Know Before You Go
Teaching economics to seniors at a high school can be challenging. If they get a poor grade on an exam, many are literally shocked. The funny part of this is when I ask them if they studied they always say no! So you didn’t prepare, you didn’t ask for help, and you didn’t have a plan to succeed. You have to shake your head. They truly believe that if they wave their magic vape wand, they will get a good grade. Preparation usually equates to success, and students who are prepared usually have significantly less anxiety and stress related to coursework.
It’s the same with traveling. Many travelers do little or no research, don’t ask for advice and have no real plan for the journey. They are setting themselves up for disaster.
In a recent conversation with a government employee that travels extensively for her work, I asked for her best travel advice. She quickly answered; “Know before you go.” Evidently, it’s a mantra that makes the rounds in her department. A little planning can save you quite a bit of grief….and money. Whether overpaying for a flight or something more serious like losing your passport, traveling has its’ challenges. Let’s face it, traveling can be stressful, especially when you are unprepared for the journey. Here are our suggestions for reducing stress and anxiety while planning and traveling.
Know Before You Go!
It seems obvious, but do your homework. You’re probably incurring significant cost and dedicating your scarce vacation time to the experience, so do a bit of internet research or consult a professional. Some things to ponder:
Before you head out, contact travel bloggers in the cities you will be visiting for up to date advice. Most bloggers are easy to contact and great about answering questions. They may also act as your point of contact if things go wrong. Some of my favorite travel bloggers are linked below.
Check with a local tourism board. Some have extensive printable resources to make your trip less stressful.
Save data and don’t make yourself look like a tourist. If you’ve researched your destination, you should have a general idea of where you are and where you need to go. Download Citymaps2go on your phone and add the city or area you expect to travel. They work offline.
Bring printed maps to have on hand if our phone battery dies.
Calling from overseas can be expensive. We have a backup phone from Mobal with a UK number for emergencies, but in our opinion the best way to call home when you have an internet connection, is through What’s App. It’s generally crystal clear and easy to set up prior to your trip.
Check well in advance of a trip to see if you have all the required shots. Your physician can advise you on specific requirements. Make sure you keep your tetanus shot up to date especially if you’re heading somewhere remote. I know this seems obvious, but avoid areas where there is an outbreak or health concerns. Zika and the Bird Flu are examples. Many travelers I speak to are unaware of certain health risks at their destinations. The State Department is a treasure trove of information on this subject.
One of our favorites Photo Credit: https://www.travel-break.net/
Book A Great Hotel On Your First Night
Splurge on a hotel for at least the first night. After a long day of stressful traveling, it’s amazing to treat yourself to a night in a beautiful room at a highly rated hotel. Visiting a city for the first time can be very stressful and staying someplace that is beautiful, has a great reputation and a helpful staff can be a major relief. We love Trivago.com for booking hotel stays. Trivago is a consolidator which searches various websites to get you the best deal In many cases they can significantly beat prices you may find on one particular website. They have a million commercials on television, so it’s hard not to know who they are. Besides; who doesn’t like a good deal? No; we’re not paid by anyone, we just like them. However, if Trivago happens to read this……..send me your digits!
Even though we live close to NYC, when friends come to Manhattan we always book a night in a room with an iconic view. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s a great start to a visit. Credit: The Wagner Hotel https://www.thewagnerhotel.com/
The view from out room at the Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort and Spa. t doesn’t get much better than this for your first night in Oahu. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hnlmc-waikiki-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2
Stay Flexible
Are you flexible? Not yoga flexible, but flexible with your dates, times and airports. If so, you may be able to score a sweet deal. I recommend downloading the Skyscanner app to get the absolute best deals on flights. In a recent inquiry, we were looking for tickets to Beijing. On most websites, including the airlines, we were getting a price of $1646 for a basic seat and found a first class ticket for the way back for $354 more. The dates didn’t work for us, but the fact you could find a first class ticket on a 13 hour return flight for just a bit more money was amazing. There is a BIG difference between First class and steerage!! Flying with an upgrade can improve your mood and reduce travel anxiety. Ahhhhh drinks and legroom!!
Bonus tip: Log on and check in as soon as you can. If there are any first class seats available the airline will offer deals. Do this on the way and upon return.
One of seats in American Airlines First Class Cabin. Thanks for the upgrade!! https://www.aa.com/homePage.do
Pack Light
Don’t pay extra for checked baggage and don’t carry all those extras you will never use. It’s stressful because it’s heavy!! Have you ever run to get a connecting train with multiple bags of luggage? Take a carry-on backpack and pack it wisely. All you will ever need for an extended trip can fit inside. See our previous post “Knock Your Socks Off Packing List” for the specifics. I’m reminded of families that decided to move out west along the Oregon Trail in covered wagons during the early 1830’s. Most of the covered wagons were packed with tons of things the families thought they would need. After the first couple weeks of travel along the Oregon Trail, the families would ditch some of what they brought. It was not uncommon to find the trail littered with pianos, furniture etc. The moral to the story is pack what you actually need and don’t forget your electrical converter. The amount of energy that is burned by lugging around multiple bags detracts from the travel experience and is very stressful. Below find some of my favorite lightweight packs. Trust me, you’ll enjoy your trip much more if you don’t bring a piano.
