9 Unforgettable and Scenic U.S. Road Trips

Blue Ridge Parkway

Photo: Virginia Blue Ridge

Right in our own backyard, we have visited The Blue Ridge Parkway several times and it is incredible. Especially during the Fall. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile scenic National Parkway bordering the Great Smokey Mountain national park and the Shenandoah National Park. The parkway winds its way along a mountain ridge through North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

There are many opportunities for stopping and taking in the view. You can stop at one of the many overlooks, or choose to take a break from your drive and do a hike. Our family loves to pack a picnic and stop at one of the many great spots (wherever the views are fantastic).

The Blue Ridge Parkway is perfect for hikers, photo buffs, and picnickers alike. Wildlife and waterfalls are in abundance, including bears. Be on the lookout for wildlife while driving.

For more information, the National Park Service has a virtual Blue Ridge map that will help you in your planning, HERE. National Parks Traveler also has a very helpful post on great picnic spots, see HERE.

Skyline Drive, Virginia

Photo: Visit Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive is a picturesque 105 mile National Scenic Byway in Virginia. The byway runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park, much of it along the ridge of the mountains. The views are incredible and there are around 75 overlooks along the way so there is plenty of opportunity to stop and take in the sights. Hiking and wildlife viewing is very popular along the route as well.

Great road trip idea! Extend your road trip by also driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking time to explore The Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park while you’re at it.

The Black Hills of South Dakota

The Black Hills of South Dakota are incredibly beautiful and diverse. You’ll see prairie grasslands, mountains, crazy geological rock formation, and tons of wildlife. Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park aren’t on people’s radar as much as other parks in the US, but we rank it up there with one of the most beautiful National Parks we have in the United States.

This route takes you through some of the most scenic parts of the Black Hills and Badlands, including Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, Deadwood, then ending at the Devil’s Tower National Park. Unlike the other road trips we have recommend in this post, there is no one specific road to take you to all locations. To help you out, here is the route we took over the period of one week (too much to see in one day):

From I-90 take 73 South and turn West on to 44 scenic to visit the visit Badlands National Park. Get back on to  44 towards Rapid City and head to Mt Rushmore. After seeing Mt. Rushmore drive to Custer State Park and then Wind Cave National Park. After  visiting Wind Cave National Park, make your way back to Custer State Park to meet up with Needles Highway (Hwy 87), then take 385 North towards Deadwood. From Deadwood head to Spearfish via Spearfish Canyon  (85 to 14A), then on to Devil’s Tower National Park.

For more trip planning information see HERE

Florida Keys Oversees Highway

Photo: Gypsy Guide

Completed in 1912, and designated a National Scenic Byway, the Florida Oversees Highway (US Route 1) is a 113 mile breathtakingly scenic drive through the Florida Keys. Much of it surrounded by water, or directly over the water, as is the case of the 7 mile bridge stretching between the middle and lower keys.

There are some really neat places to stop along the way. Our favorite was Bahia Honda State Park and Beach, The Turtle Hospital, and walking the old seven mile bridge. Walking the old bridge at sunset is beautiful!

Having traveled on this road on a weekend during the Summer we found that it can get very congested. We highly recommend driving the road in the off-season.

The Great River Road

Photo: Great River Road Wisconsin

What could be cooler than a road trip down the Mississippi? Covering 10 states, the Great River Road National Scenic Byway runs along the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles between the northern most part of Minnesota and all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It is estimated that trip can take 36 hours driving time, and most people do it in about 10 days.  Many people travel the road in their RV and take months to complete it.

The Mississippi has long been a major artery running right through the middle of the US. There are many riverfront towns and cities – and a whole lot of American history. There is an endless list of sights to see, places to stay, and things to do.

We will be driving the Wisconsin piece of this road (250 miles, 33 river towns) on our next summer’s RV adventure. Our route will start in Prescott and ending in Kieler, WI. Approximately 250 miles and 33 towns of history, beauty, craft breweries, wineries, quaint riverside restaurants, and nature. What more could you ask for?

More information on the Great River Road, HERE

Pacific Coast Highway

Photo: The Blonde Abroad

This is the one I’m sure you have heard about.  Stretching along California’s coastline, the Pacific Coast Highway is a scenic wonder, with gorgeous views and charming coastal California towns. Designated as an All-American road you’ll wind your way through Santa Barbara, Monteray, Carmel, Big Sur, Santa Cruz and many other seaside towns.

Summer months can get crowded and you may experience fog. We suggest a visit during the Spring, or September and October as the Summer months can get crowded.

Maine Coastal Road Trip

Photo: Our Wandering Mind

Yep, this is the same US Route 1 as the Florida Oversees Highway. US Route 1 is the longest North South Road in the United States. We recommend starting in Bath, stopping in Kennebunkport, Bucksport, and ending in Bar Harbor to explore Acadia National Park.

Plan on spending a few nights in at least 2 of the towns to give yourself ample time to explore. If you really have some extra time, extend your road trip on US Route 1 to the Canadian border, it’s ending point. If you’ve also done the Florida Oversees Highway drive then you will have visited the most northern point of US Route 1 and the southernmost point. Very cool.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Photo: Style Blueprint

Natchez Trace Parkway is a parkway commemorating the original Natchez Trace. The parkway is an historic byway running about 440 miles between Natchez Mississippi and Nashville TN.

The original historic Natchez Trace was a historic corridor originally used by native Americans, then by explorers, and traders. The proximity to the Mississippi meant that transportation was easier by river than overland so the road itself never really took off as a major passage for settlers and traders.

Driving this road is like experiencing a beautiful piece of history, and there are quite a few things to see along the way. Our favorite stops were the Cypress Swamp and Sunken Trace. Hiking, horseback riding, and camping are popular as well. You can find more information from the National Park Service, HERE

Stop at Loveless Cafe outside of Nashville for biscuits and fried chicken! No, I am not affiliated with the Loveless Cafe – they just have really good food!

Centennial Scenic Byway

163 miles of panoramic mountains, ranches, and wildlife between Pinedale and Dubois, WY. If you’re driving to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone from the East, this is the most common route that people take.  We highly recommend it because of the easy roads and spectacular scenery.

This area is particularly known for pronghorn sheep, and you’ll see many bison and deer between the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole. Make sure to stop in Jackson Hole and look around the town. They have some great shops and restaurants!

The post 9 Unforgettable and Scenic U.S. Road Trips appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

I love capturing all of our travel memories in creative ways. One of those ways is through a travel journal. Whether you call it a travel journal, bullet journal, or scrapbook, there are so many possibilities and super cute ways to document your memories! This is where all the great ideas from Pinterest come in!! There are some fantastic bloggers out there creating fantastic stuff to inspire us.

Ideas to Get you Started

Here is a great graphic with ideas to get over your blank page fright.  My two favorite ideas are the fold out map and writing down conversations you hear. On a recent trip to Ireland we discovered that the Irish LOVE to tell stories. I wish I had documented some of the really awesome things they told us.

