Travel Planning Archives - Plan to Explore

How to Perfect Travel with Only Your Carry-on Luggage

Plan to Explore — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 21:21:00 +0000

Ahhh packing for a trip, you either love it or you hate it. I love the packing part, and hate unpacking when we get back home. Have you ever tried to pack for a trip with only your carry-on luggage? I love the freedom it can give especially when traveling abroad and being able to roll through customs without waiting at baggage claim.

I’ve compiled my top 5 packing tips on how to travel with just your trusty carry-on bag, all for you below.

Tip #1: Find the right carry-on luggage & packing items

The first step to being able to travel with only a carry-on is finding products to keep your items organized and compact. Below is my basics list with specific recommendations for products detailed out after.

Carry-on luggage basics list:

Carry-on Luggage
Packing Cubes
Toiletry Bag
Quality Backpack

Durable carry-on suitcase

A hard-sided bag is great because it can take a lot of wear and tear. I like that this suitcase has a built-in lock, and practical compartments and pockets inside. It comes in 13 different colors to choose from!

Click here to check out this carry-on luggage

Packing cubes for organizing

Packing cubes are a game-changer, especially these compression cubes. I own this set in grey, and I love how much space they save me in my carry-on luggage! They also help me stay organized. Pro tip – once on your trip use one of the compression bags for your dirty laundry to keep it separate.

Click here to see them on Amazon

Toiletry bag

I recommend using a clear toiletry bag especially when traveling abroad. We’ve had security in both London and Munich request clear bags only!

Quality backpack

A travel backpack is truly essential for me! I use it on the plane, while site-seeing, and even at home. I like the style of this bag and the versatile pockets.

Click here for details and more pictures of this bag

This techy backpack is another great option for those who want to be able to charge on the go. It includes a luggage band on the back so you can slide it onto the handle when you are not wearing it, and a lock. My husband travels with this exact bag.

Check out all the features here

Travel Packing Extras

Man do I love this folding hairdryer! Not only does it save space by folding in half, but it also has dual voltage so you can use it in Europe and the US. A must-have carry-on luggage item!

Buy this essential here

Keep all of your chargers and cords in one neat place with this zip-up cord organizer. You’ll never have to dig to the depths of your bag to charge your phone again.

Tip #2: Make a packing list, then pare it down!

This is definitely the hard part for most travelers. I’ve said to myself many times “but what if I need this item??”

My best advice here is to pare down your outfits by picking clothes that all go together. For example, black, grey, and green can all be intermixed as basics, and you can add a pop of color with your cardigan or jewelry. I lay out possible outfits on my bed and see what works, and typically pick my favorite go-to items because I know I will actually wear them!

For a 1 week trip in the spring or fall (in just a carry-on bag) the clothing items I typically pack are:

5 shirts (including the one you wear on the plane)
2 pairs of jeans and a pair of leggings
2 pairs of shoes (1 in the bag, one on my feet)
1 sweater/cardigan
1 casual dress
1 Jacket (wear this on the plane too)
Pajamas
Socks
Enough underwear for the week

Don’t forget to leave room for essentials items like toiletries, adapters, charging cords, etc.

Pro Tip: Check the weather the week before your travels to really narrow down what you need to pack. Also, research your destination a bit to make sure you have appropriate attire. Bringing heels to a mountain town may not work out well for you.

Tip #3: Pack plane essentials in your backpack

Want maximum comfort on your flight? Make sure you pack essentials in your backpack. I always make sure to have the following items, especially on long flights.

Sanitizing wipes – For years I have wiped down my tray, seat handles, and seatbelt. I swear it’s saved me from so many germs.
Headphones or earbuds – Whether you want to watch entertainment, listen to music, or just drown out the sounds of others these are a must-have.
Eye Mask – Much needed if you want to sleep, or maybe you want to ignore the stranger next to you, just saying. I use my mask at accommodations too.
Ginger Drops – I found these at Target a few years ago and they have saved me from getting nauseous during turbulence. They can also settle your stomach if you drink a little too much, or eat something that doesn’t quite agree with you.
Snacks – Seriously, snacks. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been delayed either on a flight, or waiting on a rental car or taxi, or more. Snacks have saved bad situations from becoming even worse. I like nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and carrot sticks or snap peas.
Refillable water bottle – Staying hydrated is so important while flying. I’ve been on super quick flights where they don’t have time for service, or turbulence cancels service altogether. I can’t stand being overly thirsty! I also use my water bottle all through my trip to save on the cost of bottled water (where it’s safe to do so).

Tip #4: Double check airline regulations

Always check the rules on the airline you plan to book with to see what their luggage regulations entail.

Checking regulations is especially important when it comes to budget airlines or basic economy seats. Some don’t allow more than a backpack on board! You should be able to pay to check a bag in that case, so check the fees there as well. A budget flight can end up not being so budget after all if you have to pay multiple fees!

Want to protect your data while you’re traveling? I highly recommend Surfshark VPN, and have been using it now for years.

A VPN conceals your IP address so hackers cannot access any of your data. I use it in airports, at coffee shops, and even if I want to access a website I’m not sure about!

Click here to check it out!

Tip #5: Travel packing hacks

Over the years I’ve gained a number of travel hacks, especially when it comes to packing! I’m including my top 5 hacks below.

Roll your clothes AND put them in a compression packing cube. You’ll save so much space!
Pack a few dryer sheets in your luggage. Your bag will smell fresh, and you can place a sheet into the bag where you keep your clothes you’ve already worn. Also helps with static!
Use hair ties to bundle up hairdryer or straightener cords. It helps keep cords from tangling around things or flying around in your bag.
Bring a plastic or washable bag or two. You never know if your shoes will get dirty, or your bathing suit will still be wet when it’s time to pack up. I also like to use them to bundle up wine if I plan to check my bag on the way back.
Leave a little room! If you want to bring anything home from your trip, make sure there is at least a tiny space for a special item.

Did you find any new tips to help you travel with only your carry-on luggage? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We really, really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post How to Perfect Travel with Only Your Carry-on Luggage appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Survival Tips for a Road Trip with Toddlers

Plan to Explore — Wed, 04 May 2022 21:00:00 +0000

Are you planning a road trip with small kids soon? Taking a road trip with toddlers can be really fun and really exhausting all at the same time.

Little ones have a lot of energy, so finding ways to give that energy an outlet on the road takes some planning.

I’ve come up with my top tips on how to survive a road trip with toddlers after driving across Texas and New Mexico with my young son. I hope this helps all you mamas, dads, grandparents, or even aunts and uncles out there!

Read on for my 5 tried and true road trip tips, and all of the Amazon links to the items we used to help make planning easy for you! (Clickable links are in gold)

#5 - Plan to stop frequently

Their little bodies are just not able to sit in a car for longer than a 3-4 hour stretch.

Honestly, the ideal time frame to stop for us was between 2-3 hours. I know – that can be a lot of stops on a long road trip.

