Travel Tips:

1. Always bring twice as much cash as you think you will need. Ya never know when you will get stuck in a pickle.

2. Don’t put anything off until the last day of your trip. It won’t get done.

3. Don’t pay extra for window seats or seats together with a friend on your flights. Almost every time I travel, I get to my gate about an hour early and ask the gate agent if I can move seats. Usually they are very friendly and will move you if they can (or at least get you close so you can switch with someone!).

4. Pack a separate bag for wet clothes in case you have to pack them for your return flight.

5. Fast-drying towels. They work and are super pack-able.

6. Get on local time fast to avoid jet lag. It’s easy to take a nap or stay up super late, but you’ll have a much better trip if you push through those feelings on the first few days and get adjusted to local time.

7. Make a plan, but stay flexible. I always plan enough of an itinerary to make sure I don’t waste any of my precious travel time, but I am not so set on it that I can’t go with the flow if I hear of a cool suggestion from a local or stumble across an amazing town I want to explore.

8. Invest in a universal adapter and a portable power source.

9. Research the country’s “norms” for tipping service staff, saying hello, and etc.

10. Put necessities (toothbrush, face wash, chargers, light jacket, etc.) in your carry-on bag. If your luggage gets lost you want to have enough to get you by for a few days.

11. When renting a car, especially in another country, never let the gas get below half full. Sometimes the next gas station is further away than you might think.