Travel Tips
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Ultimate Vacation Packing List: The Only Checklist You’ll Ever Need
The worst feeling while traveling is rummaging through your bag only to realize you forgot something. It’s worse when the item you forgot is important! Like forgetting an important medication, piece of clothing, or, worst of all, an important document. While planning for a vacation is exciting, packing can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Especially when you leave packing to the last minute, trying to remember everything you need gets stressful. Luckily, I’ve packed for dozens of trips and know the essentials you’ll need for any trip you go on. Here is the ultimate vacation packing list I use for all my trips, and how you can use it for…
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How to Take Auckland Public Transport as a Tourist
Imagine stepping off a plane, ready to explore the captivating city of Auckland, New Zealand. The excitement is palpable, but as you glance at the rows of waiting Ubers, a pragmatic concern settles in–how can you make your way through this vibrant city without burning a hole in your pocket? The answer: Auckland public transport. In this guide, I take you through Auckland’s public transportation system, providing you with the knowledge to navigate the city effortlessly and economically. Auckland, a bustling metropolis known for its diverse tapestry of cultures and activities, is made all the more accessible through its robust public transport network. I love taking public transport—it is cheaper…
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17 Solo Travel Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe Abroad
Safety is one of the most important things when traveling abroad. Especially because you are a tourist in a new environment, this makes you vulnerable to people with malintent. However, travel is not as scary as it seems. Negative bias makes us focus on danger and makes us think an area is more dangerous than it might be. This may make someone more anxious and stressed than they need to be. So, don’t assume everyone is out to get you. I honestly rarely even think about ‘safety’ and have an open mind towards strangers because I believe most folks are friendly and have good intentions in mind. No location is…
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20 Things No One Tells You About Traveling Solo as a Woman
The first-ever solo trip I went on was a train wreck by the end of the trip. I hopped on a plane and embarked on a two-week solo trip to Italy in March 2022. And boy, was I unprepared. There were so many things no one told me about traveling solo as a woman. Everything was going swimmingly in the first half of my trip. I enjoyed the Florence Cathedral, the incredible statue of David, and eating amazing risotto alla Milanese. However, I was pushing myself to do it all—I was walking almost 30,000 steps a day! Then, I decided to go out for a cocktail or two by myself,…
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Is Milan Safe for Solo Travelers in 2023? How to Be More Safe.
Imagine my surprise finding out that a friend’s friend was mugged three times in Milan while sipping cocktails in a bar… in Milan. The first time the thieves took his watch, the next his phone, and after that, I’m not sure. The worst thing is that the thieves pulled a knife on him—material things are replaceable, but your life is not. I’m not sure why my friend’s friend had such an unfortunate stroke of luck, but it’s good to be aware of these things. Luckily, you asked, “Is Milan safe?” earlier than I did. Milan is a generally safe city, but like all big cities, there are pockets that you…
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How to Pack a Carry On Bag: The Best Way
How often have you returned from a trip with half your clothes unworn? Or realizing you overpacked and brought too many things you didn’t need? And lugging around large suitcases from destination to destination sucks. Overpacking is an experience that everyone has gone through, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. However, packing lighter and knowing how to pack a carry on isn’t always easy. Unintentional packing leads to heavy bags and unnecessary stress. No one wants to stress over what to bring or if it will fit in their bag. Now, imagine traveling carefree: not having to wait to check in a bag, not worrying about if the airline…
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How to Sleep on a Plane Comfortably: 8 Tested Practical Tips
There’s nothing more irritating than closing your eyes for the tenth time in a desperate attempt to fall asleep while your seatmate sleeps deep and sound on a long-haul flight. You toss, turn, put down the tray table, lay your head across your arms on it, and still can’t find a comfortable position. As a frequent traveler, I know that falling into deep sleep isn’t easy for everyone, especially in an uncomfortable economy seat. Luckily, I’ve flown enough times to figure out the best ways on how to fall asleep on a plane in economy class! From appropriate gear to hacking the timezones, here’s how to sleep on a plane…
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Mobile Passport Control: The Best Kept Secret To Skip Customs
After a long flight, confronting a long Customs line is the worst feeling. But this is the best-kept secret to avoiding that. The free Mobile Passport Control app lets you quickly skip long customs lines, often faster than entering with Global Entry! I’ve cleared US customs lines in under 2 minutes multiple times using MPC, whizzing by both the US Customs Line AND the Global Entry line!!! I want to keep it a secret, but it’s time to share the wealth. Mobile Passport Control is the best-kept secret from travelers returning to the United States! And for good reason. What is Mobile Passport Control? Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a…