General Travel Tips

This was originally posted on Life. Love. Lauren. on August 30, 2012.

________________________________

Hello!  My name is Amy and I am the blogger over at The Charming, a general lifestyle blog that focuses on art, inspiration, and wellness, with a bunch of other topics tied in.

The lovely Lauren asked me to guest post for her since she's getting settled in her new job and she suggested I write about traveling -- a favorite topic of mine!

Venice

Traveling is such a passion of mine: experiencing new cultures, trying the local cuisines, stepping in to history, soaking up the landmarks, but, more importantly, escaping the day-to-day, discovering more to life, and creating memories.

I've done a lot of traveling in my life.  It's a desire my mom instilled in me and I'm always yearning for my next trip, regardless of if I'm driving there or flying there.  I've stayed on a farm, in Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, resorts, inns, motels, with family and friends, and have been on cruises.  I've been throughout Europe, the USA (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and the Caribbean with dreams of adding South America, Africa, Asia, and even Antartica to my list.  My husband and his family is also quite the travelers because they are actually immigrants to America with family spread throughout four continents.

I've written about how to pack lightly for traveling, because it is incredibly important.  Do you know that, though carry on baggage is generally free on airlines, checked baggage costs can really add up.  And, if you're flying on small, puddle-jumper airlines, even carry on baggage has costs according to weight. 

Today, I'm here to talk about general tips for traveling.

Amsterdam

Before You Go

Make sure that you have copies of your identification, just in case.  If you lost your passport, ID, etc, or these get stolen, then you'll have these copies available to you back in your hotel room or just in a different location.  If you're traveling abroad, this will help expedite the process at the embassy.  

Make a few calls.  You may want to call your health insurance company and find out how you may be covered if you need to seek health care in your destination.  In which case, I always bring my insurance card just in case.  Same with auto insurance if you're planning on driving.  Copies might suffice.  Also call your bank and let them know what dates you will be traveling and where you will be going so they don't freeze your card.  You will be responsible for looking at your bank records closely to monitor it's activity since they won't.  Lastly, find out about cell phone coverage where you're going.

Cell phone.  When my husband and I went to Europe for a few weeks in August 2011, we went ahead and paid for the international plan for a month and got a texting plan of 50 texts each for a month.  Just in case there was an emergency and we either got split up, needed to call the hospital, call family, etc.  Another option, is to get a prepaid calling card.  

My husband's family, who is all international, always just gets a prepaid calling card whenever they travel.  They seem to like it.  I personally am not sure how that holds up if your phone won't even dial out because it doesn't have an international plan, but it's an option to consider.  

Another option is Skype.  I have used Skype when I know there is going to be Wifi where I am going to be (hotels, staying with friends/family that have it, etc).

Please, please plan ahead.  It's important.  Know where you want to go, know how you're getting around.  Browse around for good deals.  I was unable to go tour Anne Franks home in Amsterdam because I did not plan early enough to get the times that worked best with our schedule the one day we were in Amsterdam, but I was able to go see the 9/11 Memorial in NYC because I booked in advance and found a time that worked well with our schedule.  One time, I was being all "chill" and relaxed and didn't really plan ahead, and my husband and I went without dinner one night on our honeymoon because all the restaurants around us were either closed or didn't deliver before we got back to the hotel without sightseeing and we had already dropped off our rental car.  Mind you, we got to the hotel at 9:30 PM on a Saturday night.  

Also, some destinations require certain vaccinations or prescription medications (Africa), visit the CDC for more information.  The CDC can also let you know if there are any health concerns in your destination.

Cruises

I love cruises.  I have been on four: a Carnival one to Mexico, a Disney one in the Caribbean, a Princess cruise throughout Alaska, and another Carnival one throughout even more islands in the Caribbean.  It is by far the cheapest way to travel because they are all inclusive (with the exception of alcohol).  Plus, you can go to multiple cities/islands/countries without dragging around your luggage from hotel to hotel.  For less than $1,000 you can go away for one week, have all your meals provided for you, a room to stay in, and a bunch of free cruise ship activities, and then some left over.  

If you go to Vacations to Go, you can find all sorts of great deals on cruises, usually ones that are within 90 days of sailing out and still have rooms to fill.  I've never personally booked through them, but my mom always recommends them -- I have no idea if she's used them when she booked our cruises.