A Pair and a Spare

Maps, Sketches, and Diagrams

There is an endless supply of sketch and diagram inspiration on Pinterest. I can’t draw worth a hill of beans, but I can use graphite paper to trace stuff on to my journal! Super EASY! Nicole from Bad With Directions has a GREAT tutorial on how to create beautiful maps in your journal, HERE

Bad With Directions

This is a cute idea for tracing your trip route! You could also use the same string/thread to sew pictures, tickets, or concert stubs to a page. I’m feeling inspired now!

Lauren Conrad Blog

Creative Collages

Collages are a perfect way to create a visual summary of your trip. They are a bit like art don’t you think?

Gina Alyse

I love this collage because it has a 3-D vibe, making it visually interesting.

Gingerscraps

Envelopes, Windows, and Ways to Display Objects

Okay, maps folded into envelopes is the cutest idea ever. I LOVE this because you can put special things in them and attached to your journal. These were created to use as actual envelopes which is a neat idea for sending something from your trip to someone special.

A Pair and A Spare

This is a great way to display small objects, like shells or sand, coins, tiny pictures, etc from your vacation.

Martha Stewart

Here are 2 super easy ways to use tags to mix up your journal a bit to create more interest – or to be able to add more content on a page. I love the idea with the sand. Great way to display with the mess

Kathleen Summers

Sweet Paul Mag

Creative Ways to Display Pictures

Check out these three different ways to display pictures.

Source: Instagram

Kelly Purkey

We R Memory Keepers

The post Great Ideas to Get You Started On a Travel Journal appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

Those of you that have RV kitchens know that they are T-I-N-Y. The size of our little RV kitchen has never really bothered me though. I guess it’s because I look at it as part of the adventure! Every recipe I cook in the RV kitchen has been adapted and made more manageable in the tiny space.

By making meals that can be prepped ahead of time you’ll save on pantry and fridge space. Meals that are 5 ingredients or less, and what I call, ‘dump and go’ recipes, are my absolute favorite.

One of the easiest ways to cook in an RV is with a slow cooker. I LOVE using a slow cooker when we’re traveling on the road in our RV. We do a lot of exploring and activities during the day and by the time we get back to the RV I often run out of steam and don’t feel like cooking. It is so nice coming home and having your meal already cooked! When we’re not traveling I am working full-time so having a fast and easy crock pot meal is a lifesaver especially in the chaotic evenings.

We have tested all of these recipes, and they were unanimously approved by all members of my family – 3 teen boys and my husband. I guess you could say our dog too, as she got a stray meatball from the meatball subs I made from the recipe below. LOL!

We are always looking for a new super easy and yummy recipe to cook in our RV. Feel free to share with us your favorite RV recipe and if we like it we’ll be happy to share it with our readers! -Kori

1 | Root Beer Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Photo credit: www.listotic.com

This is a true dump and go recipe! Honestly it’s just of matter of setting a pork roast into the crock pot and then pouring a can of root beer (not diet) over it. How easy is that? For more flavor I usually sprinkle 1 or 2 tsp of a favorite dry seasoning (sometimes more). Set the crock on low for about 8 hours and that’s it!  Once done, drain the liquid, shred pork. Add BBQ sauce and serve on a bun. Yum! See Listotic’s Root Beer Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe HERE

Easy meal idea: serve with coleslaw and baked beans

2 | Crockpot Chicken Salsa

Photo credit: TheFrugalGirls.com

This is a very simple and tasty recipe. Make sure not to overcook the chicken as it can get dry. Even if you do overcook it slightly, you can shred the chicken, add the ingredients, and serve on taco shells. Serve with taco toppings. See The Frugal Girls recipe for Crockpot Chicken Salsa HERE

Easy meal idea: serve with re fried beans and a salad.  

3 |  Slow Cooker Meatloaf

Image credit: www.geniuskitchen.com

I really had no clue that meatloaf done in a crock pot was so darn good. Seriously, it’s really good. Cooking it in the crock pot keeps it moist and gives it a lot of flavor. Give it a try and let us know your thoughts.  We made it and it was wonderful. See Genius Kitchen’s recipe for Slow Cooker Meatloaf  HERE

Easy meal idea: serve with canned peas and corn and mac ‘n cheese

4 | Smoky Baby Back Ribs in the Crock Pot

This is a really good recipe.  Using the recommended quantities as a guide I will sometimes mix the recipe up with different seasoning and sauces. After cutting the ribs into smaller pieces of 2 to 3 ribs (depending upon how large), I sprinkle with a good BBQ pork rub and place in the crock pot on low for about 5 to 6 hours. I take them out when there’re done but not falling off the bone. From there we toss them on the grill with our favorite BBQ sauce to get the grill taste and they come out perfect every time.  Hint – only grill for 2 – 3 mins each side on medium heat.  Too long on the grill and they will dry out.  Have fun with your own combination!  See Smokey Baby Back Ribs in the Crock Pot recipe from Shockingly Delicious HERE

Easy meal idea: serve with corn-on-the-cob and baked beans.

5 | Slow Cooker Meatball Sandwiches

Photo courtesy of www.tasteofhome.com

Buying pre-made frozen meatballs makes this meal a cinch.  Add meatballs to the crock pot with your favorite marinara sauce until they are cooked through. Slice buns, making sure not to cut all the way through. You don’t want your meatballs falling out every time you take a bite. We top our sandwiches with shredded mozzarella cheese. In fact, if you want a little extra yum, toast buttered split buns on your grill (or RV oven).  See Taste of Home’s delicious Slow Cooker Meatball recipe HERE

Easy meal idea: serve a bagged caesar salad

The post Easy 5 Ingredient Crock Pot Meals appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

This bucket list is about unique places to stay, and go beyond just a place to sleep – they provide an experience. We think these stays are fun and memorable.  They are located all over the U.S., and range from vintage to western, RV camping, iconic road trips, boating adventures, remote wilderness, wild animals, and scenic train trips.

As always, if you have any great ideas let us know! Enjoy!

Bucket List: Unique Hotels and Vacation Stays in the U.S.

Photo Credit: The Queen Mary | Long Beach, CA

1 | The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary is a decommissioned transatlantic luxury passenger ship that sailed between England and the US from 1936 to the late 60’s. Now listed on the National Historic Register, The Queen Mary has been beautifully restored and is operating as a luxury hotel in it’s permanent home in Long Beach, California. A stay on this ship is like stepping back in time, and is an experience like none other. With beautiful rooms, fantastic restaurants, a spa, tours, and the surrounding Long Beach area – there are plenty of things to do for everyone!

