After 60 some years of traveling, there are a few things I have learned to make travel more pleasant. To improve my mood about travel.
- Pack less, my father used to say take half as much stuff and twice as much money.
- If you can't carry it, don't take it. Over the years I have downsized the cameras and lenses I carry, I carry a tiny computer, I leave things home, I leave things behind that I don't want to carry.
- You don't need to stay connected. I started traveling long before cell phones, let alone international roaming. I would be gone for a week or two and guess what, the world didn't come to an end. Don't obsess over being constantly connected, if anything, plan a week with no connection at all.
- Check a bag when you fly. It allows more flexibility when packing, it makes boarding and getting off of the plane much easier. I have a couple of airline credit cards that include as a perk, checked bags. When I fly other carriers, I always select a fare that allows me to select a seat and check a bag.
- Be flexible. I see people create detailed, almost hour by hour, itineraries of everything they "have to see and do." And when the museum is unexpectedly closed, or the wait to get in is hours long, their world is turned upside down. Walk around the block, and see what is there.
- The online maps application has never driven the route that it tells you can drive in 47 minutes. The estimates are based on driving at or near the speed limit. The reality, is this is often impossible, and even more often, not the way you want to drive it. Double the estimated driving time. Have time to pull over and see the view. Have time for the speed-bumps and roundabouts that the software didn't understand that you often won't drive anyplace near the speed limit. And if you do, you arrive a little early and have a little extra time to explore the place you are going to.
- Always be nice to the desk agents. By being nice I have gotten some amazing upgrades at hotels and car rental desks over the years. I have also been rude, and received what I deserved.
- Arrive at the airport early, and once you have checked in, dropped off your checked bags, and cleared security, surrender all control. It is beyond your control, don't fight it.
Travel when you can. There are no guarantees that you will be able to take that trip later.
You know me....when I go away I have no problem disconnecting! And traveling light got easier and lighter when drag was not involved.
ReplyDeleteThe hats alone must have required an extra train car.
DeleteI should think it is world wide, it certainly is here, whereby Google Maps monitor traffic live and adjust driving times to suit. I've fought against 'ridiculous times' to drive a way that was normally best, and then discovered a traffic problem and I should have followed Google Map's advice.
ReplyDeleteI see people planning complex trips based on what Google Maps tells them the driving time is now, not what it will be when they are there.
DeleteWe often find our favorite part of a driving trip is getting lost. Or just saying, hmmm, I wonder where that road goes, and then taking it.
ReplyDeletePaper maps are helpful for finding alternate routes.
DeleteI need to remember to start taking paper maps again. It's so hard to get the big picture on electronic maps or see what's in the area that might strike our fancy.
DeleteThe last time I took a road trip vacation was to Yellowstone in 2005 with the family. I still have the paper road maps.
ReplyDeleteI have a box full of maps.
DeleteGreat list.
ReplyDeleteI boil it down to relax and bee nice to people.
I was rude to a car rental guy in Denver, and ended up in the worst rental car I have ever had, to drive into the mountains.
DeleteI have adopted much the same rules over the years. I pack less and less each trip.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who used to check two bags, one for shoes.
DeleteAll excellent advice and I learned those lessons too over the years.
ReplyDeleteWisdom comes with experience.
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