A few tips for cruises:

• At the end of your stay, you still need to tip those who service your room.
• Though you can certainly book excursions through the cruise line website, you can definitely find excursions that are more cost-effective by searching online elsewhere.  
• Regardless of where you book the excursions, it's generally accepted that you also need to tip the drivers/tour guides/etc.

On a Caribbean cruise.

Ways to Save Money

Groupon.  Oh yes, I Groupon starting a few weeks before I am to arrive in my destination.  For this last trip to Miami, I purchased a Groupon in advance and used Groupon Now! to score delicious multi-course meals at seafood restaurants.

Get at least a mini kitchen in your hotel room.  You can get a few grocery items, bring back leftovers, and then you can save a little bit of money so you're not always eating out whenever you're hungry.  This is especially important if you are like me and require breakfast practically as soon as you wake up.  I get some fruit, bread, OJ or something for the mornings.  If a hotel room with even just a fridge and a microwave isn't feasible for you, you can at least get water, fruit, bread, and a few other snacks of the like.  

Eat lunch.  I mean, you're going to eat lunch because it's just natural to be hungry around midday and nourish yourself -- especially when you're doing a lot of sightseeing.  But, if you haven't already noticed, it is always more expensive to eat dinner than eat lunch.  The dinner menus are just pricier regardless of where you are in the world.  So, consider going out for fancy late lunches instead of dinner.

Staying Smart & Staying Safe

Gypsies.  I know this incredibly not politically correct and I apologize immensely for it, but in Europe that is the name of the population that I am referring to in this paragraph.  Gypsies do exist, my friends. They are very sneaky.  It's important to make sure when you're out and about doing your touristy thing that you are being smart.  By smart I mean, avoid using backpacks.  If you need to wear backpacks (like I do because of my camera gear), use locks.  It's annoying to have to lock and unlock whenever I want to change lenses, but, especially in crowded, touristy areas, people have had things stolen out of their backpacks, pockets, etc because they simply weren't being smart.  My husband always packs a certain pair of pants that he calls his anti-gypsy pants because they have zippered pockets.  More on outsmarting gypsies and other thieves here.

Be alert.  I am an ultra aware person when it comes to traveling, as you already know from me putting locks on my backpacks.  But I also have been known to bring a storm whistle to carry around my neck and pack pepper spray in my purse.  These might be extremes, but you are going to a new city you've never been before, it's better to be safe than sorry.  Keep your eyes open and be smart.  Don't go down unpopulated side streets and be extra alert at night.

As a woman, it's especially hard because I've heard of women who can be completely safe traveling alone in some countries and other women who have problems in other countries.  I am all for traveling solo sometimes because I think it's a grand adventure and you can really discover a lot about yourself, but there is a reason there are constant cautions against it.  Stay safe, be smart, and also note the cultural customs in your destination.  Do you need to pack certain clothes to maybe cover up your body more?  Here are more tips for women traveling solo.

St. Lucia

Staying Healthy

Prevention exercises.  If you're going to do a lot of traveling that requires sitting down (long flights, bus tours, etc) make sure you do some leg exercises and walk around!  This is incredibly important.  Especially if you are a smoker, have a poor diet, or are on birth control!  Deep vein thrombosis (DVTs, aka blood clots) are fatal.  I scare you because it's true.  There are way more deaths by DVTs than the medical profession want, and it doesn't matter what age you are.  I don't know if you heard in the news about when Serena Williams had a pulmonary embolism (the result of a DVT) and had to undergo emergency treatment?  Link here.  Just get up and walk around every so often, do some little leg exercises, and stay hydrated!

Drink bottled water.  Regardless of where you are going, it's just safe to go ahead and drink bottled water.  Even if the water is sterile, the make up is different than what your body is used to at home.  You might not get a virus, but you could still have a pretty upset tummy.  More on staying healthy here.

Planning for Future Trips

Join rewards/skymiles programs.  It may not be instantaneous when you can reap the benefits, but every once in awhile it can be advantageous.  Just because I have Marriott Rewards, I get emails about deals, savings, packages, specials, etc that I can use.  Sure I have a nonvaluable number of points, but I have access to specials I wouldn't necessarily know about otherwise.  I also subscribe to Delta airlines emails and get emails about when their offering low airfares to various destinations.  Another perk?  You can get check in and out easier, you may qualify for upgrades, Wifi, and other perks that can make your trip a little bit nicer.

Thanks for reading!  Happy travels!

General Travel Tips

This was originally posted on Life. Love. Lauren. on August 30, 2012.

