We were flying home after spending almost 2 weeks in Lisbon and the Azores. Our long layover had graced us with about 7 hours of sleep at a hotel just outside of Charles De Gaulle. And with 12 more hours to wait before the final leg of our flight, we decided to enjoy Paris for a bit. Anthony Bourdain made long layovers look cool! Why couldn’t we?

But we didn’t account for commuter traffic into the city.

We didn’t account for a lot of things, actually.

Like our ride-share driver’s obvious intestinal issues that smacked of biological warfare. Or the fact that he was driving so aggressively (read:using off ramps as passing lanes) we all almost messed ourselves.

Rick Steves may monologue poetically about the beauty of circling Arc de Triomphe but he wasn’t with our driver. This guy defiantly shoved his car within an inch of a merging bus (probably a Rick Steves tour) using his sheer determination to intimidate other mere mortal Parisians. He would rather die and take us with him than give up the sliver of space he used to shoot across five lanes of oncoming cars all in an equal rush to get to their own destinations.

Now I’d like to be able to tell you that I was in tune with each of my children, gave them reassuring looks, said that we’d be ok, maybe even reminded them that each culture is different and we shouldn’t judge.

But I couldn’t look at them. I couldn’t fake the calm. I was too busy wondering if I’d see the inside of a French hospital.

When he dropped us off, three blocks from our desired destination by the way, we happily lept out of the car.

The experience left quite the impression on our oldest who decided that driving in Paris was insane. Maybe it was the fact that he was in the process of driver’s education himself. Or maybe that he had just begun to realize the power, and accountability of being in charge of tons of steel going at high speeds. But whatever it was, he determined that Paris did not need to be on his travel list ever again.

For all the crazy twists and turns I believe that this is part of travel. Not literally the crazy driver himself but that experience when a difference in expectation smacks you upside the head, assaults the senses or challenges your idea of normal.

If you ask my son if he wants to go back he’ll say you’re rediculous. But everything is rediculous when you don’t grow up with it that way.

Like me showing up at a McDonalds in Portugal (don’t judge) and discovering that not only could I buy a beer, but that said alcohol was cheaper than a soda. Whaaaaatttt??? Further scientific investigation taught me that Portugal is one of many countries that has a tiered sugar tax and the more sugar content something has the more it costs to buy.

If a new experience is not what we’re used to, it makes us take a step back. That’s the greatest opportunity – to throw what you think is the norm under a spotlight as you encounter people who do it a whole different way.

Sometimes you adopt something new (sugar tax = brilliance). Othertimes, well maybe you just passionately recommit yourself to driving in a manner that encourages a long life.

In the end travel helps you discover a bit about yourself, what you want to hold onto and what you want to give away. And that to me is worth a crazy driver.

Until next time fellow travelers,

The post How a Kid Learns to Hate Driving (and other travel reflections) appeared first on Travel With Intention.

I mean, think about it. You’ve got a clear vision of how you want to feel during your trip, thanks to our Focus session. Awesome job, by the way! (If you missed that newsletter you can grab the issue ​right here.) Now, it’s time to put that vision into action, and that starts with solid research.

“But how the heck do I dive into the sea of information without getting overwhelmed?” you ask.

Fear not! I’ve got your back.

1. Activities & Experiences: Begin by identifying the activities and experiences that align with your chosen feeling. Wanna feel adventurous? Maybe it’s zip-lining or a jungle trek. Looking for relaxation? Picture yourself on a sandy beach or at a spa in the hills. Use platforms like the TripAdvisor travel forum or local blogs to help guide your search.
2. Time it Right: It’s essential to know the best time to visit your chosen destination. What’s the weather like? When are the local festivals or events? Timing can hugely impact your experience. After all, you don’t want to be surprised if you travel in February and the activity you want to tackle is closed for the winter.
3. Open vs. Closed: If you’re aiming for an off-peak trip, you could snag some sweet deals. But also, some attractions might be closed. Double-check this to avoid any “Oops, didn’t see that coming” moments.
4. Go Local: There are many locally sponsored groups or organizations that cater to specific activities. Fancy a bike tour in Amsterdam or a cooking class in Bangkok? We have had the best experience with WithLocals.com for these types of experiences. Whether it was our cooking class in ​Rome​ or our walking tour of ​Barcelona​ or ​Lisbon​ these local guides and hosts have always created amazing memories for us.
5. Discount City Passes: I mean, who doesn’t love a bargain? Many cities offer passes that can save you a ton on attractions. Research these in advance, and you might end up seeing more for less! GoCity Cards can help you grab great deals on attractions (you can check out my analysis of the offers for a family friend trip to ​San Diego​).
6. Transport Smart: Use platforms like ​Going​ for flights that won’t empty your bank account, Discover Cars for car rentals that won’t have you selling an organ, (you can see how we used Discover Cars in ​Oaxaca​), and instead feeling like a savvy travel genius.

