15 tips to help you plan & prep to make any trip a success!

 Hello friends, 

Welcome to the first of a series of posts where I will share some tips & insights about "The Joy of Travel".

It's been awhile since I've had a spare moment to write. We've had a very busy spring with a (somewhat last minute) family vacation to California and I just traveled with some girlfriends to the East Coast. I wanted to share with you some tidbits and insights I've gleaned over the years and some new lessons I learned from my recent travels, in hopes that it will encourage you in planning your own travels. :) 

Whether this is your first solo, family or couples vacation/travels you are planning or your 100th, I think you can benefit from some of these tips below. As always, I love your feedback and welcome any tips you can share with the rest of us, so please drop me a note in the comments! :) I look forward to reading them & learning some of your tips also! 

One thing I've learned over the years that has been the biggest benefit when I travel is that researching the locations I will be visiting (on an upcoming trip) before I leave will always pay off!! Whether that is as simple as knowing ahead of time some of the activities located close by, their proximity to where I am going to be staying (this info may help me decide which town or area of a city I want to have as a home base while on my trip) or knowing where several food/restaurant or grocery store options are/will be during my stay. Some of the research could be more of an intensive study, depending on what the nature of my visit is. If it is a fun family trip and we want to keep it light and focus on fun, I might research local family favorite hot spots, activities and restaurants. However, if we are planning a more in depth focus on learning and plan to incorporate some of our homeschool/life lessons while on our trip, I'll spend more time developing a plan based on: areas of interest, historical importance or relationship to something/someone we have studied or will study. For instance: we visited Washington D.C. several years ago (see post link for info about that trip as well as a resource for field trips/activity planning etc.) that you can incorporate into homeschool lessons or to broaden your learning on any vacation/trip/fieldtrip etc. https://thishomeschoolerslife.blogspot.com/2020/09/100-fabulous-field-tripeducational.html . While on our trip we included numerous stops at historic sites and museums we may not have planned to visit or known about, had I not spent time researching beforehand which sites/museums would showcase the history or specific events we would study later that year in school. Seeing those places, things in person made history come alive, more tangible, more relatable and helped my children grasp the gravity of what happened and also to remember it, so much better because they now have a connection to the past with one of their current memories. 

By doing all or a large majority of the research before I ever hop in a car, board a plane, or head out on an adventure, it allows me to be fully present while I'm traveling and minimizes or greatly reduces the amount of time I have to spend looking those things up while I'm on my trip. I've discovered that's one way for me to more easily relax and truly enjoy my vacation. In fact, that is my number one tip. ;)

*Some ideas of what to research/plan ahead:

*Location *Activities *Historical locations, people, places etc. *Top Destinations/Touristy places *Off the beaten path locations/hidden gems *Local favorites *Family Activities *Tips/Insights *Tours: Cost, Hours, Locations, Tickets, Pre-booking info/Reservation info etc. *Food/Restaurant info *Hotel/Airbnb/Vacasa/Condo/Vacation Rental info *Flight or Rental car info *Maps/Tour guide info, Travel brochures, websites/links or travel app info *Ideas of fun surprise activities or adventures *Look into weather patterns/typical season or weather for the time of year you will be traveling to your destination *Activities/games etc. to take along while you are traveling to entertain, occupy or distract kiddos. **Some Ideas: Car games such as: travel bingo cards, a new pack of playing cards, new book or journal, would you rather books/questions, travel geared family games like these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CL2BSM8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003V17GD4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1  or a small handheld game system such as these or a handheld Carmen Sandiego or The Oregon Trail game that we found on amazon, links below, (we bought one for each child before we took a long road trip last summer and they were amazing at keeping even my teenagers occupied and entertained for several hours on a long road trip!!): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082R1X2JH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 or https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PRYTWPP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

*Also, I think it can be super beneficial to keep a running list going of things you will need or plan to purchase before your trip so you can minimize your shopping trips and keep in mind shipping times or delays if somethings will need to be special ordered prior to your vacation. * Keep in mind that although Amazon is generally quick for shipping, their normal shipping times have been delayed quite a bit due to Covid and some things you order may not arrive in time for your trip if you don't plan ahead. :)

*My Top 15 Tips to help make your next trip a success:

#1) Do your research about the necessities/location and proximity of what you will need or need to be close to before your trip. *I strongly believe it has helped my vacations run much more smoothly and for everyone to have a good time while we are away from home. *See Below for a list of some ideas of what to research :)

#2) Keep a travel notebook for all your notes, information, websites, favorite travel bloggers, links for travel posts etc. Also helpful, especially if you will be visiting/traveling to multiple states or locations is to: create a folder or binder to store your printouts, maps or other info you collect about the location(s) you will be visiting. 

