Confessions and Tips From a Travel Junkie

January 25, 2023

Confessions and Tips From a Travel Junkie

Confessions and Tips from a Travel Junkie


The Louvre, as seen from inside the pyramid. Paris

I love to explore new places, meet people, sample new cuisines and soak in the history of a place. Luckily for my bank account, I don't require luxury hotel rooms or first class airplane seats.

Palo Duro Canyon, TX

There are so many places on my bucket list and I always want to have a trip on the calendar to look forward to. Luckily, I have a husband who loves travel adventures and also a best friend who is always up for fun. I mean, seriously, how many friends can you text and say, "We have to go to Indonesia. Now!" and get a thumbs up on that?

I've compiled some of my favorite travel tips and I encourage you to comment with tips of your own!

Remember to pack your patience, extra undies and your sense of humor.

The Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas

Packing

How and what you pack is important. Some people only travel with a carry on and although I've done that, it's not my preference.

Depending on where I am going, I don't want to spend precious time shopping for lotion, shampoo, contact solution, sunblock etc if it's not convenient.

Keep a Master Packing List. Obviously you'll pack different clothing for a beach trip than you would a trip to London, but having a master list is a good base.


Old sign near Marfa, TX

Santa Fe, NM

Sunset in Mexico

The Carry On

If you're checking a bag, you'll want to keep certain things in your carry on with you. Bonus points if your carry on bag doubles as a beach bag for a tropical destination or a backpack for a city or hiking trip.

Wallet, Passport, ID, Cash, Credit Cards, Insurance Card. Kind of a no brainer, I know.
A change of clothes or at least a change of undies
Medication
Phone, ear buds and charger
Book or Tablet
Lotion, hand gel and lip balm
On a long flight - travel pillow, eye mask, compression socks and contact case
A sarong wrap (for cold airplanes, also doubles on your trip as a cover up, robe, blackout curtain, evening wrap)
A pen
Snack (for long delays and low blood sugar)
Water bottle
Basically, anything you would need for a couple of days if your luggage was lost or delayed
New York City at Christmas

Casa Sirena

Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia

Bonus: How to Create a Spa from Your Hotel Breakfast Bar

Nab some things at breakfast and create your own in room spa. Remember to grab plastic spoons, coffee stirrers, disposable cups, fizzy water and a granola bar to complete your fancy spa experience.

Exfoliating Face Scrub -- Combine a couple of packets of honey with a couple of packets of sugar to make a good natural scrub.

Skin Brightening Banana face mask-- Combine half of a mashed banana with some honey, lemon juice and/or a spoonful of yogurt. Mix well and leave on your face for 10 - 15 minutes while you relax (and eat the other half of the banana).

Moisturizing face mask -- If you can get your hands on half of an avocado, mash it up with a little honey. Or try some oatmeal and honey. Honey combined with a little of that aloe vera gel that you brought on vacation for your sunburn work well together, too. Leave on for 10 - 15 minutes.

Near Marfa, TX

Most tea bags can be used to soothe and depuff your eyes. Steep them in water and then squeeze out the bag and chill it in your hotel mini frig. Place them on your eyes and take a mini nap before happy hour.

Mexico

MeowWolf, Santa Fe

Where to Stay?

I love staying at small boutique hotels and Airbnbs that are unique, although sometimes I challenge my husband's patience, like the time we stayed in the old train depot turned Airbnb. And the trains still ran by. And they were loud. I don't personally enjoy large resorts or chain hotels because I don't feel like they care about their guests and they lack personality.

New Orleans balcony

The shining star in my resume is a gorgeous apartment a half block off Bourbon Street in New Orleans that I booked for a girls trip the week before Mardi Gras. The Krewe of Barkus (dog parade) passed right by as we sipped cocktails on the fern filled balcony. The owner was a convicted art thief who was serving time. Due to his profession, the house was chock full of art and antiques. It even had a Baby Grand Piano and a fireplace in the master bedroom. It was fabulous. And scandalous. And haunted. And next door to a really fun gay bar. Bonus points all around.