Alright, here’s a little challenge for you: Dive into your research this week. Use that feeling from last week as your compass. Then, start piecing together the parts of your trip that resonate with you.

And remember, while Google is your friend, so is the old-fashioned way of doing things. Talk to people. Share stories. Because the best recommendations often come from a place of passion and personal experience.

You Asked For It!

Speaking of research!! I’m interviewing a series of travel queens and kings over the next two months in order to prepare for the TWI Travel Planning Virtual Summit. And these travel experts would love to answer questions from you! Send me your questions and I’ll have a different travel expert answer them each week.

Upcoming topic: sustainable travel

What is a question you have about sustainable travel? Just hit reply and send in your questions and I’ll be sure to share them with my next guest and you’ll get your questions answered at the summit!

I’ll give you a new travel planning topic in each week’s newsletter just keep those questions coming!

So, stay curious, ask questions, and dive deep into your research. Get ready to create a trip that’s as fabulous and unique as you are.

Till then, keep your research game strong!

The post SPECIAL SERIES Pt. 2 of the FREER Framework appeared first on Travel With Intention.

Nope, it’s not how many outfits you’ve packed. It’s not even about snagging that window seat (though that definitely does have its perks). It’s all about how you feel.

Yep, you read that right!

Welcome to week one of our five-week deep dive into the FREER travel framework. This week, we’re kickstarting our journey with the letter F. And F, my friends, stands for Focus on feelings.

Over the years, I’ve seen countless travelers caught up in the whirlwind of FOMO. And trust me, it’s a trap!

But this trap isn’t in a galaxy far far away. Instead, it comes beautifully gift-wrapped in picture-perfect Insta feeds. The human ability to rationalize and accept our social media-imposed travel expectations is bananas! I mean, who hasn’t felt the tug of that envy seeing someone in perfect selfie mode at the top of the Eiffel Tower, right?

But here’s the kicker: If that climb ain’t your thing, then why force it? If lounging around and soaking in the city’s vibes while sipping on a cup of coffee sounds more your speed than shoving your way into a spot on the Spanish Steps in Rome, that’s absolutely fine! Your journey should be a reflection of you.

The idea here isn’t to be a travel snob. Nope. I’m just nudging you to dial into how you want to feel during this trip. It’s about being hyper-aware of what gets your heart racing and what soothes your soul. Why? Because that’s what will make your travel genuinely epic.

Taking my crew as an example, our Cabo trip was a blast, not because we ticked off every touristy spot. Nah. It was fantastic because we all got to do what felt right for us. And I gotta say, nothing beats the feeling of breezing through the airport without checking in a bazillion bags. But that’s our thing.

Alright, time for a little homework. Before you dive headfirst into planning your upcoming adventure, take a pause. Breathe. Reflect. Ask yourself: How do I want to feel during this trip? Jot it down. Stick it to your fridge. Make it your mantra. Because that feeling? It’s your North Star guiding you through this planning process.

So, here’s to breaking free from the shackles of FOMO. Here’s to focusing on what really matters: feeling fabulous, fulfilled, and freakin’ awesome every step of the way!

Stay tuned for next week when we dive into the R of our FREER framework.

Until then, pack light, keep it real, and remember – travel is all about the feels.

​

The post SPECIAL SERIES: Pt. 1 of the FREER Framework appeared first on Travel With Intention.

