Travel takes you out of your comfort zone.

Travel takes you out of your comfort zone.

One of the most significant and most understated values in travel is that it takes you out of your comfort zone.  Since Covid, I have tried a few things and recently realized that trying new things has been my way of getting the experiences that travel once provided.  Here are a few overlooked ways to help recognize how travel inspires us.

Like traveling to new destinations, trying new things is a way to challenge ourselves and our comfort level.  Especially for those who love travel for the sense of adventure, experiencing new skills without taking a trip can be rewarding in its own way. When you try something new and reach your goal, it can create a sense of self-awareness, similar to the travel experience.

Travel is usually a way to leave our stresses at home and a time to escape our realities, if only for a few days.  Many of us have had no choice but to be confined due to the pandemic; the ability to get away is no longer an option.  For many travelers, journeys have had to be internal with a journey of the mind.  If you have found a renewed interest in mindfulness and meditation, the lack of travel might be why.

Travel creates a more open mind. Travelers tend to be more self-aware and respecting of other people’s values, and it creates more respect for new cultures, people, and experiences.  Traveling allows us to learn and interact with different people and places, making us recognize our shared humanity. It enhances our ability to be more tolerant of differences and become more broad-minded.

Travel helps you to embrace your passions and find value and new meaning in your life. As a traveler, you learn to trust your instincts and follow your path. It allows you to focus on yourself and put your enjoyment first and build your self-confidence.

Traveling teaches you the difference between price and value.  Frequent travelers are more conscious and consider the experiences they will have over the price they will pay.  Consequently, their value of travel becomes more defined, and the more inexpensive option may not always be the best choice for them.

Have you stepped out of your comfort zone lately? How? I’d like to know.

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.

Why do people love travel?

Why do people love travel?

There is no right or wrong answer to why people love to travel. Everyone has reasons for travel and preferences that are unique and individual to them. If you’ve never thought of why you love or want to travel, here are a few ideas that you might find fit your desire for travel.

It could be the desire to do something different. Many people travel to escape the sameness of everyday life. They may want to explore new places or new challenges that they don’t encounter in their daily lives. Once you overcome a challenge, you become inspired and confident to confront new challenges, and so the urge to travel becomes a constant companion.

Maybe it’s a need to relax and recharge. Traveling to a different place can give you a sense of escape that allows you to relax more than you would at home. Being in a different environment will enable you to disconnect from your regular worries and activities. For some travelers, their urge to travel is a way to get away from their everyday lives.

Travel can be a way to spend quality time with others. For many travelers, a vacation is a way to get their friends and family together to build better relationships and bonds. Being in a different environment allows people to connect without the distraction of daily life. Additionally, it’s a way to reconnect with friends and family when you don’t live in the same area or country.

Some travelers desire to meet new people. Travel can be an excellent opportunity to make and foster new friendships with fellow travelers or locals. Once you create relationships, you may experience the possibilities of exploring new people, journeying, or visiting them as a unique chance for travel.

Traveling can be a way to learn and evolve. Many travelers love to experience the unfamiliar and gain new skills or knowledge. Learning a new culture or language can be an entire course in discovering how other people live, their history, or their cuisine. These types of travelers often find new ways of seeing and doing things. Additionally, this type of practical learning tends to be more effective than reading or theoretical knowledge.

What is your reason for travel? Did I mention it? 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.

Choosing the right carry-on for you.

Choosing the right carry-on for you.

Choosing the right travel bag is different for every traveler.  Some people are natural over packers and will try to carry everything in their carry-on. Others might be traveling with simply a carry-on, even if they are traveling for a week.  I encourage all travelers to choose the bag they choose based on their needs and circumstances. However, here are five things you might want to consider when making your choice.

One of my primary considerations is how the bag closes.  Does it zip-up, or is it a carry-all with no closure?  If you’ve ever traveled and had your items all scattered either on takeoff or landing, then this will be a priority for you as well.  If things get scattered under your seat, you never know where they will end up, maybe a few rows behind you or maybe in front of you.  If things get scattered in the overhead bin, then chances are you are not tall enough to see into it to make sure you have all your items.

The size of your bag is essential.  From airline to class of travel, what is allowed as carry-on differs on different flights.  Besides, you want to make sure it can carry your essential items but not be too big to make it not fit in the overhead bin or too restrictive to your feet if placed under the seat in front of you.

Just like your choice of luggage, the weight of your carry-on is a critical consideration.  I would suggest a lightweight bag that can fit all your carry-on needs. It would be best to consider that you will carry this bag on your shoulder or attached to your roll-aboard for some distance.  If you have to take a heavy bag, it can undoubtedly lead to more back pain than usual for confined aircraft seating.

While it might look fashionable to carry designer luggage, know that you will be using shared space.  If another passenger spills something in the overhead bin, it will get over your bag.  Should a passenger get violently sick close to you, those bodily fluids can spill to your carry-on stowed on the floor.  Not to mention that you have no idea if someone hasn’t already been sick in the area.  Know that not everyone will treasure your bag as you do and travel accordingly.

An often-overlooked area in choosing carry-on bags is the organization it may offer.  Bucket bags by design hold everything as they are named.  It can be challenging to find items in your bag if you have no idea where in your bag they are.  A bag with different compartments makes it easier to find your passport or boarding pass, or toiletries if you keep them in separate areas.

Do you have a go-to inflight bag?  Having been a flight attendant for many years, I am conditioned to have my bag organized and ready at all times. How about you? I’d like to know.

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