We’ve added this to our bucket list not only because it would be an awesome experience, but for sentimental reasons as well. My Grandfather sailed on The Queen Mary in 1937 when they moved from Denmark to the United States. I actually have his original traveling trunk, with his Queen Mary sticker still on the outside. How cool is that?! For more information on The Queen Mary, or to book a stay, see HERE.  More things to do around The Queen Mary and Long Beach, CA area

Photo Courtesy of OuterBanks.com | Carova Beach NC

Photo Courtesy of OuterBanks.com | Outer Banks Wild Horses

2 |  Outer Banks Wild Horses and a Secluded Beach Rental Home

Located on the northern end of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Carova Beach is a very remote area accessible only by unpaved beach and a 4wd vehicle. The area is also famous for its wild horses that roam freely through the area and for its natural beauty.  There are no hotels, stores, or restaurants in the Carova area. Corolla is the nearest town and has all of those amenities. Because there are no hotels the only options for lodging are in vacation home rentals. Make sure to book early because they go fast! The perfect relaxing getaway!  More Information on vacation rentals in OBX

Photo Credit houseboating.org

3 | Mississippi River Cruise in a Rented Houseboat

What better way to see the Mississippi River than be on it? Friends of ours rent a houseboat on the Mississippi every year and have a great time. Many houseboats have hot tubs and water slides, and sleeping space for a couple of families. Sharing with another family works out well as you can share in the navigation and cost. There are multiple companies that offer houseboat rentals from Louisiana to Minnesota. Be advised that for all rentals you do have to go through navigation and boating safety training beforehand. You’ll want to do some planning prior to your trip so you can know the ins and outs of the river, places you are allowed to moor your boat – and places you are not.  More Information

4 | Farm Stay

Farm stays and agritourism are increasing in popularity every year. A farm stay is a really great alternative to a hotel if you’re looking for something more than just a bed. Farm stays can be anything from ranches to alpaca farms, vineyards, or dairy farms.  They are a wonderful way to experience life in the country and a good way to reconnect with your family.  One of the best reasons to stay – you are helping to support a farmer!  More Information

Photo Credit: Amtrack’s Coast Starlight Train | Seattle to LA

5 | Amtrak’s Scenic Coast Starlight Train

A scenic trip on the Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Train has been on our bucket list for a long time. The trip itself is a scenic 36-hour train ride from Seattle to LA, stopping in several cities along the way, including Portland and Sacramento. As if the fantastic views aren’t enough, the train has an observation car, dining car, a bar, and some private sleeping rooms so you can enjoy a relaxing overnight stay on board. Train travel is such a civilized and relaxing way to travel!

We would like to combine this train ride with a stopover in the Portland area and Mt. Hood, then The Vintages (see #10 below). Then continue on down into California to see a couple of the national parks, then hop off for an overnight stay on The Queen Mary. From there we’d rent a car and drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. Sounds awesome, right?

Photo Credit: Katmailand Katmai National Park | Brooks Lodge Alaska

6 | Bear Viewing and Fishing at Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park, Alaska

To be honest, you really could just add the entire state of Alaska on your bucket list as there are MANY cool places to stay and National Parks to visit. We, of course, have a bucket list item to see as many of the National Parks in the U.S. as possible, and this one is definitely a must see.

Katmai National Park is only accessible by boat or plane making for spectacular scenery getting in and out. Brooks Lodge is  situated within the beautiful park and is made up of modern cabins surrounding the main lodge. While initially known for awesome fishing, the secret is out and it is now also recognized as one of the top places to view bears in their natural habitat – and the bears can be literally on your doorstep. This is a nature lovers paradise.

7| Classic Route 66 Road Trip – in an RV

Route 66, also known as “The Mother Road” is the most iconic road trip in America and is on many people’s bucket list. Officially established in 1926 and 2,500 miles long, it was the original highway in the U.S. connecting Chicago to LA. During its heyday there were fabulous motels, restaurants, and roadside attractions. While we no longer use Route 66 as a main highway, there are many people committed to preserving as much of it as possible, and there are still many things to see.

We have been lucky enough to have driven a stretch of route 66 between Las Vegas and Arizona and it was awesome. There was very little traffic, but we were not far off the new highway. There were lot’s of things to see and we even stopped at a terrific diner that has been there since the 50’s. Sometime in the future we would love to hop in our RV and drive the whole thing. How awesome would that be?

For right now it’s a dream and very high on our bucket list. For those who are ready to head out and do it, there are some great sites with lot’s of information to help you plan the road trip of a lifetime.  If anyone has done this trip, or has some great tips on RV spots along the way – PLEASE share! In the meantime here are several sites with great information: State by State detail of RV parks along Route 66, Roadtrippers Mapping and Interesting Roadside Attractions

Booking.com

Photo courtesy of Western Legends Roundup | Kanab, Utah

8 | Wagon Train Trek in Utah

How about a 4-day 3-night historic, and authentic, wagon train trek in beautiful Kanab, Utah. The Western Legends Round-Up is followed by a western film and music festival complete with celebrities. For anyone interested you can choose to ride a horse for the day instead of riding in a wagon. For the tenderfoot you can opt to join the wagon trek for one day or all, and stay at alternative hotels. Kanab is close to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell, and The Wave so you can join the wagon train for one of the days and enjoy some of the local area the others.

Photo Credit Beacon Preservation and Goose Rocks Lighthouse | Maine

9 | Goose Rocks Lighthouse, Maine

If you need more solitude than the secluded beach in Outer Banks only accessible by a 4 x 4, then try the Goose Rocks Lighthouse in Maine – which is only accessible by boat. It’s the only offshore ocean lighthouse on the Eastern Seaboard that you can stay overnight in. After a boat operator kindly takes you out to the lighthouse, climb a ladder to your accommodations and take in the beautiful scenery. The only way to stay in the lighthouse is if you make a donation to the fund. The donations are tax deductible and they keep the lighthouse funded and in working order. This is a fabulous experience to do either as a couple or a family! You’re family will be talking about it for years.

Photo Courtesy of Hairs Out of Place | The Vintages Trailer Resort, OR

10 | The Vintages Trailer Resort

Want to rent a charmingly restored vintage RV in Oregon’s Willamette wine country? Sure! Want to relive the past in a lovingly restored and cozy retro trailer? We do!  The Vintages Trailer Resort is literally the cutest trailer resort in America.

My family and I have an addiction to RV’ing and even though we have our own RV, there is nothing like a vintage trailer. We love the idea that The Vintages has taken the time to preserve these beauties to share with everyone.  The location of the resort is perfectly situated next to a vineyard and within an easy drive of other fantastic spots in Oregon (Portland, Mt. Hood, Columbia River). For those of you traveling in your own RV, you are in luck! They are also a part of Willamette Wine Country RV Park.

My sister lives in the area, so when we first learned about The Vintages Trailer Resort I called her immediately. Of course she was so excited she took a trip a few weekends later and stopped by The Vintages for some awesome pics! Shameless plug alert – see my sister’s blog post, Airstream Dreams – The Vintages Trailer Resort, OR.

The post Bucket List: Unique Hotels and Vacation Stays in the U.S. appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

Temple Bar Area | Dublin, Ireland

First Timer’s Guide to Dublin – When Short on Time:

I smiled when I read that National Geographic nicknamed Dublin “Europe’s largest village” and had made their List of Places You Need to Visit in 2018 . After having just visited here in December – we totally agree!