For those who are frequently online, it seems the AI conversation is everywhere. And travel planning is no exception. Big corporations like Expedia, Booking, and Kayak are all using AI to help make recommendations that support your planning.

But there are also hundreds of travel planning tools that claim to be at your service (whether they're fully developed or not). Trying to flush out what's worth your time or not can be overwhelming. So I thought I would sift through the noise and help you narrow down a tidy little list of those I've found to be most helpful, fleshed out, and ready to serve today.

The post 5 AI Tools for Travel Planning appeared first on Travel With Intention.

Let’s start off with some basics.

Google Flights 101

Let’s face it: planning a trip can be more overwhelming than trying to pick a show on Netflix (seriously, how many true crime documentaries can one platform have?!). But what if I told you that you could find the best flights at rock-bottom prices with just a few clicks? No, it’s not a fever dream induced by binging “Stranger Things” for the umpteenth time—it’s the magic of Google Flights!

Ready to become a Google Flights master? Buckle up, because you’re about to wonder why you ever wasted hours scrolling through countless travel sites.

Here are the golden nuggets:

1. Discover Your Dream Destination Can’t decide where to go? No worries. With Google Flights, you can simply type “everywhere” into the destination box and let the algorithm do the heavy lifting. Say hello to inspiration!
2. The Early Bird Gets the Cheapest Flight When it comes to scoring bargain-basement prices, timing is everything. Google Flights lets you view prices across different dates, so you can pinpoint the cheapest time to fly.
3. Be Alert, but Make It Google Flights Don’t have time to stalk flights every day like a creepy ex? No problem! Google Flights can send you email alerts when prices drop, ensuring you never miss a deal. You can thank me later when you’re sipping adult beverages in paradise.
4. Customize Your Flight-Finding Experience Are layovers your worst nightmare? Only want to fly on Tuesdays at 3 p.m.? Google Flights lets you filter search results based on your personal preferences, ensuring you find the perfect flight customized to your needs.
5. Explore on a Budget with Google Flights Think exploring the world is a luxury reserved for trust fund babies? Think again! Google Flights’ “Explore” feature lets you discover budget-friendly destinations based on your desired travel dates and budget.

So there you have it: the paved path to finding the best flights and travel dates using Google Flights. Now go forth and conquer the world of DIY travel planning like the rockstar you are!

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Google Guarantees

And the Google good news continues! Google isn’t just about booking flights, now they’re helping you save money too!!

Check out their new feature that guarantees you the best price.

And be sure to use Google Maps’ new features to stay connected to the best of what’s around you. I cannot wait to try the new multi-search feature in Lens that lets you combine words with an image. Upload a picture of a particular regional dish you’d like to try and add the words “near me” to have Google Maps find nearby restaurants that serve it.

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National Park Love

Finally, to wrap up our theme of all things Google, Google Maps has updated to include new features that help you explore national parks.
​
To support planning for your next National Park adventure, we’ve written detailed guides on quite a few national parks that complement the information you’ll find on Google Maps and linked them here:

• ​Denali National Park​
• ​Kenai Fjords National Park​
• ​Hot Springs National Park​
• ​Channel Islands National Park​
• ​Joshua Tree National Park​
• ​Pinnacles National Park​
• ​Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks​
• ​Redwood State and National Parks​
• ​Yosemite National Park​
• ​Haleakala National Park​
• ​Hawaii Volcanoes National Park​
• ​Arches National Park​
• ​Bryce Canyon National Park​
• ​Capitol Reef National Park​
• ​Zion National Park​
• ​Grand Teton National Park​
• ​Yellowstone National Park​

Until next time fellow travelers!

P.S. Did you find this email useful? Or just want to chat about your latest travel obsession? Leave a comment and let’s talk about how these Google tools have changed our lives! Or, you know, share your favorite corgi GIFs. I’m here for it all.

The post A Suite of Google Tools That Help You Travel Smarter appeared first on Travel With Intention.

If you’re reading this, there’s a 99% chance that you’re hunting for travel deals and it’s going poorly. But don’t worry, it’s not your fault. Because the truth is, the travel industry does a horrible job educating travelers on how to get the most bang for their travel buck (which as you’ll learn today may put $$ back into their dry coffers but does nothing to help you travel more economically, more frequently, or more intentionally). Read more to learn how to get the best travel deals for you and your family!

