There's a lot to remember before heading out on your next adventure. That's why I always use a checklist to remind myself of all the things I need to pack before I embark on my next trip. Keep reading to discover the three must-have items you need while traveling!
Click here for a handy packing list to make sure you are prepared for all of your traveling needs! After all the packing is done and just before I head to the airport, I double-check to make sure I have these three things on me. Without these items, I may not even make it to my destination, or at a minimum, my traveling experience will be considerably more difficult. If all I have are these three things, I'll be able to get by and can always purchase anything else I need. #1. Don't forget your passport If you're traveling internationally, you won't even make it on the plane without your passport. Even if you somehow manage to slip through all the check points and make it to your destination, they’ll put you on the next flight home as soon as you land. I've seen it happen a number of times. The traveler who forgets their passport has to go back home to get it, no exceptions. Their travel plans are delayed, plus, they incur stiff fees from the airline to re-book their airfare. Bonus Tip: Make sure your passport doesn't expire until six months after the date you return home, or they might not let you go abroad. #2. Don't forget your money/credit card I was pickpocketed while traveling once. They took my wallet with all my money and credit cards. They were so talented that I didn't even realize it until the next day! The worst part? I was only halfway through my month-long journey. I begged my parents to send money via Western Union at each new city I went to, so I didn't have to come home early. Thankfully, they agreed, but it was quite the process. The time difference between us was about 10 hours, which made communication while traveling extremely difficult. I wasn't sure how much money I needed for the rest of the trip and typos in my name made it difficult to collect the cash. All-in-all, lesson learned: do not forget your money or credit cards while traveling! #3. Don't forget your phone With the world’s shift from paper to digital almost complete, your most important travel information is now on your phone. Plus, your family and friends expect to hear from you frequently while you travel to make sure you're alive and well. We've grown so dependent on our smart phones, it's hard to travel without them. To top it off, many of us no longer use a physical camera; it's now just an app on our phone. Can you imagine traveling to all these beautiful sites and not being able to take pictures of any of your food? Lame! Before you leave for your next trip, double-check to make sure you didn't forget your three most important travel items: your passport, money and phone. Europe is one of my favorite international travel destinations. Some of my all-time favorite cities to visit are Paris, Rome and Barcelona. But the best thing about traveling to Europe is being able to explore the smaller, picturesque towns all over the continent. Click here to see a collection of some of my favorite photos I’ve taken while traveling throughout Europe!
I wish more people took the time to travel internationally. Did you know that only 42 percent of Americans have a passport? Surprising, right? When I discovered that less than half of Americans have passports, I knew I needed to do something to change that. If you book an international travel package with me whether it’s for 2021 or 2022 dates, I'll pay your passport fees! Already have a passport? I'll pay for your Global Entry, which includes TSA pre-check! This means you'll be able to get through TSA and customs lines in the U.S. faster. Traveling made easy! Let me help you plan an unforgettable international travel experience sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Contact me today for more details on how to get your passport or Global Entry for free! Restrictions apply. Don’t be shy, I’m here to help! P.S. Demand for travel has skyrocketed over the past month. It’s time to plan your next trip now, even for 2022. What if I told you there’s a way you could travel for free, and it doesn't involve credit cards or tracking rewards points? Plus, you get to travel with your friends! There's a little secret to traveling for free I’ve discovered as a travel advisor, and I'd like to share it with you: all you have to do is get a small group of friends together and your costs are covered.
Work with me to come up with your ideal itinerary. Let's say it's a cruise. You get nine friends to go on the same cruise, and you'll go for FREE! If you get 10 couples in your group, you'll get a FREE CABIN for you and your guest. This is just one example. Requirements and rewards vary. Contact me to put together a travel plan that suits you! There will always be some costs such as taxes and flights, but overall, this is the cheapest way you'll find to travel. Click here for more details and contact me now to let me plan your group trip! Let’s get traveling! Are you a planner or do you prefer spontaneity? Do you make to-do lists to tackle each day or do you take things as they come? Does having a color-coded calendar system bring you joy or make you anxious? Many of us rely on itineraries and plans to bring order to our daily lives. Others see planning as too much work and not enough fun.
When it comes to travel, a little planning goes a long way. That’s why the professional expertise and experience of a Travel Advisor is a must. I’ve worked with both types of clients, the planners and the spontaneous types. They both want a vacation that checks all of their boxes, and it usually starts with what’s on their bucket list. Speaking of which, when was the last time you revisited your travel bucket list? If it’s been a while or you don’t yet have a bucket list, ask yourself these questions to get started:
Your bucket list can be as long as you want. Once you’ve put all your ideas down, go back and star or circle the top three to five items on it that are your top priorities. Then, set a goal for when you’d like to cross off that experience! Click here for a handy worksheet to help you create your bucket list! I’d love to see what you come up with. Maybe you’ve always wanted to do a sunset horseback ride along the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to take a river cruise through Burgundy & Provence and taste local wines. The options are endless and as a certified travel advisor, I’m here to help make them happen. Let’s start planning now, so you can make it a reality in the future! I’m currently planning trips for 2022 and 2023! Not sure which of your bucket list items are doable right now, or when you want to travel? I can help you understand your options so that you can feel safe, comfortable and prepared with your future travel plans. Here’s to shortening your bucket list so you can add even more to it later! What if I told you there’s a way you could travel for free, and it doesn't involve credit cards or tracking rewards points? Plus, you get to travel with your friends! There's a little secret to traveling for free I’ve discovered as a travel advisor, and I'd like to share it with you: all you have to do is get a small group of friends together and your costs are covered.
