As you read you will discover endless recommendations to make your travels easy. For as long as I continue to explore I will return here to update you with new tips.
Happy travels!
Pick a Place
With 195 countries in the world, selecting one to visit with limited paid time off can be tough.
A couple of questions. How much paid time off do you have? And, will you take a trip every year?
If you plan to take a trip each year, I suggest you make a list of all the countries you want to explore. Research each one, determine the best month to visit and plan it out over 5 years.
This way you have time to track and trend prices, avoid impulse purchases and last minute bookings. This will result in more money for your trip.
If you have off on federal holidays, strategically plan your travel around those dates. If you can work remotely, even better.
Most importantly, what type of trip do you want to take? Do you want to relax on the beach and sip mojitos? Or do you want to hike Machu Picchu?
Maybe you want to go to places you have never thought or heard of before. If you are not sure how to find places like that, one website I like to use is Nomad List.
What is Nomad List?
Nomad list is a website that launched in 2014 as a resource for nomads to rate certain aspects of the places they were living and working remotely from.
In the early years, the main data points were internet speed, cost of living, temperature, safety, and a handful more.
Today the platform has thousands of data points for travelers to filter for destinations all over the world.
Nomad List is easy to search, select all the options you are looking for and it will quickly produce the top places for you. Please know, Nomad List is now a paid service. However, they allow you free searches each month.
They also have great list options such as: top ranked, hidden gems, search by month, continent, country, under 1K a month, and more.
Gather Information
Once you select your destination, buckle up, it is time to learn.
Start with the basics, what is the best month to visit and what are the flight times/cost?
For most people when they can travel is going to be based on their employers approval. If there is any wiggle room, it is important to start tracking flight prices.
This is easy to do using Google Flights. After you search, there will be a row that says 'prices are currently' [high, low or normal] for your search. In that same row, click 'view price history' to take note of what the prices have been for the last 60 days.
A few sections below, I go more into detail for finding flights and the best time to buy tickets. Right now, it is important to understand that flight prices go up and down for hundreds of reasons and some destinations have these increases and decreases at the same time each year.
If you are a budget traveler, you want to buy when those prices dip down.
Utilize your resources
Hands down, I cannot recommend Reddit communities and Facebook groups enough. Of course, Google and Trip Advisor can provide useful information. However, Reddit communities and Facebook provide you heaps of information from locals and people with lived experience.
Go to either platform and type the country name you want to visit and join the groups or communities that look appealing to you.
Once you join a few groups, use the search function and soak up all the information you can. After you have read [or watched] all you can, post your questions.
Keep it simple and clear. Always include the destination and dates.
Example: Bonjour fellow travelers! Planning a trip to Paris May 15-25th and I am looking for local spots to eat, the best way to get around town, how to take the train to the South of France because my friend Ashley said it is beautiful there, and if there are any events happening during this time. Thanks!
Pro Tip
As you gather information on all the places to eat, stay, visit, etc save them to Google Maps. Pictured above, is my map for one of my Google Maps for US National Parks.
Before you leave on your trip download your map offline. That way if you have no service you can navigate to all the places you saved.
If you are an itinerary planner this really helps you visualize your trip to plan transport times and create schedules. If you are not a planner, it is still great, because you can open your map at any time and see what is close to you.
finding flights
Step one: Google Flights. Enter the airports you will fly from and to and then click on the calendar icon. As the calendar loads flight prices will start to show under each date. You want the prices in green. Those are going to be the cheapest dates to fly.
Step two: For good measure, search Momondo to see if there are other options. For some destinations, Momondo will have additional airlines, local airlines.
When you have the dates and airline sorted, take a screenshot or write down the details of the flight, including the flight number.
Step three: Book your flights directly with the airline. The way I triple check I have the correct flight is by the flight number. Of course, you are welcome to book how you wish.
After so many people around the world lost money during covid because they booked with third party vendors, I only book directly. And, I use my American Express Platinum card, because hello 5Xs the points and extra purchase insurance.
If not now, When?
Alright, you have a place picked out, you gathered all the information, saved places on your map, and even found flights.
But, you are still hesitant.
I get it and I have been there many times. I would like to share something with you that helps me.