-I like to keep an actual notebook, divided into sections such as: Food/restaurants, activities, hidden gems, teaching/learning or applicable life lessons, history or significance of a place etc., preferred sights/top destinations, highlights or recommendations from friends or family, free activities, family friendly activities, adventures: activities, tours: costs, hours, reservations needed etc., ticket info, reservation info, hotel/air bnb, vacasa reservation info, flight info, rental car etc. info. Contact info of family/friend or acquaintance we may visit, key addresses or locations & phone numbers, sample itinerary with activities mapped out by location and proximity, times of operation etc.

-A sample itinerary helps us eliminate wasting time running around from one location to the next and missing something we really wanted to see, because it closed or we wasted precious time driving back and forth that could have been eliminated if we'd have mapped things out to see which locations were closest to each other to make the most of our time etc. I think you will find this to be beneficial as well! Do you make a sample itinerary or list of what to see each day? Have other suggestions? I'd love for you to share them in the comments below. :)

While on my recent trip to Charleston South Carolina & Savannah Georgia, we visited 5 plantations, took a private boat tour (AMAZING!!) at The Cypress Gardens, toured 2 historic homes, visited Folly Beach, saw wild dolphins swimming very close to shore and saw Morris Island Lighthouse, saw the famous historic 400+ yr old Angel Oak Tree, drove down moss covered, oak lined drives, walked all over the historic streets and downtown Charleston, spent a full day exploring around Savannah and still had plenty of time to see everything we wanted to see, all in just 4 1/2 days! We walked well over 50 miles & 75,000 steps!! But boy, did we make each step count! We saw everything on our to do list, plus so much more! All because we researched before we left and spent about 30 minutes each night quickly mapping out the itinerary for the next day. It paid off by saving our feet from even more walking, (which might have done us in😜😆).

#3) Location of where you will stay (I know this sounds like a given but let me explain): I'm not just talking about whether you will rent a condo, stay in a hotel or airbnb. I always look at what the location of the place we will be staying has to offer (amenities) and that helps me determine which hotel/airbnb/vacasa or condo to book. 

-For instance: If one hotel is in closer proximity to numerous activities we will be doing, has a plethora of restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, bank etc. nearby that could be/will be much more appealing than another option that is further out of the way (even if the price is less). Unless the price difference is several hundred dollars, generally speaking convenience is often worth more than saving a few bucks. 

#4) Places of interest: Historical sites, locations of important moments in history, homes of important public/historical figures, quirky or fun points of interest or viewpoints, scenic vistas or best places to stop to take in a gorgeous view etc. 

-Almost without fail, I am the one who will be taking pics out the window, out the sun roof or telling my hubby to please pull over so I can pop out quick to snap a pic of the stunning scenery. ;) I love nature and am always in awe at the beautiful world our amazing creator made just for us to enjoy! There are so many lovely sites, places to visit and perfect little stops along the way if you are aware of them or just keep your eyes on a look out for them. Of course, not everything can be discovered beforehand, my motto is to plan and have a course of direction we wish to go, but to be ready to throw it all to the side if something better comes along...because you never know what you may stumble upon if you travel with an open mind, ready to welcome new adventures. :)

-Over the years, we've found some of our favorite locations and best views while driving around a new area getting ourselves acquainted with the location. Usually, the unplanned times like those become some of our favorite memories because we're fully allowing ourselves to be immersed in the atmosphere around us, the sights, sounds, smells and completely embrace all that we are experiencing in the moment. It is such a blessing :) 

*Photo above is: 17 Chalmers Street, one of the oldest remaining homes in Charleston S.C., thought to be built in 1694.

#5) Activities that are offered near by: this can be something as simple as a bowling alley, mini golf, family fun center, movie theater or is the business center or convention center nearby, if I or someone traveling with me is traveling for business/work/conference etc.

- Being within a few miles of the activities you plan to do or will be participating in allows you to give yourself more time in the morning or evening and shouldn't have you wasting a big chunk of your precious time being stuck in traffic, or shuttling to or fro, from one activity or meeting to another. 

