Planning Your Vacation

This post is filled with tips to help you plan an unforgettable vacation with your family. This blog will address lodging, transportation, currency, sites to see, and how best to manage your time while on vacation. I will provide this and more for each of the places my family and I have visited while traveling the world.

I plan to provide a lot of photos, as that was something I wish I could find when searching online and in travel books for our trips. Enjoy!

WHERE TO START

LIBRARY: Use your local library! I like to get every travel book that they have for the location we are traveling to. Fodor's Guides are my favorite, but if I am buying a book I will get a Rick Steve's guide. I like to highlight it and mark up all the pages of where we are going to visit. Rick Steve also usually has a lot of maps of the various towns in the areas, as well as a website that is very helpful with a board for questions and downloadable audio guides.

ONLINE RESOURCES: I like to use TripAdvisor when I plan my trips. I read the comment sections and find what would be a good fit for our family. YouTube is another great resource. With everyone having a channel for something these days, it's easy to get a look at the place you are traveling to and find places you might want to see that may not be listed in various guidebooks or online resources. Travel Blogs are extremely helpful for planning. Just type in the location you are going to, and you will find a ton of blogs with all kinds of tips for traveling. Facebook Pages dedicated to travel destinations are a good place to get ideas as well as questions answered about your upcoming trips.

WHERE TO STAY: Hotel vs Airbnb

Hotel: Hotels are easy and it's always nice to have someone clean up after you. You can find one with a kitchenette that will save you some money making your own meal, or even breakfast at the hotel restaurant before heading out. Sometimes breakfast is included. We like to use hotel points to pay for stays as well. Most hotels have credit cards that you can earn points for purchases made. We have also used Hotwire for hotel deals, including last-minute deals.

Airbnb: With some research you can get a great deal in a prime location. Many hosts have travel guides at the lodging to help navigate the area. Having a few meals at your place will save money if you are traveling on a budget. Finding an Airbnb with a washer and dryer helps you to pack light with a quick wash during your stay. Many places provide things like beach chairs, beach towels, and coolers. Another PLUS about Airbnb is that you communicate with your host through the app. This means if your host speaks another language, you can still communicate perfectly. This was very helpful to us in Italy.

You can sign up for Airbnb through my link, and you'll get $40 off your first trip. Just click here to SIGNUP FOR AIRBNB.

Do your own research to see what works best for you and your family.

CAR RENTAL: Before renting a car make sure you will need one. When traveling in Europe, for example, they have an amazing metro system so you may not even need a car. We used the metro in many cities. Sometimes it's also easier without a car because you do not have to deal with finding a parking spot and fees. You can always Uber or take a taxi somewhere if you are worried about being late or its too hot to ride the metro (Paris has no air on their trains, and in July it gets hot).

Did you know you can rent a car through Costco with your membership? When we do rent a car we always check Costco. The best part is that it has free cancellation. Most of the time it's the best deal. Hotwire, Travelocity, and Kayak all have good deals too, so you really just need to shop around. If you have a Hertz or other car rental membership, sometimes they give their members better deals. If you have the Gold Plus membership with Hertz, you get extra value, so check it out.

HELPFUL APPS FOR YOUR PHONE: Airline apps, Google Maps, Google Translate, Uber or Lyft, Currency Converter, Airbnb, TripAdvisor, Rick Steve's Audio Guides, and WhatsApp (for internet calls when out of the country) are all good apps to load before you travel. Bounce (for luggage storage) and Flush (for locating bathrooms) are a couple of helpful apps. My kids like DuoLingo to learn a few words in the language of the country we are going to. It's a fun game you can start a couple weeks before traveling.

Many countries have local apps with maps and tourist attractions to download as well, so take a look at the app store. If you are traveling to a country where you will use the metro, be sure and download their app and any passes you may need ahead of time, so you aren't scrambling for Wi-Fi at the airport when you arrive to do it all.