Every single place in the world is same, same, but different.
Every place has food, housing, transportation, and places to see.
You can do anything.
Best Day to Buy
When it comes to the best day to buy plane tickets there are many flight trackers and a bazillion articles that claim to know the secret.
Here is what I know:
There is no Victoria's Secret in the sky.
Airlines have a simple business model: supply and demand.
Every location in the world has peak travel dates and times.
Holidays are expensive and in the winter months you risk delays and cancellations. Cough, looking at you Southwest.
Prices go up and prices go down. Constantly.
To get the cheapest dates you must be flexible with your travel dates and book outside of peak travel dates and times.
Drum roll please, the B E S T day to buy plane tickets is on payday.
Places to Stay
Accommodations are a big expense and a crowd splitter. It is a blessing to have options.
If you are looking to save some money, take note of the street names and then look for a local apartment or house to rent in that area.
Since 2016 I have used Airbnb all around the world. When searching for a place, I recommend following a simple set of guidelines.
Book with Superhosts and never stay in a place with less than 10 reviews. Read reviews, at least ten of the most recent and take them with a grain of salt.
Pictures, pictures, pictures. Airbnbs are not five star luxury resorts, they are people's homes. If the place does not appeal to you, move on.
So far, (knock on wood) I have never had an issue. For some countries booking.com is the better option and then I contact and book directly.
VRBO is also another great option, especially if you are traveling with a larger group.
For all my hostel lovers Hostel World is great.
If you have never stayed in a hostel before, I recommend it. It may sound cheesy, but hostels have changed my life many times.
For my American friends who have had the word hostel stained (thanks to the movies) they are not dirty tourist kidnapping traps.
When you stay in a hostel, you will be surrounded by travelers.
Like you, they are also budget conscious. Right there, you have two things in common: the desire to travel to the destination you are in and doing so on a budget.
The best part is sharing common spaces with others who speak different languages. You will cook together and share travel tips.
Every person you meet has the power to change your life.
It is up to you to.
using your cell phone abroad
Can you use your cell phone? If you have an international plan, yes. If not, you can either purchase a physical SIM card or if your phone allows it, purchase an eSIM. To purchase an eSIM, I recommend Airalo. They are a fantastic company in Singapore, you can click here for a discount from me.
To use a foreign SIM card, your phone must be unlocked. Before you start traveling around the country, always make sure the SIM is activated and working.
If you plan to use WiFi only, make sure you turn off your cellular data for every app and turn off data roaming.
If you want to get an international cell phone plan, hands down, sign up for T-mobile's international place. In 2019, I switched to T-Mobile and have been a happy customer ever since. My phone works in every single country with no extra daily data charge such as AT&T and others. Click here to learn more about T-Mobile.
Money
There is no reason to waste your time and money going to your local bank to get local currency for the country you are going to travel to.
Here the holy trinity of my cards:
American Express Platinum
Charles Schwabb Visa Debit
Credit Union Checking Debit
How I use them: I try to use my American Express Platinum card for everything I possibly can, because I am hoarding points.
If AMEX is not accepted I use my Charles Schwabb Visa Debit.
For local ATMs, I use my Charles Schwabb Visa Debit and only at bank ATMs. By that, I mean I do not use free standing ATMs on sidewalks or in grocery stores. For Schwabb and AMEX there are no ATM fees or foreign transaction fees.
☞ Never keep all of your cards in the same wallet. For backup, my credit union checking debit card stays hidden and all of my cards are saved on my phone.
Lastly, unlike my brightly colored electronics, my passport holder is darker in color so it does not stand out.
International Checking
When it comes to travel and needing a checking or debit card, no one compares to Charles Schwabb.
No foreign-exchange transaction fees ・No ATM cash withdrawals fees
For protection, you can easily lock and unlock your card. You can adjust settings to turn on text alerts for transactions, account alerts, two-way fraud text alerts, and travel notifications.
You do not need to go into a bank to open an account, you can sign up online in less than five minutes. Your checks and card will be mailed to you. Even if you do not use it as your main checking you can easily transfer money to and from your Schwabb account, for free and withdraw local currency during your travels.
Schwabb debit cards are a visa, accepted everywhere.
