As a professional travel photographer and blogger, Christy Woodrow has been on the go for 10 years visiting destinations all over the world. As she discovers new places, she likes to share her adventures and travel tips on Ordinary Traveler, an award-winning adventure travel and lifestyle blog that she and Scott Calafiore began in 2009.
Here, our EWR Airport parking company shares Woodrow’s 25 best travel tips after a decade of wanderlust:
We always plan for delays and try not to get upset when things inevitably go wrong. Patience is extremely important when traveling!
About a week or so before each trip, I make a mental list of items I don’t want to forget — which I WILL forget if I don’t write them down. I’ve learned that when I think of something, I need to write it down.
A simple “Please,” “Thank you,” and “I’m sorry” in the local language goes a long way. I also like to learn the word for beer, but that’s just me.
Have you ever gotten to that epic sunset photo spot and realized your camera battery is dead and you don’t have a back up? I try to bring at least three camera batteries on all of our trips so that we don’t miss out on that perfect shot.
Sarongs can be used as a wrap when you are cold, a towel, a curtain, or a piece of clothing that can be worn dozens of different ways. Solid colors are great, but if you want something that stands out, choose one with a pattern.
A medical emergency can wipe out your savings — or even worse. We use and trust World Nomads for travel insurance.
In my early twenties, I was very good about keeping a copy of my passport in a separate bag from my actual passport. Then I got lazy. Recently, a friend of mine lost her passport at the airport. She was told that if she had brought a copy of it and extra passport photos they would have let her travel. Since she didn’t, she was forced to forfeit a $2,000 flight and a week in Europe. I now carry a copy with me.
Undies are small and it’s always a good idea to have a few extra pairs in case of emergencies. Another option is to pack quick-dry underwear so you can easily wash them on the road.
I’m a lazy, last-minute packer, so I’ve spent too many trips with all black or all grey outfits because I didn’t plan my outfits before packing. I look back at photos and wish I had put more effort into packing.
A few important items should always go in your carry-on. A swimsuit is also a good idea if you are going on a beach vacation. You can buy most of these things if your bag gets lost, but having them in your carry-on will save you money and time if your luggage gets lost in transit.
It’s a good idea to ask about the price before you hop on a bus, guagua, or other form of public transportation. We learned our lesson in the Dominican Republic.
I fill both sides of a contact lens case with hydrating lotion (I use an all-natural hydrating lotion) because they rarely have it in the lavatories and airplane cabins are exceptionally dry.
Don’t judge other customs. You are a visitor. Be respectful.
I know it’s fun to get drunk at 30,000 feet, but it’s also much easier to get dehydrated. Staying hydrated — especially on long-haul flights — makes it easier to get over jet lag too.
Don’t keep all of your cash and cards in one spot. I usually hide some cash and a back up credit/bank card in a separate bag — not the same bag as my wallet.
Am I the only one who can’t remember my hotel room number?? There has to be others out there like me.
We always ask the locals to point us to the best restaurants, awesome spots to watch the sunset, the best coffee shops, etc. I do like to tell people what type of food I’m craving though. I’ve been led to some interesting restaurants that wouldn’t have been my first choice.
I always try to avoid logging into bank accounts or entering any passwords while I’m using free public WIFI at a place like an airport. I’m not as strict about it once I’ve gotten to my hotel, especially if they have a password for their wifi.
This is a great habit to get into if you don’t want your credit card company or bank to put a hold on your card while you are overseas.
My face moisturizer has SPF. This is just something I do every day, but it’s especially important while traveling.
They make the best souvenirs!
Don’t plan your entire itinerary ahead of time. It’s tempting, I know, but those unplanned moments while traveling can be the best memories.
This is extremely important when traveling solo, but it’s still a good idea no matter how many people are in your travel group.
When Scott and I travel together, we mix our personal items into each checked bag (assuming we have more than one). That way if one of our bags gets lost, we both still have some clothing and personal items.
We pack up a small first aid kit with aspirin, Benedryl, cold meds, Tums, cough drops, bandages, Activated Charcoal pills (these are a life saver for traveler’s diarrhea and minor allergic reactions), Neosporin, and other things that we may not always have easy access to when traveling.
What have you learned from traveling? We’d love to know!
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