So just for Travel Goals Newsletter readers today, I’m going to break it down:

1. Why your current travel research is broken
2. How to fix it using Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)
3. The massive benefits this new system unlocks for you (and how to get the most out of it)

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Why Your Current Travel Deal Set Up Is Broken

The average travel deal hunter makes 2 big mistakes that keep her from searching in a beneficial way.

Travel Deals Mistake #1: Destination, not the deal, takes the lead.

There’s a reason your deal search is a mess. Over the last few years, you’ve had a destination in mind. That fixation on a particular destination, say Rome, is set in your mind. But if you saw an amazing deal to Milan would you turn it down?

If you are fixated on a particular destination that means you’re not finding fantastic deals that may be available to you and/or even close to your ideal location.

Travel Deals Mistake #2: You set specific dates for your trip

Let’s say you’ve found round-trip tickets to Rome for $1,500 in July. Because that is the date you’ve set, the price is not so flexible. But that same flight in September is a third of the price. Bringing some flexibility to your dates is a great way to lower prices.

Travel Deals Mistake #3: You want someone else to do the work for you so you hire a travel agent

Using a travel agent that works for hundreds of people across all age groups and interests can lead to potentially generic trip results.

Travel attracts curious individuals with multiple interests across different areas and age groups. As a result travel agents often offer somewhat generic large-group tour experiences that will span multiple interests across multiple age groups in order to bring in the most people possible.

Working with a travel professional would be fine if they automatically curated a list of experiences specific to your interests and abilities. But instead, you could be faced with:

• an overpriced service provider because that’s who the agent contracts with
• extra fees to cover the “middleman” costs
• larger, more general tours that lack your individualized tastes
• blocked out or restrictive dates
• the exhausting turnaround between events because the tour window dictates it

Now your trip has become noisy and cluttered. You’re getting small tastes of your different preferences but much less frequently than you imagined and at a much higher price.

Luckily there’s a better way.

How to Find Better Travel Deals with Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights)

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get on your desktop or phone and use it to intentionally find amazing travel deals?

This would look like:

Google Flights – there are so many search engines out there but this one is the O.G. And for good reason!

1. You can search with 5 home airports and 5 destinations. Google will automatically create the best combinations for you based on your trip filters.
2. The Explore Destinations feature allows you to type in your home airport and then an entire region as a destination. You can select dates and how long you’d like the trip to be then look as far as 6 months out to identify the cheapest destinations.
3. The calendar feature on Google Flights allows you to see the best prices month by month up to 11 months out. So you can be aware of future dates that might have better deals. The cheapest dates each month are in green.
4. You can schedule price alerts to your Gmail account. Set up specific destinations if you’d like for specific dates and set up alerts so you will be notified when there is a price change for that particular flight.

Skyscanner – this is a meta-search engine that searches not only across airlines but also across many other search engines such as Expedia, Orbits, etc.

1. You can select your home airport and destination, then select the month you’d like to travel. Dates in green are available. Select a green departure date and a green return date. Scroll down to see the total cost. Or search across other months to check for a cheaper deal.
2. You can allow Skyscanner to find the cheapest month for you and set up an alert to get notified via your email. When you are ready to buy Skyscanner will automatically take you right to the booking site with the best deal.
3. The Explore the Map feature allows you to adjust the price bar to your budget in order to see where you’d like to go. You can also change the month of travel to see how the deals change. Green is non-stop and red has at least one stop.
4. The Everywhere feature in combination with the Cheapest month feature lets you see where you can go in the world and when for the absolute best price.

Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) – if those features in Google Flights and Skyscanner sound good to you but you don’t want to have to do it yourself, then this is the service for you.

You can enjoy a year of someone else finding all those great deals for you and sending alerts straight to your inbox. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Select your interest level: Limited subscription is free and you can think of it as a teaser for everything available to you in Premium. For free you will receive a small number of cheap flight notices from your selected airports. Premium is $49 per year and gives you all the best of economy-level deals. Elite is $199 per year and gives you everything in Premium as well as deals for those who prefer a bit more luxury in Premium Economy, first class, or business class seats.
2. Sign up for your home airport then expand to nearby airports to increase the number of deals you’ll see.
3. Watch your inbox for deals

Going has a staff of over 25 people who dive into these searches for you and send all the best according to your selected airports your way.