Credit Card
One hundred percent, I recommend The Platinum Card from American Express. If you travel the card can pay for itself quick. The number one perk to me is having access to 1,400 lounges around the world. This includes AMEX + Priority Pass + Delta Sky, Airspace, Escape, Plaza, and Lufthansa lounges.
Why do I care about lounge access? Travel is a lot. Any time I can walk into a luxury lounge, use fast Wifi, enjoy a wine tasting, and a delicious meal. All without opening my wallet, it makes the journey a lot less stressful.
I mean, have you seen the cost of airport drinks lately? $14 for a beer in NYC, it's a no for me.
Every year, I spend hours comparing AMEX to Chase and Capital One and they consistently fall short. Check out this photo collage of my favorite AMEX rewards.
Plus AMEX offers. Offers are not the same as benefits. They are temporary rewards that you activate in your AMEX app. When I login right now, there are 104 offers available. For the sake of time, I will share a handful for you.
Sunglass Hut spend $150+ and get $30 back, Burberry spend $600+ and get $120 back, Overstock spend $200+ get $30 back. Offers are from many different brands and businesses: Oakley, Under Armour, Vans, Asics, Dyson, M&Ms, Cole Haan, Ugg, Valentino, Prada, Candies and more.
Do you want to get your own Platinum Card?
Here is a referral link from me to you. If approved you could earn 100,000 member reward points!
Travel Gear I use and recommend
less is more.
Over the years, I have tested out countless pieces of must have travel gear. Some are a complete waste of time and money.
And some are clear winners.
Such as my all time favorite carry-on: The Kenneth Cole Reaction Women's Chelsea Chevron Soft sided carry-on.
Equipped with 8 spinner wheels, expandable zippers, telescopic handle, three handles for easy lifting, black with gold accents and 20 inches.
This beautiful carry-on has been on hundreds of flights, boats, trains, cars, down dirt and gravel roads. There is not a rip, tear or broken zipper. Even loaded with all my photography equipment weighing in at 40 pounds. She glides through the airport smooth as ever.
A mophie power bank or any power bank [for me] is a must. Most airplanes have outlets, but some do not. I love mophie because it charges fast, it's lightweight, and has both USBC + USBA ports for my charging needs.
When purchasing accessories I try to pick out a bright color so they are easy to find, I have the exact model pictured above, but in blue. I purchased it from Nordstrom for FREE with my AMEX rewards, but I have linked it for sale on Amazon for you.
A fee avoider, I mean a luggage scale.
If you are anything like me, packed to the max and ready for any adventure you want to spend the ten dollars for this luggage scale.
The luggage scale that I have linked for you is small, portable, and it comes with a battery. It may look tiny, but it is capable of holding 110 pounds | 50 kilograms. There is a button to zero the unit and a button to switch from lbs to kgs.
Coming soon: A full list of travel gear I use and recommend from noise cancelling earbuds to AirTags.
Airtags or Other GPS trackers
The first AirTag I purchased was for my puppy dog, Porter. When preparing for van life I thought it would be a great idea to have a tracking device on Porter in case he decided to take a walk in nature all on his own.
After the Heathrow, London airport basically closed with a sea of lost luggage, I went to Apple Store [on my phone] and purchased the four pack. AirTags are now on my backpack, carry-on, checked bag, and attached to my underwater housing.
When there are major events such as thousands losing luggage, knowing what country your luggage is in will help get your bags returned to you quicker.
Side note: Read the fine print for the airline. Typically, if your luggage is lost and you have to buy all new toiletries, clothing, shoes etc the airline has to reimburse you. Some reimburse up to $3,800 USD. Save your receipts !!
Packing your carry-on
What needs to go in your carry-on?
1) Medications
2) Electronics (camera, drone, laptop, DJI Action camera) any item with a lithium battery must go in your carry-on. They cannot go under any air plane, ever.
3) Anything you cannot easily replace or will need for the purpose of your trip: jewelry, sentimental items, prescription glasses, scuba mask, wedding dress, etc.
All of my recommendations here are my own. They are in no way, shape, or form sponsored or paid ads. Some links on this page are affiliate links or referral links. That means when you sign up, I also get rewards points or if you make a purchase I will get a few cents as a reward.