Hubby has been wanting to take us to the Grand Canyon for years. Finally we said yes. What took us so long??? Ah-mazing.
Have you noticed the explosive surge in women of color getting their travel on these days? I have. Since I’ve been so travel focused lately, I’ve learned/become aware of a lot that I think you will appreciate. Here are some of my favorite travel tips so you can travel stress free and prepared, like a Well Diva.
- Creating a travel budget – It’s crazy to say you don’t have money to travel but you buy Starbucks on a regular
basis. I’m addressing this first because it’s what most often keeps people from traveling, money. The problem is more a priority issue than a lack of funds. This is why when you plan a trip everyone is going, until it’s time to pay. The intentions are there, because they know they have the money, but the budgeting is not. Did you know 3 trips to Starbucks for a year equals about $1,000? That is enough to get you a round trip ticket to Cabo or Jamaica depending on where you’re starting, AND 3 nights at an all-inclusive resort. Who wouldn’t rather create memories of enjoying the beach and the time off than have that daily latte? It takes about 85 cents and 7 minutes to make your own latte, probably less time than driving to Starbucks even when using the mobile order app. - Apps you should check out – In addition to the two savings apps that I’ll mention in a minute, check out some apps that will help you plan your trip activities such as The Entertainer, Groupon, and Viator. These apps give you access to activities you can purchase all over the world. Groupon and The Entertainer Travel (included with The Entertainer) list hotel discounts as well. Skiplagged and Hopper help you save on flight costs. WhatsApp allows free phone calls and texts from almost anywhere so you can stay in touch with loved ones at home without paying AT&T or Verizon a chunk of your spending money. Culture trip is an interesting app which keeps you up to date on what’s good in the location you’re visiting – like access to lists of the best restaurants and museums or best place for a photo op.
- Save without even trying- – If you haven’t noticed my posting about it in the Facebook group, I have fallen completely in love with a couple of savings apps that are helping me pay for my trips. WOOHOO! The free one is Qapital. I just discovered this app when I was gloating over Digit, the one I love but the one that recently announced they will charge $2.99 a month after your first 100 days. I say use both. Then discontinue the paid one after 100 days if you aren’t hooked. You’ll still have the free one. But honestly, I love them both. Oh, and Qapital gives you and me both $5 when you join and start saving. They both give us $5 when we refer others who sign up and save using the link they will give you, so the paid one will pay for itself if you just share the link.
- Take advantage of the monthly payment plans offered in our travel group, Fly Life Travel. Travel can be expensive, but given a year or more to pay for the trip of a lifetime makes it affordable.
- Don’t forget the USA. While everyone is competing to collect the most passport stamps the fastest, people are
On a recent staycay in Silicon Valley we discovered a multi award winning restaurant with a 3 story wine cellar. plumedhorse.com
coming from all over the world to enjoy what our home has to offer. This year I’ve visited Naples, FL, The Grand Canyon, and Sedona, AZ for the first time. Each one is frequented by people from far, far away, and each one is uniquely awesome. If you’ve been everywhere but the US, you’re doing it all wrong. And if you’ve never done a staycay, that’s an awesome experience as well. I bet you have some amazing places to spend the weekend less than 75 miles from home. Have you been to check them out?
- Get your docs ready. Do you have your passport on standby? I almost learned the hard way. I wasn’t planning to renew my passport until later this year. But I heard the wait to even get an appointment is 3 months in some areas. It’s best to go ahead and get your passport before you need it. You never know when some airfare error may take place and you need to book a flight to Rajastan right away! Also you’ll need a passport that expires no sooner than 6 months from your travel date for many destinations, and at least one blank page in your passport for the visa if needed. As they say, when you stay ready you don’t have to get ready.
- TSA pre-check or Clear for domestic travel; Global Entry for both domestic AND international travel, or the Mobile Passport app for international travel – make sure you have at least one of these. Travel takes enough time as it is. You’ll want to decrease as much time spent at the airport as you can.
- Set Google alerts. If a travel warning or some event you need to know about occurs in the location you’re heading to, you’ll get an email notifying you ASAP.
- Know your luggage limits. Different airlines have different rules, and ESPECIALLY for international flights. Your trusty carry on that works so well on Southwest may get you fined on Vueling. Get the luggage info before you decide which suitcase you’ll take and how many. Make no assumptions, pay no fines.
- And finally, if you’ve got plenty of time between now and the date of your departure, take some time to learn a a bit about the culture. Do your research. Make sure you know about any dress code laws, PDA laws, cultural customs that you won’t want to ignore. Learn a few words. People really appreciate when you come to their country and at least TRY to speak the language. There is nothing more undesirable than a lazy American. And that’s what they think of us when we don’t even know how to say please, thank you or hello in the native language. Sure, they speak English in most countries, but it’s just good manners to show interest in the local culture and not just the tourist attractions. In some places they dress up a bit. You’ll stand out like an American tourist if you don’t know this and show up to everything in the standard ripped jeans and tee. It’s safer to blend in a bit, especially if you’re traveling solo.
Well that should get you off to a good start planning your next trip. Now I just wanna know, where are you headed?
