is to freeze grapes, and they can also serve to keep the other cut fruit chilled.  For security screening, clear Ziploc bags are best.  Please remember that most fruit and vegetables are not allowed into international destinations. You are subject to fines, so please dispose of all your fruit before leaving the airplane to be safe.

Vegetables

Vegetables are also a great idea. Carrot, celery, cucumber, and broccoli are great choices.  However, dips will have to be in containers less than 3 ounces to go through airport security, even if unopened.  Salads are also a great choice, but they do not travel well.  If your travel is over long distances and especially in the summer months, this is not a great travel snack idea. Like fruit, vegetables are also not allowed in many countries so remember to finish or dispose of them before you land in an international destination.

Smelly snacks

Avoid smelly snacks at all costs, and remember you are traveling in a confined space.  Hard-boiled eggs are an easy snack to travel with, but I would not recommend them.  Similarly, meals like smoked salmon and tuna can also be quite smelly and not great choices for travel in public transportation.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are another excellent choice as a travel snack.  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are great, but if you want to make other sandwiches, it would be advisable to carry disposable condiment packages like mayo and mustard to use when ready for your snack.  Additionally, wrapping fillings like lettuce, tomato, and pickles separately makes for a fresher sandwich when you are ready to snack.

Air pressure and gas

More than anything, remember that air travel often creates gassy conditions for most travelers.  Most importantly, if you know how your body reacts to certain foods, please refrain from them on the airplane.  It creates a better environment, not only for you but for the travelers and flight attendants who have to contend with your problems. Also, many people have food allergies like peanuts, and they can be dangerous for them, so please be aware of how your snack choices may affect others.

I hope this blog post has given you pause for thought in your travel snack ideas.  Have you had any experiences carrying or having to deal with other travelers’ snack choices? I’d like to know.

Before you travel.

Before you travel.

Many times, travelers get so excited about taking a trip and their destination expectations, they forget to plan for the actual trip.  One should do many things to prepare before you travel, but from my lived experience, I’d like to share a few tips to get you prepared for your trip beforehand.

Electronics

Charge your electronics!  It can be frustrating to be in the airport and not have access to a charger or find a plug outlet that holds the plug without you holding it into the wall.  Many airplanes now have in-seat outlets available.  However, they are not guaranteed and may be inoperative.  Be prepared and have your electronics fully charged before your trip.

Chargers

Don’t forget your chargers for your electronics.  When purchased at the airport, these items are often overpriced, and there is no guarantee of finding the correct charger or borrowing one on your trip.  My tip is to place your chargers on top or in your carry-on the night before your trip, so you do not forget them or pack them when you grab your bag.

Apps

Download all the apps you will need for your travel.  Many airlines now have their apps so that you can check in or get access to inflight information or entertainment onboard.  Other apps such as airport-specific apps, packing list apps, TSA apps, or country-specific apps are also helpful.  Downloading these apps at home before you need them is much easier than downloading them over airport Wi-Fi or on the go.

Security screening

Prepare for TSA screening or airport screening.  If your outfits or jewelry contain lots of metal, be prepared to take them off before going through airport screening.  It saves you time in security and prevents the lines from backing up when you constantly have to remove items to get through security.  Additionally, plan your footwear accordingly.  It will be easier to have comfortable slip-on shoes to get through security than to have to unlace a pair of boots.  You might also like to have a pair of socks on hand, so you are not walking on cold or dirty airport floors in your bare feet.

Government websites

Finally, be aware of government websites that will have travel information domestically as well as internationally.  Some to remember are TSA, the US Department of State, and the STEP or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.  These sites allow you to get the latest security updates for your travel or destination.

I hope these tips help you and you are more prepared the next time you travel.  Do you make any preparations that I haven’t mentioned? I’d like to know.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

As a frequent traveler, I never take a trip without travel insurance. In 2019 I planned the ultimate African Safari trip with a follow-on Beach Safari. Then COVID canceled my trip, but thankfully I had travel insurance.  Whether it’s a long-distance trip or a local trip, I always choose travel insurance as you never know what the future holds, and here are five of the many reasons why it’s advisable.

1. Your trip can get canceled for a variety of reasons. Most often, they’re unplanned, and travel insurance helps to protect the investment you have made in your travel plans.  Travel insurance, depending on the plan, can cover flight costs and hotel costs. Just be sure to choose wisely.

2. Having worked as an international flight attendant for over twenty years, I am very aware that vacations don’t always go as planned. There were many times when travelers returned due to medical reasons.  Most insurance does not cover incidences out of the country, but travel insurance can.  When you consider the cost of medical care in another country regarding compared to the cost of travel insurance, it becomes an easy choice.

3. Not only can medical issues arise, but trips and plans are often interrupted, and travelers may have to return home due to an unforeseen emergency.   When considering the cost of airline rebooking, travel insurance is a much more cost-effective solution in many cases.

4. Lost or missing luggage can also become an expensive travel experience.  Considering that travelers often plan and shop before their trips, the cost of replacing luggage items is often much more than what airlines allow.  Travel insurance plans can help to make sure your unfortunate luggage loss is more manageable.

5. The cost of travel insurance compared to unforeseen travel circumstances often far outweigh the value of not having insurance. Trip delays, cancellations, hotel, and car rental issues are just a few of travel realities. I find it best to be prepared than unprepared, and travel insurance certainly helps.

As always, I encourage you to do your research on travel insurance; every situation and plan is different. Here is a great article that discusses the benefits of travel insurance in much more detail. Have you had any unfortunate travel experiences, and was insurance helpful? Let me know.

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