Travel Essentials: Tips & Tricks

We all love to travel and it is so fun to jet-set to a far off places and embrace the cultures around us BUT, we need some supplies. Here's my travel essentials guide, specifically for air plane travel. Down to booking the trip, how to pack, and what to bring on the airplane, I've got you covered

PART ONE: BOOKING & HOW TO PREPARE PRE-FLIGHT:

1) Plan your outfits and pack everything in a carry on! I was in Italy for 8 days and packed everything in a carry on and avoided any extra fees for a checked bag.

2) You don't need as many different shoes as you think, just stick with a neutral heeled shoe, neutral or white sneakers, and any black comfortable shoe and then the pair you wear on the plane. Shoes and other bulky things take up space in your suitcase, so only the essentials!

3) When booking your ticket, try not to book it too far in advance. the best time to book a ticket is supposedly 44 days before the travel day. Book to early and its more expensive and book too late its the same situation, you got to find that sweet spot. I personally book 2 months before so i can stay excited about my trip and still have time to get everything together. There are last minute travel deals of course that break that little rule so check Skyscanner or Booking.com to find deals like that.

4) You do not have to stay at a hotel! Air BnB has made it possible for us to travel for a more affordable price. In Positano, Italy the bread and breakfasts and lower budget Air BnB's were similar prices and on the flip side the hotels were super expensive some Air BnBs (the luxury view kind) were $400.So, in that case for $400, I would pick a hotel with fresh towels and turndown service everyday before I'd pick an air bnb. Research the area you are staying and what makes the most sense for your budget and what gets you more for your buck.

5) Do not be scared of layovers. Sometimes 18+ hour layovers in a different country can be a great thing! Give it a try, it can be a new adventure and the flights with layovers can be a little cheaper as well. I definitely will be giving it a try.

6) I know you are probably wondering "Well that sounds mighty nice but where would I leave my stuff?" There's alot of places now that will store your items for you, you can pay for the day or by the hour. We did when we had a while before our check out of one place and the next check in in Miami and in Italy. Theres BAGBNB and a couple others that have good reviews for safe storage!

7) Ok, this one is about money! Cue Cardi B! Convert your U.S. dollars into whatever currency of the country you are traveling in. We took $200 and converted into euros and used it in places that didn't take card, had fee for using credit cards, snacks and for tipping. Do not assume all places are cashless. The airport near me ( Hartsfield-Jackson) has a service where you can pay online the day before and pick up your converted currency before you walk into security on your travel day.

8) I recently acquired a Visa travel credit card with my bank. It doesn't have an astronomical limit or fees or anything that made me nervous so i went for it. I get points back on purchases and the biggest plus was there was no international fees for using it overseas, so I saved money when I booked train tickets, ferry tickets, and bread and breakfast ahead of time.

9) Map out where you want to go and research transportation before. In Italy it was better to use a White Taxi service and their app then to use an Uber! Ferries and trains are readily available not like here in GA. Then theres good ole fashion walking. See where you may need a taxi or a car service to get you into the heart of the city you are staying in. Make a loose itinerary including transportation so you don't waste one ounce of your vacation!