ITINERARIES: I'm a fan of making an itinerary. It's not something we follow on a timed schedule or even do everything on the list, but rather a list of all the things we are interested in doing/seeing in various areas. For instance, when we went to The Vatican, I knew what to see, where to eat and explore, so that were not wasting time going to places that are not close to one another. If you do your sightseeing "by neighborhood" so to speak, it saves you time and you can do more activities while you are there.

I like to list the local cuisines as well and make sure we try various dishes before we leave. I also like to list area grocery stores, restaurants, beaches, and tourist attractions. Sometimes I add the addresses and phone numbers, and sometimes we wing it. It's good to have an idea of what things will be closed and the site opening and closing times before you go so you aren't wasting valuable time. While on vacation, I cross off things as we go. I try to update what I thought of it on TripAdvisor. It's been a wealth of knowledge for me planning my trips, so I like to help other people do the same.

PACKING LISTS: While you are doing all of this research, you can be jotting down all of the things you will need to take on your trip. I have a general packing list saved on my computer and then just adapt it to whether we are going to warm or cold weather destinations. My sons also have their own packing lists to pack their bags. If you don't trust your child to do all of the packing, have them lay it all out on the bed and then you can double check it with them as they pack it into the bags. The earlier you start doing this with your kids the better (and easier) for you!

---

BEFORE YOU GO

CELL PHONES: Contact your cell phone provider about using your phone out of the country. We have T-Moble, which offers free data and texting, but $0.25 per minute for calls. If we plan to make calls while out of the country, we use WhatsApp. You can even do video calls. All you need is wifi access and for the person you are calling to also have the app installed on their phone.

You may need a sim card or e-sim card. Some people like to get pocket wi-fi when they get to their location as several people can use it with one fee.

BANKS AND CREDIT CARDS: Let your bank and credit card companies know you are going out of town. Banks will want the travel dates. Also ask about the fees for using a bank card both for taking money out at ATMs and for making purchases. Some have a minimal fee if you withdraw in another country but charge a percentage if you use it as a credit card. They also charge a currency exchange fee, so just ask so you aren't surprised when you get back from your trip. Be sure to use a credit card without foreign transaction fees. We try to use cards while abroad but also take out some local currency.

CURRENCY: We like to take money out at a local ATM after we arrive. Be sure to find a bank ATM as it is usually cheaper than using the currency exchange desk at the airport. There are ATMs at the airport if you need cash right away for cabs, but it just depends on your plan for your arrival day. We usually uber to the hotel so no need for cash right away.

PUT YOUR MAIL ON HOLD: You can do this online via the USPS website. No need to do it the old fashioned way by getting a card from the post office. If you forget before you leave, you can go online anytime and put it on hold. (I've done it on the way to the airport.)

DO YOU NEED AN ADAPTER? When traveling out of the country you really do need to check to see if you need an adapter. You can get them fairly cheap just about anywhere. I have gotten several on Amazon. We all keep one in our travel bags. Another thing to find out (ladies) is the wattage of your flat iron or other electronics you will be taking. I found that getting a universal wattage flat iron saves me the hassle of worrying if I need an adapter AND converter. I got it on Amazon and only have to get an adapter. Makes it easier and I can use it at home with no issues. Just be sure to get one that is compatible with Worldwide Voltage, and you will be fine. Most places provide a hair dryer, so you should be good there.

---

PACKING BAGS AND PURSES

CROSS BODY BAGS AND PURSES: Take everything that you won't need on our trip out of your purse. Local store cards, library cards, etc. should all be left at home. You need your ID, passport, and $100 cash for your travel. The $100 is for airport food to and from your trip and anything that may come up along the way. I like Baggallini cross body bags. I've gotten several from TJ Maxx for great prices. I keep my headphones, phone, travel wallet, passports and/or metro cards, keys for the hotel or Airbnb, itinerary, hand towel to dry my hands, sometimes an umbrella, and always my passport. This is your ID for international travel, do not leave it in your hotel room. You can make a copy and have it in your hotel room, but you should alway have your ID on you at all times while traveling.

WALLET: I got a thin travel wallet with blocking passport holder from Amazon and absolutely love it. It holds IDs and passports along with money and coins with no issues.