Pack the right clothing and accessories and your back will thank you!!
Feed Me
There is no better way to reduce the stress of a trip than getting a good meal on the road. For a week long trip, our rule of thumb is splurge on two dinners, take advantage of hotel breakfasts and for the rest of your meals ask a local.
Try street food, but watch for cleanliness. Buy food at peak times when there is a line. If no one is in line, it may mean something.
Get local recommendations. Some of our best meals have been recommended by locals.
When eating from a local market thoroughly wash vegetables and never eat undercooked foods as you may spend the rest of your vacation in the bathroom!! Sometimes it just happens. I once ate street food in Mexico. I took all the precautions and didn’t drink the water, but let’s just say, Montezuma got his revenge!!
Below is a link to a Fifteen Spatulas. This specific post is a description of Joanne’s favorite Manhattan eats. There are a ton of bloggers that review restaurants do your research ahead of time and you might avoid a stressful sickness. https://www.fifteenspatulas.com
If we didn’t ask a local in Turks and Caicos, we would have never found Mr. Grouper’s Restaurant. This lobster bisque at this Haitian restaurant was cheap and delicious. We ate there four times on that trip!!
BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE
There is nothing more stressful than being sick or injured on a trip. BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE!! If you travel frequently, you know things can go horribly wrong. I highly recommend Travel Guard from AIG.
A week before we were scheduled to take a cruise to the Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale I leaned over to pick up my dog and heard a pop. I thought I threw my back out and went to the doctor. They gave me some muscle relaxers and pain meds. While on the plane the pain became excruciating. None of the meds were working. We finally made it to the hotel and the staff called an ambulance. Come to find out, I burst a disc and shattered a vertebrae. The bone shards were sticking into my sciatic nerve and they did immediate surgery. Travel Guard took care of everything; meals, cabs, hotel and even co-pays. I literally paid nothing and they gave us the money back from the cruise. They were a lifesaver and a huge stress reliever knowing we were covered. We’ve used it several times. Remember Mexico? They gave us money for trip interruption. I have nothing but awesome things to say about Travel Guard and we never travel without them.
Me at my worst in the hospital after extensive surgery on my back. Sorry, I hadn’t shaved in a week. Travel Guard saved my butt!! Since the, I’ve made full recovery!!
Have An Exit Strategy
This is an important one. The world can be unstable at times and you just never know when something crazy might happen and that can be uber stressful. We’re talking about civil unrest, riots, bank closures, airport closures, visa failures, family emergency or naturals disasters. The list goes on and on. If you’ve seen Hotel Rwanda, you get the picture. A fellow traveler once told me the story of how they were stranded in Iceland due to a volcano eruption. There are worse places to be stranded, but did he have a Plan B? No. In a future post, we’ll address these issues in depth. It is always wise to have a Plan B. It doesn’t have to be excessively planned, but you should at least give it some thought. Knowing how you can avoid or extract can reduce a tremendous amount of anxiety.
It is always a good idea to leave a detailed copy of your itinerary and some of your important passwords with a trusted relative or friend.
As mentioned above, we priced out tickets to Beijing last summer. The dates did not work out for us, but if we had gone, the return flight was scheduled to layover in Hong Kong on the date of the first shutdown of the airport by pro-democracy protesters. Have a Plan B just in case.
Carry with you:
Copies of your passport and drivers license
The number and address of the nearest embassy
extra cash (not too much)
the name of a local contact
the numbers of the airlines you are flying
If something happens; stay calm. Getting upset only exacerbates the situation. You’ve done your planning, so execute your strategy. It’s just part of being a well prepared traveler.
Protests that shut down Hong Kong airport. Credit: https://www.businessinsider.com
Credit: https://www.state.gov
Etiquette
Remember you are a visitor. What happens at home may or may not happen in the areas you are visiting. Research proper etiquette before you visit your destination. For instance:
Be mindful when filming or taking photos. Some cultures are less receptive to being on camera.
Dress appropriately. This may touch a nerve, but dress conservatively. Don’t attract negative attention.
Keep controversial opinions to yourself. Locals may be sensitive on these issues.
Don’t litter.......EVER. Find a trash can or a recycle bin. If you can’t find one, keep it with you until you do.
Keep criticisms to a minimum. Accept that some cultures do things differently.
Be a nice human. People will go out of there way for you if you smile, try to communicate using the local language, and are friendly.
To learn important phrases and words, I love using Duolingo. They make it into a competition….and I hate losing. I’m learning Norwegian as I write this.
If things get complicated, use Google Translate which can be downloaded on your phone to translate most of the world’s languages.
Be aware of local laws and regulations. You don’t want to be on the other side of the law even if it is an honest mistake.
A real stress reducer when traveling abroad Credit: Apple APP store Google Translate
