Traveling with Ease

Traveling is all about getting away from it all, exploring new and exciting places, experiencing different cultures, and allowing for a little spontaneity in your life. It’s supposed to be fun.

When you’re bogged down with luggage, waiting in line all day for a must-see tourist attraction, rushing to and from airports and hotels and points of interest, or suffering from any number of other maladies that can sour a trip, traveling turns into a real drag.

A few tips for traveling well

Packing for 200 . . . Sometimes I don’t take my own advice. My most memorable packing fiasco happened while I was trekking through Europe with a huge, heavy suitcase and overnight bag in tow. I can’t tell you how much fun it was lugging all that baggage around—through airports, in taxis, on trains, down streets, to-and-from hotels, up-and-down escalators and staircases, and in crowded elevators in every country we visited. I promised myself never again . . . ever . . . would I travel with more than a small carry-on or, better yet, a backpack. So what do I do? This past summer, while on a two-week road trip through the American West, there I was again with a large, heavy suitcase loaded with half my wardrobe just in case I might need this, that, and the other thing to wear.

• Travel light. No matter where you’re going, no matter how long you plan to be there, no matter what you think you might need to wear, pack light. No more than three shirts, an extra pair of pants or jeans (or a couple pair of shorts, if it’s warm), a swimsuit and sandals if you’re going tropical, comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket or sweater, underwear, and the clothes on your back. That’s it. Toiletries, too, but only what you absolutely need. If you use a small carry-on bag or backpack, it will help limit what you can take.
• Length of Stay. To really see a place, you need to stay for at least two or more full days. Unless it’s a podunk town, you can’t see or do everything in a day. You might be able to get in some of the sights, but you’ll miss the real flavor of the place if you don’t take the time to soak it in slowly.
• Accommodations. Boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and those little gems you happen to find when searching for a hotel can be a bit pricey, but don’t count them out. If you have the time and money, indulge yourself and enjoy. Keep in mind . . . you’re on vacation, and a special place to stay enhances your travel experience. Bed-and-breakfasts are also good choices, allowing you the opportunity to have home cooked meals and mingle with other travelers. If you prefer more private lodging, check vacation rental sites—like Airbnb and Vrbo. At Tripadvisor you can read reviews about hotels and points of interest nearby. Book beforehand. Print out the confirmation and take it with you on your trip. When traveling by car for any length of time, you’ll have to stop overnight. All you really need is a place to sleep and shower. For us, though, a clean and comfortable 3-star-plus hotel where breakfast is included or one that has a restaurant onsite, is a real plus. This offers us a convenient and leisurely way to start the morning before another day of driving. The major hotel chains—Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham—are all along the highways and interstates in the USA, usually clustered in or around larger cities and towns. Finding a hotel on the road is easy as 1-2-3. When we stop overnight, we (1) decide what time we’re leaving in the morning and how far we can travel in 8-9 hours, (2) go online to see where that will put us on the map and what hotels are in the area, and (3) call the hotel we want and reserve a room for the next night.
• Plan your trip. Pour over travel brochures and websites to collect information on points of interest, tourist attractions, and general things to see and do in the places you plan to visit. Map it all out on Google so you can see where everything is. Make notes to take with you. Write down brief descriptions, addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, fees, and any special instructions or information you might need. For instance, whether reservations are needed, shoe requirements, restaurant specialties, or things not to be missed. Plan some must-dos, but leave the rest to chance. Unless there’s something you REALLY want to see, try to stay away from big tourist spots. No matter where you’re going, don’t feel you have to spend big on the main attractions. Some of the best things to see are low cost or have no entry fees at all—Venice Beach in Los Angeles . . . Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris . . . Covent Gardens in London . . . Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic area . . . Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, KY . . . a drive through the Rocky Mountains. Reading visitor reviews at Tripadvisor will give you excellent insight into whether something is worth spending the time and money to see.
• Sightseeing. Get up early. In warmer climates, this will help you avoid the heat of the day. In any climate, it will help you avoid the crowds. You’ll get more out of your day and be able to enjoy it at a more leisurely pace. Do the things you really want to do first, and then let the day take you where it will. The best way to explore any place is to walk. Walk all over with no set direction. Get lost. Leave room for the serendipitous. Smile and talk to the locals. Ask for recommendations—things to see and do, places to eat. Keep your itinerary loose, light, and fluid so that you can soak up the atmosphere in each place you visit. Having no set agenda and going with the flow means you aren’t pressured to get anything done each day, and you’ll enjoy your trip more fully.
• Eat, eat, eat and savor the flavors. Don’t be afraid to try local food. Regional specialties vary, so do some homework—know what you’re ordering and where you can get it. Look for authentic cuisine on the menu for a fine dining experience. Street food, too, can be excellent. Pick stalls that are popular with the locals—watch what they order and get the same thing. Eating outside is a real pleasure. It gives you time to sit and observe people. Eat anything you want, but don’t eat a lot. You don’t want to walk around feeling full and heavy. If money is an issue, with a little advance planning, you can feed yourself every day for minimal cost. Here’s how:
  • Pack plastic plates, bowls, and silverware.
  • If traveling by car, take a cooler with seasonal fruit, yogurt, cheeses, and water.
  • Find a local market and buy fresh. Fresh bread, ham, tomatoes, and cheese . . . or whatever your heart desires . . . make a simple, nutritious meal.
  • Bring a small plastic jar of peanut butter with you and save big time. A thin layer of peanut butter on fresh bread—it can’t get easier than that.
• Make room for memories. Take plenty of photos. Sure, you can find pictures of just about anything on the Internet if you know where to look; but you may not remember the name of that little shop in Barcelona that sold antique lace, or you may always wish you had a photo of the big white sheepdog you saw walking in Oxford, or you may be sorry you never got a picture of yourself sitting with the birds on Trafalgar Square. We bring a laptop so we can download the photos from our cameras at the end of the day. Sending yourself postcards with a line or two about each place you visit is easy to do if you remember to bring stamps. Keeping a journal is also a good idea, but don’t stress over it. Just jot down your thoughts and impressions when you have spare time. For souvenirs, pick up stuff that’s easy to carry, lightweight, and won’t take much room in your suitcase. We bring home business cards (from the stores where we shop), shot glasses, and souvenir pins.
• Rest and relax. Too often a vacation becomes a check list of things to do. You try to do too much and find yourself rushing around to get everything in. Travel to get to your destination . . . and then be. Be present. Don’t think about what you’ll be doing later. Make space to relax and savor the moment. Stroll casually. Find good coffee shops or restaurants to relax in, or a good sidewalk café to enjoy a glass of wine. Find parks where you can sit and watch the people walk by. Take time for naps. Seriously. Stop rushing, relax, enjoy, and see what happens.

In a nutshell, it’s easy as 1-2-3. (1) Pack light . . . (2) make plans, but go with the flow . . . and (3) relax and enjoy what you’re doing while you’re doing it. You’ll have an amazing, fun-filled, stress-free trip.