My husband likes to take a money clip. If you use your daily wallet, just be sure to take out anything you won't need on your trip. Unfortunately, wallets can get lost or stolen. Sometimes my husband has me keep his money clip in my cross-body bag if we are in a very populated, touristy area and I have one hand on my bag at all times. I like that it is adjustable so I can wear it on one side or across the body. Men, keep your wallet in your front pocket.

CARRY ON BAGS: My husband works for the airport. This means we get to fly standby for free, but it also means we may or may not get on. For this reason, we prefer to only take carry-on bags. We've gotten pretty good at packing for trips and knowing what we can and can't take on the plane. If you are staying at an Airbnb that has a washer and dryer, it's very easy to pack less clothes. You can even pack powdered detergent if you need to, but I've found most places already have it or you can buy a small pack at the local grocery store.

My boys each take a backpack and a carry-on suitcase. In their backpacks they keep their phone, headphones, chargers, hoodie, playing cards, reusable water bottle, sunglasses, toiletry bags, glasses/contacts and solution, neck pillows and sleep masks if we have a long flight, a quart size bag full of snacks (granola bars, trail mix, fig bars), hats, book, outlet converter if needed, tissues, sunscreen, and any medication they may need. Their suitcase has everything else in it: clothes, shoes, snorkel masks, etc. If it doesn't fit, we don't take it.

My husband and I each take a personal bag (him a backpack and myself a duffel bag). We are allowed 2 carry-on items, so I put my Baggallini cross body bag inside of the duffel before boarding the plane. We all carry stainless steel water bottles and fill up at the airport before we leave for our trips. Everyone also has a quart size bag of snacks just in case. You never know when you will be stuck somewhere and you're starving, or maybe just don't have time between flights to grab something.

I also bring along the car charger (if we are renting a car). Most times you will be using your phone to navigate, take photos, search online and the last thing you want is for it to go dead. Mine has a dual prong so two can charge if needed. It doesn't take up a lot of space and so worth taking. You can take a mount for your phone too, but we usually don't. Most updated cars do have a port, but it's usually just one.

SHOES: I've found it easiest to travel with a pair of comfortable sneakers. I will usually pack a pair of flats too. They barely take up any space and add almost no weight to my bag. I also take a pair of flip flops for the beach, and/or a pair of sandals that can be casual or go with a dress, and sometimes swim shoes if we plan to go snorkeling. It all fits! Whatever is lightest goes into the suitcase.

We have also gone places that require hiking shoes. Even though these are heavier, I don't wear them. I usually pack these. My husband tends to wear his on the plane.

---

TRAVEL DAY

GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY: If you travels at peak times because that is when the kids are off, you want to get there early. The security lines get long, and people are eager to start their vacations. Clear and TSA Pre-Check are both huge time savers if you travel often. Global Entry is another time saver. Global Entry includes the TSA Pre-Chek PLUS expedited US customs screening for international travel when entering the US.

You can look up the airport you are traveling to/from and get information on wait times. When we went to Aruba, we were advised to get to the airport 3-4 hours early, and it was completely accurate! There were a ton of check points leaving the country.

Another airport option if you travel a lot is getting an Airport Lounge membership. We usually fly Delta, their membership is called Sky Club. When you have long layovers, or don't get on a standby flight it's nice to have a place to hang out more comfortable than the seating areas. Food and drinks are also included. Some even have showers (mostly for international flights). Check pricing online, as most airlines have their own. Some airlines allow first class passengers access, so it's something to look into.

Some credit card companies get you into airport lounges for free. Check your cards and see if it's an option for you. We can get into Delta Sky Club free as American Express Platinum members (each person has to have the card, or you pay for guests). We also have Priority Pass access with the Amex card. This allows you to use not only US lounges, but international lounges.

Before we leave the house, I always check this list:

• Cash

• Debit card for ATM withdrawals

• Credit Cards

• Passports

• Driver’s license/International License

• Guidebooks and maps

• Notebook, pen, highlighter

• Itineraries

• Day pack/wallet

I hope you found this helpful to start your planning. Be sure to check out the locations we have visited and where to stay, eat, and how to get around. Enjoy!