So you’re planning your next vacation or plotting the adventure of a lifetime. Where to begin? When you’re visiting a place that’s completely new to you there are countless unknowns to wade through.
We’ve gathered some resources to help you fine tune your plans for your next getaway. Scroll down for our Quickguide.
quickguide Travel Tips: Table of Contents
Tours and excursions
Sightseeing is often the highlight and the primary draw of your trip. We share our process for how to plan your excursions.
The art of packing
Traveling in style means knowing how to bring the essentials while eliminating bulky excess. There is an art to it.
Getting there
From getting flights to navigating local transportation, here are some hacks and tips that will help you travel like a pro.
Find your perfect escape
Where you stay matters. Your hotel should be a home base for your adventures that is as memorable as the destination itself.
BOOKING ACCOMMODATIONS
So our go-to, one stop, fully rounded resource for booking your travel stay would be Booking.com.
Why? Booking.com will allow you to book both hotels AND private home/vacation apartment rentals with all the details centralized through their site and app. Booking has a rewards program that will pay off if you travel frequently, they will swing you some discounts on taxis (do still check price against local rates) and they have a great customer service line. Good customer service is one of those things you will be extremely grateful for if you ever find yourself in the unfortunate position to need it while traveling. In the cases that I have had to coordinate with Booking customer service to resolve an issue they have been quick to solve, to compensate and rebook me. This goes in stark contrast to issues I have had using AirB&B where it took far too long to actually make contact with a human being and they stuck me with the losses of the bad booking, not to mention the added stress while traveling.
Tips for booking your hotel
1: Don’t exclusively use booking sites to shop rates. Always check on the hotel’s own website, hotels frequently have exclusive rates or current discounts running that you wont see on booking engines.
2: Don’t exclusively use booking sites to select your hotel. Your hotel search will be guided by their algorithms and pay to play leveraging, leaving out some of great options. If the quality of the stay is important to you, first check out our top 5 websites for pre-vetted stays. Find what you want and then compare prices and then book.
3: Read the reviews and compare. Google, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com will all have reviews and it can be useful to read and compare them, especially for a stay where you are hoping for a wonderful experience. No matter how nice the photos are or how fancy the website appears; read the reviews!
FINDING ACCOMMODATIONS
Looking for a hotel that is as interesting as the destination? The List at Aeri Mare Tera is highly exclusive and carefully curated. We research those very special places that are unique to their location or part of the history of the region because your home base while traveling should be every bit as memorable as the destination itself. Hotels cannot buy their way onto The List.
Looking to stay in a specific neighborhood, island or area? Booking.com and google maps are both great ways to search options by geographic location using the maps feature.
TOP 5 WEBSITES FOR pre-VETTED HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Aeri Mare Tera - The List: Ok so maybe we are partial. The List leans toward very unique and memorable stays featuring more boutique than chain owned hotels.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Highlights small hotels and local businesses. Excellent selection of boutique stays.
Condé Nast Johansens: An excellent resource for hotel lists particularly highlighting more exclusive properties and luxury stays.
Condé Nast Traveler. Good for nicely curated lists of typically 4 and 5 star stays, available for many regions and cities. The selection is a bit stereotypical, but very useful.
Mr & Ms Smith: Offers a list that can be searched by map and rating. A good range of locations are represented. Do your digging as this is a pay to play resource but a good one.
explore Articles about a few of our all time favorite stays
Disclaimer: We provide links so you can easily find things we recommend. Some links may pay us an affiliate percentage, many do not. Our recommendations and content are created by our editorial team completely regardless. We exclusively provide you with the tips and tools that we rely on.
FINDING LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Rome to Rio is an excellent tool as a jumping off point when you are visiting a location where you will need to travel between regions, islands, or if you have to map your way between several countries. This resource will connect you to multiple options for each leg of the journey.
Essential Transportation Tips:
1: Do a quick search engine dive to learn which taxi apps are local or in use in the region. The same goes for the best local metro, train, or ferry apps.
2: For some specific directions or routes, it’s far better to ask a local once there because often the simplest and cheapest option is not clearly obvious or even accessible online. For example, in Naples, the ferry schedules and options can be confusing online but when there in person, its simple, and locals will help you navigate the options with more clarity.
3: You will have heard this everywhere, but always negotiate the cost before setting off in a taxi. Cash will usually get you a better price, and if pushed, insist you simply don’t have any more cash. Ask a local what a fair price is.
FINDING FLIGHTS
Google flights is a great place to start. Their top features include the option to compare rates on different dates easily, charts to show how prices have risen or fallen recently, the option to get alerts on a flight search so you will be notified if the prices for your potential trip drop or rise, the ability for the flexible traveler to select “explore” and look at flights to “anywhere” from your choice location.
