Since I started my solo journeys back in 2016, many of my friends and family members have been intrigued by the places I have visited and the experiences I have had. I think many of them now know to expect the unexpected when they ask the question, “Where to next?”. Quite naturally, with the more remote or lesser well-known destinations they are very curious as to how I arrange my itineraries (as the majority of my trips, I plan myself), how I determine what cities to visit, how I decide what activities to engage in, how I save for the higher priced adventures, etc. Over the past year, I have compiled this list of more than a hundred travel tips that I find indispensable when planning and traveling not just internationally but even domestically.
At last count, I had more than 100 tips and I’ll be sharing one or two each week in a series of posts arranged by trip phase: Planning / Pre-Departure and Once You Land. Hopefully, you’ll find these tips useful, as well.
Planning and Pre-Departure
1. RESEARCH A COUNTRY BEFORE PLANNING A VISIT
Prior to just flying off to visit a country, do your research. Find out about the tourism in that country, the political climate, the seasons (especially monsoon or rainy seasons), languages spoken, the timing of festivals and celebrations, currency and local dishes. Not knowing what to expect can be a recipe for a disastrous trip or you may miss some really amazing sites or activities. Also, research neighboring countries, just in case an opportunity presents itself and you’re able to visit more than one country, you’ll be ready to roll. Researching a country before visiting will also help you know how to pack!
2. DON’T LET A MYOPIC VIEW OF A PLACE KNOCK IT OUT OF CONTENTION FOR A VISIT
Don’t let what other people have to say about a destination color your view leading to travel myopia. Do your research, keep an open mind and draw your own conclusions about whether or not to visit. If I had listened to all the voices warning me about traveling to India in 2019, I never would have gone and I would have totally missed out. Truth be told, I found India to be a fascinating country and the people were all so kind and welcoming. My experiences were almost in direct conflict with what I had been told to expect.
3. READ UP ABOUT LOCAL CUSTOMS BEFORE YOU GO
You don’t want to offend anyone while you travel, so make sure you’re aware of any offensive gestures, words or behavior before you arrive. In some countries, certain mannerisms or modes of dress are taboo or offensive. For instance, women are required to have their shoulders and knees covered when visiting temples in Sri Lanka. Shorts and tank tops are not allowed. Do your research and seek to blend in, not stand out!
4. OPEN YOUR MIND AND WITHHOLD JUDGMENTS
If you don’t like a country’s customs, remain open-minded, rather than immediately jumping to conclusions that they’re wrong and you’re right. Ask questions, do more research, listen to other peoples’ points of view and try to view their customs through their eyes then take a critical look at your home country’s customs and how THEY must be viewed by other nations. Don’t let your bad experiences taint an entire country — if you didn’t enjoy your time somewhere, maybe that place was just not for you.
Don’t judge other travelers, either. Remember, to each his own – some people enjoy luxury travel, others enjoy backpacking, some people love visiting the same place every year while others want to see the world. Everyone is different.
5. VISIT PLACES THAT INTEREST YOU MOST
Don’t follow the beaten path that every traveler takes, just because you feel like you should. If Cancun isn’t calling you, why go there? What interests you? What do you want to see and learn about? This is your trip: go where excites you, not where you feel you should go or where everyone else is going. Don’t follow, lead.
6. SO MANY PLACES, SO LITTLE TIME
Settled on a destination but not quite sure where to start? I always do a search titled “not to miss in…” and fill in my desired city. This search will show you the top sites and activities in a given location. If you are into day trips, you can then search for “best day trips from …”. The search parameters are endless. If you’re into a particular activity like deep sea diving or birdwatching, performing searches centered around your activity can provide you with the basis for your travel itinerary. You can also check the tourism pages for a given country for ideas, as they always list popular activities and sites. Let me issue a warning here: Don’t expect to see EVERYTHING a destination has to offer in one trip. Pace yourself! Those search parameters can sometimes produce hundreds of results sending you headfirst down a travel rabbithole.
7. STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
Solo travel is an amazing experience. I spoke more about this in an earlier post but traveling alone really shows you what you’re made of, especially if you’re traveling in countries where you don’t speak the language. So many people have told me how brave I am to travel halfway around the world by myself but I don’t think of it as being brave, I just think it’s all about knowing what I want. I spent my 20’s, 30’s and part of my 40’s waiting for other people to “come with” and I never got anywhere. So, while solo travel wasn’t what I preferred when I first did it in 2016, it is now my preferred mode of travel. Who would have thought?
If I had never stepped outside of myself, there wouldn’t be a need for this travel blog now would there?
8. THE BEST ACTIVITIES AREN’T NECESSARILY TRADITIONAL TOURIST ONES
Some of my best memories are of doing totally normal things. Like when my concierge, Rajesh, at my hotel in Mumbai put me on the back of his moped and took me to get fruit and ice cream after an impromptu tour of the city or walking along the beach in Madagascar and having the little girls run behind me staring at my head full of natural kinky coils in amazement asking me if they could braid my hair (this one still makes me smile to this day).
9. GROUP TOURS OR A PRIVATE TOUR WITH A REPUTABLE COMPANY ARE ALWAYS GOOD IDEAS
In countries with less than stellar infrastructures, it may be easier to join a group tour or arrange a private tour with a guide / naturalist versus driving yourself or trying to navigate a strange city. It’s just not worth all the time and energy doing it yourself unless that’s your thing. Plus, if any issues arise, it will be on the tour company to figure it all out (this is a particularly helpful thing when trying to arrange domestic flights in foreign countries).