Dublin’s got a youthful, energetic, small town college vibe – which is amazing because there are 1.2 million people who live there.  The best part about Dublin is that the people are friendly, the historic part of town is very walkable, and you’ve got some really awesome pubs and food choices. They also have a great music and theater scene.  There’s no shortage of things to do in this town!

If you have only 1, 2, or 3 days to visit Dublin, it’s okay! We’ve got you covered. We’ve included suggested itineraries, and all the things we enjoyed while in Dublin (including hotel recommendations). Here is our first-timer’s guide to Dublin – when short on time… happy travels!

The Streets of Dublin

Important Sights to See:

• Kilmainham Gaol
• Dublin Castle. Tour the inside, the underground part of the tour is really interesting!
• National Museum of Archeology. Make sure to check out the Bog Bodies, Cross of Cong, and Ireland’s Gold.
• The Book of Kells Exhibition, Trinity College Library
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Dublin Castle | Dublin

Top experiences where you can find your Dublin vibe:

• Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl. This was REALLY fun, highly recommend it! Irish music in pub – quintessential for finding your Dublin vibe. (More Info)
• Little Museum of Dublin and City of a Thousand Welcomes, Meet a Dubliner Program (More Info). Their Meet a Dubliner Program is very popular. If you are interested in meeting a Dubliner over coffee or a drink at a pub you’ll need to book earlier.
• Tour of the Guinness Storehouse, (More Info).
• Picnic in St. Stephens Green or the “secret” park behind Dublin Castle (or maybe both, LOL) :-)!
• Dublin City Bike Tour, (More Info). If you’re short on time tours are a great option. If you go by bike, you can cover much more ground in a shorter period of time. Oh, and did I mention that the Irish are awesome storytellers and make this super fun?
• Hidden Dublin Walk Tour, (More Info)
• Dublin Docklands and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The Dublin Docklands are a really hip and trendy part of Dublin. Seeing the architecture at night, as well as a theater/concert performance at the Bord Gais Theatre, followed by a night cap in one of the nearby pubs is an amazing way to end the day.
  

  Bord Gais Energy Theater | Dublin Docklands courtesy of The Irish Times

Foods to try that will get you hooked on Irish Cuisine:

• Fish and Chips from Leo Burdock Fish and Chips, (More info here or here) A taxi driver told us this is the best fish place in town – he was right!! Order the Smoked Cod and Chips. REALLY good stuff!
• Full Irish Breakfast
• Irish Stew
• Guinness Beer
• Irish Whisky

Recommended Places to Stay:

As with most big cities, being centrally located and convenient to everything comes with a price. Hotel rooms in Dublin can be expensive. You pay for the convenience. Every hotel we recommend has very good ratings, is conveniently located,  offers breakfast, and are quiet.

• Radisson BLU Royal Hotel Dublin, (More info, or to book) We stayed here and highly recommend it. It is clean and quiet, centrally located, they have an awesome breakfast bar, and you can easily walk to every place you want to see.
• The Merrion Hotel, (more info, or to book)
• Brooks Hotel (more info, or to book)

Booking.com

Recommended Itineraries if You’re Short on Time:

1-day Itinerary

• Dublin City Bike Tour
• Dublin Castle (tour the inside)
• City of A Thousand Welcomes Meet a Dubliner
• Book of Kells at Trinity College or the Museum of Archaeology
• Irish Music and Pub Crawl Temple Bar area

The Temple Bar | Dublin

3-day Itinerary

Day 1

• Dublin City Bike Tour
• Little Museum of Dublin
• City of A Thousand Welcomes Meet a Dubliner OR tour the Guinness Storehouse
• Irish Music and Pub Crawl Temple Bar area

Day 2

• National Museum of Archeology
• Book of Kells or the Museum of Archeaology (if you have time)
• Grafton Street
• Ghost tour or other tour by night (because the Irish are fantastic storytellers)

Day 3

• Dublin Castle
• Get fish and chips takeaway and have a picnic in St. Stephens Green (if you’re near Grafton Street) or the Dublin Castle Gardens. (Hint: Leo Burdock Fish and Chips, is right by the castle (check it out here or here)
• Tour the Guinness Storehouse
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Dublin Docklands/Bord Gáis Energy Theater. 

That’s it! Be sure to let me know how you enjoyed your trip! Feel free to email me or post a comment – we would LOVE to hear from you!

xoxo

Kori

Museum of Archaeology | Dublin, Ireland

The post First Timer’s Guide to Dublin – When Short on Time appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

View of Budapest and Chain Bridge from Castle Hill

After a recent trip to Budapest, we have fallen in love with the city. As we only had about a day and half to visit, our time was entirely too short. With careful planning we were still able to get a great feel for the city and enjoy our time. Without a doubt we will be returning! To help you make the most of your time, we created this city guide, First Time Guide to Budapest – When Short on Time. Enjoy!

Budapest is situated on both sides of the Danube and is a fascinating mix of history, cultures, friendly people, architecture, and REALLY good food.  It all comes together in an incredibly beautiful, yet gritty combination. You’re going to LOVE it.

While at least 3-4 days is optimal, if you only have 1 or 2 you can still have a great time in Budapest. Below we have provided our recommended itineraries for a 1-day visit or 3-day visit. If you will be in Budapest for only 2 days, follow the 3-day itinerary and choose what works best for you.

Travel tip: When short on time, keep in mind that you will not be able to see everything. Many travelers feel pressure to rush through all the sites and leave a trip feeling stressed and tired instead of relaxed. For more travel tips see our post, 6 Travel Tips for Having a Stress-Free Vacation Abroad

Our Trip to Budapest

We actually flew into Budapest as a part of a Viking River Cruise, Danube Waltz. On that trip we had about 36 hours in Budapest, which was essentially one and a half days – half a day when we arrived, and a full day the next day.

We spent our half day on a self-guided walking tour around the Parliament Building, shoes on the Danube memorial, and the surrounding area – including Vorosmarty Square. After dinner on the ship, we went for an evening walk across the chain bridge and along the Danube. Our fantastic day ended with a glass of Pálinka on the roof top deck with some new friends, while enjoying the sights and sounds of Budapest.

The second day we joined Viking’s Panoramic Budapest tour in the morning, explored the rest of castle hill on our own, then headed on to the Great Market Hall to meet up with our chef from Easy Cooking Budapest.  Yes we took a cooking class while we were in Budapest!

That evening we were treated to an awesome surprise. During dinner our ship left its dock to head upriver to a turnaround point then floated down the river to the start of the city so we could see the entire city from the Danube by night. Our ship’s cruise director narrated all of the sights. It was a breathtaking and memorable way to leave the city.