________________________________

Hello!  My name is Amy and I am the blogger over at The Charming, a general lifestyle blog that focuses on art, inspiration, and wellness, with a bunch of other topics tied in.

The lovely Lauren asked me to guest post for her since she's getting settled in her new job and she suggested I write about traveling -- a favorite topic of mine!

Venice

Traveling is such a passion of mine: experiencing new cultures, trying the local cuisines, stepping in to history, soaking up the landmarks, but, more importantly, escaping the day-to-day, discovering more to life, and creating memories.

I've done a lot of traveling in my life.  It's a desire my mom instilled in me and I'm always yearning for my next trip, regardless of if I'm driving there or flying there.  I've stayed on a farm, in Bed and Breakfasts, hotels, resorts, inns, motels, with family and friends, and have been on cruises.  I've been throughout Europe, the USA (including Alaska and Hawaii), Canada, and the Caribbean with dreams of adding South America, Africa, Asia, and even Antartica to my list.  My husband and his family is also quite the travelers because they are actually immigrants to America with family spread throughout four continents.

I've written about how to pack lightly for traveling, because it is incredibly important.  Do you know that, though carry on baggage is generally free on airlines, checked baggage costs can really add up.  And, if you're flying on small, puddle-jumper airlines, even carry on baggage has costs according to weight. 

Today, I'm here to talk about general tips for traveling.

Amsterdam

Before You Go

Make sure that you have copies of your identification, just in case.  If you lost your passport, ID, etc, or these get stolen, then you'll have these copies available to you back in your hotel room or just in a different location.  If you're traveling abroad, this will help expedite the process at the embassy.  

Make a few calls.  You may want to call your health insurance company and find out how you may be covered if you need to seek health care in your destination.  In which case, I always bring my insurance card just in case.  Same with auto insurance if you're planning on driving.  Copies might suffice.  Also call your bank and let them know what dates you will be traveling and where you will be going so they don't freeze your card.  You will be responsible for looking at your bank records closely to monitor it's activity since they won't.  Lastly, find out about cell phone coverage where you're going.

Cell phone.  When my husband and I went to Europe for a few weeks in August 2011, we went ahead and paid for the international plan for a month and got a texting plan of 50 texts each for a month.  Just in case there was an emergency and we either got split up, needed to call the hospital, call family, etc.  Another option, is to get a prepaid calling card.  

My husband's family, who is all international, always just gets a prepaid calling card whenever they travel.  They seem to like it.  I personally am not sure how that holds up if your phone won't even dial out because it doesn't have an international plan, but it's an option to consider.  

Another option is Skype.  I have used Skype when I know there is going to be Wifi where I am going to be (hotels, staying with friends/family that have it, etc).

Please, please plan ahead.  It's important.  Know where you want to go, know how you're getting around.  Browse around for good deals.  I was unable to go tour Anne Franks home in Amsterdam because I did not plan early enough to get the times that worked best with our schedule the one day we were in Amsterdam, but I was able to go see the 9/11 Memorial in NYC because I booked in advance and found a time that worked well with our schedule.  One time, I was being all "chill" and relaxed and didn't really plan ahead, and my husband and I went without dinner one night on our honeymoon because all the restaurants around us were either closed or didn't deliver before we got back to the hotel without sightseeing and we had already dropped off our rental car.  Mind you, we got to the hotel at 9:30 PM on a Saturday night.  

Also, some destinations require certain vaccinations or prescription medications (Africa), visit the CDC for more information.  The CDC can also let you know if there are any health concerns in your destination.

Cruises

I love cruises.  I have been on four: a Carnival one to Mexico, a Disney one in the Caribbean, a Princess cruise throughout Alaska, and another Carnival one throughout even more islands in the Caribbean.  It is by far the cheapest way to travel because they are all inclusive (with the exception of alcohol).  Plus, you can go to multiple cities/islands/countries without dragging around your luggage from hotel to hotel.  For less than $1,000 you can go away for one week, have all your meals provided for you, a room to stay in, and a bunch of free cruise ship activities, and then some left over.  

If you go to Vacations to Go, you can find all sorts of great deals on cruises, usually ones that are within 90 days of sailing out and still have rooms to fill.  I've never personally booked through them, but my mom always recommends them -- I have no idea if she's used them when she booked our cruises.

