Travel Tips

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When 

Three best months to travel (aka lower travel costs & places less busy) are January, April, and September.  I'll add October if you are traveling to the Caribbean or Mexico as that's part of hurricane season, which sure can be a gamble so it really depends on how far out you're planning a trip.  We've traveled multiple times to Mexico in September but most October and lucked out....but think about the story you could have if you experienced a hurricane.  Ok, maybe that's just me living in landlock Nebraska talking, lol.

If possible try to travel during the week vs the weekend.  Typically hotel rooms are cheaper, show tickets are cheaper, theme parks are less crowded, restaurants will have meal specials like kids eat free, and so on.

Food

Happy Hour isn't just for cocktails!  Many restaurants offer food specials during Happy Hour.  This can help you save some cash plus gets your meal in early so you free up your evening to catch the sunset or an evening show or whatever your heart desires.  Bonus is you rarely have to wait to be seated!

If you're in Nebraska or will be visiting, check out the Wine Passport or Nebraska Passport, then explore around those destinations.  So many small towns have great shops & restaurants, even some bars might surprise you!

As mentioned above, sometimes traveling during the week can save on meals if you're traveling with kids if you check for restaurants where kids eat free.

Plane

However if you're flying you might want this tip.

A Travel Hack I wish I had known about sooner. It could save you a lot in over-weight baggage fees.

If you are someone who “over packs” or need more space to bring gifts back to your family and friends - this tip is for you!

Pack a zippered pillowcase in your suitcase and when you are packing to return home, put extra clothes (even your dirty clothes!) in it, zip it up and carry it on the plane with you as a pillow!

Ta Da!!

If you don't already have one, snag this silk one as you could use on hotel/airbnb pillows because silk is great for the hair and skin.

If you aren't sure where you want to go check Google Flights, it can give you an idea on the cost of flights to different destinations.

If you know where you want to go & want an app to update you on the flight costs so you don't have to keep checking.  Download the Hopper App, it's a coral color with a bunny.  I haven't ever booked thru the app but have used it to watch flights for me....it alerts you so you don't have to keep checking constantly.  Because if you ever have you notice how the price just keeps going up....that could be the "cookies" which website use for tracking online activity.   And if you aren't aware you can use browsers without tracking, delete cookies, etc.   But to save all that hassle just check out that app, lol.

Once you've booked make sure you have the App for that airline.  That will give you your boarding pass plus updates if you have cancellations etc.  Plus if you get delayed, depending on the airline you might even be able to get on standby for another flight straight thru the app so you don't have to stand in line.

In addition, why not try to earn those airline miles to help in the future.

Hydration 

Pack a water bottle or travel mug!  Stay hydrate during travels.  From changing altitudes, climates, or airplane rides they all can really dehydrate you.  All you have to do is ask to get it filled up at restaurants, coffee shops, or gas stations.  Most airports also have water filling stations once you get past security.  

There are even tech savvy caps to help keep you safe.  Check out the LYT Pro Self-Cleaning and UV Water Purification Cap (fits most bottles like Swell)  or  LARQ Bottle PureVis  or  

WAATR HydroCap UV Water Purification & Self-Cleaning Replacement Cap (Fits Iron Flask Hydro Flask, ThermoFlask, Simple Modern, Takeya, and other brands).

Land travel

If you aren't flying how about exploring what's within a few hours of you.  Look up State Parks, US Army Corp of Engineers, National Parks, and/or city parks.

Don't own a camper but would like to experience the adventure, check out outdoorsy.  And you might even have someone locally who rents out campers.  Again, if you can look at renting during the week as rates can be less.

Alright what did I miss on this list?  Many times I update blog posts as I learn new things so feel free to comment or send me an email: connect@aprilcarnahan.info

If you have a favorite travel hack, use one of these, or travel to a destination you end up loving snap photos and use #CocktailDiet or tag me!  It doesn't have to be pretty, just look the majority of my photos :) 

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