I did a little research to figure out places along the way to make the stops fun for either him, or us, or both. We stopped at playgrounds, wineries, mega gas stations with souvenirs, and more. We even planned to ONLY drive 3 hours total somedays between overnight stops.

Our trip was 11 hours in total, and we took 3 days to complete it!

Pro Tip: Adding more stops to your trip can be a definite bonus! You’ll get to see locations that you may have never stopped at if you just power through hours and hours on the road. Plan your stops to purposely take you to some cool places and you won’t regret it!

#4 - Bring road trip activities

What keeps your road trip with toddlers sane? Activities!

I purchased an activity tray for our son’s car seat so he could have a “play space” in the car. The one I selected had pockets on the side, a dry erase surface, and a pocket for an iPad. Click here to check it out on Amazon!

Items that we brought along: (Click on any of items below to check them out on Amazon!)

Mini playdoh set – I like the travel sets that have a container to keep it all in.
Stickers – lots of random stickers!
Crayons – we brought the twistable ones to make it interesting.
Blank notebook to color in, and so you don’t have paper flying everywhere.
Water pen coloring books. Have you seen these? So cool!
Toy cars (could also bring dolls, dinosaurs, stuffed animals, etc)
Skinny dry erase markers with an eraser tip – for that activity tray
Sticker activity book – this particular one was a hit with my kiddo!
And….an iPad with headphones. We like these headphones that come in lots of colors and are really comfortable.

If you can make it through a really long road trip without an iPad, major major props to you. If your child does not sleep at all in the car like ours, we found having a variety of options was best.

Pro Tip: If there is space in the backseat, alternate sitting in the back with your kid(s)! They will enjoy the personal playtime or storytime with you in the car

#3 - Make their space comfortable

No one wants a cranky and uncomfortable toddler.

We started by taking his car seat out of the car before our trip and cleaned the entire thing. He had a fresh seat for the start of our trip.

Next, we made sure we had a way to shade the window. A lightweight and foldable window shade cling works well and can be put in the seatback pocket when not in use. We also brought an extra light blanket to hang if we needed extra shade.

Last, we had him pick his favorite comfort item to keep nearby or in his seat, and I even found a little mini-pillow so we could prop up his feet or he could rest his head.

Pro Tip: You can even bring and hang up a portable sound machine from the hanger hook in the car to help give a calm environment. This one has come with us on every single trip since our son was born and it’s well worth it! Makes me want a nap in the backseat!

#2 - Toddler portable potty

If your little one is in the throws of potty training – first of all – cheers to you because this can be one of the most challenging moments in parenting life!

For a road trip with toddlers who are potty training, some type of mini potty is essential. It allowed him to tell us when he needed to go and we could pull over somewhere safely so he could use it, all without having to find a public restroom. When you are traveling through West Texas, let me tell you, rest stops and public restrooms are few and far between!

Even while we were at our destination we hauled that mini toddler potty around with us in the car and to different spaces. The familiarity even though he was in a different environment helped keep him on track!

Pro Tip: Give your child some grace if potty training regresses. They may have some stress from traveling, need time to adjust to a different time zone, etc. Make sure to take the time to show them where the potty is and how to alert you they need help, and even get them excited to use a new bathroom space.

We like a potty that has a removable insert for easy dumping and cleaning like this one!

#1 - Toddler friendly snacks. All the snacks.

If you are a parent, this pretty much goes without saying!

For a long trip, variety in your toddler friendly snacks is key. Here are some of my road trip with toddlers snack ideas (assuming you will have a cooler for some of these):

Bars like Larabar or Kind bars
Pre-washed fruit or veggies ready to go
String cheese or other snack cheese
Yogurt pouches or tubes
Dried fruits and nuts, or trail mix. We love dried mango, cashews, and cherries!
Salty/crunchy snack favorites like pretzels, goldfish, triscuits, nut crackers, etc.
We kept all of our road trip items cold in this amazing Yeti Cooler.

Pro Tip: Make some muffins ahead of time and bring them with you! If we were off schedule in the morning, we all ate muffins in the car. They can even be a late afternoon pick me up for them (and honestly us too)! I made the muffins and froze them a month in advance. Yes because I’m a crazy planner.

Did these road trip with toddlers survival tips help you?

I don’t know about you, but I think the more ideas for entertaining a toddler the better!

Do you have any helpful tips that I missed? Comment below, I would love extra ideas!

The post Survival Tips for a Road Trip with Toddlers appeared first on Plan to Explore.

7 Easy Ways to Save Money and Budget for Travel

Plan to Explore — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 20:17:00 +0000

Sometimes saving and creating a budget for travel can seem a little overwhelming.

I wish I could go back in time and give myself permission to put a little money towards travel when I was younger. Life responsibilities can understandably take top priority oftentimes.

I’ve created a list of my top 7 tips to first save a little cash, as well as how to budget for that next trip you’ve been dreaming of broken down into two sections. If you think saving for travel is impossible, give some of my tips below a try.

Travel Savings Tips

1. Follow the 1% savings rule

Have you ever heard of the 10% rule when it comes to savings?

It’s something that financial advisors recommend to help easily save. You set up an automatic transfer from your checking to savings monthly and pretty much act like that money is just not available to spend.

If you are saving for travel whether it be a small trip or a big one, setting a budget for travel can begin with setting up an automatic transfer. For travel savings, I think that a 1% rule is more attainable.

2. Cut out small expenses

We all love those little indulgences from time to time, or maybe even frequently.

If you already have a tight budget and wonder how you can save a little extra for travel, try cutting out or reducing extras. My biggest weakness for spending is walking into Marshall’s or TJMaxx and coming out with things “I never knew I needed.” Can you relate?

I’ve included a few budget savings ideas below to give you some inspiration.

Getting your nails done – skip getting your nails done, or paint them at home. Save the salon visits for special occasions.
Buying coffee at a coffee shop – Making coffee at home can save you sooo much per year.
Eating lunch or dinner out multiple times a week – Keep things interesting cooking at home by trying new recipes, or keep it simple with repeat recipes that you love. Think Taco Tuesday or Pizza Friday to make the decision making and grocery list simple.
Excess shopping – set a budget for yourself monthly and don’t go over that amount.
Cable TV – Nowadays there are so many streaming services that help save money. Ditch the high monthly cable bill and try something like Sling, Hulu, or Netflix. Already an Amazon Prime member? You can watch Prime TV for free.
Gym Memberships – With so many free workouts available on YouTube, you can have a personal workout for free in your living room. Make a one time purchase and invest in some free weights, a mat, and maybe exercise bands and go for it! I love workout videos by Popsugar Fitness and Tone It Up.
Check your Insurance costs – Remember to check and compare insurance costs yearly, not only with health insurance but with car and homeowners insurance as well.

3. Use travel credit cards to your advantage

Have you ever heard of a term called “travel hacking?”

I won’t go into serious detail in this post, but it’s basically a way to responsibly use credit cards to earn travel rewards or points to your advantage.

