11 Tips for Traveling Like a Pro

Easy Ways to Be Organized, Prepared and Safe on Your Trip
June 23, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Travel

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If you haven’t caught my drift with my wanderlust post a few months ago and all of our travel-inspired pins, I’m planning a big trip in a few months.  Big as in Italy big, and I could not be more excited.  And over the past year (because I’ve been excited for that long, yes), I’ve gathered a few best practices, if you will, like stalking two sites in particular for the cheapest airfare and downloading an app that organizes my itinerary for me.  In the slideshow above, see my eleven tips for traveling like a pro, but by all means, please leave me a comment with some of your own tips to add to the list!  Cheers, Kat

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DO YOUR RESEARCH

DO YOUR RESEARCH

SIMPLY TAKING THE TIME TO DO YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT YOUR SITES TO SEE, NIGHTLY STAYS AND RESTAURANTS TO NOM AT IS KEY TO ENSURING AN ENJOYABLE TRIP. SITES LIKE TRIP ADVISOR AND LISTS LIKE USA TODAY'S 10 BEST GIVE HELPFUL RECOMMENDATIONS AND INSPIRATION TO BOOKMARK FOR YOUR TRIP.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
PACK THE ULTIMATE CARRY ON

PACK THE ULTIMATE CARRY ON

CONSIDER ONLY BRINGING A PURSE OR CARRY ON THAT ALLOWS QUICK ACCESS TO YOUR WALLET, PHONE, PLANE TICKET, ETC. A BAG THAT HAS A LOT OF POCKETS AND COMPARTMENTS TO KEEP ITEMS ORGANIZED REALLY GOES A LONG WAY WHEN YOU'RE STANDING IN LINE WITH YOUR HANDS FULL.

AND PACKING 1-NIGHT'S WORTH OF ESSENTIALS (LIKE BATHING SUIT, CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND TOILETRIES) IN YOUR CARRY ON IS A GREAT IDEA IN CASE YOU RUN INTO LUGGAGE TROUBLE.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
SET UP INTERNATIONAL CALLING & DATA

SET UP INTERNATIONAL CALLING & DATA

IF YOU PLAN ON 'GRAMMING A TON WHILE YOU'RE ABROAD, BE SURE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ON YOUR INTERNATIONAL CALLING AND DATA CAPABILITIES, AND SET UP YOUR PLAN IN ADVANCE.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
USE THE FREE TRIPIT APP

USE THE FREE TRIPIT APP

TRIPIT IS AN EASY-TO-USE APP THAT CONSOLIDATES ALL OF YOUR ITINERARY INFO IN ONE PLACE, SIMPLY BY IMPORTING YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAILS! THE APP SHOWS ALL OF YOUR ITINERARY DETAILS IN A CLEAR, ORGANIZED SCHEDULE FOR EASY REFERENCE ON THE GO. THE PRO VERSION ALSO KEEPS YOU UPDATED ON FLIGHT ALERTS AND CANCELLATIONS.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
STALK FLIGHT PRICES & REGISTER FOR REWARDS

STALK FLIGHT PRICES & REGISTER FOR REWARDS

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON FLIGHT PRICE FLUCTUATIONS VIA AIRFARE WATCHDOG TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE MONEY YOU'RE FORKING OVER FOR THE FLIGHT. ALSO, VISIT SITES LIKE SKY SCANNER FOR AN EASY-TO-USE, CLEAR LIST OF FLIGHT PRICES AND OPTIONS (AND SAY BYE TO THE USUAL TEN POPUP WINDOWS ONCE AND FOR ALL).

AND ALL THOSE HOTEL REWARDS AND FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAMS. MANY ARE FREE, AND REALLY ONLY BENEFIT YOU, SO WHY NOT?

