How To Travel: My Life Lessons to Make Yours Easier
by Orielle Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence
Packing makes even the most relaxed and easy going person freak out. Its an anomaly when you see it, but packing is known to be one of the most stressful times in people lives; not to mention bills, money, taxes and other life changing things.
Knowing what to pack, how to pack as well as the stress of travel can be daunting. I have some tips in terms of packing, but even more tips for how to plan and what to do when you get there.
I am young, but I have traveled a decent amount in my 20 years on this earth. I have been to Spain, Morocco, Amsterdam, Israel, Poland, Canada, and all across the United States. I am preparing for my next adventure – Italy. I have collected tips on traveling plus tips for figuring out how to get around.
BOOKING YOUR FLIGHT(S)
The most important tip I can give you is to always, always check many listings before deciding on a flight. If you have miles stocked up or anything fancy like that, definitely use those. The sites Kayak and Travelocity are among some of the best sites for finding your most efficient routes. If you’re a student, Student Universe is even better. There are also apps supported for android and apple, to help find the best deal. The app I recommend the most is also a website called Skyscanner. It finds the cheapest price for your travels as well as the fastest route. For traveling in Europe specifically, I have received many recommendations from friends to use the app Rome2rio. Finding the best flight is the most daunting task, but with these apps and websites, you sure to find a great deal to save you the most money and the stress of figuring it all out.
PACKING
Fluctuating temperatures, rainy seasons, and limited luggage to carry/check on a plane. These are all things to consider when it comes to packing.
To start, explore the temperature range for your destination ahead of time. Get out your phone and computer and do some good ole research. This will determine how you pack; packing layers, or lack there of, bathing suits, rain jackets and puffy jackets. Once these are decided, I like to go through all my clothes, lay out the ones I want to take into neat piles on my floor, by category. Then the next day, after morning coffee and a clearer head, I go through the piles and cut, cut, cut. Being selective might be the hardest part of packing, but trust me you will want to pack lightly. You can use all that extra room for buying small souvenirs for your friends and family and most importantly all the clothes, shoes and accessories your heart desires.
GETTING AROUND
Researching your destination and knowing the ideal modes of transportation available is essential before you arrive. There is nothing more hectic than trying to figure out how to get to your air bnb/hotel last minute. Whether its a taxi, train or bus, figure out how much is costs and how to get to it before you leave. A great resource to check is if either Uber or Lyft operate in your destination and whether you will be needing to use their services – to get you from the winery, home.
When it comes to figuring out what to do and where the best spots are, my favorite, very underrated resource is Pinterest. If you search your destination on Pinterest, you will get loads of articles from people who lived there, or visited and can give you great advice on key phrases you should know, small underground coffee shops you should visit, the best clubs, bars, rooftop bars, restaurants, museums and probably any other kind of place you can think of. You can always search Google for tips and tricks, but there are so many options and so little brain capacity to absorb it all. The best part about Pinterest that Google can’t do for you – is put it in a little folder that you dedicate for your destination to be accessed by phone or computer whenever you want.
Regardless of how you like to prepare for your trip, plan ahead; pack lightly, remember to get your phone, credit cards and passport all taken care of. Enjoy your trip as best you can. Order your favorite drink and live the way you see fit whether that is tanning and drinking mimosas on the beach, or hiking and climbing. I hope these tips contribute to a long, relaxing and stress free visit to wherever life is taking you.
Coming soon… More from Italy
Benvenuto a Bella Italia
Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash