No matter where you are traveling, there is always a lot of planning that is associated so you will be prepared, especially if you have other commitments that you have to take care of at home. Hopefully these tips will guide you in the right direction towards stress-free travel!
1. Open Mind
When traveling, it is essential to keep an open mind and be flexible when things do not always go as planned. Maybe the train is running late or it rains and your tour gets cancelled. Whatever the case, if you accept that things will go wrong you will relieve some of that stress and may even find that you discover something new that you may not have come across if everything went as planned.
2. Make Lists
We all hate that feeling of thinking we forgot to pack something. Make packing lists ahead of time so you can write down things you need to bring as you think of them. This works great if you keep the list in an app or somewhere on your phone so you can easily access it no matter where you are. I use Evernote for my list-making, and I even have the app on my computer and iPad so I can access it from other locations as well.
3. Know Your Apps
With that said, knowing what apps are out there can make your traveling experience a whole lot more stress-free. There are apps for just about anything, and sometimes it is only a matter of finding them. For example, a translator app and a currency converter may both be good to have when traveling to a foreign country. I also use Gate Guru to check the status of my flights and Yelp or Trip Advisor are always helpful when deciding where to eat or what attractions to see. One app that has been a lifesaver is CityMaps2Go. This app allows you to download maps of different cities that you will be visiting so you can access them without Internet. This app will occasionally offer a free download, so keep an eye out for that as well. Travel prepared by keeping your phone stocked up on important travel apps!
4. Keep Your Home Secure
While we would all like to take that adventure somewhere and “leave all our worries behind,” sometimes it is inevitable that we are going to be thinking about what is going on at home. Using dropcam can ease these concerns. It is an affordable way to monitor your home while you are not there, so you really can leave your worries behind!
Did I forget anything you feel is crucial to stress-free travel? Let me know in the comments!
30 Comments
Sammy @ Days Like This
July 2, 2014 at 6:08 amI really like the first one. You are so right. Sometimes things go wrong and you literally have no control over it. It’s better to just breathe rather than get in a panic about it.
Marissa Sutera
July 2, 2014 at 6:13 amThanks Sammy! Thankfully I realized early on to go with the flow when things don’t go as planned, but unfortunately some people don’t realize that until much later. It really makes for a much better experience having that mindset!
Amy @ Amy and the Great World
July 1, 2014 at 3:03 pmThanks for the tips! I love traveling but I forget how stressful it can be. Making lists always saves me!
Marissa Sutera
July 1, 2014 at 6:27 pmSometimes I feel like I almost go list crazy, but at least I am prepared! Thanks for reading!
caminioca
July 1, 2014 at 1:33 pmLove #3! I’m used to having data in my country and when I travel abroad I HATE not having it and not being able to use google maps, etc. Citymaps2go sounds like such a useful app, I’ll have to look into it! Thanks so much for this 🙂
Marissa Sutera
July 1, 2014 at 6:17 pmAwesome, glad I could help! It really was so helpful when trying to navigate without using data. Happy travels!
kaelene10
July 1, 2014 at 12:24 pmMaking lists always helps me prepare for traveling and helps reduce stress.
Marissa Sutera
July 1, 2014 at 6:16 pmThey really are so helpful! Thanks for reading!
Angela Anderson (@angelatravels11)
June 29, 2014 at 11:31 pmGreat list of reducing stress. I am a crazy list person and actually keep a little notebook in my person to jot things down.
Marissa Sutera
June 30, 2014 at 8:37 amThanks Angela! I am pretty close to a crazy list person too.. I try to refrain from having so many but sometimes I just can’t help it!
Adelina | PackMeTo
June 18, 2014 at 12:00 pmI’ve read about Dropcam a lot in recent weeks, but I’ve never really tried it. I agree with all the other points though. Especially having an open mind and just rolling with things when times get tough. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler!
Marissa Sutera
June 18, 2014 at 11:10 pmThanks Adelina, having an open mind is always my #1 when traveling!
Anna | slightly astray
June 18, 2014 at 10:46 amI agree that an open mind is the most important one of all!! I travel with my boyfriend and he freaks out when something doesn’t go right, and he doesn’t like playing things by ear (the opposite of me). And that in turn stresses me out, haha!
Marissa Sutera
June 18, 2014 at 11:09 pmIt sure can be frustrating when plans get messed up, but sometimes the best part of a trip can happen because of something not going right! It is great though that you and your boyfriend are able to travel together despite the differences 🙂
malaysianmeanders
June 16, 2014 at 2:25 amThanks for the app suggestions. I’ll have to look into them.
Marissa Sutera
June 16, 2014 at 10:48 amDefinitely, they are a huge help! Thanks for reading!
Aperture Of My Soul
June 15, 2014 at 1:55 pmGreat tips! I love Evernote and am trying to utilize it more. Remembering that things very likely will not go as planned at some point is one of my big ones. I’ve had to learn to adjust and adapt the hard (but good) way. Thanks! #SundayTraveler
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 6:59 pmThank you! Evernote really is a lifesaver. I use it for so many lists- packing, groceries, to-do… It’s such a great app!
Brianna
June 15, 2014 at 1:47 pmGreat tips! I find its best to plan but leave a little room for spontaneity.
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 6:56 pmThanks Brianna, I totally agree!
Brittany @ Paws for Beer
June 15, 2014 at 12:31 pmgreat tips! I am a big fan of creating lists; lists before I leave and for when I’m traveling.
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 12:37 pmYes, lists can be extremely helpful especially if you are like me and do not have the best memory!
Lisa at Wanderlust Women
June 15, 2014 at 10:08 amI find there are two kinds of travelers in my business. Those who need every second planned and those who go with the flow. It is the latter who inevitably enjoy their “relaxing” holiday so much more! 🙂
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 11:23 amVery true Lisa! Going with the flow always wins in my book 🙂 It makes for much more enjoyable travels!
frankaboutcroatia
June 15, 2014 at 5:11 amGreat tips for a stress-free travel. Also good list of apps. I’ve already use many of them you’ve mentioned. Although, travel planning can be stressful at times, when the day of adventure come, I only check that I have my passport and money with me.
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 8:20 amHaving your passport and money are two very critical things that are helpful when traveling! 🙂 Thanks for reading and cheers to another great #SundayTraveler!
bavariansojourn
June 15, 2014 at 4:07 amLots of good tips there, the lists are never a problem for me though, love doing those! 🙂
Marissa Sutera
June 15, 2014 at 8:17 amI am right there with you- I am a list-lover as well! My Evernote account is filled with them 🙂
Head Out West
May 29, 2014 at 4:02 pmGreat app recommendations! And I agree with your #1, keeping an open mind is definitely the most important thing for stress-free travel!
Marissa Sutera
May 29, 2014 at 5:29 pmThank you! Crushing all that stress that could arise is such an important part of enjoying travel!