Many travel credit cards offer sign-up bonuses that give a large number of points, and any dollar spent then earns points on top of that. We use a points card for all of our everyday expenses and then pay it off, in full, each month.

There are lots of choices when it comes to cards, I recommend doing some research to find the best fit for you if you plan to open a card. I like The Points Guy for their card comparisons and in-depth reviews.

Disclaimer: Credit cards are an easy way to rack up debt. Use the card for expenses you already have, not for going on a shopping spree.

4. Use a travel piggy bank

This is the easiest travel savings tip of all! Also, who doesn’t love a cute piggy bank?

Find a cute piggy bank, or jar, or whatever container you prefer. Whenever you buy something with cash and have change, bring it home and place it in the container. Family members send you cash in a card? Put it in the jar. You get the idea.

Budget for Travel Tips

5. Research travel costs

Maybe you don’t have the same passion for travel research as I do, but it can be a really helpful tool.

Grab a glass of wine and your computer and spend a little time looking at costs in locations you are considering traveling to. Pinterest is a GREAT resource for this! Some bloggers include travel costs that they incurred while traveling in their posts. Click here to view my Pinterest profile which includes tons of pins for different locations that lead to blog posts.

Make sure to look at Airbnb, Trip Advisor, and Booking.com to check accommodation and tour prices. I use Skyscanner, Momondo, and Google Flights to check and track flight prices. I often track flight prices for a month or longer to see the trends and then jump on a price I feel is low when it pops up. I also sign up for tools like Scott’s Cheap Flights (now Going) to get deals emailed directly to my inbox.

Last but not least, I have created a FREE Travel Itinerary and Budget Planning Spreadsheet for you to download and use. Just add your info below so you can get started on your budget for travel now!

6. Choose "budget" destinations

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive – there are so many travel destinations that are budget friendly.

After my last trip to Europe, I have fallen in love with Eastern Europe. Countries like Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Romania, and Bulgaria have historic and beautiful cities and landscapes at a much more affordable price tag. You can even save money by going to lesser known towns in countries like Italy, Spain, and France.

In Asia check out Vietnam, Thailand, or Taiwan instead of places like Japan, Singapore, or Hong Kong.

If you are traveling to or in the USA, instead of NYC, LA, or Chicago, check out travel destinations like Santa Fe, Nashville, or Charleston.

I also find value in going to smaller towns or villages, or out to the countryside. This is a good way to really see the culture and way people live (and spend less too – cities are usually more expensive!).

Pinterest is a great resource for researching destinations too!

7. Find lower cost accommodations

Accommodations are one of the things I love to research the most. Who doesn’t love to look at cute spots across the world?? Just me?

There are so many great options now outside of your typical chain hotel!

My first recommendation is to check Airbnb. With accommodations ranging from airstream trailers to treehouses to condos to entire homes, the options are endless and often times really affordable.

I also love to filter accommodations on Trip Advisor or Booking.com to show me just B&B’s. Not the vintage decor, shared bathroom experience you are thinking of, a lot of B&B’s in Europe are really boutique hotels. We have had some of the best experiences in places like this. The owners are usually super friendly and helpful, and the breakfasts are local and delicious. Check it out below!

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

I don't have specific dates yet

Budget for travel final tips

I hope these tips help you stash away a little bit more towards your budget for travel.

Maybe cash is really tight for you and saving doesn’t seem like a possibility. Consider keeping it local and discovering a new part of town you’ve never been to, or a small town that’s close by. In the end, saving and traveling doesn’t have to be about a big trip abroad.

If you are saving for a trip abroad – look at those countries off the beaten track to help your budget stretch further and do your research to help save!

Did this budget for travel and travel savings guide help you? Comment below and let me know!

The post 7 Easy Ways to Save Money and Budget for Travel appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Don’t Miss These 5 Simple Steps to Research and Plan Travel

Plan to Explore — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 21:09:54 +0000

Do you love or hate to plan travel? It seems like most people are in one of the two camps. Personally, I love the travel planning and research process and spend far too much time doing so.

This guide will give you 5 easy steps to follow to plan a trip whether you love planning or not, including the tools I use to make the process efficient. Read on!

1. Pick the Destination for you....or not?!

Who doesn’t love dreaming about their next travel destination? Sometimes it’s easy to make the decision, you’ve been dreaming of Paris for the croissants and cheese or Spain for the wine and paella.

I sometimes have a hard time deciding when I plan travel because I want to go everywhere. Someone mentions a country and I say, “I would love to go there!” Here are my tips for either scenario.

Don’t have a specific destination in mind?

Pick your spot based on the best deal! Sign up for a site like Dollar Flight Club or Scott’s Cheap Flights. They will email you ideas for destinations, based on cheap flights available from your airport!
Check out the Explore tab on Kayak to see a full map of where there are good flight deals.
Use a travel quiz like this one on the travel channel or this one from Condé Nast. The quiz asks your preferences, and gives you a matching destination.

Know where you want to go?

Do a little bit of research and find out the best time of year to travel to a location. I like to go during “shoulder season” to any given location (for Europe shoulder season would be April/May or September/October). Typically this can make your trip a little more affordable.
Check for local holidays or vacation seasons for locals, especially if going to another country. Some areas close down for the month of August so the locals can go vacation elsewhere, for example!

2. Book Flights

Next up, book those flights! But, how do you know where to book them and when to book them? Here are steps and top tips:

Set up flight trackers. If you have a destination and date in mind set up a flight tracker or two. Watch the prices for a few weeks to see the trends. and buy when you see a good price! I like Goggle flights to track.
Is there a “perfect” window to book within? For domestic travel you’ll typically get the best deals if you book within 1-3 months before travel. For international travel it’s typically 6-8 months out, but can vary.
Do the same as I mentioned above and use Dollar Flight Club or Scott’s Cheap Flights, to keep an eye out for a deal for your top spot! Don’t rule out a neighboring city if it gets your close to your spot for a budget price!

3. Plan Things To Do

Ok, now you can plan travel at the destination you’ve chosen!

Start with where your interests lie. Do you love hikes? Fine the best hikes in the area. Love wine? Pick out a few great wineries. This can be as loose or as structured as you want. I love a spreadsheet personally to get down all my ideas! (grab my spreadsheet to use below!)

I always recommend finding 2-3 activities you want to do each day, and then factor in lots of cushion time to just enjoy a location or wander. Pinterest is a great research for “things to do” ideas. Click here to check out my Pinterest boards!

Want the easy route? Find a great tour to sign up for. I love a good walking tour or food tour to see the lay of the land and learn something new.

Check out Get Your Guide for tours in any city!

4. Book Transportation & Attractions

Don’t forgot to get an idea of how you will move from place to place, and to book any popular attractions in advance!