Castle Hill | Budapest, Hungary

Sights to See, and Things to Do, if You’re Short on Time

Here is a summary of our favorite must-see sights in Budapest. Many of the sights mentioned below, are seen from the outside and will be covered in a tour. Several of the sights can be toured on the inside depending on your available time (Szechenyi and Gellert Baths, Parliament Building, Opera House, and Great Market Hall).

Important sights to see:

• Parliament Building
• Szechenyi Baths or Gellert Baths
• Shoes on the Danube Memorial
• Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion, Mathias church
• Great Market Hall
• Hungarian State Opera House
• City Park and Vajahunyad Castle
• Heroes Square
• House of Terror or the Holocaust Museum

Top experiences so you can find your Budapest vibe:

Photo courtesy of traveladdicts.net

• Ruin Pub Crawl.  See ruinpub.com a local blog in Budapest with great information and  Travel Addict’s post, Best Ruin Pubs Budapest Hungary
• Budapest Danube River Evening Cruise, More Info
• Cooking Class with a visit to the Great Market Hall, Easy Cooking Budapest
• Overview tour or bike overview tour, Budapest Bike Breeze
• Opera at the Hungarian State Opera House

Foods to try that will get you hooked on Hungarian cuisine:

• Dobos Torte (Layered Sponge cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with caramel)
• Hungarian Coffee
• Goulash
• Chicken Paprikás with Nokedli (nokedli are like tiny pasta, similar to spaetzle)
• Lángos. (Fried bread) usually topped with sour cream, cheese, and garlic
• Pálinka. (Fruit Brandy) A national drink, according to the locals. Fair warning, this is not a sweet brandy and it is strong stuff!
• Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake) Make sure to get a fresh one!

Recommended Places to Stay:

As with most big cities, being centrally located and convenient to everything comes with a price. Hotel rooms in Budapest are quite reasonable as compared to other cities in Europe, however. Apartment style hotels and rooms are very popular and you’ll see that we’ve recommended a couple. Every hotel we recommend has very good ratings, is conveniently located, and are quiet.

• Hotel Clark Budapest (more information). This one is BRAND NEW and is gorgeous inside with fantastic views of the Danube!
• Aventura Boutique Hostel (see here, this is awesome). This hostel is an awesome price, very hip, and conveniently located, and has 4 private apartments, each one with  available. When we return next year we will be booking the Retro apartment.
• 7Seasons Apartments Budapest, (more information here)
• Exe Danube Budapest, (more information)

Booking.com

Recommended Itineraries if You’re Short on Time

Here is our recommended itinerary if you have from 1 to 3 days in Budapest. If you are visiting for 2 days, just pick your favorites from the 3-day itinerary and save the rest for you next trip…I know you’ll want to return!

Matthias Church | Castle Hill Budapest

1-Day Itinerary

Coffee and Pastry

Start with a Hungarian coffee and pastry. Since you’re on vacation, I don’t see anything wrong with having dessert for breakfast do you?

If you are near the Café Gerbeaud or New York Café go there for the coffee, it’s opulent history, and the traditional Dobos Torte. These are both traditional coffeehouses dating back to the late 1800’s and Dobos Torte is their traditional Hungarian layered cake created for the 1885 Exhibition in Budapest.

If you aren’t near either of these coffeehouses, check out this post from 2foodtrippers for other awesome coffeehouses. You can’t go wrong with any of them! Trust me.

Overview Tour

We’ve always found it super helpful to orient ourselves with an overview/highlight tour. You’re in luck! Budapest has some great options!

Combine a self-guided walking tour and hop on tram 2. Tram 2 travels along the Danube, and many other scenic and historical areas of Budapest. You will be near tram 2 on most of the sights we’ve recommended. Check out monkeysandmountains post, Budapest Tram 2: Europe’s Most Scenic Tram Journey

Another great option is a bike tour with Budapest Bike Breeze. Their tour is approximately 4 hours and includes a lunch in the park.

Consider a private tour guide. If you’re short on time a private tour is awesome because you’re essentially traveling one-on-one with a local, they often have a really unique personal perspective.

Great Market Hall, Budapest

Cooking Class or Hungarian Bath House

Great Market Hall shopping and a cooking class with Easy Cooking Budapest. Okay, this was our FAVORITE thing we did in Budapest. We met our guide at the Great Market Hall to tour the market and shop for the ingredients to make our meal. Several of the stalls we stopped at let us sample local meats, cheeses, and a few sweets. Yum! Don’t forget to buy some paprika!  After shopping you hop in a taxi and head to the kitchen, where you’ll whip up a tasty authentic Hungarian meal. While sipping Hungarian wine, you’ll make everything from the starter, the main dish, a side, and dessert. Double yum!

If you’re not doing a cooking class then we suggest either going to the market on your own, have a look around, then have a meal at one of the vendors on the upper level. After that, take in a must-see sight that you might not have visited on your earlier tour.

Another option would be a visit to the Szechenyi Baths or Gellert Baths. This is definitely a true Hungarian experience. Budapest sits on many thermal springs and taking a dip at one of the many baths is a part of everyday life in the city. Not only are the mineral baths relaxing but they are an awesome way to people watch – locals and tourists alike.

If you have not been able to try a traditional Hungarian meal yet then see Epicurious Passport’s, What and Where to Eat in Budapest for a great meal recommendation. Vorosmarty Square is a great place to sample some awesome street food from the vendors. I highly suggest you try Lángos which is a tasty fried bread with sour cream, melted cheese, and garlic. Oh my.

Cruise the Danube after Dark

An evening cruise on the Danube is a MUST.  Legenda Cruises is a highly recommended Danube tour operator. Budapest at night is incredible – there is a reason why they call it the Paris of the East.

Ruin Pub Crawl

Ruin Pubs are super popular bars that have popped up in all kinds of unique places – old buildings, ruins, rooftops, and courtyards.  This a huge thing in Budapest. We had every intention of going to a few of these pubs but we found ourselves sipping Pálinka on the deck of our ship watching the sights and listening to the sounds of the city. We enjoyed that moment so much we couldn’t bring ourselves to move.  It is the unexpected things that make the greatest memories, right?

2 or 3-day itinerary

Day 1

• Similar to the 1-day itinerary, do a tour.
• Szechenyi Baths (this will feel great if you did the bike ride earlier!)
• Cruise on the Danube after dark

Day 2

• Explore Castle Hill, Matthias church, and Fishermen’s Bastion.
• Great Market hall and Easy cooking Budapest (authentic meal – Yay!)
• Evening stroll and people watching
• Ruin Pubs, Opera/Music

Day 3

• Explore Parliament Building, shoes on the Danube monument, and Vorosmarty Square
• Andrassy Ut
• Tour House of Terror or Holocaust Museum
• New York Café  or  Cafe Gerbeaud for coffee and Dobos Torta
• Ruin Pubs or Opera/Other Music (choose the one you didn’t do on day 2)

That’s it! Be sure to email me or post a comment if you have any questions! We would LOVE to hear from you!

xoxo

Kori

The post First Timer’s Guide to Budapest – When Short on Time appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

Planning a Meaningful and Stress-Free Trip to Europe

Does this Sound Familiar?