10. CONSIDER TRAVELING DURING THE “SHOULDER” SEASON IF YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY AND AVOID CROWDS
For those on a budget, traveling during shoulder season is the way to go. Shoulder season is that period in between a destination’s low and high tourism seasons when the weather is usually still favorable, you can score real deals on airfare and accommodations and the crowds are greatly diminished at the more popular attractions and venues. Win-Win.
11. LOOKING FOR BUDGET FLIGHTS? SKYSCANNER IS YOUR FRIEND
Skyscanner is a great resource when traveling on a budget because it consistently finds the cheapest deals when you are flexible on your travel dates and destinations. You can also set price alerts to be notified when the price on a flight you are tracking changes.
12. USE GOOGLE FLIGHTS TO TRACK FLIGHTS AND SET PRICE ALERTS
I start all of my flight searches on Google Flights. Due to my work schedule and the typical length of my trips (three weeks), I have to be pretty strategic about my travel dates so I plug in my destinations and tentative dates. Google shows you the prices to fly each day in a given month, I manipulate my departure dates and times to get the best deals then set a flight alert and let the app do all the work. I, typically, start this process as much as a year out so I can see the progression of the prices and have opportunities to take advantage of any sales or discounts and I always insure my flights (more on this later – see item 5 in the Pre-Departure Section).
13. TRIPADVISOR IS A GREAT RESOURCE BUT BE WARY
I use TripAdvisor when looking for hotels and restaurants to try in different cities. You can have it search for places based on proximity, price or ranking. While I have found it to be a great resource to see how people felt about a particular restaurant or hotel, I have noted that some reviews are fake. How can you tell? If the reviewer only has one or two reviews, chances are the reviews are fake, probably left by someone affiliated with the business in question. I also pay attention to the country a particular reviewer is from. I find expectations differ based on where a person is from.
14. ONLY PAY FOR ACCOMMODATIONS UP FRONT IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
I typically try to book directly with hotels / lodges but if they require payment upfront, I check Bookings.com, Hotels.com or some other online service to see if I can reserve the room with the option to pay later or upon arrival – this way if my plans change, I don’t have to worry about obtaining a refund. I can just cancel my reservation and move on. One caveat with the option to pay later, if you cancel too close to your arrival date, you are usually liable for at LEAST your first night’s stay.
15. MAKE SURE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS ARE CENTRALLY LOCATED
If you know you will be out and about, especially at night, and especially as a solo traveler, it just makes sense that you would select a place to stay that is centrally located, easy to get to and find. You shouldn’t have to figure out transportation to and from your accommodations each day.
16. START SAVING EARLY AND SET ASIDE MORE MONEY THAN YOU THINK YOU’LL NEED
Tally up all the potential expenses for your trip (don’t forget to set aside money for tips for hotel and tourism personnel – many of them rely heavily on those gifts to survive) so you know how much you need to save. I have a separate travel fund that I maintain with CapitalOne and my credo is if it’s not in there, I can’t spend it. Always aim to bring more money than you think you’ll need. The more money you have, the more you’ll be able to treat yourself to nicer accommodations, splurge on fun tours and experiences and, in general, not spend your entire trip worrying about the cost of everything fearing you’re going to run out of money. I also recommend giving yourself a “buffer”, if you can have a $500-$1,000 buffer in your travel fund that’s a great thing…JUST.IN.CASE…
17. CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATE ON YOUR PASSPORT
For entry to most countries, a traveler must have at least six months validity remaining on their passport and at least two blank pages. Additionally, several African nations require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for entry – don’t forget to bring your yellow card.
18. CHECK TO SEE IF A VISA IS REQUIRED TO VISIT YOUR LOCATION
Some countries issue visas at their ports of entry (ie. airports and land border crossings); other countries will not allow a traveler entrance without having obtained it beforehand. Make sure you know the deal before you land and avoid getting turned away at the airport or border. Also, check the cost and the currency the visa is required to be paid in when paying at points of entry.
19. REGISTER AT YOUR HOME EMBASSY PRIOR TO TRAVEL (STEP)
Register before you leave your home country…
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• With your account, your passport and identification information will be securely stored making it easier for American Embassies to assist you in the event your passport is lost, stolen, or destroyed.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
20. FIGURE OUT YOUR PHONE GAME
You have a few options to stay in touch while traveling internationally. You can unlock your phone prior to leaving your home country. With an unlocked phone, you’ll be able to buy local SIM cards and access cheap data while you travel. This will greatly facilitate using Google Maps should you get lost (Hint-Hint). You can also do what I did and purchase a Google Fi plan. While you can use Google Fi with an unlocked phone, I didn’t go that route. I purchased a cheap Android phone to use with Fi. Currently, Google Fi has coverage in more than 200 countries/territories and their pay-as-you-go plan starts at $20 per month plus $10/gigabyte of data for a single user (and after you use 6GB, it’s free for the remainder of the cycle). You can also take a chance that your regular phone will work – I don’t recommend this. On one of my excursions, I tried using my phone only to return home with a $250 cell phone bill. Ouch! Many carriers tout their “international plan” but their plans aren’t truly international – if you only cover a handful of countries (usually all in Europe), that does not an international plan make, my friends. Roaming charges are also prohibitive!
Also, once you land, learn the emergency numbers for your location – hopefully, you won’t need them but better safe than sorry.
21. PACK A PORTABLE BATTERY PACK FOR YOUR PHONE (A SOLAR-POWERED ONE IS A GREAT OPTION)
It’s never a good idea to let your phone die while traveling, as anything can happen. A portable charger is a good way to ensure you always have power.