Transportation: One thing that I always research before getting to a location is how I will I get from the airport to my accommodation. Sometimes grabbing a taxi or a Lyft/Uber saves a lot of stress over public transport. If you are traveling abroad, you may need to book train tickets ahead of time particularly when moving between countries. I like to use Rome2Rio to check out routes.
Attractions: Do check to see if the attraction you’ve been dying to see requires reservations in advance. This could be a museum you’ve always wanted to visit, that Michelin star restaurant you want to eat at, or a scenic river cruise or train ride to see the scenery. Nothing is as disappointing as showing up during your trip and not being able to visit the spot you dreamed of!

5. Make a Packing List

Are you a minimalist when it comes to packing, or do you love to bring half your closet? I am more so in the middle, but usually force myself to cut down my choices. Here are my tips on deciding what to pack:

Pick out clothes that can all go together. For example go with a color scheme like black, grey, and green. You can intermix items acorss multiple days to make it look like you packed a lot but didn’t really have to.
Check the weather at your destination a few days before your trip. Do you really need that sweater if it’s going to be swimming weather? Maybe not.
Decide which shoes are appropriate. High heels are beautiful, but if there are cobblestone streets you’ll probably regret that choice. I typically take 2 pairs of shoes if I’m traveling with a carry-on only. (the shoes I’m wearing and one more pair packed)
Bring 1 or 2 statement pieces of jewelry only, the rest can stay home.

What are the things you do to plan travel? Let me know in the comments!

Recap of the tools I use:

Flight Tracker: Google Flights
Flight Deals: Dollar Flight Club & Scott’s Cheap Flights
Transportation routes: Rome2Rio
Things To Do: Pinterest!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. I really, really appreciate your support and could not continue this blog without you!

The post Don’t Miss These 5 Simple Steps to Research and Plan Travel appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Top 5 Travel Gifts the Traveler in Your Life Needs

Plan to Explore — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 20:15:59 +0000

I really love giving and receiving travel gifts, because I truly think it’s the gift that keeps on giving. With travel on hold this year, I’m preparing myself to travel abroad as soon as it’s safe again, which includes making sure I have good travel gear!

It’s almost that time of year again! Either you love to buy gifts and already have things in mind, or you’re like me and have yet to get started. Sigh.

Don’t worry – I have a great list in store that any traveler is sure to love.

My top 5 travel gifts list should give you some inspiration – and even better yet – all of these gifts are on Amazon so you can shop from the comfort of your home.

Read on till the end for my bonus gift ideas too!

1. Carry-0n Suitcase or Backpack

Hard-sided Luggage

To travel anywhere, you need a suitcase. I did not love hard-sided versions at first, but after traveling with one on my last trip I have been converted. They can withstand a lot of use and supposedly this one does not scratch.

I like the Samsonite Winfield hard-sided luggage with spinner wheels because:

1. The color is unique. Ever been at the baggage claim and had trouble recognizing your own bag? (It comes in other colors too)

2. It has a built-in TSA approved lock. This is especially helpful if you like to lock valuables in your suitcase at your hotel for the day.

This suitcase will fit almost all overhead bins, but make sure to read the airline guidelines before flying.

Some small airlines, have strict policies and only allow one item one the plane, like Easy Jet and Ryan Air.

Luggage Backpack

Ok, so technically this makes 2 items not one but I had to add it!

We traveled around Europe twice with this exact backpack – the eBags Mother Lode Weekender. eBags has packing figured out.

1. There are SO many pockets for organization. My dream!

2. If you are hopping from city to city, this bag makes train and bus travel and walking easy. No roller bags getting tripped up over cobblestones with this baby.

2. Packing Cubes

Ok – this is a good one!!

I LOVE packing cubes, and these Bagail Compression Packing Cubes are special. See how flat they look? That’s because there’s a secondary zipper that compresses your clothes after you pack them in the cube!

I tried them on my trip last fall to Budapest, and I packed for a week in one carry-on suitcase. Definitely a must-have item!

3. Organized Travel Wallet

Are you sensing a theme here? I like to be organized because it makes my travel experience a little less stressful.

This wallet is no exception! The biggest thing I love about a travel wallet like this Zoppen RFID Blocking Travel Wallet – you can fit your boarding passes and passport right inside. No confusion!

I received this wallet for Christmas last year and really like it.

It comes in so many great colors too!

4. Travel Purse (Backpack)

I like a multi-purpose bag. This is not a super expensive one, but I like the versatility. I also like the stylish color.

1. You can wear this as a backpack, or as a shoulder bag if you’re on a subway or train to keep it close.

2. I like the pockets on the side for a water bottle and the hidden zipper pocket on the back for your phone or wallet.

Click here to check it out!

5. Airline & Airbnb Gift Cards

Did you know this was a thing?!?

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I am an Airbnb fan. I’ve stayed at a number of apartments or full homes and had great experiences.

I LOVE this idea and would be a happy recipient of this gift card, wouldn’t you?

Click here to pick one of these up on Amazon!

BONUS - 3 More Gift Ideas

1. Lonely Planet Travel Guide

Does the traveler in your life have a few future destinations in mind already? Or do you have a few in mind for your family?

I love a travel guide as a gift because it’s something tangible to read, and you get to learn all about a new destination(s).

Lonely Planet Road Trip Guide is especially fitting this year as all of us stay closer to home!

2. Travel Luggage Tags

A nice luggage tag is always a good gift for a traveler, and these are definitely a winner! There are even more fun options if you click to see the Eccolo World Traveler Luggage Tags on Amazon.

If I am traveling with a common suitcase color, I use my unique luggage tag to set my bag apart. Why not a blue suitcase AND a colorful luggage tag though? No mistaking that combo at baggage claim, haha.

3. Travel Adapters

This idea is a bit practical but necessary for travel abroad.

Personally, I like to have at least 3 for the country I’m visiting so I don’t have to constantly switch between devices. These adapters are worldwide, so every country should be covered!

Don’t forget about voltage! I talk about this in my Helpful Tips for Europe Travel You Need to Know.

I hope my top 5 travel gifts help with your gift giving this year! Tell me in the comments which gift you would love!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links (we appreciate your support so we can keep writing awesome content), at no additional cost to you.

The post Top 5 Travel Gifts the Traveler in Your Life Needs appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Tips You Need to Know for Your First RV Rental Trip

Plan to Explore — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 01:52:32 +0000

Road trip! What do those words mean to you? To me it used to mean hours and hours on the road, barely stopping to eat, or pee for that matter, all to get to an end destination. What if the road trip was a part of your vacation instead of just the means to get there? In comes the RV road trip, and RV rental, ever-growing in popularity over the past few years. It’s not just for retirees anymore!

Planning an RV road trip requires a few more steps and a bit more preparedness. I’ve compiled my list of the top tips you need to know to book your RV rental and plan your road trip, so read on friends!

Tip #1: What kind of RV should you rent?

Choosing the most ideal RV or travel trailer for your trip takes some thought.