3 massive benefits this system unlocks for you

Once you start searching this way you can put more focus on your travel intentions. This means instead of letting the destination drive your travel, instead of falling victim to an inflated budget, you go forward with a focus on how you want this trip to make you feel. Now you know you are getting there with the best deal available so your mind is freed to think of other things.

Said another way, you start to use travel intentionally. As you travel more intentionally you’ll unlock 3 main benefits.

Benefit #1: You’ll save $$ and be able to travel more frequently

A curated search of affordable travel destinations means you’re going to see many more deals to locations that you can now afford to venture out to more often.

This alone will improve your travel. Rather than letting the destination drive you, putting the deal first gives you the control to focus on traveling more frequently.

Benefit #2: You can create a specific intention for your trip

You can use this travel deal system to get more in touch with how you want this trip to make you feel. Do you wish to relax and get back in touch with yourself? Deepen your relationship with someone else? The transition from one phase of life to another? Heal? A sense of clarity about your intention behind travel opens up to you once you choose to ask yourself this key question.

Benefit #3: Customize your travel experiences

Spending more time out in the world and knowing how you want each trip to make you feel prepares you to customize your travel experiences.

When you set up the research system options outlined in this article you can create an open budget for intentional travel experiences that allow you to skip the generic large company tours.

Trying to do this with the default travel search experience of destination first, dates second is pretty much impossible. Searching for deals with your hands tied behind your back is just asking for frustration.

But using the research system options I’ve described here minimizes time spent searching and minimizes the money going out to someone else designing your trip for you.

Your big takeaway is this travel deal search system allows you to create travel experiences intentionally, not mindlessly.

If you have any questions about this, feel free to hit reply and let me know!

Want a little bit more information about how to find the best deals check out this article How To Find Cheap Flights in 2022​

Bonus

If you are already out and about and dealing with flight delays or worse, cancelations an avid traveler put together this bonus for you of all the airlines’ best contact numbers and how to reach each airline’s customer service.

The post You’ve Been Looking for Travel Deals All Wrong And Here’s How to Fix It appeared first on Travel With Intention.

Travel Goals – Create a Deeper Travel Connection

If you’ve been receiving this newsletter for a while or if you are new to us, I’m betting you are on board because you love a good adventure!

There’s probably been a few memorable experiences from your journeys that you’ve hung onto. The more we get out into the world, see new things and connect with others, the more aware we become.

In fact, part of the FREER Travel with Intention framework is how to engage with new cultures and environments. And how to find out what is the best fit for you! Remember one of our key tenets is that travel is personal. Each trip is more than travel, it is a connection to both yourself and others.

Here are five action steps you can take during your next trip to create a deeper connection to both the people and the environment that hosts you:

1. Learn a bit of the language – even a simple hello, goodbye, and thank you are ways to show you’re attempting a connection
2. Dress to fit the culture – dress can be a reflection of respect and this can impact how you pack
3. Be respectful of locals when taking pictures – always ask permission
4. Research cultural values at your destination – try to leave biases at home and have a respectful curiosity for the new place
5. Give back to the local community – prioritize local tour guides, vendors, craftspeople and markets

We want to not only feel rejuvenated and fulfilled from our travel but the majority of us also want to use our travel experience to give back in some way. By considering these five action steps you are leaning into a more intentional form of travel!

Ready, Set, Go!

We can safely say that domestic travel has made a comeback! Every flight we were on during our quick run to New Orleans was packed! And nationwide news is backing that up as well.

But what about Europe?

As Europe loosens its travel restrictions some are wondering about mask requirements on the plane. Here is a helpful piece that covers European Airlines’ updates on mask requirements.

A little nervous about your international flight? Then kick back and watch this British Airways Rejected Airline Safety video from none other than Ryan Reynolds. Gotta love an airline that gets it!

Make Your Travel Connection Magical!