Keep in mind however, some airlines will have specials that won’t be on google and some countries have airlines that are not going to show up on a Google Flight search. You can research the regional airlines and go to those sites directly, pop in your dates and compare pricing. An example would be Egypt Airlines. They will not pull up on a Google Flights search but may be the best option for your flight needs. Likewise local airlines in many (particularly eastern) countries will not show up on a google flights search.
We recommend using google flights as a tool to hone in on good prices and dates but to always book directly through the airlines.
TOURS AND EXCURSIONS; ESSENTIAL PLANNING
Research your destination to find the top “must sees” and rank them in your own personal order of interest. Pick a few to splurge on and “do right”. Keep a note of the ones that didn’t make the top of your list but that you will try to check out if you can. This is useful research to have on-hand if you do get the time for some more exploring.
Once you know what your sightseeing priorities are, try to book in advance! Many top tourist draws require advanced booking, for example the top of the Statue of Liberty or the Anne Frank House or the Underground caverns in Malta.
Many places you hope to see will honestly be better to explore on your own. Make sure to find the actual, official website when you book tickets for yourself. This way you can plan to go before or after peak tour hours so it’s not as crowded and you can enjoy the locations you have dreamt of seeing at a leisurely pace. Most sites have an audio guide available either there or online. Many will have a booklet or info packet on site for a small cost which is a nice souvenir in addition to allowing you to educate yourself.
While going it on your own has its upsides sometimes, there are some places where you will be required to use a guide or where it would give you insight or access you would not otherwise have. If you determine a tour or a guide is best, find small group tours, read the reviews about the guide, try to find some that are scheduled for earlier or later than the big tour bus rush.
Note: When you arrive at your hotel and you start to explore your destination, don’t be shy to ask for local secrets if you have the opportunity. Ask what there is to do or see in the area that is not as well known to outsiders.
WHERE TO FIND and book TOURS AND GUIDES
Our top choice for booking excursions remotely and in advance is hands down; “Get Your Guide”. You can book, save, and pay through the app or even use it to research and reach out to the provider directly if you have specific questions. The offerings are broad, they include both tourist companies and smaller local guides. They have been vetted for you and if you pay through the app your money will be refunded if there is a problem/scam and you can read reviews to further ensure your selection. They will indicate what language options the tour provides, make note of this when booking so you can enjoy a tour in your language.
Ask your hotel or guest house. Most accommodations have local recommendations. These can be really cool and provide a better or more local experience. However, always compare prices and offerings to Get Your Guide. Sometimes these hotel recommendations are more expensive because everyone is getting a cut. Also, in many places, locals will quote you a considerably higher price if you are staying at a high end hotel.
Booking.com also allows you to view and book excursions although their selection and offerings are not as wide as Get Your Guide, it doesn't hurt to look there and compare. Booking.com rewards loyalty, you get some perks the more you use it.
We have been hesitant to recommend AirB&B because they will leave you high and dry if you run into a problem and this is simply not worth the risk when traveling but if you want to risk it they do have some cool local providers. These are usually on the expensive end compared to similar excursions on Get your Guide but it could open up your options if you find your ideal excursion is booked out.
A few of our all time favorites
Packing ESSENTIALS:
Always AirTag your luggage if you can. This will give you peace of mind and options to act quickly if something “disappears” wether on a flight, in a taxi, hotel or bus.
Pack a small ziplock bag of simple but essential first aid: bandaids, disinfectant, pain reducers, antihistamines. You can obviously find and restock in other countries so don’t go crazy but these are things that if needed should be with you already.
Spread out your money. Travel with a travel card like WISE where you can load up digitally as needed from your own attached bank account. WISE is a travel card that allows you a way to change your own money, spend in local currency and avoid fees. Always bring a few minor cards as options, have one hidden in your carry on with some cash and one hidden in your shoulder-bag/backpack with some cash. If one bag gets stolen you want to have an extra emergency access to funds. Some countries don’t support certain credit cards, some rural areas may not even support cards at all if the wifi is shoddy or they just prefer cash. Having some reserve cash tucked away can be a lifesaver. Your bank and other financial institutions may block login access from some countries. One workaround this is a good VPN for your mobile phone.
TIPS FOR PACKING A CARRY-ON ONLY TRIP:
Shoes: Wear your bulkier shoes on the plane so they don’t take up space in your suitcase. Bring one pair of “goes with everything” dress shoes and then leave your glamorous ideas behind and pack your most comfortable worn-in “walk for miles” shoes. Usually you need a pair of flip flops for the pool/beach but these are flat so they won’t take up much space.
You probably don’t need ten completely different outfits, select mix and match options that you wear frequently in real life. It is easy to imagine yourself wearing glamorous outfits in far away destinations but in reality you will most often wish for the things that are comfortable, stylish and work anywhere. What you will wish you did NOT do is bring a ton of stuff you won’t actually wind up needing.