There are a number of factors to consider before you select your rental RV:

What size group are you traveling with? Solo, as a couple, as a family? This can help determine whether you can rent a van, travel trailer, or full-on motorhome.
Is your vehicle big enough, does it have the towing capacity to pull a travel trailer, and will you need a trailer brake installed? If this doesn’t sound like the option for you, you’ll want to go the motorhome/van/pop up trailer route.
What accommodations do you prefer? Are you ok with just a tent on wheels basically, or do you want a shower and toilet?
Would you like to stay at RV parks with full hookups, or “boondock” out in the wilderness? If you want to be out in the wilderness your rig could possibly need solar, propane and/or a generator. You’ll also want a big enough freshwater tank for the duration of your stay.

Let me lay out our situation as well, so you can see the choices we made. We have a family of three – two adults, one child. We opted for a towable travel trailer and made sure the towing capacity on our SUV was enough for the gross weight of the trailer.

The RV rental we chose has a full bed, small kitchen area and table, two bunk beds, and a full bathroom. It was important to us as parents of a small child to have those conveniences.

Quick summary of what you need to know before you search/book:

The towing capacity and towing package of your vehicle
Size and type of RV/travel trailer you prefer
Dates you want to take your trip and where you plan to travel to. (check to see if the owners charge a fee for milage, ours did not)

Tip #2 Where to book your RV Rental

RV rental services make it easy to look for and book your next RV trip.

I think it’s so cool that you can now rent an RV just like you can rent a house or apartment on Airbnb!

There are two major players in this peer-to-peer RV rental space, Outdoorsy and RVshare. You could also search for smaller services in your hometown. Overall I found our experience on Outdoorsy to be a pretty easy one.

Be aware that the cost per night on each listing may not include the insurance that you’ll need to purchase to cover the rental while you drive it around. Outdoorsy offers roadside assistance as a part of that insurance coverage.

I’ve included links to both below so you can do your own research between the two:

Outdoorsy – Click to browse and if you book a trip receive $50 off with this link!

RVshare – Click to browse their listings.

Remember that every rental experience may be different since these are peer-to-peer rentals. It doesn’t hurt to read the reviews of the owner you plan to rent from just to be sure it seems like a good situation!

Tip #3 Planning your RV route

Well, this seems easy right? Plugin my destinations on Google maps and away we go! You may want to think again.

First, depending on the size of your RV you’ll want to figure out if the route you’re traversing is on RV friendly roads. You could be taking a route that leads you through low bridges, low water crossings, mountain passes, or more.

RV Route App: RV Trip Wizard

Second, how far are you willing to drive each day and where are you going to stop? If you want to stay at RV parks, I recommend doing a little research to check how other RV’ers rated them, and whether they have availability on the date you need. Weekends tend to book up quicker than weekdays.

RV Park/Boondocking Land Apps:

Bonus App: Want to get an idea of the fun things to do along your route? Check out Roadtripper!

*Boondocking and BLM Land: Boondocking is when you park your rig out on land with no hookups or amenities. Land like this is sometimes managed by and called the Bureau of Land Management. So if you see those terms in an app or YouTube video, now you’ll know!

Tip #4 Familiarize yourself with your RV rental

Another important piece of “RV life” are the systems and hookups you’ll want to know how to use.

Important items on an RV typically include:

30 or 50 amp electric
Gray water and black water tanks and hoses
Freshwater connections
Leveling the RV while parked

There are so many free videos on Youtube that walk you through some of these items and how to use them. I’ll include a few links below for the YouTuber’s we watched:

Keep Your Daydream – Full-time RV family with great banter and lots of good content. They have bought and used a number of rigs over the years, so they could offer advice on different levels. You may just binge watch their episodes.

Drivin’ and Vibin’ – Also full-time RV’ers who started with a smaller rig and then upgraded. They have great quick informational videos. They prefer to boondock (park at free spots without any hookups) so if that sounds up your alley, they will have the content for you.

Tip #5 RV packing list top tips

So now that you have your RV booked, and your route planned. What do you need to bring?

Since these RV rentals are similar to a platform like Airbnb, most will come with a number of supplies ready to go. Common items included are plates, silverware, sheets, towels, utensils, and camping chairs. Make sure to check the listing or ask the owner questions if it’s not clear.

Here are some of my top ideas to pack for your trip to make things a bit easier on the road.

Plastic bins – we used bins for our shoes, kids toys, and other items we wanted to keep contained. When we were on the road, they easily stowed away under the table area.
Easy to make or pre-made food – Bring along foods that are easy to make on a small two-burner stove top with barely any counter space. Foods that you can grill or cook on the campfire are great too. Don’t forget plenty of car snacks!
Water – Campground and state or national park water isn’t always the best. I would bring a water filtration container to keep on the table or in the fridge that you can refill. Maybe even a couple of bottles of water for back up.
Extra cooler – Whether it’s for beer and wine, or your favorite cold foods that RV fridge space can be small. Just make sure to bring that cooler in at night, unless you love critters or bears.
Eye mask – If your neighbor’s outdoor lights are shining in the window, or you just prefer to not wake up with the sun, eye masks are essential.

These are just a few of the ideas that we found helpful, and definitely doesn’t cover our whole list!

Where are you heading with you RV rental? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Tips You Need to Know for Your First RV Rental Trip appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Travel From Home – Your Easy Guide to Planning a Fun Day

Plan to Explore — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 01:55:47 +0000

The travel bug is strong over here, and when my trip to Ireland was cancelled, I had to find a way to brighten my spirits. Maybe you are saving money for that next big trip, just had a baby and travel is not an option, or just don’t have the means to travel. I’m here to give you some fun ideas on how to “travel from home,” and feel like you were whisked away to another location without ever leaving.

Below are my five easy steps to plan your own travel from home day of fun.

1. Pick a location

Obviously the physical location would be your home or a friend/family member’s home. What I mean by location is where would you love to travel to, but can’t? In my case, Ireland was fresh on my heart and mind.

Other ideas on how to select a destination:

Pick your favorite travel location you’ve already been to, so you can reminisce about your past adventures!
Find out the location someone in your family, or a friend, is dreaming of and organize around their destination.
Spin the globe close your eyes and choose a random location!

Location ideas if you aren’t quite sure (just a few locations that would be easy to plan for):

Italy, France, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Jamaica, Brazil

There are endless locations you could come up with ideas for, but these are just a quick few.

2. Set the scene

I love to make a party festive! I usually go way overboard on food and somehow think there won’t be enough. Every. Single. Time.

To decorate or create your theme think of colors or items that are commonly associated with your destination. I took inspiration from the Irish flag and used orange, white, and green everywhere.

The only items I purchased to decorate with were flag banners, orange cloth napkins, a green and white table runner, and some inexpensive orange flowers at the grocery store. Pretty simple right?

3. Find and make authentic recipes

Food – the most important part of the travel from home experience! I love using Pinterest to get ideas for recipes. Click here to check out my Travel Recipes Board with tons of ideas just for you.

On the menu during our travel day:

Dublin Coddle – made with bratwurst, bacon, potatoes, onions, chicken stock and beer (had to be beer in it!)
Irish Soda Bread – made from scratch by my Husband
Shortbread Cookies – my mom gets the credit here!