22. INVEST IN A GOOD CAMERA
Photos can be priceless memories. I recommend investing in a good camera – while iPhones take great pictures, they can only do so much. Don’t wait until you get to your destination to try to figure out how to use your fancy new camera either. Always pack extra batteries, memory cards and don’t forget your charger(s)!
23. HAVE A HEALTH CHECKUP BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Visit your doctor and dentist for a checkup prior to traveling. You don’t want anything getting in the way of you having an awesome trip.
24. PLAN AS LITTLE OR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
I am a prolific planner. I like to have a detailed itinerary to ensure I make the best possible use of every minute of my travels. I do, however, build in one or two “free days” where I can take advantage of any opportunities that may arise. As a solo traveler, you may make friends with a group of awesome people and want to roll with them or a local may suggest your checking out a little-known locale.
On the flip side, maybe you’re the totally spontaneous type and want to keep your options open. Do whatever will make for a memorable trip for you. My only word of caution is to let someone know where you will be heading, how you’re getting there, who you will be meeting (with a phone number, if possible) and approximately what time you should return. Spontaneity never trumps safety!
Also, be aware of any holidays or observances that may occur while you will be traveling. These can easily make or break a holiday due to venue closures, modified operating hours or travel surcharges.
25. WORK IN TRAVEL OR FREE DAYS
I have had airline carriers cancel my connecting flights, so I know how important it is to work in an additional travel day or two at the beginning of your itinerary, especially if you will be joining an organized tour or cruise. I also work in one or two “free days” at other strategic points in my travels where I don’t have anything planned so I can take advantage of any opportunities that may present themselves or I can just do nothing and kick back – I mean it IS a vacation after all.
26. DON’T OVERCOMMIT YOURSELF TO THE POINT OF EXHAUSTION
Accept that you will NOT be able to see or do everything a location has to offer and narrow your itinerary down to your “must do” activities. You will definitely get a better feel for a place if you spend more time in it versus hopping from place to place every few days. Also, consider how your body will react to your itinerary – jetlag or travel fatigue may put the kibosh on any overly aggressive plans you may have.
27. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LAYOVERS
If you have a long layover, why not explore the city you happen to be in? When looking at flights to a destination, I often check to see which cities or countries have the most flights to that location and if it’s a city / country that I’ve never visited, I work in a few days to explore that area before traveling on to my final destination. For instance, while recently doing research for a trip to Svalbard, Norway, I noted it was way cheaper for me to fly from New York to Oslo then take a domestic flight to Svalbard. With that in mind, I worked in an additional day to explore Norway before heading on to Svalbard. Additionally, since Norway is so close to Iceland (literally a three-hour flight at a cost of approximately $250), I tacked on a few days in Iceland at the tail end of my trip.
28. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS LITERALLY EVERYTHING
Seriously, if you do only one thing before taking off, please let it be getting travel insurance. Ignore those people who tell you it’s not necessary. It really is necessary, especially in this post-Covid world. I got stuck in Costa Rica in January of 2021 because I tested positive for Covid and was totally asymptomatic. One week and $1200 later I was on my way home but if I hadn’t had travel insurance, I would have had to chalk that money up as the price of travel. Fortunately, I used World Nomads (https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/) as my travel insurance provider and, while I had to lay out the money upfront on my end, they reimbursed every penny when I got home. They were an absolute pleasure to deal with while filing my claim and I highly recommend them.
29. GIVE FAMILY AND/OR FRIENDS COPIES OF YOUR ITINERARY
From a safety perspective, it’s good to have several people back home who know where you will be. I do very detailed itineraries and include the names and phone numbers of tour providers, the names and addresses of hotels / lodges, all flight information, as well as my passport number. Several members of my family have the itinerary and I check in daily (if possible) to let them know how things are going. If I know I may not have service for a few days, I alert them to that fact beforehand, as well. That way, if I fail to check in, my family will know immediately and will be able to determine where I was when I last contacted them.
30. LET YOUR BANK KNOW YOU’LL BE TRAVELING
Prior to debit and credit cards having EMV chips embedded in them and PINs being required for many transactions, I had to notify my bank that I would be traveling or risk having my transactions declined every single time or worse, having the bank freeze my account due to suspicion of fraud. Now, I simply go online, enter my travel dates and the countries I plan to visit and I haven’t had an issue since.
31. PAY FOR YOUR TRAVEL EXPENSES USING A CARD THAT EARNS YOU POINTS, MILES OR GIVES YOU CASH BACK
No brainer here.
32. BRING MORE THAN ONE DEBIT / CREDIT CARD WITH YOU
Sometimes your bank will block your card, sometimes your card won’t work in an ATM, and sometimes you could even lose it or have it stolen. Been there, done that: I left mine in an ATM on Easter Island, Chile as soon as I landed. Fortunately, I had 2 other cards so it was not an issue. Bring at least three debit/credit cards with you that are linked to different accounts (make sure there are sufficient funds in each account!). Do NOT keep them all in the same place. Keep one in your luggage, one in your daypack, and one on your person. It may sound a little paranoid but you will definitely be glad you followed this snippet of advice, if something happens to your card, especially, if you’re traveling solo!
33. …AND A STASH OF EMERGENCY CASH
Since U.S. dollars are the most widely accepted currency worldwide, I usually carry $300 split up in various places in my luggage, as well as at least 50 Euros. When bringing cash, always bring crisp bills in smaller denominations (they’re easier to change and you’ll also have small bills for gratuities).