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
FIND COMFORT IN LAYERS

FIND COMFORT IN LAYERS

NOT ONLY WILL YOU BE MORE COMFORTABLE ON THE FLIGHT IN A FEW LIGHT LAYERS, YOU'LL BE PREPARED FOR WEATHER ON EITHER END OF THE TERMINAL. A LIGHT JACKET HELPS YOU LAYER UP WHILE STILL BEING FOLDABLE TO STASH IN YOUR BAG ONCE YOU LAND.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

CONSIDER TAKING A MIXTURE OF ESSENTIAL OILS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM, DE-STRESS, HAVE A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP AND AVOID FEELING RUN DOWN.

ALSO, AND THIS GOES ALMOST WITHOUT SAYING, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE. AND CONSIDER TOTING A FEW MEDS FOR THE INSTANCE THAT YOUR STOMACH CAN'T HANDLE SOME OF THOSE RICH NEW FLAVORS.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
BE ENTERTAINED

BE ENTERTAINED

DON'T BE CAUGHT ON A LONG FLIGHT WITHOUT PROPER TECH TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED. LOOKING AT YOU, NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES. THESE ARE TRULY GAME-CHANGERS WHEN TRYING TO SLEEP OR SIMPLY ROCK OUT EN-FLIGHT.

VIA ATLANTIC-PACIFIC
STAY CHARGED

STAY CHARGED

KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU'LL NEED TRAVEL ADAPTER PLUGS MANY PLACES OVERSEAS, AND YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO CARRY THOSE CLOSE ON THE PLANE TO ENSURE THEY'RE WITH YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.

A BACK UP PHONE CHARGER WILL ALSO GIVE YOUR PHONE SOME JUICE WHEN IT'S RUNNING LOW ON THE GO.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY CHELSEY HEIDORN
PLAN FOR PURCHASES

PLAN FOR PURCHASES

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF AND PLAN FOR THOSE PURCHASES YOU'LL MAKE ON THE TRIP. AND THAT MAY MEAN PACKING ANOTHER BAG TO TOTE EVERYTHING HOME.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA, BY KATHRYN MCCRARY
ASK FOR UPGRADES

ASK FOR UPGRADES

WHETHER YOU'RE HOPING FOR A NICER ROOM AT THE INN, A BETTER SEAT ON THE PLANE, OR A COZIER TABLE AT DINNER, ASK FOR THE UPGRADES. THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN IS THEY TELL YOU NO, AND THINK ABOUT HOW GREAT THE STORY WILL BE IF THEY SAY YES.

VIA WAITING ON MARTHA
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Featured image, Kathryn McCrary

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  • Jessica / 06.23.2015

    Oooh if you’re going to the Cinque Terre email me, I have the BEST hotel to stay in!!

    xo Jessica
    http://www.mystylevita.com

  • Kat Neunaber / 06.23.2015

    Aw no, sadly we couldn’t fit Cinque Terre in the trip, but we will be in Rome for two nights and then Positano and along the Amalfi Coast for the rest! xo

  • DDU / 06.23.2015

    A few ideas… Must-see in Rome: the Bernini sculptures in the Villa Borghese (reservations required). I will never pack toiletries again; hotels always have them in the suites. If not, you can buy toothpaste and meds at the corner pharmacy. Bose headphones are essential on flights. Also, and this is unfortunate, alcohol consumed at altitude leaves one dehydrated and jet-lagged. Better to enjoy a celebratory sip after you reach your destination. Buon viaggio!

  • Kat Neunaber / 06.23.2015

    These are all so helpful, thank you! I’m a little nervous about the jet-lag, so I’ll be sure to wait on the cocktails until we land. xo

  • miss b / 06.26.2015

    I agree with all the useful tips here. I do so much research before a trip and it really does pay dividends. I use the Tripcase app which I assume is similar to Trippit. I find it particularly useful when we have multi destinations in one holiday.

  • Kat Neunaber / 06.26.2015

    I will definitely check out Tripcase as well! Thanks so much.

  • gina / 09.20.2015

    I noticed your comment about jet lag. Have you tried No Jet Lag Pills? they are natural and available at the store, Elephant Trunk. Your blog is very impressive!

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