Want to be friends? Follow me on Social Media!

4. Pair with a beverage (alcohol optional)

Irish whiskey and beer were on my list of must-try items in Ireland. We created a full tasting of both with the following beverages:

2 Irish Whiskeys – Tullamore Dew and Bushmill’s.
3 Irish Beers – including a lager, red, and stout.

All were easily found at our local liquor store in Texas! We spaced out our tastings throughout the day and alternated a small taste of whiskey with a pint of beer. Made it feel like we were pub hopping in Dublin…well at least a little bit.

5. Activity Ideas

What makes travel from home complete? A few fun activities! Here are some more ideas on how to add to your travel from home theme and have a fun time.

Wear the colors of that country or destination – like us cool kids pictured above.
Watch a movie filmed in that area, or with a storyline that features the country.
Create or find a game of trivia on that destination.
Play traditional music.
Watch travel vlogs on YouTube of others who traveled to the destination (live vicariously, or start planning your future trip there!).
Break out old travel photos and go through them.
Get yourself a travel guide from that city. I’m a nerd and love to read travel guides, if you do too, my favorite is Lonely Planet. Click to check out their selection of travel guides worldwide!

Overall, the day was fun to plan and easy to accomplish. I might even start to make it a tradition whenever we miss travel! I do hope to make it to Ireland at some point, and if you want to hear all about it, make sure to follow me or subscribe!

What ideas have you tried to enjoy "travel from home?" Let me know in the comments!

The post Travel From Home – Your Easy Guide to Planning a Fun Day appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Ideas to Cure Your Wanderlust While Stuck at Home

Plan to Explore — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 01:51:27 +0000

We all have times when travel just isn’t possible and wanderlust hits.

Maybe you’re saving for a big trip far in the future, you aren’t in the season of life for lots of travel, or are mandated to stay home by the government (enter COVID-19), there are ways to cure that wanderlust from the comfort of your couch. I’m sharing my top six ideas with you!

Plan Future Travels

Pull out your bucket list and start planning that next trip, whether it’s months away or next year.

Here’s how I plan a trip:

Based on the month you want to travel, which location on your list would be best to visit? Weather, events and costs can factor into this.
Research flight costs for various date combinations and locations. Check Skyscanner for flight options. Did you know they have a “cheapest month” search option? Enter the destination and select to see which month is most affordable.
What are the costs in that location during that time. Is it high season, or off-season, or somewhere in between?
Search TripAdvisor to read reviews, Airbnb to check affordable accommodations and experiences, and Booking.com for hotel options.
Use an itinerary and budget spreadsheet to track everything! I’ve created a free version for you to use, just fill in your info below and I’ll email it too you!

Binge Travel Vloggers or TV Series

There are so many options here to help cure (or fuel) your wanderlust!

I’ve watched a LOT of travel related YouTube or TV series. Below are the ones I love.

TV Series/Documentaries:

Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) – If you like quirky humor, this is the series for you. A Jewish New Yorker, Phil travels the world tasting the food of different cultures. As a writer on both Everybody Loves Raymond and Coach, he keeps you laughing at his awkward and curious encounters.
Departures (Netflix) – This docu-series follows the travels of 3 Canadians abroad. They travel to remote locations on a budget and learn a lot of lessons along the way.
SOMM – (Hulu/Netflix) Love wine and travel? SOMM follows sommelier hopefuls as they prepare to take the test. You’ll be transported to different wine regions across the world as they taste test. They are also two follow up documentaries with different focuses around wine.

YouTube Travel Vloggers:

Kara and Nate – This inspirational couple sold everything to travel the world over 4 years ago and recently hit their goal of visiting 100 countries. Start form the beginning or their travels and you’ll have days, maybe even weeks, of content to watch.
Endless Adventure – Much like Kara and Nate they are full time world travelers. Their vlogging focuses on food and fun in locations across the world. I like their fun and down to earth personalities.
Vagabrothers – Some of the original travelers on YouTube, they have a LOT of content, and focus on the history and best places to visit in each location. Quality video production and information. You’ll feel like you are really learning something watching their videos.
Iz & Johnny Harris – Two separate channels, but both equally interesting. They are true videographers by trade and work for Eater and Vox. They cover their travels as well as other topics.
The Abundant Traveler – Looking for laid-back luxury travel inspiration? Kim videos her travels and gives great advice on what you need to know before you go. She’s visited over 60 countries and previously lived abroad.

Set up Flight Price Trackers

Why not set yourself up to save while you wait to book your next travels? This is one of my favorite “travel hacks” to help you save money.

I highly recommend setting these up for any travel you plan to book. Here is my process:

Make a list of a few destinations you would love to travel to, and a few date options in the future.
Visit Skyscanner, and Google Flights to set up trackers for your options.
Wait and watch the price trends over a month or so.

I recently set up a tracker for Austin – Buffalo, you would think this is a cheap flight but it’s not between these two cities. The prices hovered around the same price for about 4 weeks, and then all of a sudden dropped $70/ticket. my email alert let me know it was time to buy!

Visit Skyscanner – my favorite tracker tool

Cook International Foods

I love experimenting with new recipes, and a travel themed dinner night is right up my alley. Here are some ideas on how to make an International night at home happen:

Make a meal that reminds you of travel, or inspires you for future travel. We love to make pasta like we had in Rome, or Ramen that we would love to try in Japan. I constantly use Pinterest for food inspiration, and created a travel food board for you to browse through – click here!
Find a movie or show that includes that region. Examples are Eat, Pray, Love, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, or Godzilla.
Pair with wine, sake, beer or a mocktail with flavors from that area.

Pinterest Travel Recipe Board

Read Travel Guides or Books

I love a travel guide, honestly they are my most preferred type of reading (I also love cookbooks…you’re probably not surprised).

I have purchased travel guides on a particular area when I don’t even have a trip planned, just to learn about the area and things to do. They are easy to read, give a little history and offer tips on the destination – all things I love.

My go-to travel guide has been and will continue to be Lonely Planet. I love their pocket guides especially for travel, but their larger guides are great as well. My Dad even received a huge Australia picture book for Christmas that was super cool. Definitely check out their site because they have a lot more to offer than just your typical guide.

Buy your essential Lonely Planet Guide here!

Make a Travel Photo Album

Whether it’s finally organizing all of your travel photos in a folder on Google Drive, or making a physical photo album, this is a great way to relive travel.

I have so many scrapbooks I’m “going to get to” or photo albums I say I’ll get around to ordering. Photos are a great way to bring back fun and positive memories, or maybe even laugh at travel woes in the past.

There are many options out there, but I have personally used Shutterfly for creating albums.

Photo Tip: To help cut down on excess photos while traveling or at home, take a few minutes every night to delete the pictures you don’t want forever from your phone. When you go to order an album it will be a lot easier to sort through.

Did these ideas help cure your wanderlust? Let me know which one you tried out in the comments below!

The post Ideas to Cure Your Wanderlust While Stuck at Home appeared first on Plan to Explore.