34. BRING EAR PLUGS OR NOISE-CANCELING HEADPHONES
Travel isn’t always conducive to sleep. All it took was one connecting flight from New York to London with a baby crying non-stop to teach me that lesson! Sleep interruption comes in all forms: street noise, loud bars, thin hotel room walls or the roar of all things wild when staying in lodges or tents. Pack some earplugs and a sleep mask or invest in noise-canceling headphones like I did. I invested in Bose noise-canceling headphones as soon as I got home from that trip and now every time I board an airplane I can rest assured that noise won’t be a problem.
35. PACKING CUBES WILL HELP YOU STAY ORGANIZED
I never understood the hype until I visited Madagascar in 2019 and had to use a soft-sided duffel bag. The cubes were a lifesaver in keeping my clothes organized and separated. I wasn’t fishing around in a bottomless pit to find that one errant sock – I just pulled out the cube and there they all were. Then coming home, they kept all the clean items I hadn’t worn separated from the dirty, dusty, grungy items I had been living in for the last two weeks.
36. ALWAYS HAVE A HARD COPY OF YOUR ITINERARY
What happens if you arrive at your destination and can’t find or access your email confirmation for your accommodation? It’s always a good idea to fall back on good old paper. My itineraries always include directions and transportation options from the terminal / station to my hotel / lodge.
37. SCAN ALL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND EMAIL THEM TO YOURSELF
Scan a copy of your passport, visas, and any debit / credit cards you’re traveling with. Password-protect the documents and email a copy of them to yourself and a family member. If everything you own gets lost / stolen (God forbid!), you can access them from your email account, take your copies to your embassy as proof that you are whom you say you are. Plus, you’ll be able to buy flights home and pay for accommodations online with your debit cards in order to keep traveling / go home.
38. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE TO PACK
I know some people are just wired to only pack the night before a departure, shoving items in their carry-on as they are walking through the door. This is the surefire way to forget something that you will either pay dearly for at your destination or not even be able to get while you’re there. I even use a checklist to make sure I don’t forget to pack anything. Better safe than sorry.
39. PACK LIGHT
Not only is it convenient to not have a lot of baggage when navigating busy areas, it can also be key to your safety. You’re more mobile with less weight in case you need to move quickly.
40. YOU DON’T NEED AN OUTFIT FOR EVERY DAY
Overweight baggage fees are almost as bad as roaming fees. On many of my trips, I have used domestic carriers and their weight restrictions are always more restrictive than larger international carriers. The key to packing light is packing tops and bottoms you can easily mix and match to make new outfits thereby decreasing the number of items you have to pack. If I’m traveling for 14 days, I pack outfits for 7 days MAX. I always pack laundry detergent to wash out items and a bungee cord to use as a makeshift clothesline.
41.A LARGE PASHMINA OR SCARF CAN SAVE THE DAY…OR NIGHT
Remember when I pointed out always research your location and know the dress code? Well, if you find yourself in a “sitcheration” that you’re not exactly dressed for, a large scarf can be a lifesaver. It can be used as a woman’s head covering when visiting religious sights, as a cover-up if Western dress is unacceptable or to take the chill off when used as a shawl.
42. BE PREPARED – TAKE THE CORRECT GEAR FOR YOUR ACTIVITIES
For instance, if you know you’ll be on safari then neutral-colored clothing, binoculars and a good camera will be your gear. If you’ll be hiking during your stay then hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts / long pants and bug spray may be essential. Also, consider the time of day your activities are scheduled to take place. Some locations will be hot during the day but frigid in the early morning hours. Pack accordingly. I have never heard anyone say they regretted packing that fleece pullover – EVER. Just saying…
43. LEAVE THE CAMOUFLAGE GEAR AT HOME
In many countries, camouflage is reserved solely for members of the military and it is illegal for civilians to wear camouflage clothing or possess anything that has a camouflage print. Nations take this very seriously and you can be fined or imprisoned or both for ignoring a country’s stance on who may wear / carry it.
44. ELEVATION IS A KILLER
Be aware of a big jump in elevation between your starting point and your final destination. Elevation sickness is real and forewarned is forearmed. At higher elevations, it is imperative that you pace yourself, stay hydrated, refrain from consuming alcohol and give your body time to get acclimatized before attempting any strenuous activities. If you can’t figure out why you’ve had a headache, had trouble sleeping and felt wonky since you arrived, check the elevation, as that may be the culprit. Anti-elevation meds or herbal remedies (ie. Coca leaf tea) can help you get back on track.
45. KEEP EVERYTHING IMPORTANT IN YOUR CARRY-ON / DAYPACK
I’m fortunate to have never had to deal with lost luggage (and I pray I NEVER experience that) but if my suitcase were lost, I could survive for days with just my carry-on bag. I always pack my most important things in there: passport, travel itinerary, cell phone, tablet, camera, noise-canceling headphones, wallet, chargers / adapters, power cords, toothbrush and toothpaste, shower gel, wet wipes and a change of underwear.
Type A – Canada, United States, Japan, and Mexico, Thailand
Type B – Canada, United States, Mexico, Thailand
Type C – Asia, Europe, South America, Thailand
Type D – India
Type E – Belgium, Czechia, France, Poland, and Slovakia
Type F – Commonly used in Europe and Russia
Type G – Arabian Peninsula & UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore
Type H – Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank
Type I – Australia, Argentina, China, and New Zealand
Type J – Only used in Liechtenstein and Switzerland
Type K – Only used in Denmark and Greenland
Type L – Only used in Chile and Italy
Type M – Only used in South Africa
Type N – Mainly used in Brazil and South Africa
46. DON’T FORGET YOUR POWER CONVERTER AND ADAPTERS
The U.S. operates on 110-120 volt electricity while many foreign countries, such as France, operate on 230-volt electricity. If your appliances are NOT dual voltage, this difference in electricity can damage your electronics. If you have a device that has dual voltage (110-240 volts) you do not need a converter. However, if your electronics only say 110-120 volts they are not dual and you WILL need a converter to operate them safely. I ALWAYS use a converter when I travel just to be on the safe side.