#6) Is a visitor center located nearby? Is there somewhere that you can go to gain more information or insight and possible directions or referrals to local attractions, restaurants, places to see or explore that you may not find or hear about with an online search? Finding a contact that is local can be the key to finding hidden gems that just may end up being your favorite place/activity on your trip. 

-We always head to a visitor center or write to one in a large city we will be visiting and request a visitor guide, city map, tourist info etc. either before or during a trip so we can be fully equipped with the best info about wherever we are headed. We also love to chat with locals about their recommendations or insights they can offer about which areas not to miss or things we should avoid or that aren't worth our time etc. 

#7) Check out books, travel guides or read blogs/vlogs/podcasts, watch documentaries or Youtube videos about specific areas, destinations or places you intend to visit. 

-I am a firm believer that knowledge is power and a huge key to diving deep into the history of a place or the people who lived/currently reside where I am traveling to. It gives me so much deeper of an appreciation for a place, the history, the people, events, the place, when I understand what makes it/made it significant in the past, present, how it will in the future, or the impact it will have on our family because of the imprint it made/will leave on our hearts and minds. 

*Recently we visited Yosemite National Park and were mesmerized by the mountains and natural beauty all around us. Prior to our departure for the trip we watched the Netflix original documentary/film about Alex Honnold, the first free-solo climber to climb El Capitan and survive. It was mind blowing to look up at the massive rock, made of granite and try to imagine climbing it without any equipment, let alone wrap my head around making it all the way to the top in just a little over 3 hours! That is such an incredible feat and by looking at the enormity of El Cap, while standing in it's shadow it seems like it would be impossible. My kiddos were amazed and enamored as we watched the Netflix film. Once we arrived at the park we all couldn't believe Mr. Honnold completed such a daunting, unbelievable task. It made the risk he took feel so much more real, as we viewed sunset from Tunnel View and saw sunlight dancing off the top of El Capitan. We stood in awe, watching the sunlight radiate off of it as it begin to reflect glorious rich golden hues that faded into soft shades of pink as the sun sunk below the mountains. It was truly a magical sight that we will never forget. 

#8) If you plan to visit National Parks or several are on your bucket list, I recommend purchasing a National parks season pass to save time & money. Not only will it save you time at entry, it also helps save you a ton of money by only paying a one time fee for the pass instead of being charged an entry fee at every park. Every year we purchase a National parks season pass & it has been one of the most used and beneficial passes we have ever owned, as it gains you access into all of the national parks and numerous state parks as well. 

-Link to National Parks pass: https://store.usgs.gov/pass

-We love having the pass as it provides free access for 12 months (from the end of the month that you make your purchase) into over 2,000 locations nation wide (United States), all BLM lands, Forest Service land, NPS, and U.S. Fish and wildlife services as well as U.S. Army Corps of engineers locations that charge an entry fee. 

-If you plan on purchasing purchase at the beginning of a month in order to receive the most bang for your buck purchase at the beginning of a month instead of the end so you can make use of your pass for the entirety of the month. The pass can be purchased online as well as at numerous National Parks or federal recreation sites (see link above for locations). 

*On our recent family trip to Yosemite, I was so thankful that I had researched ahead of time what was open and what was not at the park. Due to Covid, many of the parks amenities such as restaurants, visitor centers and restroom locations were closed. It really helped to know where the locations of those that were open were located so we could take best advantage of them when they were near and map out our day according to opening/closing times of things in the park. Since we traveled during the pandemic, it was helpful to know not many food options were available. Ultimately that information helped me to plan ahead and bring lunch/dinner items with us and snack items to tide us over, also to research locations outside of the park where we could find restaurants open for other meals.  

-This was also helpful last year while we visited 3 other National Parks, Glacier N.P., Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons. I would strongly advise doing some research on all national parks if you plan to visit any this year or next. It has come to my attention that since our visit to Yosemite in March, that the NPS is now going to be requiring pre-registration to enter this park after May 21st 2021, as well as Glacier, Zion and a few others. More information can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/ .

#9) Take into account the hobbies, interests, likes, dislikes, points of interest, views, requests etc. of those who will be traveling with you. 