A malfunctioning air conditioner in Oklahoma City got me bumped up to the Presidential Suite at the historic Skirvin Hotel. The suite is the size of my house and has outstanding views of downtown and a shower with 50 different sprayers and shower heads. I lounged on the sectional sofa strewn with cowhide throw pillows, watched a football game and pretended to be J.R. Ewing.

I choose accommodations for proximity to activities or subway stations, price (I'm really just there to sleep and shower on most vacations) and of course cleanliness and safety. Extras like a fun pool area, a great hotel bar and a good restaurant can seal the deal for me.

Can't decide between a couple of places? Split your time between them.

There are several little ways to zhuzh up your hotel room. (Zhuzh: verb. To make something more stylish or attractive.) Here are a few of my favorites.

Antibacterial wipes for the tv remote, doorknobs, phone, etc. Yes, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. I'm also rarely sick, so...
Download a free app for 'sleep sounds'/'sound masking'. I use White Noise Lite and it has tons of different sounds. Always pack earplugs as an option, too. This is also great for airplanes, when you want to read.
Bring your own pillow if you have room. I once stayed in a hotel in NYC that had a pillow menu (!) and they would bring them to you immediately when you called. Heaven.
Pack slippers or fuzzy socks, towel wrap and towel hair wrap.
Lavender essential oil and an empty small spray bottle. Mix a little oil with water to make a relaxing room spray and don't forget to spritz your pillow before bed.
Slip a small scented candle in your bag.
Pack some sheet masks for refreshing naps before happy hour or dinner.
A mini Bluetooth speaker for your music is a nice touch. Be sure to download music if you're going to be in a remote area with no service. And remember to be considerate of your neighbors if you're in a hotel. I like to make specific playlists for different destinations and road trips.
Choose a room far away from ice machines, elevators, slamming stairway doors, gathering areas.
Stash a few of your favorite indulgences in the mini frig. No frig? I once bought a $5 cooler at a nearby drug store and got the hotel bartender to fill it with ice every day. Or, empty out the hotel trash can and use it as an ice bucket. Store it in the tub because it will sweat.
Bring your laptop or tablet for movies if you're going to have some downtime and will be in need of entertainment.
Take a few minutes to unpack if you're going to be there for a few days. Hang up your clothes and get organized. I know, but it will make you more comfy in the long run.
Bring a tiny night light. I stayed in a cabin in Terlingua, Texas that was so dark that I almost had a panic attack when we turned out the lights. The bathroom was in a separate building across a small central patio area and there was so much wildlife that I would slip on my boots and take a gun for nighttime bathroom visits. It was crazy, but the stars at 3:00 am were breathtakingly gorgeous. (Clap Clap Clap...Deep in the heart of Texas)
On the rim of Palo Duro Canyon

Jenny Lake at Grand Tetons National Park

Yellowstone

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

A Few of My Favorite Travel Products

A rechargeable Lighted Make Up Mirror for those dark hotel rooms or vintage rooms with no electrical outlets anywhere near a mirror. I hot glued a velcro strip to the back of the mirror to hold the charging cord in place.

Pill Organizer to hold meds, pain reliever, antacids, vitamins.

Reusable Silicon Travel Bottles that are leak proof and the matching Jars for shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face creams etc. And they're cute!

Vacuum Packing Bags really do save an enormous amount of space in your suitcase and despite the name, you really don't need a vacuum to use them. I just lay down on mine on a bed and use my body to squash out all of the air. It's a special type of cirque de soliel show for my travel companion, as a bonus.


Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Airports

Long layover? Check out your airport and see what's around. Airports are really upping their game with amenities such as yoga rooms, art installations, gaming kiosks, live music and mini sleep suites. A napping room at Incheon Airport, South Korea was a godsend during an 8 hour layover for me. Walk around and check things out. It's good for you to walk before or in between flights, anyway.

