Traveling by plane - there’s an app for that
Have the airline app on your phone for easy access to flight status and checking-in. Keep all your travel info on your calendar with alerts.
It seems the policies about cancellations and luggage are always changing. Be sure to check the airlines policies so if something happens you will get a credit or refund. Some airlines now charge for carry-on's along with checked luggage. Knowing ahead of time can keep you from being unpleasantly surprised. I always have something to read with me. Whether it's waiting to board the plane or having a flight delay, it gives me something to do and I actually enjoy having the time to sit and read. You also may want to pack a snack. Depending on when you are flying, it's easy to miss a meal so staying fed and watered is important, especially because you could end up hangry, and no one needs that while traveling.
Driving to your destination
First question for any road trip is does the car need any servicing?
Oil change? General services? Tire pressure check? The last thing I want is to have car
trouble for something that could have been avoided.
A few years ago, we needed a new car, and the ‘must have’ was the ability for the car to fit 2 large folded dog crates in the trunk. My husband made a cardboard cutout of the crate and brought it with him to the dealers to determine what our options were. Prior to this, we drove to the beach with our 2 dogs for a long weekend in his truck that was beginning to have some issues. We wanted to be sure we could travel with the dogs comfortably so making sure we could fit what they needed was our priority. We found a car that worked for us, and it's made all the difference in taking long trips, with or without the dogs!
Some other considerations when driving include emergency items like flares, first aid kit, flashlight & water.
And most importantly, don't forget the snacks, pillows/blankets, downloaded music or books to listen to (and headphones for those who prefer their own music). A little preparation goes a long way!
Have the airline app on your phone for easy access to flight status and checking-in. Keep all your travel info on your calendar with alerts.
It seems the policies about cancellations and luggage are always changing. Be sure to check the airlines policies so if something happens you will get a credit or refund. Some airlines now charge for carry-on's along with checked luggage. Knowing ahead of time can keep you from being unpleasantly surprised. I always have something to read with me. Whether it's waiting to board the plane or having a flight delay, it gives me something to do and I actually enjoy having the time to sit and read. You also may want to pack a snack. Depending on when you are flying, it's easy to miss a meal so staying fed and watered is important, especially because you could end up hangry, and no one needs that while traveling.
Driving to your destination
First question for any road trip is does the car need any servicing?
Oil change? General services? Tire pressure check? The last thing I want is to have car
trouble for something that could have been avoided.
A few years ago, we needed a new car, and the ‘must have’ was the ability for the car to fit 2 large folded dog crates in the trunk. My husband made a cardboard cutout of the crate and brought it with him to the dealers to determine what our options were. Prior to this, we drove to the beach with our 2 dogs for a long weekend in his truck that was beginning to have some issues. We wanted to be sure we could travel with the dogs comfortably so making sure we could fit what they needed was our priority. We found a car that worked for us, and it's made all the difference in taking long trips, with or without the dogs!
Some other considerations when driving include emergency items like flares, first aid kit, flashlight & water.
And most importantly, don't forget the snacks, pillows/blankets, downloaded music or books to listen to (and headphones for those who prefer their own music). A little preparation goes a long way!
Packing:
I pack differently depending on if I’m flying or driving. Driving makes it much easier, since you normally have more room and no restrictions. Dare I admit I overpack when driving, but I’m working on it:)
Packing usually starts a couple of days before. I start putting clothes and things I know I want to bring on the bed in the guest room. This continues until it’s time to pack and I go through the pile, making sure I really need what is there. It helps to base your clothing around one or 2 colors that coordinate with 1 pair of shoes. For example, if I am bringing black shoes, I am not going to pack navy clothes. I like using Packing Cubes because it helps keep groups of things together and is easier to find things when you need them.
I don’t like to check a bag if I can help it, which means I really have to plan out what I will truly need so I can get everything into a carry on. The hardest part of that for me is shoes and toiletries. I have big feet (size 11!) which means big shoes….and they take up a lot of real estate in a carryon bag, so I do my best to wear sneakers on the plane and select one other pair of shoes for the trip.
The toiletries trip me up because I have curly hair and for those who have curls, you know that only certain products work without creating a dry, frizzy mess. So, I now have smaller containers for my hair products, each clearly labeled so that they are within the TSA guidelines for carry-ons. I use these Silicone Travel Bottles
because they are easy to label and clean out when I want to switch what is in them.
I pack differently depending on if I’m flying or driving. Driving makes it much easier, since you normally have more room and no restrictions. Dare I admit I overpack when driving, but I’m working on it:)
Packing usually starts a couple of days before. I start putting clothes and things I know I want to bring on the bed in the guest room. This continues until it’s time to pack and I go through the pile, making sure I really need what is there. It helps to base your clothing around one or 2 colors that coordinate with 1 pair of shoes. For example, if I am bringing black shoes, I am not going to pack navy clothes. I like using Packing Cubes because it helps keep groups of things together and is easier to find things when you need them.
I don’t like to check a bag if I can help it, which means I really have to plan out what I will truly need so I can get everything into a carry on. The hardest part of that for me is shoes and toiletries. I have big feet (size 11!) which means big shoes….and they take up a lot of real estate in a carryon bag, so I do my best to wear sneakers on the plane and select one other pair of shoes for the trip.
The toiletries trip me up because I have curly hair and for those who have curls, you know that only certain products work without creating a dry, frizzy mess. So, I now have smaller containers for my hair products, each clearly labeled so that they are within the TSA guidelines for carry-ons. I use these Silicone Travel Bottles
because they are easy to label and clean out when I want to switch what is in them.