Do you love to travel but have very limited vacation time?

Have you traveled to Europe before and come back more exhausted than when you started because it was a whirlwind race to see everything?

Are you exhausting yourself trying to plan the perfect trip?

How our Family Travels

My husband and I (and kids) travel a lot. Usually taking 2 vacations per year. No, they are not expensive, nor fancy, nor lengthy. Just like many of you, we are super busy. We both have full time jobs, budget constraints, and schedules to consider. We also have 3 teenage sons that are almost heading off to college.

Our family loves to travel, but between our limited vacation time, and their school schedules, and just life in general, we have to get really creative with our travel planning.

Yet, despite all these things to consider, we still manage to take relaxing and meaningful trips to Europe, with vacation time left over, and return mostly refreshed (excluding a little jet lag).

It has always been very important to that we not to just show up, see the sights and leave. We seek more.  It’s harder to do this when you’re short on time, but still very much possible. When we travel we really like to experience the area, searching for fun things to do and experiencing what might expose us to real life. Like the locals and their culture. Oh, and food. You can’t forget the food.

Our Not So Secret “Formula”

We are the master’s of the 9 day vacation.

Typically we fly out Friday evening, arriving in Europe on Saturday morning at our first chosen city or region. Spend 2 or 3 nights in this area then move on to next city or location. Allow a full day of travel to you next destination. Try to keep this a reasonable distance so you can use this as a no-rush sightseeing day. Spend 2 or 3 nights at your next chosen city or destination then travel out on Sunday morning, not too early, arriving home Sunday evening.

7 tips for planning your trip

1 | Don’t make planning a chore.

Part of the fun is the process BEFORE the trip. If you’re not enjoying it, then you’re not doing it right.

Have fun with your planning, don’t make it a chore. It’s a huge world out there and the possibilities of where to go and, what to do, are endless!

Some people just ‘wing it” and try to plan as they go.  While this works for some people, it can lead to wasted time once you start your trip.

Its kind of like planning a wedding.  You can’t expect to start planning the week before the wedding and expect that it will be the greatest day ever.

Do a little research and let it sink in for a while.  Then come back and review again.

And don’t wait till the last minute.

2 | Plan and research well in advance.

We plan at least 12 to 18 months in advance. This will give you plenty of time to make well thought out decisions.

If you are considering Europe but don’t know where to go, by all means post your questions below. Maybe we can all help each other come up with some cool trips!

Start by asking friends and family for ideas. Search online for inspiration, watch some travel shows, and pick up an overview travel guide (with good photos) on Europe. Pinterest, Instagram, travel bloggers, Trip Advisor, are all great options for inspiration.

Just as a personal preference DK Eyewitness Europe does a really GREAT job summarizing the countries. They also have some really great pictures, illustrations, and maps that I find very useful in our initial planning.

Once you narrow it down to exactly where you are going,  purchase reliable guidebooks to complete the rest of your planning. Order a few guidebooks specific to the area you are traveling. In my experience, Rick Steve’s, DK Eyewitness, and Lonely Planet are VERY reliable sources of information. We have never found any inconsistencies in the information they provide.

A quick note on guidebooks. We use electronic versions of guidebooks when we are actually traveling so that we don’t have to carry them with us. Once you buy your electronic version of the book you can install the reader app on multiple devices. This is super convenient because you can install it on your smartphone.  Talk about convenient!

3 | You CANNOT see everything.

When planning, realize that you won’t be able to see everything.

Many people don’t consider this but changing locations can eat up a lot of time, energy, and money traveling.

It’s important that you prioritize the things you want to see.

Set your sight on a couple of locations, or cities, then plan meaningful activities & experiences from there.

Rank the things you want to see or areas you want to go and take everyone you are traveling with into consideration. Get their input? This includes your children. Traveling with children will be much easier if they have an interest or something to look forward to in the trip.

Think of travel as a lifelong commitment. Plan on going back to places you really love for a more in-depth look later. You don’t have to see it all on this trip!

4| Know your limits.

Know how your spouse, or kids, are to travel with. Consider all travel companions. Some people are go-go-go, others are laid back. Others don’t like crowds, or heat., and some love crowds, and cold weather. You get the idea.

Understand your limits and don’t over-schedule yourself. It’s easy to be an armchair traveler and get ambitious. I am guilty of this every time we take a trip.

It’s amazing what you’re willing to give up when you’ve walked miles and your feet hurt. You’re going to be really disappointed later if you sacrificed one of your important must-sees because you were tired. Make sure to do your highest priority item first.

If you’re new to traveling and don’t know your limits, do a “trial” run and plan a 2-night weekend trip to a city near you. Plan the weekend and tackle the sightseeing like you think you would for a trip to Europe. Reevaluate when you get back.

5 | Understand how much time you need.

If you are moving from large city to city, then allow 2 to 3 nights, so 3 to 4 days in each city. You can get a good feel for a city in that amount of time. Plan on staying longer if you find a centrally located city and are planning to make day trips from there.

Remember the 9-day vacations I mentioned? As a rule of thumb, we can get in 2 major cities, plus travel between. Or, 1 major city, and 1 central location as a base for day trips.

This past December we spent 9 days in Ireland. We allowed 2 nights for Dublin, 2 nights in Western Ireland at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, and 5 nights in County Clare as a base location for day trips to the South/SW of Ireland. While we would not typically splurge for such luxury accommodations, it was the off-season and we felt that while we were in Ireland we just HAD to stay in a  castle!

6| Set a budget and follow it

Traveling to Europe CAN be done without breaking the bank, you just need to set a budget. I know, it’s no fun to set a budget but it’s super important. If you stick to your budget, then you will be able to travel more.

Our family has a travel budget every year. Because we are very careful in our planning and utilize a variety of ways for finding travel deals it affords us two 9 to 10-day trips per year. We usually travel to Europe one of those trips, and within the U.S. (in our R.V.) the second trip. This year we’ve traveled to Europe twice and have taken weekend getaways in the R.V.

As I am writing this I am realizing that this topic could be a post all on it’s own. Hmmm…lot’s of ideas forming in my head! Stay tuned…

7| Start your trip before you get there.

Once everything starts falling into place and you know where you are going, start learning about where you be spending your time.

Travel is about exposing yourself and your loved ones to the wonders of the world.  Whether you realize it or not, you will learn things you never knew, and will be a better person for it.

Don’t just show up without any understanding of the area. It is unfortunate for me, but I used to do this when I was younger. The most important thing was to see the sights and move on. I never connected to any particular area because I never took the time to understand a little about it before I visited.

Time to dig into those guidebooks.  Start highlighting, turning down page corners, use sticky notes, or however helps you best make use of the information in the guide.  Each guide may be structured differently and offer different ideas and options for the traveler.  There is no right or wrong way to explore.  But just remember you don’t have to do everything in the guide and you don’t have to do it in the order they suggest.