-When I travel with my hubby and kiddos I look for a hotel that offers some amenities like a pool & free breakfast (which my hubby & kiddos love) or a home that has a kitchen or kitchenette so I can bring meal items along to help save on our eating out/grocery bill while we travel. I also tend to look at the travel distance/time to/from our main activities etc. because nothing is more of a kill joy while traveling with kids than the dreaded repetition of "are we there yet" or "how much longer" questions.

-I also research where public parks, restrooms and restaurants are located & keep that info handy. There is nothing worse than having an hour or more drive to your destination & having someone that really needs a restroom stop and knowing there likely isn't one in any proximity to your location and scrambling to try and find them somewhere for relief or being able to avoid having major hunger pangs hit your kiddos (or older kids/adults who are getting "hangry"), because you researched when would be the best time/city to stop for a bite instead of realizing there is still a longtime before you're near your destination or somewhere else that you could stop only to find out there are no options around. It is also helpful to keep a city map handy if you plan to walk around a lot, it could just be what keeps your from getting lost, be the ticket to finding a nearby restroom if needed or the guide to your next grand adventure! :) By researching before hand it not only helps to eliminate those very unpleasant situations but it also helps you have some options/solutions if one of them arises while you are out and about. Making it so worth the effort and investment of my time!😊 

#10) If a family member/friend or person you will be traveling with loves to read, learn about history, take nature photography or art,  here are some things you may want to look into: books about specific places or people of interest/historical figures that relate with your trip or places you will visit. You could also look into visiting an art gallery or museums & the best scenic views or vistas along your travel route. Those little things may just be what flips your trip from fun and okay, to epic and amazing!💖 Worth the little bit of extra effort, planning and researching in my book! ;)  Also, it might be worth investing in a good camera or at least a beginners camera for a kiddo who shows interest in photography, as a fun way to invest and connect with their interests and potential new hobby! :) 

#11) Keep a Travel Atlas, map(s) or other source of physical guide for the areas you will be visiting. You never know when/if your google maps/siri or other electronic mapping device may cut out or loose service. It would be terrible to be stranded somewhere out in the boonies with out a reliable guide to get you to where you need to go. Plus, it could be what saves the day if major road construction, traffic etc. occurs & it will help you to be prepared for whatever may arise while on the road. 

-I always have a travel atlas and a kids travel atlas in our car during our road trips. The kids love looking up which route we are taking, possible alternative routes and the kids atlas we have provides all sorts of interesting facts about each state. They love learning and sharing those facts with us as we travel into a new state together. :) It's also a great way for them to learn some geography without much effort on your part, I call that a win win! ;) 🙌

#12) One thing we also love to include is a list of the top 3-5 things/sights that our kids (and we) want to see or try while on our trip & try to incorporate as many as we can on each persons list. Usually they will include a favorite activity, something they have always wanted to try or have an interest in, perhaps eating at a famous restaurant chain we don't have in our state, stopping at the pressed penny machines at our destinations, visiting as many of the major sights or viewpoints as possible, checking out all the activities to do in the area or perhaps something/somewhere we can only go/see/do while in the area. 

#13) Try to do something new, that no one or most of the people in your group has never done before. 

-We love doing at least one thing new that we've never done before while on a trip. There is something special about trying something new or that you've never done while visiting a new place. Those memories connect us and bond us with each other and the new places we've visited. We've all developed deep appreciation and found that we prefer specific places over others depending on the memories we've made there. Isn't that interesting?! 

 *While we visited the Redwoods in 2016 we drove through one of the large Redwood trees at a park in Klamath, CA. On our second trip to the Redwoods we rode a gondola  high up into the trees, at the Tree's of Mystery. 

*In Seattle last fall (2020) we enjoyed checking out the updates to the Space Needle (our last time to the space needle was in 2015), they added floor to ceiling glass walls and floating glass benches all around the observation deck & we were able to walk on the Loupe. The world's only revolving glass floor, located inside the Space Needle. Then we  rode on the  Seattle Great Wheel, a Ferris wheel over the water. 

*While we visited Yellowstone in the summer of 2020, we stayed in the park till past dark, to watch the stars and see which animals we could find at dusk. 