Don’t be afraid to whittle it down: If you don’t have something, they will have it at your location. Remember, if you pack light you give yourself the option to shop. For instance, never pack more than two sunglasses, you can buy another nice pair on location if needed and the cases take up room.
WHAT TYPE OF LUGGAGE DO I NEED?
The case for traveling with a carry-on & “shoulder bag” only:
If you will make several stops, island hop or change hotels a few times during your trip then minimizing your luggage will be well worth the effort it takes to hone down the packing. If you are headed to a destination where you may need your luggage toted up or down hills, stairs or narrow medieval streets that won’t allow taxi access, again limiting your luggage will pay off. Additionally, every time you change flights there is a risk that checked bags get lost or banged around. Keeping your packing to a carry-on minimizes the risks greatly. Your “shoulder bag” can actually be a decent sized backpack. This can stay with you at all times to protect electronics, documents and things you don’t want to be stuck without for a day.
The case for checking luggage and bringing multiple pieces:
If you will be glamming it up city style, attending some events, and staying in only one or two locations it makes sense to fully accessorize, pack for multiple occasions, bring your suite of perfect-for-that-one-outfit shoes and bring those styling tools.
If this is a family trip then you can likely combine excess needs into one large check in bag or mix and match carry on and check in bags to save money depending on your airline’s specific luggage fees.
The case for just a duffle bag or giant “travelers” backpack:
Don’t do it. These will kill your back where a roller case would have saved it. You will be lugging this giant ugly thing around everywhere with sweat dripping down your back like a peasant and people who are more experienced travelers will be briskly rolling past you with their elegantly condensed bags deftly flying on wheels over the long airport walkways. Roller cases can be thrown in the trunk or on a bus the same as a duffle. If you have visions of adventure travel that won’t involve cars or trains or buses, you’re not living in this time period. In Bali motorcycle taxis will just lodge your carry on between you and them on the bike and off you go. Even if inMorocco you have camel transportation into the Sahara, the guides will bring your luggage to your camp on a dune buggy or off-road vehicle via another way while you take the scenic route. There is not, that I have yet discovered, any excuse for bringing a duffle or giant travelers backpack.
Cheap game changer Travel hacks to pack
Stay Fresh
Sweat Wipes! When you are travel fatigued or feeling gross or after a hot hike it is amazing to get legit un-sticky with a quick wipe down. These are some links if you want to check out a few we swear by:
Busy co are larger than many options so they really work for a full body wipe down.
Refresh Deodorant Wipes are light and refreshing and come in several scents or unscented but my personal favorite is Rose.
Stay Alive
For tropical or desert locations always pack Liquid I.V. Sunstroke is no joke and you can get dehydrated faster than you realize. Here is where you can buy those. They have a bunch of different flavors but personally, I prefer the Lime Lemon.
For locations where infrastructure and clean water could even possibly be iffy, bring a Life Straw, this straw has a built in water filter that purifies water on the go. If you wind up in a situation where you don’t have access to clean or bottled water, this is a lifesaver. You will hopefully never use this but it is small so it doesn’t hurt to bring it just in case. Here is where you can get one.
Clever Carrying
Travel with a canvas tote as a shoulder bag instead of a purse. This way it doesn’t look like you’re carrying valuables. It will fold up flat in your luggage. It can double as a grocery bag and a day bag for exploring. You can sling it toward the front to keep an eye on it or wear it with the handles over your shoulders like a backpack if you have to jump on a motorbike taxi or need both arms to climb rocks. You probably have some but we love these so much we made an Aeri Mare Tera exclusive design, coming soon!
A velvety jewelry “wrap” saves space, protects items tidily and still allows you to accessorize with style. You don’t want nice pieces getting scratched or lost but traveling with jewelry cases is too bulky. This is the jewelry wrap I use, I prefer it because it has options to store rings, necklaces, and zip compartments for bracelets while still not taking up too much space.
Electronic Savers
You need an adapter for different country’s power outlets. Get a sturdy one with several ports that will work for your various chargers, computer and phones. This is the one I use.
For any place where you will be doing water activities, bring an iPhone water case. This doubles as your “swim wallet” as you can also keep a card and a little cash in there with the phone while you swim so as not to leave it unattended on the beach or the boat. This is the one I use. I’ve taken it with me swimming in Bali and Croatia, rock jumping in cenotes in Tulum, and on countless boat tours. So far so good (fingers crossed).
Disclaimer: We provide links so you can easily find things we recommend. Some links may pay us an affiliate percentage, many do not. Our recommendations and content are created by our editorial team completely regardless. We exclusively provide you with the tips and tools that we rely on.
Excursions & Tours
How to find and book the best tours and excursions during your travels.