Read non-fiction and fiction books that take place where you’re going. Especially in the case of Europe, there are many many books to help you understand the history in a fun and exciting way.

Brush up on the history of the area you are visiting. WWI and WWII had major impacts on Europe.  The relatively recent fall of Communism in Eastern Europe has changed things dramatically too.  There are hidden treasures behind the former Iron Curtain!!!

Watch some movies that are filmed where you are headed.  Some people plan their trips from movies they’ve watched! A huge percentage of people traveling to Salzburg, Austria are there because the Sound of Music was filmed there.

Heck, I’m not ashamed to admit that I watched Gigi before going to Paris, or Roman Holiday with Carey Grant and Audrey Hepburn before going to Rome! Or the Quiet Man before we left for Ireland! LOL!

xoxo

Kori

The post Planning a Meaningful and Stress-Free Trip to Europe appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

I used to be what I (laughingly) refer to as a tacky tourist. I’m sure you know the type – the tacky tourist is a tornado rushing through their trip snapping pictures, buying super cheap (quality) souvenirs (not even made locally), then leaves. They make no effort to get to know the area they are traveling to, and can’t be bothered to speak to the locals because they are in such a hurry. Oh. And they love to over-pack. Does any of this sound familiar?

If you can identify yourself with a tacky tourist, it’s okay. I am here to help! As a former tacky tourist turned somewhat savvy, I though I’d share my 9 tips on how to be a savvy traveler and not a tacky tourist.  LOL!

How to be a Savvy Traveler and Not a Tacky Tourist

1 | Pack light.

Yes, this is ALL of my luggage. WAY too much!

Tacky tourist mistake number one, over-packing.

Please pack light. I used to be the one with the giant suitcases, a bunch of shoes, and clothing for literally everything that came my way. I look back and think how ridiculous this really was. Large amounts of luggage is not only very difficult to handle, but it slows you and your companions down, you have to wait in baggage claim, and nothing marks you as a naive tourist more than a bunch of luggage.

Ditch that giant suitcase and free yourself of all that baggage! You got this!

In fact, as I mention in my other post 6 Travel Trips for Having a Stress-Free Vacation Abroad, my first trip to Europe was as a college student years ago. I remember being so proud of my packing. After all, I was ready for any circumstance and any occasion! Not so. I managed to overlook one important thing – how to handle all of that darn luggage! Everywhere I went, I literally held people up, and annoyed taxi and bus drivers. On many trains and metro lines there wasn’t hardly enough room for a carry on, let alone my entire closet. People were literally glaring. I never made that mistake again.

Unlike my former self, I can now pack the equivalent of 10 outfits in a small carry on. If I can do it, so can you. Trust me. Over the years I have created a travel capsule wardrobe so I don’t even have to think what to pack now. I do vary a few items depending upon the time of the year, location, and temperature of where we are headed. If you stick with basic colors that can mix and match easily you should be good to go!

2 | Dress like a local.

Tacky tourist mistake number two, wearing clothing that is completely inappropriate out of place for your destination.

Be low-profile and conservative in your choices. Do your homework about what people typically wear in the region you are going to.

Do not wear clothing that easily identifies you as a tourist – savvy or tacky. These things identify you as a tourist to criminals and pickpockets.

Be careful choosing skimpy and flamboyant outfits. Many places have dress codes, especially churches. For most areas in the world, I always dress in basic colors and lend towards gray, black, beige, and white. I can mix and match clothes easily and it helps me pack light.

I came across a great post written by Megan Lee from Packsmith. She gives great packing tips and advice on what to wear. Here’s the link: What to Wear in Europe Without Looking Like a Tourist.

3 | Learn some local phrases, don’t assume everyone should speak English.

Tacky tourist mistake number three, assuming everyone speaks English. Uh, no.

While traveling abroad, never assume that everyone speaks English. It’s much more polite to make an attempt to speak in a native language (and probably butcher it), than it is to just start talking English. At least ask if they speak English in their native language.

Learn some local phrases, and put them to use. Make it fun. Don’t be afraid to engage locals in conversation and ask questions. They will love and appreciate your effort. A lady in Hungary once hugged my husband because he was trying to say hello, good-bye, and thank you to her. Seriously! Apparently she said it is quite rare for tourists to try and speak their language. Hungarians are proud of their language and know that it isn’t the easiest to master, if you try you will be awesome! I can’t promise a hug from strangers, but you will be awesome nonetheless.

4 | Do your homework.

Tacky tourist mistake number four, not bothering to learn, or get to know, the area you are traveling to.

Please do your homework and learn about the area you are traveling to. Since it takes a lot of time, planning, and money, its definitely worth getting to  know a little about the area you will be traveling to. Even if you are in a tour group, don’t just show up expecting everyone to chauffeur you around without making any attempt to learn about the country you are in.

It means so much more  and helps you connect to your destination if you know about where you are. There are so many more options than just Tripadvisor and mainstream travel books.  Try watching movies filmed in or about the area, maybe read a fictional or nonfiction book. Research on Pinterest and get various blogger’s takes on your destination. When you arrive at your destination, ask your hotel, a local, or even a cabbie for further advice. By the way, I swear that cabbies have been some of the BEST tour guides we have had! They know ALL the places to go.

5 | Enjoy off-the-beaten-path and try something unique.

Tacky tourist mistake number five, sticking to mainstream “must-see” sites only.

When we travel we like to mix things up. We typically choose a couple of sights from the “must-sees” but then balance them with interesting, off-the-beaten-path, activities to do. Try a bike tour, or a segway tour, a cooking class, or some other fun activity. We love market tours combined with cooking classes. It’s super unique and it’s a great way to meet people.

Museums, churches and synagogues are wonderful places to visit, however, if you visit multiple over a period of a week or two, they really will all start looking alike. Don’t get me wrong, ALL of these places are special and are full of important historical significance.  The problem is that you may lose sight of their beauty and importance after visiting multiple on one vacation. Give them the attention that they deserve and try viewing churches of different architecture, or religion. Try different types of museums, like maybe a museum of modern art and then classical art.

If you’re short on time and don’t want to be in a crowded large group tour, then hire a private guide. Yes, sometimes they are expensive, but when compared to big group tours, they aren’t that much more (and sometimes they are less). We have found that we actually get in more sightseeing with a private tour guide because move along faster and are able to make more progress. Because the experience is more personal, it really is a great way to see the sights and learn about the history.

6 | Ditch the heavy guidebooks.

Switch to an electronic guidebook instead. If you are more comfortable with a book in hand, then by all means use it. We have learned not to haul guidebooks with us as they can be heavy and take up too much space in my bag. Use a Kindle (or other brand) app to take an electronic version of a guidebook with you.

The Kindle app can be loaded on any device so both my husband and I can have the same book or map open, or different guidebooks.

The best part is that you don’t look like a tourist because you blend in with all the other people staring at their phones! Perfect. 