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Paris is always a good idea

Tips, Tricks and Hacks

Some have been learned from experience, some not. You decide.

Buy trip insurance.
Scan your passport and email it to yourself and to someone who isn't traveling with you.
If you'll be out and about all day, have a power bank to charge your phone.
Be respectful of other cultures. Use your indoor voice. Don't be an asshole. Follow the rules. Be polite.
Always pack a swimsuit in case of surprise hot tubs or even better, hot springs.
Never pack more than you alone can manage to carry. Don't count on having help. 'Paddle your own canoe'.
A tiny bottle of liquid laundry detergent can be a lifesaver, as is a bottle of Frebreze for things you want to wear again, but just need a freshen up.
If there's a Ghost Tour, do it! Ditto for live music.
Take TONS of pictures.
Always pack a roll of duct tape, a flashlight, a Swiss Army knife and a bottle opener/corkscrew. I've taken over small countries with less.
Upgrade your seats on the plane to the exit row or bulkhead when it's affordable.
Download apps like subway apps and maps.
Be sure to leave lots of down time and unscheduled time in your trips for random exploring, illicit affairs, naps, or accidentally getting drunk or lost.
Wear comfortable shoes. Bring band-aids for blisters anyway.
Don't be paranoid, but do be safety minded. Don't tell random people where you are staying or that you're traveling alone. Keep a close eye on your bag and your drink.
Walking tours and food tours are amazing.
Do some research before you go.
I think it's fun to read a book set in my travel destination.
Always triple check that you packed your phone charger before you check out of the hotel. My claim to fame.
Have laundry done whenever you can.
Try the local food and drink.
Pee when you have the opportunity.
Talk to other travelers at your hotel. What have they done that was fun? Compare notes.
Don't mess with the wildlife or the environment. Be responsible.

Ziplining at Sundance Resort in Utah


Near Granbury, Texas


Near Marfa, Texas

Travel on the Cheap

I'm not one for booking red eye flights or a trip with a 20 hour layover in a random city just to save a buck, but I have taken some trips that were lots of fun and surprisingly easy on the wallet. Think outside the box.

Snow day in NYC

Look at a map and see what's drivable for a weekend or long weekend. Check out Atlas Obscura for unusual attractions. I put together a 5 day family vacation once on a shoestring budget that visited haunted and weird places over a three state area. We dubbed it the 'TriState Tour of Terror' and had loads of fun.

Ask the locals where to go, what to see, where to eat. Two of my most fun and adventurous girlfriends and I spent a weekend in Abilene, Texas and had a blast doing this! At each place we went, we would talk to people and go where they told us next. We went to a really cool museum, had fantastic meals, saw a great local band, I know, Abilene, who knew and why? It was a good halfway point and my birthday.

- Flying with Elvis over downtown Vegas
  
  Destination Road Trips. One of my favorite trips is to fly into San Jose, California and drive down the coast on Highway 1. There are so many beautiful places along the way and you can stop and stay wherever strikes your fancy. I love Big Sur, Carmel, Morro Bay, Solvang, Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara. Bonus - spend the last day at Disneyland before you fly back home from LA. Highway 101 is fun, too. It's more rural and the farms and vineyards are epic.
- Genealogy Trips - Find an area where you have family roots and explore it.
- Take lots of pics!
- Trains and Buses- a sometimes surprisingly inexpensive alternative. Amtrak offers some amazing train trips across the US, to different cities and to National Parks. They have a trip that leaves from Ft. Worth Texas and goes to Austin, San Antonio and New Orleans that is $1399 for 10 days. That includes your transportation, 9 nights of accommodations and sightseeing tours. I could take a train trip from Dallas to Cleburne, Texas (which would be genealogy research) for only $9! Seriously, check out Amtrak and don't forget Greyhound.
- Lastly, don't overlook the fun of exploring your own city. Take a day to visit a museum, a local attraction and a new restaurant. Find a hotel that offers day passes to their pool and live it up in your own backyard.