A few tips for cruises:

• At the end of your stay, you still need to tip those who service your room.
• Though you can certainly book excursions through the cruise line website, you can definitely find excursions that are more cost-effective by searching online elsewhere.  
• Regardless of where you book the excursions, it's generally accepted that you also need to tip the drivers/tour guides/etc.

On a Caribbean cruise.

Ways to Save Money

Groupon.  Oh yes, I Groupon starting a few weeks before I am to arrive in my destination.  For this last trip to Miami, I purchased a Groupon in advance and used Groupon Now! to score delicious multi-course meals at seafood restaurants.

Get at least a mini kitchen in your hotel room.  You can get a few grocery items, bring back leftovers, and then you can save a little bit of money so you're not always eating out whenever you're hungry.  This is especially important if you are like me and require breakfast practically as soon as you wake up.  I get some fruit, bread, OJ or something for the mornings.  If a hotel room with even just a fridge and a microwave isn't feasible for you, you can at least get water, fruit, bread, and a few other snacks of the like.  

Eat lunch.  I mean, you're going to eat lunch because it's just natural to be hungry around midday and nourish yourself -- especially when you're doing a lot of sightseeing.  But, if you haven't already noticed, it is always more expensive to eat dinner than eat lunch.  The dinner menus are just pricier regardless of where you are in the world.  So, consider going out for fancy late lunches instead of dinner.

Staying Smart & Staying Safe

Gypsies.  I know this incredibly not politically correct and I apologize immensely for it, but in Europe that is the name of the population that I am referring to in this paragraph.  Gypsies do exist, my friends. They are very sneaky.  It's important to make sure when you're out and about doing your touristy thing that you are being smart.  By smart I mean, avoid using backpacks.  If you need to wear backpacks (like I do because of my camera gear), use locks.  It's annoying to have to lock and unlock whenever I want to change lenses, but, especially in crowded, touristy areas, people have had things stolen out of their backpacks, pockets, etc because they simply weren't being smart.  My husband always packs a certain pair of pants that he calls his anti-gypsy pants because they have zippered pockets.  More on outsmarting gypsies and other thieves here.

Be alert.  I am an ultra aware person when it comes to traveling, as you already know from me putting locks on my backpacks.  But I also have been known to bring a storm whistle to carry around my neck and pack pepper spray in my purse.  These might be extremes, but you are going to a new city you've never been before, it's better to be safe than sorry.  Keep your eyes open and be smart.  Don't go down unpopulated side streets and be extra alert at night.

As a woman, it's especially hard because I've heard of women who can be completely safe traveling alone in some countries and other women who have problems in other countries.  I am all for traveling solo sometimes because I think it's a grand adventure and you can really discover a lot about yourself, but there is a reason there are constant cautions against it.  Stay safe, be smart, and also note the cultural customs in your destination.  Do you need to pack certain clothes to maybe cover up your body more?  Here are more tips for women traveling solo.

St. Lucia

Staying Healthy

Prevention exercises.  If you're going to do a lot of traveling that requires sitting down (long flights, bus tours, etc) make sure you do some leg exercises and walk around!  This is incredibly important.  Especially if you are a smoker, have a poor diet, or are on birth control!  Deep vein thrombosis (DVTs, aka blood clots) are fatal.  I scare you because it's true.  There are way more deaths by DVTs than the medical profession want, and it doesn't matter what age you are.  I don't know if you heard in the news about when Serena Williams had a pulmonary embolism (the result of a DVT) and had to undergo emergency treatment?  Link here.  Just get up and walk around every so often, do some little leg exercises, and stay hydrated!

Drink bottled water.  Regardless of where you are going, it's just safe to go ahead and drink bottled water.  Even if the water is sterile, the make up is different than what your body is used to at home.  You might not get a virus, but you could still have a pretty upset tummy.  More on staying healthy here.

Planning for Future Trips

Join rewards/skymiles programs.  It may not be instantaneous when you can reap the benefits, but every once in awhile it can be advantageous.  Just because I have Marriott Rewards, I get emails about deals, savings, packages, specials, etc that I can use.  Sure I have a nonvaluable number of points, but I have access to specials I wouldn't necessarily know about otherwise.  I also subscribe to Delta airlines emails and get emails about when their offering low airfares to various destinations.  Another perk?  You can get check in and out easier, you may qualify for upgrades, Wifi, and other perks that can make your trip a little bit nicer.

Thanks for reading!  Happy travels!

How To: Travel Lightly

Why, hello!

This post was originally a guest post for the lovely Jessica of Jessica Who?  But since I have gotten a lot of feedback on my travels and such, I wanted to post it on my actual blog.  Here you go!

-----

I'm here to talk about traveling lightly without compromising too much on style.  

A bit of a background on me: 

I recently got married and honeymooned to Hawaii.  It was awesome.  Both my husband and I have done quite a bit of traveling in our lives.  My mom and I share a love of new places, cultures, and experiences and my husband is an immigrant whose family is spread over four different continents.

My parents love to tell the tale of when we went on my first cruise and I brought "everything but the kitchen sink."  Well, I was seven and when my parents told me our room would be "roomy," I wanted to make it feel like home: so I brought a rug.  That's right, a nice rug that I believe was in the shape of a flower.  I can't believe my parents never checked a seven year old's luggage.  Silly parents.

Since then, my mom and I have been to Europe a few times and our family has done a few cruises to different places.  Fortunately, I married someone who likes to travel and is pretty travel-smart like I have come to become: I no longer bring rugs on my vacations and I strive to only bring with me what I can carry on to the plane myself.  

Last August, we went to visit his family in Europe, as well as do a few sightseeing of our own.  It was our first big trip together and ever.  I'd traveled by myself but never internationally before.

Now when I say big, I mean jam-packed intensity: nine different airports, about ten different flights, and five cities throughout Europe: Venice, Italy; Rome, Italy (including Vatican City); Palermo, Sicily, Italy; Campeltown, Scotland; and Amsterdam, Holland all in fourteen days.  We were exhausted and couldn't afford to carry more than what we really needed.  Checked bag charges really add up, friends.  $50 here, $17 here, etc.

But, I am perfecting the art of traveling lightly, friends!  I practiced it again when I went to NYC for a girls trip and then Oahu and the Big Island in Hawaii for our ten-day relaxation and adventure packed honeymoon:

#1.  One, one, one.

I always pack one skirt that will go with most of my tops, one pair of pants that will go with most of my shirts, and one or two cardigans that will go with most of my shirts.  Getting the picture?  

Skirts are breathable, comfortable, and can be good in cooler weather if you wear tights (like I do).

Cardigans are a fashion must even when I'm at home.  They can really add a lot to an outfit.  They can also cover up your ladies if you just want to pack a few tanks/camis to save some room in your bag, protect your shoulders from the hot sun, or warm you up if you're on a tall piece of history/nature that has winds or just in a chilly place.

In Europe, I brought jeggings because I love jeggings.  They are breathable (because I gained a few bounds in Europe in spite of all the walking I did) and a darker pair can be dressed up at night.  In Hawaii, I brought a pair of grey cotton capris that were comfortable enough to tour in but also nice enough to wear to a fancy dinner with a change of top.

#2.  Wearing twice, just as nice.

Who cares if you wear the same outfit twice?  I definitely don't.

#3.  You really only need three pairs of shoes.

Comfortable shoes you can tour around in is numbero uno.  In my recent experience touring NYC, worn out TOMS do not do this.  I took brand new TOMS to Europe and they did just find.  But they got so worn down it was like I was walking without shoes and support except that I had really constricting material around my feet.  Find shoes that are comfortable.  If you don't want to wear sneakers, but can't afford to keep buying new TOMS (or don't have the problem I did), there are other options out there.

A pair of flats/heels that will go with your outfits for when you want to dress up. 

A miscellaneous shoe: if you're going to Scotland, something for the rain might be good.  But if you know you're going to a warmer place, flip flops are probably a great idea.

The only time I recommend adding a pair of shoes is if you are going from warm and sunny to cold and rainy like I did last August.

When I was in Paris for winter 2004, I packed: a pair of boots that I wore on the plane that matched most of my outfits and comfortable flats to be worn with nude color socks.

#4.  Accessories.

For Hawaii, I brought a cute sun hat.  Though some items aren't practical because they take up space, other things, in moderation, don't take up that much space and you can also change an outfit up with accessories just like any other outfit.

#5.  Pick items that will go with at least most everything else.

In Europe: I packed jeggings, a grey, skirt, and white capris as my bottoms.  I packed a fun lavender cardigan and a white cropped cardigan.  Most of those items went with the shirts I packed: a white tunic with a braided belt, a light striped top see in the picture of me in Rome, and a few different color camis/tank tops.  Yes, I packed one or two more clothing items, like a bathing suit and a casual dress, but I was essentially set for those busy two weeks in which the weather would vary from day-to-day.