*In Glacier national park we took a 4 mile hike (that turned into 9 miles) on a trail we had previously not heard about (Photo of mountains & lake above). While we were out hiking, numerous hikers we passed kept raving so much about the incredible views that we decided we had to see it for ourselves. That turned out to be one of our best decisions we made on the trip & it is still our favorite hike we've ever done (we hike all the time so that is saying a lot😉)! The views were spectacular & have remained unmatched elsewhere. We were all in awe at the natural beauty of "Avalanche Lake", a gorgeous lake that is glacier fed, surrounded by glaciers, mountains and has 3 waterfalls flowing into it.

-Remember, some of your best memories/adventures (usually) will come from the unplanned moments, so keep your mind & heart open to opportunities that may stumble into your path and make the most of them! :) 

#14) Encourage your kiddos & yourself to jot down memories or highlights each day. Either in a special travel diary/journal or notebook or just a few snippets into a google doc or word doc. It is a great way to remind yourself later on all that you accomplished, achieved, saw or witnessed each day of your travels. Also a great way to chronologize photographs you may print or want to scrapbook after you return from your journey. I know for me, having a list or some notes about each day, activity or sequence of the events that we participate in while on our journey/travels really helps me to keep it all in order when I make scrapbooks and organize photos after we get back home. 

-We always keep a travel journal & have our kids do the same. While on our travels my kiddos will jot down some of their favorite events, memories of the day, highlights or special events etc. I also record a majority of what we did each day & try to keep a list of chronological order of events in my journal so when we return home we can remember what we did, but it also aides my memory when I scrapbook our journey later on. 

*While on my recent girls trip to South Carolina & Georgia, one of my girlfriends kept a google doc that we would all add little snippets, funny anecdotes, events, memories, highlights, quotes or quips into each day so we could all remember and have for reference/reminders in the future, when we create our memory books/photobook or scrapbooks. 

 #15) Most importantly, have fun!! Relax, enjoy the moment and savor all the sweet memories you are creating!! 

*I always try to focus on & remember what a true blessing it is to travel with my loved ones and to create special memories with them. It is such a special privilege and one I am so so grateful for! 💗

Hope some of these will benefit you and your planning for your next big adventure! Please feel free to leave a comment, connect on instagram https://www.instagram.com/thishomeschoolerslife/ or connect with me via email in the contact me link to share all your lovely tips, insights and your tried & true organizational/planning, travel hacks :)

Blessings friends, I pray you all have the joy and privileges' of traveling and making your travel dreams come true now or in the near future! I am always eager to hear about your travel adventures and look forward to any and all of your travel/planning tips! 

**PS. A few extra tips are: To pack for the weather (you can help to eliminate some unnecessary items from your bags by checking the weather a day or 2 before you leave) & pack a nice light weight jacket with a hood (for those breezier days or if you happen to have rain one day). 

Also, beneficial for saving space in your bag is to plan a quick pit stop at a grocery store once you reach your destination to pick up a few essentials such as: sunscreen, lotion or other heavier beauty products you may need for your trip, water bottles, a few snacks or light breakfast items, a beach hat or sun hat (if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors), perhaps a cheaper small cooler, pair of beach chairs or beach towels (if you travel to the beach), and any other items you may have forgotten. Then you should be ready to fully relax and enjoy your vacation knowing you have everything you need to have a great time! 

*One last tip: If you will be visiting multiple types of terrain: beach, swamp/marsh, fields, hot & dry, super humid, very cold, or wet climates, dusty trails or desert type areas, a lake, river or the ocean, on a boat or a cruise, walking streets of a city etc., I would suggest planning out a small capsule wardrobe for your trip. Planning ahead this way can not only save you time, space and effort packing it will also help eliminate the dreaded what should I wear today and should help have you out the door in record time while on your vacation! ;) When I pack for an upcoming trip there are always a few things that I think about: #1) what type of trip is this #2) What activities/places will we be venturing to & #3) What will the weather be like?  Having those questions in mind helps me to eliminate items from my suitcase and to come up with a list of items I may need to purchase prior to a trip. It also helps me to coordinate shoes that will go with my outfits & planned activities accordingly. 

Until the next adventure,

~K

"The Joy of Travel Series part 1"

*For more packing tips & ideas of clothing, accessories etc to pack for your upcoming adventure check out my next post: "Packing hacks & travel tips for women". 

For Part 2 check here: https://thishomeschoolerslife.blogspot.com/2021/04/packing-hacks-travel-tips-for-whatever.html

Part 3: https://thishomeschoolerslife.blogspot.com/2021/05/travel-tips-for-visiting-glacier.html