7 | Travel in the off-season

I completely understanding the need to travel during your children’s school holiday or your own work holidays, but if you can swing it, try and travel during the shoulder seasons or off-season.

You may have to make some concessions, like weather, or a few less things open. Overall you will have a much more enjoyable time – it’s less expensive, there are less crowds, and less traffic.

During tourist season, the tourists often outnumber the locals. By traveling in the off-season you can have the sights and locals to yourself.

Last December, the week before Christmas, we went to Ireland. It was AMAZING. The locals were in a festive spirit and there were literally no tourists. We went to site after site and we were often the only ones there. I highly recommend it.

8 | Enjoy your time, don’t schedule every minute of your day.

Don’t schedule every minute of your day. Make sure to allow for downtime and build in time so you don’t have to rush from site to site. Assume you are going to go back and don’t feel like you have to see EVERYTHING. It’s just not possible.

9 | Plan your trip carefully

Make the most of you time and plan your trip carefully.

As I mentioned above, build in some down time and flexibility. You don’t want to be a in a rush, and you never know what is going to pop up – good or bad. It’s possible to experience flight or train delays. If there are a lot of crowds you may have to wait in line for a lot longer than you anticipated. We have often changed our schedule because we come across something unexpected and fun and didn’t want to leave. If you have some flexibility in your schedule it makes it a lot easier

Make sure that your accommodations are easily accessible to transportation and the activities that you want to do. If you spend a bunch of time getting to and from one place, it will eat up your precious time and money.

All in good fun! (Of course we are savvy travelers)

The post How to Be a Savvy Traveler and Not a Tacky Tourist appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.

6  Travel Tips for Having a Stress-Free Vacation Abroad

1 | Pack light.

I used to be the kind of person who over packs. You know the type – the extra-large suitcase, the large carry on, AND a giant “under seat” tote bag. I’m embarrassed to even think about it. LOL! Here’s what I learned: The more luggage, the less mobile you are. You will be miserable, and you will be annoying to travel with.

If any part of your trip involves a train/tram/bus, there is no guarantee that you will have anywhere to put your suitcases. In addition, you will make a lot of people angry if your suitcases eat up all the available seats on a full train.

You will be hating life if you have to wheel your luggage across cobblestones for several blocks. By the way, if you’re needing help from your traveling companions at this point, you’re not likely to get it (unless you offer to buy them a drink). No one likes wheeling luggage across cobblestones.

My first trip to Europe was as a college student years ago. I remember being so proud of my packing. After all, I was ready for any circumstance and any occasion! No so. I managed to overlook one important thing – how to handle all of that darn luggage! Everywhere I went, I literally held people up, and annoyed taxi and bus drivers. On many trains and metro lines there wasn’t hardly enough room for a carry on, let alone my entire closet. People were literally glaring. I never made that mistake again.

2 | Be a savvy traveler, not a tacky tourist.

A tacky tourist makes no effort to understand the local culture because they don’t think that there is any better culture than their own. They are seeing the sights and don’t care what the locals think of them. They give the rest of us travelers a bad name.

A savvy traveler is armed with information. They have made an effort to learn about where they are going to. They’ve done their homework and try to understand the culture of where they are visiting.

The savvy traveler knows that every country they visit has a difference in their etiquette, how to tip, how to hold utensils, ways to greet people, dress code in churches, use of credit card vs cash, etc.). Each country has their own language and distinct personality. They also might even have their own currency.

A savvy traveler also knows that their own personal views, and cultural background, are not necessarily important to others from different countries.

Just like they are back home, savvy travelers always try to be polite and courteous. Tacky tourists, on the other hand, are usually in a big hurry, and often quite rude and pushy. They are busy taking as many pictures as possible without regard to those around them.

A traveler makes an effort to learn some local phrases and attempts to connect with the locals. They know that this is all part of the adventure, so they make it fun! It’s much more courteous and polite to say hello and ask if they speak English in their local language then it is to just start speaking English. Trust me, it makes locals happy that you would try and use their language. A tacky tourist assumes that everyone speaks their language.

3 | Stay organized and one step ahead of your itinerary.

At the end of every day, usually over dinner and wine or beer, we do a recap of the day. We also review our itinerary and plan for the next day to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything and understand any logistics involved.
This is where some of our best memories have been made. Sitting around talking and laughing and sharing stories and pictures of the day. This is a great time to write some of these stories down in a travel journal.

By the way, this is also a great time to start quizzing yourself on your phrases if you’re moving to a new country the following day! I cannot tell you how much fun our family has had trying to work through various foreign phrases!

4 | Make it meaningful.

Meaningful trips are not necessarily the ones where you go from site to site. In my experience that can be a little boring.
Engage your senses and you’ll come away with a fantastic experience. Try some local foods while taking a cooking class. Smell the flowers (or the fish stalls, LOL) at a local market. See the beauty in all both architecture and nature.

Do something different. Instead of a walking tour, maybe try a bike tour. It is a super fun way to see more sights in less time (because you are moving faster). One additional benefit of a bike tour? You’ll give your aching feet a break.

While we fondly remember seeing the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in Paris, our favorite part was wandering from shop to shop to assemble a picnic. It was like a scavenger hunt for adults. We bought bread from a baker, chose wine from a wine shop, cheese from a fromagerie, fresh fruit from a market, and flowers from a pretty stall. We had the most perfect picnic along the Seine at dusk, in full view of the Eiffel Tower lit up. Fantastic memory.

5 | Be flexible.

Be flexible. Not everything is going to go as planned. Perhaps you may be more tired than you think, your flight is delayed, or a major site you wanted to see is under construction. Regardless, make sure to build alternative options into your itinerary.

A great rule of thumb is to always tackle your important must-see sights first. This way, if you run out of energy later in the day you won’t feel guilty or that you’re missing out.

A side note about jet lag, for years I assumed that jet lag would hit me the first days. It doesn’t. For me, jet lag usually occurs around day three. No matter what I do, I continue to struggle with it. Regardless, it seems that every trip I still manage to overestimate my energy level. I always think I can do more than I actually can.

6 | Stay healthy.

Staying healthy is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you enjoy your trip. As a result, if you aren’t feeling good, your trip may, quite literally, be ruined.

Many people feel that because they’ve paid a lot of money for their trip they need to squeeze in every single sight and activity. Please don’t make this mistake overdue it. Balance your sightseeing with down time, and higher activity days with lower activity days. Make sure to squeeze in some rest, it’s super important.

Dehydration is another cause of problems for travelers. For most people, dehydration will most likely start on the plane ride over, and won’t stop until they’ve returned home. Because of this, make sure to carry a refillable water bottle with you. Fill it when you leave your room, and again when you see a drinking fountain. It’s so important to keep drinking, people!

XOXO

Kori

Other posts you might like:

-Planning a Meaningful and Trip to Europe

-How To Be A Savvy Traveler and Not A Tacky Tourist

The post 6 Travel Tips for Having a Stress-Free Vacation Abroad appeared first on Seeking the Travel Life.