A vast majority of travelers (about 75% to be exact) state that they would like their travel to have a positive impact on the destinations that host them. But have you ever wondered how exactly to give back to the local community you are visiting?

Check out Kind Traveler where their tagline is that you can “Do More Than Travel” They are a community-oriented hotel booking site that empowers its customers to give back through partnerships with local hotels.

Your involvement in travel to either international or domestic locations supports local communities in a positive way through vetted charities. They have over 140 hotels in over 20 countries.

So check to see if your next destination is available through Kind Traveler and know that you are easily supporting locals through your choice of hotel booking.

Until next time travelers!

The post You Can Create a Deeper Connection Through Travel appeared first on Travel With Intention.

A friend just reminded me through his post that March 16th is Everything You Do Is Right Day! I’m going to extend that to the rest of the week since I didn’t manage to hit send on this bad boy until Friday! It’s all right!

But how perfect is this sentiment for travel?!?

Whether you can get away for just a weekend, squeeze in an extra day on a business trip, or it’s a staycation at your local hotel that is the right way to travel for you.

Want to take a cruise and have every indulgence at your fingertips, or trek the Appalachian Trail with a good pair of hiking boots? That is the right way to travel.

Rather you have a timeshare that you keep going back to again and again, or you never return to a single destination because there’s just so much more to see…

Travel is so personal. Whatever drives you to do it is a good thing that’s going to expand your world just that much more.

And when something goes sideways on a trip – there is no wrong, only learning (anyone else getting serious Yoda flashes right now?). Reframe your mistakes or problems in this way and a whole new reality opens up.

No matter what travel has been like for you over the last few years, you can take those small steps now to get back out there. No adventure is too small!

Or are you ready for the big leap across the pond?

Where to Go

As travel restrictions drop like a hot rock, here are the most up-to-date European Travel Requirements. (hint: I think you’ll be pleased). And remember things are changing so rapidly now – for the better – that you’ll want to be sure to double-check as your trip gets closer (i.e., France just dropped its Health Pass requirement so recently that tidbit didn’t make it into the piece linked above).

EXO Travel wrote a very informative piece on the reopening of Asia. Check the links for more details about a specific country including pre-arrival, during your stay, and exit requirements.

But hey Cinderella! If you are based in the U.S., don’t forget the carriage turns back to a pumpkin at midnight. Here’s what the Points Guy has to say about testing requirements to return to the states.

Make it Magical

We recently returned from a quick trip to New Orleans. Since I knew I would be busy most days I didn’t do the same level of research that I usually do before a trip.

Choosing where we wanted to eat at the spur of the moment one morning we realized that a fantastic restaurant, Ruby Slipper, was close by and decided to walk.

We ended up walking through the Garden District and enjoying the beauty of historical homes, many of the iron gates draped in pink, green, and yellow beads still hanging from Mardi Gras.

While we waited for our table to open up we walked the neighborhood and read the historical plaques posted in front of houses. It was an amazing experience.

I was reminded how much you can learn about a city by just walking. Take the time to walk the streets, and discover the neighborhoods to peel back one small layer of a community at a time.

Until next time travelers!

The post Everything You Do Is Right! appeared first on Travel With Intention.

You can be F.R.E.E.R. when planning your travel! Use this travel planning framework details a simple process to create your best travel experience!

Travel planning doesn’t need to be overwhelming. You can streamline it by just breaking it into 5 simple steps.

Focus

In this edition of the newsletter, we kick off the first step: Focus‍

Creating your best travel experience requires focus. Focus, when it comes to travel, means something a bit different. It is when you zero in on yourself and really contemplate what you want to get out of your next trip.

• • Focus on the style of travel you most enjoy (adventure, solo, retreat and relax, or the great outdoors)

• • Focus on the desired feelings you wish to get from the next adventure (refreshed, educated, rejuvenated)

The more present you are while planning, the more likely you are to get the outcome you want. If you focus on what you want out of the trip you are more likely to create experiences that are aligned.

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Research

Your second step in the travel planning framework is Research. And I’m not talking about research in that college dissertation kind of way (though if that moves you, get on with your bad self).

