Travel Tips For Women

Some tips I've picked up from others and some tips I've had to learn the hard way.

Packing

•  Luggage tag - Clearly label your luggage with your name and address.  If possible use your work address or a PO Box instead of your home address.  You should also have a luggage tag that is unique so you can identify find your black suitcase among the other hundreds of black suitcases.  I have 3 tags on my bag, 1 that tells my airline status, 1 for my address, and this one for uniqueness 

• Makeup Kit - I have duplicate makeup kits, one for home and one that never leaves my suitcase.  The contents of both makeup bags are identical and its one less thing I have to remember.

• Power Cords - Like my makeup kit, I have doubles of all my power cords that never leave my suitcase.  I even have a second cord for my laptop that stays in my laptop bag.  If I'm working from home I simply take my laptop out and plug it into the cord I keep at home.

Hotel

• Room Keys - Always get 2 keys for your hotel room.  There is no reason to announce to the entire lobby that you are staying alone.

• Check-in - When you check in, ask that they just point to your room number instead of announcing it to everyone in listening distance.  Most hotels do this, but I learned this tip from the couple of hotels that didn't.  Nothing like the hotel clerk saying loudly in a crowded lobby "Here you go Ms. Smith, here is your one key, you are in room 316"

• Rewards Club - Even if you don't travel weekly, you should still sign up for your favorite hotel rewards.  The points do add up, but its really the perks that I like, late check-out, guaranteed room reservations, snacks, etc...

Fun on the Road

• Postcard - A tradition I started with my family when I travel is, no matter where I go, I always send a postcard home and it has to be postmarked from the place I'm visiting.  Usually the first I do when I get off the plane is hit the gift shop and buy a postcard then mail it from the hotel (they  can meter it).

• Explore - Don't be one of those travelers that only sees the hotel lobby and client sites.  Go out and explore the town.  Even small towns have something to see.  Ask the hotel clerk/concierge what to see.  Most of my travel is in the US, so my personal tour guide is 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

4th of July Weekend Getaway

The weekend before the 4th of July is upon us and that means a lot of people will be hitting the road for a fun filled weekend away from home.  Normally I talk about flying (and business), but since AAA is predicting record number of people hitting the road, I thought I would plan for a road trip weekend getaway.

I think dresses are the perfect way to travel.  To me they are more comfortable than shorts, jeans, or leggings.

This t-shirt dress is the ultimate in comfy, but cute travel.  Pair it with a some cute sandals and easy accessories and you're ready to hit the road.

When I buy a weekender tote, I look for something that is cute, functional, but sleek looking.

When I pack for a trip, I pick a color scheme and stick with it. Since this is a 4th of July Weekend Getaway, I decided to embrace the whole red, white, and blue.

Don't forget your hat and sunscreen, nothing says "fashion don't" like a blistering sunburn.










Watching the fireworks is my absolute favorite thing to do.  I love the music, crowds, and of course the fireworks!

This dress is casual enough that you can go sit under the stars and watch fireworks.  I would pair this with some wedges, because I think wearing wedges on grass is a lot easier than heels.











Travel day home is always my favorite, because no matter how many places I go, I always love coming home.  I chose a long skirt, tank, and cardigan for the drive back home for comfort.