3 Emerging Travel Trends You’ll Want to Know

Plan to Explore — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:07:21 +0000

Travel trends are something I love to pay attention to and when I hear fresh ideas – I want to share them with you!

I recently attended a women’s travel conference in NYC where we came together for two days to talk about all things travel related. These women are living travel and their passion and excitement is an inspiration.

Let’s get to the top 3 travel trends I took away from that conference, and I hope you feel inspired too!

1. Wellness Travel Trends

If you haven’t noticed this trend, it’s definitely growing. The most prominent wellness trend being yoga retreats, but there are other options as well that you may not have heard of.

Wellness Sabbatical – Super stressed out at work and need to getaway? The wellness sabbatical is a growing trend. Take a week or two and visit a resort that’s far-flung and lets you just get away from it all.

Plant-Based Retreat – If you’re feeling like you want a health re-set this may be for you. Typically the only food offered is truly healthy, so there is no option to pick the french fries.

Yoga or Fitness Retreat – A fast-growing trend, many are opting for a vacation to optimize their wellness with yoga or exercise. There are so many available locations you could a yoga retreat locally, nationally or internationally.

Pro Tips for Wellness (for any traveler): Remember to stay hydrated and take vitamins while traveling. A few ideas I received from fellow travelers at my conference – take Pedialyte packets to rehydrate on long travel days, and bring plant-based nutritional shakes (in powder form) so you can easily shake one up for a quick healthy meal.

Want to be friends? Follow me on Social Media!

Wellness Retreat Inspiration

Does a wellness retreat sound like just the thing you need? Get some inspiration from the following destinations and book yourself that much-needed escape.

Retreat on the Island of Amorgos, Greece – Aegialis Hotel & Spa: Y’all, this place is amazing. Whether you want a yoga experience or just a wellness getaway, this is a beautiful location on a less traveled Greek island. With free access to all spa amenities, sea views, and a Greek breakfast included, Aegialis offers you some major perks. Oh, and it’s also walking distance to the beach. (seriously click on this one if only to see the pictures of the view!)

Retreat in Costa Rica – Kinkara Luxury Retreat: Luxury camping surrounded by the beauty of nature. This is a true escape from the hustle and bustle. Experiences include hiking to jaw-dropping waterfalls, swimming in natural swimming holes, and a sweat lodge. Food is locally sourced so you can properly refuel your body. Click here to book this getaway!

Retreat in Morocco – Paradis Plage Surf Yoga & Spa: A retreat in Morocco that offers surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and yoga? Yes, please. Modern, well-designed accommodations and healthy cuisine make this a great spot. Another plus if you have kids – they can tag along and spend time at the kid’s club that offers beach games and movie sessions. A retreat for the whole family! Click here to book this one.

If you're looking for more wellness ideas, Get Your Guide has some great experiences. Click below!

2. Safety Travel Trends

Safety has always been a focus with travel, so that’s nothing new. What is new are travel advancements and technology. I’ll also share a few tips to think about, especially when traveling solo.

Ride Share Apps – One of the speakers at Women’s Travel Fest was a safety advisor at Uber (also a former cop and sexual crimes detective). They have been working on great advancements in their technology including RideCheck. Some of the features include pin verification, reporting an issue (either with the driver or another passenger) while you’re still in the car, and allowing female drivers to select female passengers at night especially in some countries.

The Beacon – This is a cool tool for your travel arsenal. What looks like a car remote, the beacon has a flashlight, a strobe light, a loud alarm, and a silent alert that will send your exact location to a pre-set list of contacts. It really offers peace of mind especially if you are a solo traveler. Check it out here!

Pro Tips for Safety:

Know someone’s phone number – in the day and age of smartphones, do you have anyone’s number memorized anymore? You never know when you might need it.
Be aware of your surroundings – I’m not telling you to be paranoid, but just be aware. Those who look scattered and distracted are more commonly the victims of a crime. Prepare yourself a bit by knowing where you are and following your intuition. If something in your gut tells you the situation doesn’t feel right, follow that feeling.
Solo traveler safety – bring a doorstop with you. If you have ever worried about someone being able to get into your room, a doorstop on the inside of the door can help give you peace of mind!

Did you know Lonely Planet has a Solo Travel Handbook, along with other travel tip guides? Worth picking up for more important advice before your travels!

3. Mindful & Conservation Travel Trends

Have you heard of flight shaming? It’s a Swedish born movement that says air travel should be minimized due to its environmental impact. Heavy right?

Most of us just want to travel and experience the world and learn from other cultures, so here are some ideas on how to reduce your impact.

If you’re going to travel, make it slow – Instead of 4 long weekend trips, make it two longer trips and stay at your destination longer. This means fewer flights or road trips, but you’ll get to experience a particular location for longer.

Re-usable travel items – If you need it, someone makes it. Ideas for re-usable items ideal for travel: Bring your own water bottle, use washable silicon bags instead of ziplocs or plastic bags, bring a canvas shopping bag, or pack less.

Purchase items without packaging – once you are in your destination, find a local market to buy fruits and vegetables or fresh goods, instead of packaged items at a grocery store.

Instagram less – It seems as though getting the perfect Instagram photo is the main focus of travel for some. Although it’s great to capture a memory, certain locations are becoming overwhelmed with the amount of foot traffic and over-tourism. Be mindful of how you capture your travels and enjoy the moment.

These are just a few ideas, let me know your ideas on how to conserve and still experience the world.

I feel grateful to have the opportunity to spend time with a community of women who are travelers, travel agents, bloggers, vloggers and everything in between. These tips and trends are thanks to them, and I hope you gained one valuable takeaway.

If you would like to attend Women’s Travel Fest in the future, here is a link to their site!

What travel trend did you enjoy reading about most? Comment below!

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We SO appreciate your support and could not do it without you!

The post 3 Emerging Travel Trends You’ll Want to Know appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Memorable Travel Experiences You Need to Book on Your Vacation

Plan to Explore — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:59:30 +0000

I love getting to know the city or country I am visiting. This can be hard to do when you have limited time in a place, which is why I love booking travel experiences.

I have my three favorite tour or experience options laid out for you, all of which I have found can help enrich your travels. This doesn’t mean you have to book all three in one trip in order for it to be memorable! Travel should be affordable and approachable.

I like to find tours that work the best for the city I’m in and book one or two for the time I’m there. It’s also a great way to get a break from the adventure of finding your way around a city, let someone else guide you for at least a few hours!

Keeping reading to get my top three recommendations on travel experiences to book.

1. Food Tours

One of the best parts of travel is the food. A great way to experience the culture of a country is through its cuisine.

A food tour is an ideal way to start off a trip. You’ll get to sample the food to see what you like, and maybe try things you didn’t know existed! You’ll even get an insider’s tour of the city while trying the food. The best of both worlds!