#6.  Load up on underwear.  

No need to dig deep on this one, friends.  However, you can buy laundry detergent especially for travelers that you can do in the sink.  Personally, I don't even do that, I just use soap and water for my underwears and hang them to dry.  If you know you're going to be sweating a lot, I'd say pack a few more outfits and look in to cleaning options.  But I rewear clothes at least two times before I wash them at home anyways. 

#7.  Go neutral with pops of color.

I really like the color grey as my neutral color.  So when I go on trips, I usually go for a grey skirt or pair of pants.  Grey is great for me because I'm not taking sides on the whole brown v. black issue.  Plus, it's not a heavy color to be out in the sun.  In Europe it was a grey skirt that you've seen, it Hawaii it was a different grey skirt as well as a grey pair of capris.  I put on color tops and changed shoes to make different outfits without problems or commitments in the "does this match?" department.

Well, this ends a long post about traveling lightly.  These are simply my seven tips and tricks to avoiding checking bags, waiting to reclaim bags, and lugging around more luggage than you actually need while walking over a mile each way in the Venetian heat to get to and from your hotel (yes, true story).  Plus, in my experience, I still overpack sometimes.  I hope you find them somewhat helpful!  

How To: Travel Lightly

Why, hello!

This post was originally a guest post for the lovely Jessica of Jessica Who?  But since I have gotten a lot of feedback on my travels and such, I wanted to post it on my actual blog.  Here you go!

-----

I'm here to talk about traveling lightly without compromising too much on style.  

A bit of a background on me: 

I recently got married and honeymooned to Hawaii.  It was awesome.  Both my husband and I have done quite a bit of traveling in our lives.  My mom and I share a love of new places, cultures, and experiences and my husband is an immigrant whose family is spread over four different continents.

My parents love to tell the tale of when we went on my first cruise and I brought "everything but the kitchen sink."  Well, I was seven and when my parents told me our room would be "roomy," I wanted to make it feel like home: so I brought a rug.  That's right, a nice rug that I believe was in the shape of a flower.  I can't believe my parents never checked a seven year old's luggage.  Silly parents.

Since then, my mom and I have been to Europe a few times and our family has done a few cruises to different places.  Fortunately, I married someone who likes to travel and is pretty travel-smart like I have come to become: I no longer bring rugs on my vacations and I strive to only bring with me what I can carry on to the plane myself.  

Last August, we went to visit his family in Europe, as well as do a few sightseeing of our own.  It was our first big trip together and ever.  I'd traveled by myself but never internationally before.

Now when I say big, I mean jam-packed intensity: nine different airports, about ten different flights, and five cities throughout Europe: Venice, Italy; Rome, Italy (including Vatican City); Palermo, Sicily, Italy; Campeltown, Scotland; and Amsterdam, Holland all in fourteen days.  We were exhausted and couldn't afford to carry more than what we really needed.  Checked bag charges really add up, friends.  $50 here, $17 here, etc.

But, I am perfecting the art of traveling lightly, friends!  I practiced it again when I went to NYC for a girls trip and then Oahu and the Big Island in Hawaii for our ten-day relaxation and adventure packed honeymoon:

#1.  One, one, one.

I always pack one skirt that will go with most of my tops, one pair of pants that will go with most of my shirts, and one or two cardigans that will go with most of my shirts.  Getting the picture?  

Skirts are breathable, comfortable, and can be good in cooler weather if you wear tights (like I do).

Cardigans are a fashion must even when I'm at home.  They can really add a lot to an outfit.  They can also cover up your ladies if you just want to pack a few tanks/camis to save some room in your bag, protect your shoulders from the hot sun, or warm you up if you're on a tall piece of history/nature that has winds or just in a chilly place.

In Europe, I brought jeggings because I love jeggings.  They are breathable (because I gained a few bounds in Europe in spite of all the walking I did) and a darker pair can be dressed up at night.  In Hawaii, I brought a pair of grey cotton capris that were comfortable enough to tour in but also nice enough to wear to a fancy dinner with a change of top.

#2.  Wearing twice, just as nice.

Who cares if you wear the same outfit twice?  I definitely don't.

#3.  You really only need three pairs of shoes.

Comfortable shoes you can tour around in is numbero uno.  In my recent experience touring NYC, worn out TOMS do not do this.  I took brand new TOMS to Europe and they did just find.  But they got so worn down it was like I was walking without shoes and support except that I had really constricting material around my feet.  Find shoes that are comfortable.  If you don't want to wear sneakers, but can't afford to keep buying new TOMS (or don't have the problem I did), there are other options out there.

