1. Research ahead of time but don't forget to live in the moment
2. Always bring a foldable weekender bag for all your travel finds
3. Travel with a digital luggage scale to avoid overweight fees (or you can always sneak some things into your boyfriend's much lighter luggage!)
4. Try to get the best deals you can, who wants to waste money? I always book on Expedia, Hotwire and recently found AIRBNB which is a fantastic site to rent apartments for a more local feel
5. Eat where the locals eat. As a foodie, I hate to have a dissapointing meal so ask around and avoid the obvious choices. They may have prime location but chances are you are paying for the scenery...who wants to eat scenery?
6. Book certain excursions online ahead of time to avoid line-ups and wasting the day away. For our Vatican tour in Italy we walked past the line-up of about a thousand people and entered immediately.
7. Sometimes getting lost can be fun. We stumbled across a film festival that had pop-up shops, lounges and local artists. If we had stuck to the map, we wouldn't have had that spontaneous night.
8. Take some time on your own. This doesn't mean wandering off alone at night but if you are in a safer area, read a book in the park one afternoon or walk on the beach to collect seashells while your travel buddies tan or swim. Sometimes you need some time by yourself to take everything in and appreciate the moment.
9. Keep your passport in your hotel safe and be aware of your surroundings. I have heard horror stories about the hassles of losing your passport or being pick-pocketed. The result is money, time, stress and wasted energy. Find a safe place to store everything instead of bringing it with you everywhere. I always bring a cross-body that stays close to my body and limit the things I bring.
10. Keep a journal. This doesnt mean you need to strive for a Nobel prize in literature. I simply find jotting down little things helps me remember everything we did. This comes in handy for suggestions to friends, good wines or restaurants, interesting facts and contact info of people you meet.
Bon Voyage xx