Tips on how to find the best food tours:

Look for a smaller group experience – I prefer 12 or fewer people in a group. Sure those 30 person tours might be cost-effective, but will you really get to interact with the guide and not feel lost in a crowd?
Pick a tour with variety – Taking a tour of one large food hall is cool, but I think the experience is better if you get to hop around town a bit more. Usually, tours include savory, sweet and beverage stops so you get a well-rounded picture of local cuisine.
Find something unique – Want an extremely local experience? I love, love, love what eatwith has available for food experiences. You can find a dinner party at a local’s home, a cooking class, food tours and more. Click here to book a tour with them!

Want to be friends? Follow me on Social Media!

2. Walking Tours

A quality walking tour can be worthwhile to get an in-depth look at a city. If you love history or architecture, this kind of experience may be well worth your money.

I’ve even seen biking and running tours in some cities. Why not get fit while touring a city too? All the more reason to sample more cuisine later.

Tips on how to find the best walking tour:

Look for a smaller group size – As I mentioned in the food tour section above, I think a smaller group gives a more intimate experience.
Find a reputable company – There are SO MANY walking tours in every city. It can be hard to determine who to book with. I always read reviews and try to do some research, and then weigh the best options with how much they cost as well. TripAdvisor is great to read reviews.
A company that specializes in walking tours – I just discovered an up and coming tour company that literally only does walking tours called Walks. They started offering great tours in Italy that were so popular, they have expanded into a few other European and US destinations now. Check them out and book a walking tour here!

3. Specialty Tours or Events

This is where you can splurge a little if you want. Maybe it’s a location that’s hard to get to, or you’re celebrating a special occasion, or you just want to indulge. Indulge away, we only live once right?

For example, when we traveled to Barbados, we booked a catamaran tour to snorkel with sea turtles on my birthday. In Hungary, we booked a tour to take us out to wine country and experience Hungarian wine. We visited places that as foreigners we would have never had access to.

Tips on when to book specialty tours or events:

Consider your location – Are you in a city that’s easy to navigate on your own? I would save a specialty tour for a location that’s off the beaten path, or is not easy to get to. Maybe it’s a tour to islands off the coast of Croatia or a wine tour in Tuscany.
What kind of experience do you want – If you love to sit back and enjoy the ride on vacation, this is also a great option for you. A specialty tour usually includes transportation, food, drinks, and more. Always read ALL the details of a tour before booking to be sure though. A splurge could also be something adventurous, like paragliding or hiking. The choice it yours.
Special Events – Another experience that could be worth splurging on is a festival or event happening while you are visiting. While we were in Prague, they were having a Czech beer festival, and you better believe we bought tickets to that one! Think Oktoberfest, a music festival, a cultural festival, etc.

I loved our recent wine tour with Airbnb Experiences. If you’ve never booked with them, click here to get $40 off your stay, and $15 off your first experience!

Get Your Guide offers amazing tours in cities around the world. Click below to see what they have to offer and book an unforgettable experience!

Before You Book

A few things to look at and consider before you book any travel experiences.

Double-check the meeting location and time – A meeting location across the city at 7 am may not be ideal. Is their meeting spot easy to get to, or will you need to take public transport to get there?
Will everyone enjoy this activity – I know this sounds silly to mention, but will everyone you are traveling with enjoy this tour? If you want to have a drama-free travel experience, I would run it past your companion(s).
Does it fit into your travel budget – Before every trip, I do some quick research to calculate the costs of my travels and activities are part of that cost. Make sure the tour you select fits in your budget. Maybe it means shaving some costs down somewhere else. Like less shopping, or cooking at your Airbnb for dinner one night. There are so many options to make it work! (If you need help with your budget, click here to download my FREE travel itinerary and budget planner!)

What are your favorite travel experiences to book when you travel? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Memorable Travel Experiences You Need to Book on Your Vacation appeared first on Plan to Explore.

Travel Planning Archives - Plan to Explore

How to Perfect Travel with Only Your Carry-on Luggage

Tip #1: Find the right carry-on luggage & packing items

Durable carry-on suitcase

Packing cubes for organizing

Toiletry bag

Quality backpack

Travel Packing Extras

Tip #2: Make a packing list, then pare it down!

Tip #3: Pack plane essentials in your backpack

Tip #4: Double check airline regulations

Tip #5: Travel packing hacks

Did you find any new tips to help you travel with only your carry-on luggage? Let me know in the comments!

Survival Tips for a Road Trip with Toddlers

Read More: Tips You Need for Your First RV Rental Trip

#5 - Plan to stop frequently

#4 - Bring road trip activities

#3 - Make their space comfortable

#2 - Toddler portable potty

#1 - Toddler friendly snacks. All the snacks.

Did these road trip with toddlers survival tips help you?

7 Easy Ways to Save Money and Budget for Travel

Travel Savings Tips

1. Follow the 1% savings rule

2. Cut out small expenses

3. Use travel credit cards to your advantage

4. Use a travel piggy bank

Budget for Travel Tips

5. Research travel costs

6. Choose "budget" destinations

7. Find lower cost accommodations

Search hotels and more...

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

Budget for travel final tips

Did this budget for travel and travel savings guide help you? Comment below and let me know!

Don’t Miss These 5 Simple Steps to Research and Plan Travel

1. Pick the Destination for you....or not?!

2. Book Flights

Read More: 7 Easy Ways to Save Money & Budget for Travel

3. Plan Things To Do

4. Book Transportation & Attractions

5. Make a Packing List

What are the things you do to plan travel? Let me know in the comments!

Top 5 Travel Gifts the Traveler in Your Life Needs

1. Carry-0n Suitcase or Backpack

2. Packing Cubes

3. Organized Travel Wallet

4. Travel Purse (Backpack)

5. Airline & Airbnb Gift Cards

*BONUS - 3 More Gift Ideas*

1. Lonely Planet Travel Guide

2. Travel Luggage Tags

3. Travel Adapters

I hope my top 5 travel gifts help with your gift giving this year! Tell me in the comments which gift you would love!

Tips You Need to Know for Your First RV Rental Trip

Tip #1: What kind of RV should you rent?

Tip #2 Where to book your RV Rental

Tip #3 Planning your RV route

Tip #4 Familiarize yourself with your RV rental

Tip #5 RV packing list top tips

Read More: How to Plan an Amazing Vacation Itinerary Anywhere

Where are you heading with you RV rental? Let me know in the comments below!

Travel From Home – Your Easy Guide to Planning a Fun Day

1. Pick a location

2. Set the scene

3. Find and make authentic recipes

Want to be friends? Follow me on Social Media!

4. Pair with a beverage (alcohol optional)

Read More: Helpful Tips for Europe Travel You Need to Know

5. Activity Ideas

What ideas have you tried to enjoy "travel from home?" Let me know in the comments!

Ideas to Cure Your Wanderlust While Stuck at Home

Plan Future Travels

Binge Travel Vloggers or TV Series

Set up Flight Price Trackers

Cook International Foods

Read Travel Guides or Books

Read More: Top 3 Reasons to Book a Long Layover

BONUS - 3 More Gift Ideas