A pair of flats/heels that will go with your outfits for when you want to dress up. 

A miscellaneous shoe: if you're going to Scotland, something for the rain might be good.  But if you know you're going to a warmer place, flip flops are probably a great idea.

The only time I recommend adding a pair of shoes is if you are going from warm and sunny to cold and rainy like I did last August.

When I was in Paris for winter 2004, I packed: a pair of boots that I wore on the plane that matched most of my outfits and comfortable flats to be worn with nude color socks.

#4.  Accessories.

For Hawaii, I brought a cute sun hat.  Though some items aren't practical because they take up space, other things, in moderation, don't take up that much space and you can also change an outfit up with accessories just like any other outfit.

#5.  Pick items that will go with at least most everything else.

In Europe: I packed jeggings, a grey, skirt, and white capris as my bottoms.  I packed a fun lavender cardigan and a white cropped cardigan.  Most of those items went with the shirts I packed: a white tunic with a braided belt, a light striped top see in the picture of me in Rome, and a few different color camis/tank tops.  Yes, I packed one or two more clothing items, like a bathing suit and a casual dress, but I was essentially set for those busy two weeks in which the weather would vary from day-to-day.

#6.  Load up on underwear.  

No need to dig deep on this one, friends.  However, you can buy laundry detergent especially for travelers that you can do in the sink.  Personally, I don't even do that, I just use soap and water for my underwears and hang them to dry.  If you know you're going to be sweating a lot, I'd say pack a few more outfits and look in to cleaning options.  But I rewear clothes at least two times before I wash them at home anyways. 

#7.  Go neutral with pops of color.

I really like the color grey as my neutral color.  So when I go on trips, I usually go for a grey skirt or pair of pants.  Grey is great for me because I'm not taking sides on the whole brown v. black issue.  Plus, it's not a heavy color to be out in the sun.  In Europe it was a grey skirt that you've seen, it Hawaii it was a different grey skirt as well as a grey pair of capris.  I put on color tops and changed shoes to make different outfits without problems or commitments in the "does this match?" department.

Well, this ends a long post about traveling lightly.  These are simply my seven tips and tricks to avoiding checking bags, waiting to reclaim bags, and lugging around more luggage than you actually need while walking over a mile each way in the Venetian heat to get to and from your hotel (yes, true story).  Plus, in my experience, I still overpack sometimes.  I hope you find them somewhat helpful!  

My travel tricks to packing light.

Today I am giving you my tips and tricks to packing light while traveling.

How light?  Well, friends, I refuse to check bags!

It's expense and wastes time.

Except I'm sharing my little trickies over on Jessica's blog.  

She's such a sweetheart who actually lives in Oahu with her husband!

Small. World.

Oh!  I'm also over on Little Becky Homecky's blog
with a little interview about me, wedding advice, and shop talk.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my favorite daddy in the world.

Little Amy: "Daddyyyy"

Dad: "Whattyyyy"

Love.

My travel tricks to packing light.

Today I am giving you my tips and tricks to packing light while traveling.

How light?  Well, friends, I refuse to check bags!

It's expense and wastes time.

Except I'm sharing my little trickies over on Jessica's blog.  

She's such a sweetheart who actually lives in Oahu with her husband!

Small. World.

Oh!  I'm also over on Little Becky Homecky's blog
with a little interview about me, wedding advice, and shop talk.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my favorite daddy in the world.

Little Amy: "Daddyyyy"

Dad: "Whattyyyy"

Love.

Fontana di Trevi

The Trevi Fountain, an example of Baroque architecture, is one of the ancient aqueducts of Rome.  It marks the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo and is at the juncture of three roads (tre vie). This fountain served Rome for more than 400 years.

Originally a more simpler basin, the Trevi Fountain was completely finished (complete with statues of "Trivia," the Roman virgin) in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.  The theme of this fountain is Taming of the waters in which you can see tritons guiding Neptune's chariot, taming seahorses.  

The fountain stands at 85 feet high and 65 feet wide and is the largest of the fountains in Rome.  Legend does have it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder in to the fountain, you are guaranteed a trip back.  No, I did not throw a coin over my shoulder.  There were way too many people!  It was seriously quite crowded.  I was so happy these photos turned out so well, I remember it being darker than it looks in the photos.