Adapters convert an outlet so you can use your devices, without them you won’t be able to plug anything in. It will be like trying to fit square pegs into round holes. For instance, U.S. power plugs have two flat pins while plugs in Europe, South America and parts of Asia have two round pins – not a match, enter the adapter.
47. A POWER STRIP AND EXTENSION CORD WILL MAKE CHARGING A BREEZE
I have found most hotel rooms have minimal outlets (or they are in totally inconvenient locations) making charging multiple devices challenging (think phone, camera battery, watch, portable battery pack – see the problem?). Now, add to that the need to use a converter and an adapter when traveling internationally and you’re limited to just one outlet. Bring a power strip to ensure you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.
48. A DRY BAG IS MORE USEFUL THAN YOU THINK
Dry bags are amazing for keeping your personal effects safe when visiting damp places – think the rainforest or boat excursions. Dry bags are also great for protecting any electronics you have in your daypack when it starts to rain.
49. GOOGLE TRANSLATE HAS AN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL CAMERA COMPONENT
Before you leave, download the Google Translate app. The camera feature is great for translating text. Just press the camera icon, scan the text you want translated and the app does all the work. This is great for translating, signs, directions or anything else you would like to read. The same goes for any verbal communication, you can speak into the app and it translates your conversation into whatever language you choose.
50. TRAVEL WITH A ROLL OF TOILET TISSUE
Like the old American Express tagline “don’t leave home without it”, especially if you are visiting developing nations. Excursions in these countries often have rest stops equipped with squat toilets where there is no toilet tissue and sometimes no running water. At some destinations, you will have to become very adept at taking “bush breaks” and you will be unbelievably grateful you have your own roll.
51. WET WIPES, WET WIPES AND MORE WET WIPES
For the love of all things sanitary, do not forget to pack wet wipes. Please see tip #50 on one reason why you will definitely want to have wipes.
52. …AND HAND SANITIZER
Long before the Covid pandemic, I traveled with hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes in my carry-on. I ALWAYS wipe down my tray table, armrests and entertainment screen and buttons as soon as I take my seat on an airplane. Airlines do perfunctory cleaning at best, so you literally have no idea what was on those surfaces before you got there or what is lingering behind.
53. PACK A FIRST-AID KIT
Always in my toiletries bag and always fully stocked with medicated first-aid ointment, alcohol pads, bandages of different sizes, tea tree oil (a natural anti-fungal), tweezers, tiny scissors, pain relieving meds and Imodium.
54. A PROPERLY STOCKED TOILETRIES PACK / BAG IS A MUST
It depends on my destination but some staples in my toiletries bag are: bug repellant, anti-itch lotion, Benadryl or another allergy med, rehydration powder, ginger chews (for any digestive discomfort), a tiny sewing kit, a lighter and a small travel candle (in a tin, no glass).
The travel candle is for the stale hotel / lodge rooms and once lit is NEVER left unattended. We are not trying to burn the place down, just deodorize it.
A travel-sized Lysol spray or Poo-Be-Gone / Poo-Pourri are the newest additions to both my toiletries pack and carry-on (don’t laugh these are lifesavers on long-haul flights when the bathrooms are absolutely RIPE).
55. LOOSE-FITTING, COMFORTABLE LAYERS OF CLOTHING MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE ON LONG FLIGHTS
I will say upfront that I am not a fan of traveling in slippers, short-shorts or bedroom attire but I am definitely all about the comfort factor otherwise. Loose-fitting clothing made of soft, touchy-feely fabrics with elastic or drawstring waistbands and sneakers is my usual travel attire. I always dress in layers because you never know if you’ll be dealing with temperatures akin to an arctic blast or the Sahara desert. You can always take off a layer if it’s hot but if it’s freezing and you only have on one layer, it’s going to be a miserable flight.
56. A TRAVEL BLANKET AND PILLOW CAN PROVIDE SOME OF THE COMFORTS OF HOME
And ensure you arrive at your destination rested and refreshed.
57. DON’T RELY ON THE AIRLINES TO FEED YOU
In-flight meals vary depending on the length of your flight and the carrier. In general, I am not a fan of airplane food so I always pack a few healthy snacks and refill my water bottle prior to boarding, if possible. I choose snacks that aren’t too salty, as the environment on planes is super dry and I don’t need a salty snack sucking even more fluid out of my system.
58. NO NEED TO BE LEERY OF LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS, JUST HAVE A PLAN
One question I get asked a lot is how I deal with long-haul flights (flights lasting over six hours). To date, my longest flight was from New York to Sydney, Australia at 21 hours. These long flights are killers if you get on the plane without a plan. I usually bring a laptop / tablet with me and read for a spell, watch one or two movies from the provided in-flight entertainment then turn my attention to planning my next trip. If you work an eight-hour day, the easiest thing to do mentally is to break the flight time into 8-hour increments and keep yourself occupied for the equivalent of your typical workday.
59. DOWNLOAD YOUR ENTERTAINMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
WIFI on planes and in airports can be fickle. All it takes is one long flight without being able to binge-watch that series you were banking on to help you kill a few hours and you will never forget to do it again.
60. MAKE SURE ALL YOUR DEVICES ARE FULLY CHARGED AND YOUR CHARGERS AND CORDS ARE IN YOUR CARRY-ON
The absolute last thing you need is for your device to run out of juice one hour into a 19-hour flight. This is especially true if your in-flight entertainment system or in-seat power ports aren’t working.
