Holidays can be stressful, but travel doesn't have to be! 


It's a popular time of year to be on the road, the rail or in the air to get to a celebration with friends and family.
I am sharing some helpful tips (and reminders) to reduce stress and increase happiness during a busy travel holiday season!


Tip #1
Leave yourself TIME
Being late and worrying about missing a plane, train or bus can be very stressful. It causes us to rush which leads to forgetfulness and clumsiness (yup, my headphone case spilled from my bag on my last trip and I was in too much of a hurry to look down and notice!) If you leave yourself plenty of time, you can travel more calmly and avoid a headache later.


If you are traveling by plane, consider taking a car service to the airport. Leave the driving to someone else so you can begin your vacation the minute you leave your home!  (Perfect Limo is my go to and they offer my clients a discount, simply use the code SunlitTravel)


If you prefer to drive yourself to the airport, try a parking lot with a shuttle, such as The Parking Spot or Purchase Park 2 Fly. You can leave your car in good hands and shuttle directly to the terminal.


Tip #2
Bring an extra battery bar.
Phones are useful for directions, keeping track of travel plans, emergency phone calls or just simply passing the time. I don't care how old you are, you are probably going to use your phone at some point during your travels and you don't want to be caught with a dead battery.


Tip #3
Pack Wisely
We all know to pack medicine in a carry on bag but as a reminder - it is worth repeating! Also helpful is a small, laminated card listing your medical needs. I use the FARE (Food Allergy Research Education) chef card template to make cards for myself and my clients with allergies. It is especially helpful for translating to other languages.


Tip #4
Packing Cubes
My absolute favorite way to pack for ANY trip but especially to help keep organized for the holidays. These bags are understated by themselves, but use them once and you will be amazed! The compartmentalization can organize any type of traveler!


Tip #5
Don't Wrap Gifts
If you need to go through any type of security, they will likely want to know what you have hidden beneath the pretty wrapping and bows. Do yourself a favor and pack presents without the wrapping, bring the paper and ribbon for later, believe me, it's not worth the scrutiny. (yup, I once had to unwrap all my presents in the airport - wasted tons of time and left me an unorganized mess)


Tip #6
Bring your sense of humor  (well isn't this just great advice for just about everything!)

Wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season with great travel stories!

The honeymoon is the perfect time to shower your loved one with romance, especially if he/she doesn't know it's coming!  The brain finds unexpected pleasure more rewarding that expected ones says Dr. Gregory Berns, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Emory and Dr. Read Montague, associate professor of neuroscience at Baylor.
So go on and SURPRISE your spouse on your honeymoon - here are seven suggestions to get you started!

Decide Where To Go
It is one of the most difficult decisions couples face. Ideally, it will be a destination that is new to both of you. The dream location should satisfy your criteria as a couple; of course with some romance thrown in! If you need help deciding visit 'Guide To Lead You to the Perfect Honeymoon Destination'

Set A Budget
A wish list is great, but at some point, reality has to set in. Determine what you can realistically afford, where there might be compromise and what you absolutely can’t live without.

Decide If You Will Go It Alone, Or Contact A Travel Agent
Many people love planning their own trips. Remember, planning a wedding takes lots of time away from other things; contacting a professional to help can save time, money and stress.

Obtain A Passport
If you are traveling outside the country and don’t have a passport, go get one! Don’t worry about your name changing, if you apply for a name change within a year of getting your first passport, there is no fee. https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/services/correction.html
If you have a valid passport, be sure it is in ‘good condition’; no water stains, rips, folds, etc. Be sure it has at least 6 months validity from time of return from your trip - otherwise, you will need a new one. (some country requirements vary, 6 months is a good rule of thumb) Also apply for visas if required for your destination.
​

Organize
Print travel documents. Having emails of your reservation on your phone is nice, but if your battery is dead, the wifi isn’t working or you need to be on a call, it can be helpful to have a printed copy. If you are working with a travel agent you can request documents be mailed to you in addition to email. Some hotels, excursions, car rental companies require a printed voucher, check with your travel agent or call the provider directly to be sure you have everything you need.

Leave An Itinerary With Someone At Home
It is a good idea to leave an itinerary with someone you know at home… just in case. Leaving copies of important documents, such as passports, can be helpful in the event of lost or stolen items during the trip. 

Input Phone Numbers
Add phone numbers you may need to your contacts. Names and numbers of your travel agent, trip insurance provider, tour companies, 24 hour helplines, credit card companies, etc. and be sure to have an ICE number.

Get Some Cash
Be sure to carry some small bills for tips; taxi drivers, transfer drivers, curbside check-in attendants, etc. If you will be in a foreign country consider having a small amount of local currency for incidentals. ATM's are generally available but you may need to take a cab or buy a necessity along the way.

Pack
Of course! But since you are getting married and it is a crazy time, you might consider packing in advance. Do what you can ahead of time to make your life easier. Consider making a list and crossing off what you already packed to be sure you don’t forget anything (belts and glasses are commonly forgotten!)

Well, there you have it, a honeymoon timeline! There are many things to remember along the way, I hope this outline helps! Of course, you can always call or email me, I remind my clients about important information regarding their trip along the way so it doesn't feel overwhelming.
Bon Voyage!