Works Cited

Rome Sights 2011: a travel guide to the top 50 attractions in Rome, Italy. Includes three walking tours. Amazon Kindle: MobileReference, 2011.

Fontana di Trevi

The Trevi Fountain, an example of Baroque architecture, is one of the ancient aqueducts of Rome.  It marks the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo and is at the juncture of three roads (tre vie). This fountain served Rome for more than 400 years.

Originally a more simpler basin, the Trevi Fountain was completely finished (complete with statues of "Trivia," the Roman virgin) in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.  The theme of this fountain is Taming of the waters in which you can see tritons guiding Neptune's chariot, taming seahorses.  

The fountain stands at 85 feet high and 65 feet wide and is the largest of the fountains in Rome.  Legend does have it that if you throw a coin over your shoulder in to the fountain, you are guaranteed a trip back.  No, I did not throw a coin over my shoulder.  There were way too many people!  It was seriously quite crowded.  I was so happy these photos turned out so well, I remember it being darker than it looks in the photos.

Works Cited

Rome Sights 2011: a travel guide to the top 50 attractions in Rome, Italy. Includes three walking tours. Amazon Kindle: MobileReference, 2011.

Il Colosseo

This is a new feature inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Simply Colette.

I wanted to show some of my favorite pictures of my recent European trip, but I figured that such I just love history so much that I wanted to incorporate the two together in to this feature in order to show you snippets from my trip.

So today, I am starting with the amazing Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of Emperor Vespasian in 72 C.E. (same as A.D. but the academic term) and was completed in 80 C.E.  It is recounted that 9,000 wild animals were killed in the one hundred days of celebration which inaugurated the amphitheater opening.  The Colosseum was in continuous use until 217, when it was damaged by fire after a lightning strike.  Then, four earthquakes (in 442, 508, 847, and 1349) caused massive damage, resulting in the structure we see today.  During the Renaissance, the ruling Roman families used it as a source of marble for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and in the palaces of Roman families, like the Barberini.

Pope Benedict XIV forbade the use of the Colosseum as a quarry and he consecrated the building to the Passion of Christ and installed Stations of the Cross, declaring it sanctified by the blood of the Christian martyrs who were though to have perished there.  Later Popes continued the historic preservation process.

Italy abolished the death penalty in 1948 and used the Colosseum today as a gesture against the death penalty around the world.  Local authorities will change the color of the night time illumination from white to gold whenever a person condemned to the death penalty anywhere in the world gets their sentence commuted or is released.

The Colosseum measures 157ft hight, 615ft long, and 510 wide.

Works Cited

Rome Sights 2011: a travel guide to the top 50 attractions in Rome, Italy. Includes three walking tours. Amazon Kindle: MobileReference, 2011.

Il Colosseo

This is a new feature inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Simply Colette.

I wanted to show some of my favorite pictures of my recent European trip, but I figured that such I just love history so much that I wanted to incorporate the two together in to this feature in order to show you snippets from my trip.

So today, I am starting with the amazing Colosseum in Rome, Italy.

Construction of the Colosseum began under the rule of Emperor Vespasian in 72 C.E. (same as A.D. but the academic term) and was completed in 80 C.E.  It is recounted that 9,000 wild animals were killed in the one hundred days of celebration which inaugurated the amphitheater opening.  The Colosseum was in continuous use until 217, when it was damaged by fire after a lightning strike.  Then, four earthquakes (in 442, 508, 847, and 1349) caused massive damage, resulting in the structure we see today.  During the Renaissance, the ruling Roman families used it as a source of marble for the construction of St. Peter's Basilica and in the palaces of Roman families, like the Barberini.

Pope Benedict XIV forbade the use of the Colosseum as a quarry and he consecrated the building to the Passion of Christ and installed Stations of the Cross, declaring it sanctified by the blood of the Christian martyrs who were though to have perished there.  Later Popes continued the historic preservation process.

Italy abolished the death penalty in 1948 and used the Colosseum today as a gesture against the death penalty around the world.  Local authorities will change the color of the night time illumination from white to gold whenever a person condemned to the death penalty anywhere in the world gets their sentence commuted or is released.

The Colosseum measures 157ft hight, 615ft long, and 510 wide.

Works Cited

Rome Sights 2011: a travel guide to the top 50 attractions in Rome, Italy. Includes three walking tours. Amazon Kindle: MobileReference, 2011.