61. STILL NOT CONVINCED YOU CAN HANDLE A LONG HAUL? ADD A STOPOVER
A stopover is another term for a layover of longer than 24 hours where you can visit a bonus destination en route to your final destination. Stopovers can sometimes decrease the cost of your flight. This is a cool way to give your mind (and body) a minute to regain its composure. Many airlines have adopted programs to help travelers make the most of large gaps of time in between flights. AirWander.com is a great resource for finding stopover deals.
62. FOR LONG-HAUL FLIGHTS, THE AISLE SEAT IS MY GO-TO
Doctors recommend getting up and walking around every 90-120 minutes when on long flights as it will help keep your blood circulating and prevent the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT commonly called blood clots). I always request aisle seats on long flights, as I want the freedom to get up and move around at will.
63. BE STRATEGIC ABOUT YOUR SEATING
I, generally, make sure I’m not sitting too close to the bathrooms. I do this for a few reasons: the further away I am, the more walking I will have to do to get there forcing me to get my circulation going. Restrooms can become absolutely pungent during the second leg of a long flight and I’d rather not inhale the fumes from a putrid potty. I also do not want people’s body parts invading my space as they queue up to use the bathroom. Enter a few bouts of turbulence and you see where I’m going, right?
64. STAYING HYDRATED IS ALSO KEY ON LONG FLIGHTS
Besides not having a plan to occupy the time, another big mistake many people make on long flights is not consuming enough water (and I hate to burst your bubble but, NO, alcohol or coffee is not just as good). Average cabin humidity hovers somewhere around 20% (drier than many deserts) or about half the level at which most people feel comfortable. This low humidity is chiefly a by-product of cruising at high altitudes, where moisture content is somewhere between minuscule and nonexistent. At these lower humidity points, skin and mucous membranes dry out, and flu viruses are both easier to catch and, generally, last longer. To combat this, it is recommended that you consume eight ounces of water for every hour that you’re on the flight.
65. DRINKING ALCOHOL MAY HELP YOUR NERVES BUT NOT YOUR HYDRATION LEVELS WHILE FLYING
Alcohol is a natural diuretic and causes your body to remove fluids from your blood. So, consuming alcohol on a long flight will just exacerbate any dehydration your body is already experiencing from the low humidity in the cabin.
66. HOW TO COMBAT JETLAG – FOLLOW THE LOCAL TIME AT YOUR DESTINATION
Another frequent question I get is “don’t you suffer from jetlag when you arrive at your destination when you cross multiple time zones”? Believe it or not, I do not. One thing that I have found that eliminates jetlag for me is to set my devices to the local time of my destination immediately. I then sleep when it is nighttime at my destination, even if I have to force myself to stay up way past my normal bedtime. Doing this ensures my sleep schedule will be more closely aligned with the nighttime hours of my destination. For the first few days, I will, however, still wake up at odd hours as my body is a bit confused and still thinks I am operating under “New York time” but that dissipates quickly as I begin to operate under the new time zone.
Once you Arrive
67. TO AVOID ROAMING CHARGES, LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE
Roaming charges are no joke! To avoid getting slammed by your cell provider when you return home, leave your phone in airplane mode. You won’t be able to send or receive text messages or phone calls or use data services but you can always connect to a WIFI network to check your email, surf the internet or stay connected with friends and family via applications such as Whatsapp.
68. NEVER CHANGE YOUR CURRENCY AT THE AIRPORT
Airports have THE worst exchange rates EVER. Use an ATM, if possible (get a debit card that doesn’t charge you foreign transaction fees or that reimburses them once you’re home) and you’re golden.
69. DETERMINE HOW TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT / STATION TO YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS IN ADVANCE
After a long flight when you’re exhausted, you don’t necessarily want to spend time and energy and sometimes more money than you need to trying to figure that out, especially if you arrive late at night and you’re traveling solo.
70. ASK YOUR ACCOMMODATION / HOST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORTATION
Ask them for the easiest / safest / cheapest means of getting there from the airport /station. Sometimes hotels have free shuttles to transport their guests or public transportation may be a really convenient option. While I was in Melbourne, my hotel provided me with a pre-paid MYKI transit card. Go Melbourne!
If you must take a taxi, ask your host how much the average fare to their location should be so you’ll know if you’re being price gouged. TaxiFareFinder.com may be a useful resource in this area. If all else fails, many hotels have drivers on retainer that they can dispatch to collect you but be aware that prior notice is almost always required and it may cost you more than the price of hiring a taxi. However, safety always trumps frugality!
71. ALWAYS CHECK GOOGLE MAPS TO GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF WHERE YOU’RE STAYING
Sometimes your destination is closer than you think and is actually within walking distance or near public transportation.
72. USE GOOGLE MAPS OR A SIMILAR APP FOR OFFLINE NAVIGATION
Don’t have service at your destination? Make sure you download an app that provides offline navigation (Google maps, Here WeGo, etc.) so you can find your way around.
73. IF TAKING A TAXI ALONE, ALWAYS NOTE THE DRIVER’S NAME AND MEDALLION NUMBER UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE
Staying safe is always your first priority, especially in a foreign country.
74. NERVOUS ABOUT YOUR GROUND TRANSPORTATION ONCE YOU LAND?
Book your departure and arrival times during daylight hours, if possible; it will be much less stressful.
