The Busy Person’s Guide to Trip Planning

Hey Busy Travelers,

I reviewed the poll from last week and these are the places that people want me to travel to:

• Las Vegas
• Japan
• Brazil
• Tanzania
• Australia
• Mars

It looks like I'm going to Mars folks!

When preparing for a trip, everyone knows that they have to book flights and accommodations, but…

…What else should they consider?🤔

If you don't like planning, creating an itinerary can feel like an uphill battle.

If this sounds familiar to you, then keep reading!

Here are some tips for having a fulfilling trip without putting in the extra effort.

Book a free tour as soon as you land. Most countries offer free tours, so take advantage of them. Remember to tip at the end! Booking a tour also has the added benefit of familiarizing yourself with the area. An additional bonus is that you can make friends with the tour guide and have drinks together. They’ll show you all the cool and affordable spots! Take a look at this picture taken in Cologne, Germany.

Find the main attraction in the area and book a reservation if possible. This could include iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre in Paris. You wouldn't want to miss out on these experiences as they’re essential for a complete trip. Consider these attractions “must-see” items that you can't leave the city without seeing. *And remember…if you don’t take a picture, it didn’t happen! 📸🤳🏽

Experience a restaurant/bar crawl: Whether you enjoy drinking or food or both, participating in these types of tours will give you the opportunity to sample culinary dishes or local cocktails while also meeting new people. Additionally, you'll have the chance to visit multiple stops in one go.

Find the top restaurant and make a reservation - Most locations have at least one popular restaurant, so it's important to book a reservation as soon as possible. If you have trouble securing a dinner reservation, you might want to consider booking one for lunch instead. Personally, I find it preferable to go during lunch because there are fewer crowds and lower prices.

Quick Tip for Booking Activities

AirBnB Experiences or Get This Guide: These sites offer great tours, allowing you to quickly book an excursion with minimal effort. Many people are unaware that AirBnb offers more than just accommodations for booking.

Take advantage of tourist information centers: Most towns and cities have one, so make sure to stop by. The employees there are usually very helpful, and you can even sign up for a tour or excursion on site. These centers typically provide useful maps that showcase all the activities and attractions in the area, so I always make sure to grab one.

One last thing…

Read this newsletter: This newsletter has tips for making your trip less stressful and more enjoyable. Encourage your friends to sign up as well.

See what I did there?😏

Most importantly, remember to stay flexible because without much planning, things could deviate from the original plan. Just be adaptable and make necessary adjustments. 

What are some things you do to plan a trip quickly?

Cocktail of the Week

The Bellini is a beloved Italian cocktail that originated in Venice, Italy in the 1940s. It was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, the founder of the famous Harry's Bar in Venice, who created the cocktail as a tribute to the Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini.

Recipe:

• 2 parts Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine)
• 1 part white peach puree or peach nectar
• A few drops of raspberry liqueur (optional, for color)
• Fresh peach slice (for garnish)

Preparation:

1. Chill a champagne flute in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Pour the white peach puree or peach nectar into the glass.
3. Slowly add the Prosecco to the glass, allowing it to mix gently with the puree.
4. If desired, add a few drops of raspberry liqueur for a hint of color.
5. Stir lightly to combine the ingredients.
6. Garnish the glass with a fresh peach slice.

Random Travel Thought

“A traveler lives her trip many times before stepping onto the plane."

 - Keyes, Scott. Take More Vacations: How to Search Better, Book Cheaper, and Travel the World

Follow me on Instagram.  

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com: This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner: An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing: I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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