Work with me to come up with your ideal itinerary. Let's say it's a cruise. You get nine friends to go on the same cruise, and you'll go for FREE! If you get 10 couples in your group, you'll get a FREE CABIN for you and your guest. This is just one example. Requirements and rewards vary. Contact me to put together a travel plan that suits you! There will always be some costs such as taxes and flights, but overall, this is the cheapest way you'll find to travel. Click here for more details or reply to this message and let me plan your group trip! Let’s get traveling! Matt outside Rudesheim, Germany before boarding his river cruise with AmaWaterways. Europe is one of my favorite international travel destinations. Some of my all-time favorite cities to visit are Paris, Rome and Barcelona. But the best thing about traveling to Europe is being able to explore the smaller, picturesque towns all over the continent. Click here to see a collection of some of my favorite photos I’ve taken while traveling throughout Europe!
I wish more people took the time to travel internationally. Did you know that only 42 percent of Americans have a passport? Surprising, right? When I discovered that less than half of Americans have passports, I knew I needed to do something to change that. If you book an international travel package with me, I'll pay your passport fees! Already have a passport? I'll pay for your Global Entry, which includes TSA pre-check! This means you'll be able to get through TSA and customs lines in the U.S. faster. Traveling made easy! Let me help you plan an unforgettable international travel experience sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Contact me today for more details on how to get your passport or Global Entry for free! Don’t be shy, I’m here to help! Jason exploring Osaka April, 2017 Often times, we get stuck in the busy game of life. A whole year passes by and we barely even notice. At some point, we have all felt burned out, whether it’s a stressful career, hectic family life or you simply need a break from reality. My solution? Travel! It's important to take time away from the day-to-day to indulge in a vacation, reflect, and most importantly, have some fun!
You don't have to go far if long-distance travel makes you anxious. If Italy or Japan are too far for comfort, California Wine Country and Las Vegas are great places to explore near the west coast. If you're on the east coast and love whiskey, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail might be right up your alley! You may also want to consider a river cruise on the Mississippi or even a Caribbean cruise out of Florida. Your travel options are limitless! I've helped travelers plan hundreds of trips and vacations throughout the years as a certified travel advisor. I love helping my clients create long-lasting memories from all around the world! Click here for some of my favorite travel itineraries. I hope it inspires you to enrich your life with experiences this year and for years to come. Now, let’s get traveling! There's a lot to remember before heading out on your next adventure. That's why I always use a checklist to remind myself of all the things I need to pack before I embark on my next trip. Keep reading to discover the three must-have items you need while traveling!
Click here for a handy packing list to make sure you are prepared for all of your traveling needs! After all the packing is done and just before I head to the airport, I double-check to make sure I have these three things on me. Without these items, I may not even make it to my destination, or at a minimum, my traveling experience will be considerably more difficult. If all I have are these three things, I'll be able to get by and can always purchase anything else I need. #1. Don't forget your passport. If you're traveling internationally, you won't even make it on the plane without your passport. Even if you somehow manage to slip through all the check points and make it to your destination, they’ll put you on the next flight home as soon as you land. I've seen it happen a number of times. The traveler who forgets their passport has to go back home to get it, no exceptions. Their travel plans are delayed, plus, they incur stiff fees from the airline to re-book their airfare. Bonus Tip: Make sure your passport doesn't expire until six months after the date you return home, or they might not let you go abroad. #2. Don't forget your money/credit card. I was pickpocketed while traveling once. They took my wallet with all my money and credit cards. They were so talented that I didn't even realize it until the next day! The worst part? I was only halfway through my month-long journey. I begged my parents to send money via Western Union at each new city I went to, so I didn't have to come home early. Thankfully, they agreed, but it was quite the process. The time difference between us was about 10 hours, which made communication while traveling extremely difficult. I wasn't sure how much money I needed for the rest of the trip and typos in my name made it difficult to collect the cash. All-in-all, lesson learned: do not forget your money or credit cards while traveling! #3. Don't forget your phone. With the world’s shift from paper to digital almost complete, your most important travel information is now on your phone. Plus, your family and friends expect to hear from you frequently while you travel to make sure you're alive and well. We've grown so dependent on our smart phones, it's hard to travel without them. To top it off, many of us no longer use a physical camera; it's now just an app on our phone. Can you imagine traveling to all these beautiful sites and not being able to take pictures of any of your food? Lame! Before you leave for your next trip, double-check to make sure you didn't forget your three most important travel items: your passport, money and phone. I love creating new traditions, so when I first started traveling, I came up with three ways to create lasting memories from my traveling endeavors.
Travel Tradition No. 1: Save a Bill Whenever I am traveling, I always keep the lowest denomination paper currency and take it home with me. One day, I found a double-sided clear frame and decided to get crafty. I laid the bills I had collected throughout my travels inside the frame and hung it on my wall. If you visit my home, you can take it off the wall and check out the backside of the bills too! It’s a super simple and fun way to remember your trip. Travel Tradition No. 2: Discover New Music When I travel, I appreciate listening to local music, so when I hear a song I like, I purchase one of the musician’s albums. I try to find contemporary, classic and traditional folk music. When friends visit me, we'll talk about my travels, eat some traditional foods from the place I visited and play music from the area to set the mood. Collecting music is a fantastic travel tradition! Travel Tradition No. 3: Buy Art I'm not looking for anything fancy. In fact, I typically prefer something sold by local street artists. I've purchased small sculptures, ceramics, freshly created paintings and wooden carvings during my travels. Whenever I look at a piece of art I've brought back home, it reminds me of where I was, the person who created it and how I felt at the time. Consider implementing these three travel traditions or start your own traditions the next time you travel. Creating traditions is a terrific way to build long-lasting memories and makes it easier to take a trip down memory lane. |
AuthorSharing my travel experiences and insights Archives
November 2024
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