75. LEARN A FEW WORDS OF THE LANGUAGE IN EVERY COUNTRY YOU VISIT
You will definitely gain more respect from the locals if you can at least say hello, good night, please, sorry, and thank you. Even if you’re not totally comfortable speaking in another language, at least try, the locals usually greatly appreciate that and will help you get it right. Learn to laugh at yourself and you’ll be just fine. Please do not visit a non-English speaking country and expect people to cater to you in your language. Your lack of language skills is not their problem, it’s yours. And for the love of all things travel related, please do not start speaking ten decibels louder to make yourself understood. Translation apps on your phone can work wonders.
76. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LAWS AND RULES OF THE LAND
You know the old saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do?” Don’t think you can break the law in a foreign country and there will be no penalties for your actions – you will be held accountable. Recall the case dating back to 1994 of the young man from the U.S. who was caned and imprisoned in Singapore for vandalism and theft? Trust me, you do NOT want to be on the wrong side of the authorities in a foreign country.
77. OBSERVE THE DRESS CODE OF THE REGION YOU’RE VISITING
In eastern nations, women’s heads, shoulders and knees must be covered to enter temples and religious sites. In some instances, Western dress is not deemed appropriate or modest enough, so, specific guidelines are given regarding what is considered acceptable attire for visiting a given site.
78. FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS
If something doesn’t look or feel right, it probably isn’t. Don’t just shrug off your intuition.
79. TRY THE LOCAL FOOD
Don’t travel halfway around the world only to order the same food you would eat at home. Should you try McDonald’s in a foreign country? Absolutely, if only to experience how the chain modifies menu offerings based on localities. Should it be what sustains you your entire holiday? Absolutely not! Go out on a limb and try something different. Ask what the national dish is, and if you have no allergies, go for it! Also, please don’t compare cuisine in its place of origin to cuisine in your hometown. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say the food at the place of origin tastes closer to the way it was intended…translation: it’s more authentic.
80. MAKE SURE TO TRACK YOUR SPENDING
I know, you’re on vacation and the last thing you want to do is be fiscally responsible, but you’ll be better off if you’re aware of how much money you’re blowing through. If you find you’re spending too much, make adjustments as you go along to get back on track. Depending on my destination, I allot $40 a day for meals, with the free breakfast most accommodations offer allowing me to spend all $40 on dinner alone. If I find myself over budget, I just opt for cheap but healthy eats for a few days until I’m back within the budget.
81. WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY
When you travel, you’re in the sun more than you probably would be if you were at home. Wear sunscreen every single day, regardless of the weather and temperature, because you really don’t want your trip of a lifetime to result in skin cancer or skin that looks like whipped leather in all your pictures. Also, please don’t buy into the fallacy that People of Color don’t need to wear sunscreen – that’s a lie from the pit of hell. While it’s true that your natural melanin will provide you more protection than fairer-skinned travelers, you can STILL burn and you probably won’t realize you’re burning until it’s too late.
82. REMEMBER TO TAKE PHOTOS OF YOURSELF
On my blog, you will see more pictures of my escapades than you will of me (after all, this IS a travel blog) but I definitely make sure I take shots of myself with some amazing backdrops. Some people take more pictures of themselves than their destinations and others are the exact opposite. Photos of all the amazing places you’ve been are great but when you get home you’ll find they’re not all that different from the ones everyone else who has been there has taken. Photos with you in them will set yours apart from the pack and may cause you to have fond memories for many years to come.
83. ASK PERMISSION WHEN TAKING PHOTOS
Don’t treat people like an exhibit at a museum or zoo. It’s rude and downright disrespectful to take someone’s photo without their permission. Always ask for permission first and be kind enough to let them see the photo after you’ve taken it. I’ve discovered that many people in developing nations, especially children, don’t have any pictures of themselves and have never even seen themselves on an LCD screen.
84. BACK UP EVERYTHING IN MULTIPLE PLACES
Imagine how you’d feel if you took some awesome shots on your two-week vacation and then lost every single photo. I don’t even want to think about that happening to me, so, I always transfer the best shots from my camera to my phone (when I have WIFI). I then back up my phone to the Cloud.
85. DON’T EXPECT EVERYTHING TO GO ABSOLUTELY ACCORDING TO PLAN
If you manage your expectations, you will never be disappointed. Expecting everything to go perfectly on your trip is only setting yourself up to fail. Don’t beat yourself up, as even the best-laid plans can go awry, as you cannot control everything. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find some humor in it all and not be totally frustrated.
86. DON’T LOSE YOUR TEMPER AND SPAZZ OUT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
It achieves absolutely nothing and makes you look like a colossal, entitled jerk. Instead, take a deep breath, accept it for what it is and figure out a “Plan B”. It may just turn out that “Plan B” ends up being a better deal.
87. BE PRESENT
Sure, we all want those Instagram-worthy photos and we all want to keep folks back home “in the know” as we travel but don’t be so focused on documenting and sharing your travels that you totally miss the beauty or uniqueness of a place. Be present! Take a few moments to take it all in, let your senses be stimulated, smell the air, listen to the sounds or simply embrace the silence.
88. IF THERE’S NO INTERNET, EMBRACE IT
For those of us old enough to remember life before the internet, we KNOW we can survive quite nicely without it for a few days at least. Lack of internet access / WIFI can be a huge blessing. It forces you to be present, pay attention to and appreciate your surroundings or interact with others. It also allows your brain to reset and be stimulated by something other than an LED screen.
In the downtime, plan your next adventure, make a new friend, read a book, start a journal, contemplate life, take a walk / hike or just relax.