For our purposes, we’re looking at something a lot more enjoyable. I’m talking about how travel Research can get you that much closer to your ideal experience. It’s time to hide away for a bit and just imagine your ideal. I know it’s hard to even find the time to think. So get isolated for a bit (yes, you’re worth it) and just let your mind imagine the ideal adventure.

Once you can see it, smell it, once you’ve got a taste for it, do a bit of research and find out how much of that ideal is within reach (probably more than you thought).

There is not just one way to travel, there’s not just one way to see the trip! Have fun researching all that is possible.

• • Google Maps, Street View, YouTube, and Instagram can initiate you to the possibilities as well as specialized blogs and travel apps aligned to your ideal location

• • VRBO, Airbnb, or even Luxury Retreats can show what’s possible for home or villa stays

• • WithLocals can help you imagine amazing activities, tours, or experiences

• • Skyscanner or Google Flights can help you decide how to get to your destination

• • Fill your Kindle instantly with the guidebooks of your choice.

Have fun with it! The world is literally at your fingertips. So let your imagination run wild and in the process refill your soul a bit!

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Exploration

Building from our previous travel tips on how Focus and Research can help you get more out of your adventures…

Now let’s take a look at E: Exploration

Explore how your trip will flow from one day to the next. As you begin your draft itinerary consider the following:

• • Prioritize – what can you absolutely not miss? Separate that from the second choice and backup plans in order to gain clarity

• • Community impact – how might you benefit the local community and environment while they host you in this new space

• • Cultural differences and similarities – teasing out cultural differences can influence everything from how you pack to what snippets of the language you choose to learn

• • Budget opportunities – where will you want to cut back and where do you want to be sure to splurge? Gaining clarity on this will make sure you put your hard-earned dollars exactly where you want them to go

• • Push yourself out of the ‘zone’ – this is a chance to get to know a new side of yourself. Do not sit on the sidelines! Take a small risk that pushes you a bit farther than where you were willing to go yesterday and you will be sure to return feeling proud and a newer version of your best self

We’re not suggesting that you plan to the point of choking (you can read more about our hard-learned lesson here). Actually, the more you articulate what you want the more likely you are to give yourself downtime and enjoy the unexpected magic moments as they arise.

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Engagement

I’m not one for rushing into commitment so don’t get carried away… I didn’t mean that kind of engagement.

Continuing our deep dive into the FREER framework, now we’re looking at E: Engaged

Yes, there are magical moments when you travel and they can be captured if you choose to stay present and engaged as you enjoy your new location.

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To highlight what I’m talking about let me share an exclusive sneak peek into my upcoming eBook, Travel with Intention.

Here is a brief excerpt:

I remember our trips in terms of moments. My youngest, who fears the power of gravity like no other, ziplining over a canyon in Hawaii. My husband with tears in his eyes as he kneeled at the Vatican for the first time. The smile on my oldest’s face as we walked along a beach in California. An ice cream vendor in Paris who smiled and encouraged me as I tried to order in French.

These are the things that stand out to me when I remember each of these trips. Not momentous in and of themselves except they are special to me. They are not the whole picture of a trip but that is what makes them beautiful. They are personal, fleeting moments, and allow me to carry the essence of that experience in a wonderful memory.

Michelle, Travel with Intention

Not every moment of your trip will be magical. Don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself! When I say engage, I’m a big believer in the 5/95 rule.

Only 5% of a trip is made up of magical moments but that 5% will make up 95% of what you remember. It’s not every second of every day of your trip! These moments are special because they don’t happen all the time.

And you are more likely to create these ephemeral moments if you are willing to deeply engage with your itinerary.

Get in there! Get your hands dirty, learn, play, and interact! Gently push yourself out of your comfort zone (I had never ziplined before either, but hey give me a gentle push and I’m out over the abyss!) and you will not regret the joy you bring home through those memories!

Reflection

I recently experienced the luxury of a massage. It was revelational! I don’t say this to be hyperbolic. With my masked face stuffed facedown into a pillow, the masseuse worked my muscles to solve problems I didn’t even know I had.

She promised me I’d be almost an inch taller after seeing her because I’d been so tense (all 5′ 2″ of me was grateful).