89. SETTLE INTO A CHECK-OUT ROUTINE
Check-out is when you are most likely to leave something behind, sometimes never to be seen again. I have never left anything behind because I have a check-out ritual. The night before I check out, I pack up everything I won’t be using in the morning. Once dressed in the morning, I start with the safe and any closets to make sure I haven’t left anything in there, then on to the bathroom to make sure all of my toiletries are packed up and removed, next up – the sleeping area and the desk. I then check all the outlets I used to make sure I haven’t left any adapters or cords behind. Lastly, I check the refrigerator. I never utilize drawers in hotels / lodges instead opting to pull items from my suitcase (this helps ensure I don’t leave anything behind and decreases the likelihood that I bring anything home (translation: no bedbugs, spiders, etc.).
90. VISIT THE TOURISTY SPOTS AS WELL AS GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH
The main tourist attractions are popular for a reason but getting off the beaten path can be equally fun and interesting. Go for the total experience.
On my trip to Costa Rica in 2021, I hit up all the usual spots but made sure to spend a few days in Corcovado in the rainforest. It’s not the easiest place to get to, as I had to take a car to a water taxi to get there and there is no actual dock or pier that the boat pulls up to but you do what is called a “wet landing” where the taxi backs into the shore as far as it can and you wade through water up to your calves to get ashore but trust me – it was definitely worth the extra trouble.
91. THE SMALL, HOLE-IN-THE-WALL EATERIES, TYPICALLY HAVE THE BEST FOOD
While traveling be attentive to eateries that only have a handful of dishes on their menu or specialize in a particular type of dish or cuisine. Usually, when someone only makes one thing and their livelihood depends on it, you can bank on it being amazing.
92. JOURNAL ANYTHING YOU WANT TO REMEMBER
After two weeks of traveling from city to city, area to area and having amazing experiences, you won’t be able to remember everything. I can’t tell you the number of times I get home and I’m trying to remember something a guide said or a naturalist pointed out and everything is either jumbled or totally forgotten. I always have a writing pad and pen and take notes on anything interesting that I see or hear while out and about. Those notes became the basis for my social media posts accompanied by pictures of my experiences. Whenever those posts pop up on my current timeline, what a treasure they are – they automatically transport me back to that time and space.
93. THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM
At major tourist destinations, you may want to beat the crowds and arrive as soon as they open or just before they close. By getting up early, you can take advantage of the peace and solace of a place and explore on your own with less human interference. If animals are involved, early mornings and just before dusk are typically the best time for sightings and viewings as they are most active and less inhibited.
94. DON’T BE SHAMED INTO NOT BUYING SOUVENIRS
So many travelers preach that it’s all about experiences not possessions, but sometimes possessions can serve as a beautiful reminder of an experience. I bring back a memento or two from every place I visit, usually something I can display on a shelf, specific to the region of the world I visited and handcrafted. Mementos also serve as great conversation starters when I have guests over.
95. TAKE A CLASS
Travel is the perfect opportunity to try something totally new. I love taking cooking classes when I travel. Shout out to Samode Lodge in India – Chef Shafat gave me an impromptu lesson on how to make masala chai and saag when I was there in 2018. I cannot wait until I visit Thailand to take classes on how to make some of my favorite Thai dishes.
96. TAKE A STROLL THROUGH THE LOCAL MARKETS
It’s quite interesting to visit the local markets and see the different foods, spices and cooking instruments used in a country. I’m always curious to hear what different fruits and vegetables are called, especially if they are also available in my home country. For instance, the vegetable Americans call eggplant is called aubergine in the UK and either brinjal or baingan in India. Seeing how much foodstuff costs relative to the average household income of a country or relative to the cost of similar items at home is also eye-opening.
97. ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS AND SMILE …OFTEN
A pleasant disposition works wonders, making you more approachable to fellow travelers and locals alike.
98. STAY HYDRATED
You’ll probably be so engrossed in your experiences that you forget to consume enough water. This becomes especially important if you’re traveling through hot, humid terrain. Set reminders if you have to to make sure you’re drinking regularly.
99. …BUT DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER, IF YOU’RE UNSURE ABOUT THE WATER QUALITY
Forego ice cubes, soups and sauces or salads if you’re in a country where the water quality is questionable or you’re not sure purified water is being used. I learned the hard way about sauces while traveling in Delhi. Yes, people, sad to say but “Delhi belly” is a real thing.
If you have a weak digestive system, consider investing in water purification tablets, a Steripen, or a filtration bottle like a CrazyCap. Steripens kill more than 99.9% of harmful microorganisms making tap water safe to drink. The CrazyCap water bottle has a UV lamp built into the cap that sterilizes your water and you can also use the lamp to sterilize surfaces or small items, such as your toothbrush.
100. PACK A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE
Many countries have now banned single-use plastics. Be environmentally conscious and travel with your own bottle. Collapsible ones come in particularly handy.
101. DON’T MAKE IT EASY FOR PICKPOCKETS
Keep electronics and money in your front or inside pockets, unless you want to lose them. Use wisdom, don’t flash money or valuables and don’t carry large sums of cash with you.
102. KEEP YOUR DEVICES FULLY CHARGED
Whenever you see a spare power socket, charge your tech. You’ll wish you’d taken the opportunity to when you eventually run out of battery power. You don’t want to miss capturing moments because of a dead battery.
103. NEVER FORGET HOW BLESSED YOU ARE
If you can afford to travel, consider yourself blessed. A huge percentage of the world’s population has never been outside the country where they were born. Be grateful that you are healthy enough to travel. Be grateful that your government ALLOWS you to obtain visas and passports and enter and exit your home country when you choose. Be grateful you have disposable income that allows you to travel. It is a privilege to travel, see distant lands and experience other cultures – never take that for granted.