Reflecting on the experience I realized I need more of this self-care in my life. I work hard for my money! Hell, I learned from the best. My parents were baby boomers (the OGs of defining the self through work accomplishments). Can you say “latchkey kid”?

So maybe I can set aside a bit of time and money to fit this luxury into my life more frequently.

But don’t get me wrong. This wasn’t the first massage I’d ever had in my life. This was just the first time I reflected on what I was allowing work to do to my body. I’ve lost the balance between work and life and I need to get it back! I work to live not live to work. So I can prioritize bringing a bit more self-care into my routine in order to keep that balance.

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That my friends is the power of Reflection. Bring that power into your travel experience as well in order to have more of your ideal.

R: Reflection – you can take a moment to check in with yourself and others on how you might fit more travel into your life. This can be as simple as a single question at dinner, or as detailed as a journal entry. Reflect however and in whatever style you want. Just do it!

Because taking time to touch base with how the luxury of travel can be more frequent in our lives allows for course correction along the way. You bring yourself that much closer to the luxury of all that is travel, that ideal experience.

Whether it be crystal clear ocean water views, mountain top air filling your lungs, or a cityscape from a hotel balcony ~ carve out time for the luxury of travel.

Whether it is a quick weekend away, a drive down the road to a part of the city you’ve yet to visit, or a flight to an international locale, take the time to give yourself the benefit of travel:

• • stronger relationships

• • amazing memories

• • educational experiences

• • relaxation and personal time

You work hard for your vacation dollars! Make sure they give you the biggest bang for your buck! Give yourself the luxury of reflection and check in that the experience is giving you all that you wanted. You deserve it!

By following this travel planning framework you can create the best travel experiences for you and your family. Every. Single. Time.

The post A Travel Planning Framework for Your Best Travel Experience appeared first on Travel With Intention.

As we gear up for the holidays it doesn’t hurt to plan a bit in advance in order to avoid some of the typical holiday travel pitfalls. Follow these safety tips and you will be more relaxed knowing that you’ve done all that you can to protect your sanity!

Travel Tips

Stress-proof your travel as much as possible by following these 5 tips:

• • Book early– get your tickets for flights, and events as much in advance as possible. You’ll not only save money but you’ll save your sanity as well

• • Download the digital – having your favorite shows, ebooks, or podcasts at the ready can help take the sting out of downtime that inevitably can occur at airports

• • Wiggle room – leave yourself plenty of time so all the crazy on the roads or the check-in lines doesn’t suck you in

• • Travel light – if you are dealing with the stress of a flight cancelation or change it will help ease your blood pressure if you only have carry-on luggage. You won’t have to wonder about whether or not your checked bag will make it.

• • Prep for security – it may be too late this year to grab TSA Pre Check but make 2023 the year! Until then be sure you are prepared by
    • • wear as little metal as possible (rethink those cute boots with a heel – sometimes they have metal in the heel)
    • • wear socks and comfortable slide-off shoes
    • • pay attention to your liquid limits (separate them into a clear plastic bag)
    • • keep a doctor’s note for any medications

Still wondering what travel subscription service might be best for you and your family, read all the details about TSA Precheck or Global Entry in our post here.

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No one wants to be stressed out about their house while they are gone for the holidays either!

Keep your home safe while you’re gone by following this advice:

• • Think like a thief – is there a window that doesn’t quite shut, or a door that is likely to pop open with a breeze? Do what you can now to burglar-proof these potential points of entry

• • What’s out in the open – expensive technology or items of value out in the open just increase temptation if seen through a window. Think about what you can put away

• • Have visitors – can you have someone drop by your house frequently or better yet, stay the night? Decrease your chances of a break by having someone visit your house often

• • Wait to post– this is a hard one! We share so much of our lives on social media but it can also be an advertisement that you are gone. I’ve read this often and am not the best about following it so don’t think me a hypocrite for putting this up there. It is definitely something I think about.

• • Automate your lights – even better, have someone stop by to turn them on and then return to turn them off

You can read a detailed post about how to protect your home while you travel in our detailed post here. Happy planning fellow travelers!

The post Holiday Proof Your Next Adventure with These Expert Travel Tips appeared first on Travel With Intention.