10 Ways to Prepare for a New Travel Destination

There are things I know about myself.  I know I like to travel.  I know I like to eat.  I know I like to take photos.  I know I like to be prepared. I know I like to plan ahead.  So when I think about places I want to see or areas I want to explore it's obvious for me, and I assume you, to do some research and prepare for what to expect in a new place. I often find myself day dreaming of a new faraway place with cocktails and fine food.  But how do I make that day dream into a reality? I have a few tricks for turning my day dreams into research and my research into inspiration to prepare for a new adventure in a new place {and sometimes for places I've already been, it works for that too!}...

1. Pinterest! I know this is like a super obvious suggestion for someone familiar with the internet, but it's my jumping off point.  I always do a quick search on google and pin what I find and also search pinterest to see if my city or destination has something I should be aware of.  Lots of my destinations revolve around food, friends and culture, so I like to get a feel for the area before getting too specific with plans.  Plus, once I'm actually in the place I can open the app and go back to find those activities or restaurants if we're trying to think of something to do.

2. Once I've got eight thousand tabs open with ideas I slowly go through them! This is where I really put some energy.  I go though the blogs that are really helpful and pin those, I save whatever images mean something to me, not just repining whatever comes up, but the ones I actually am interested in.  I cull my tabs down to a 1/3 of what I originally thought might be helpful and I read the blog posts. I skim the images and I make a list of those {but more on that later}.

3. Most links on google and pinterest lead to blogs and bloggers, and bloggers {at least good ones} always have an Instagram. Instagram is a huge resource for travel inspiration, with location tags and hashtags you can really find out a lot about a place before ever stepping foot there.  When I find a blogger with helpful info I stalk their photos.  If their photos outside of their trip inspire me, I follow them, if not I just check the travel grams and then click the links to see the places they tagged.  If their food looks amazing and I see the name of the restaurant I follow the restaurant.  If they went on an awesome adventure or tour and they tag the company hosting the tour I follow the company, these aren't forever follows there are preparation follows.  So that weeks and months before I actually go somewhere, I'm following along with companies in that city, then when those companies post images and tag other interesting businesses or locations, I follow along and make notes of that.  Right now we're in the process of planning a trip to Hawaii and I'm following probably 30+ food trucks and restaurants and 20 more excursion companies and farmers markets.. So, when I check my feed not only am I seeing what's happening with friends and family in real life but also see what's happening in my upcoming destination; which also is like a little mid day pick me up, like here is this place I'm going to get to see in real life, soon! Instant moral booster, especially if you're working a job you maybe don't love, but love that it pays for your travel fix. {no, I don't know anyone doing that}.  A few of my favorite travel bloggers include The Bucket List Family, Our Camp Life, and the Global Wolf Pack.



4. Saving for excursions.  Anyone who travels knows it can be pricey, hence lots of savings before a big trip is always a suggestion, but I'm talking about things you really want to do.  Like a boat or raft tour, or botanical garden tour, you know those things have admissions and fees so why not plan ahead NOW and set those expenses aside.  Sometimes it's hard for me to save and save into this black hole, but if I can be like 'no, I'm skipping my out to eat coffee and lunch today because I want to do that coffee tour in Kauai in 3 month and this will pay for that,' it's much easier.  I also set aside a separate travel account that has just travel spending money.  This way it doesn't get mixed in with my regular savings.  If you're a list maker like me you can keep track of every deposit and balance transfer so you know what you actually have in your account to spend on what.

5. Which I guess is a good time to talk about lists.  I love lists I mean it just makes so much sense to keep track of all the things I want/need/expect in one place, which is why I keep a paper planner in addition to my google calendar.  I keep all my lists in my bullet journal, and a huge part my travel includes lists of places I want to eat, places I'm staying while traveling, things I want to do in a new place, and general packing lists for myself and kids.  I bring my planner with me and not only use the lists but scribble down memories on each date and blank sheets to sort of journal the travel experience as well.

6. Go shopping, or don't.  I go back and fourth on this issue, but essentially, I try not to pack more than I need.  Yes, splurge on that swimsuit you've been eyeballing before heading to Costa Rica.  I totally support the idea of getting something you're super excited for before you travel, something you know you'll love wearing on your trip but also don't do ALL your shopping before you go, save some spending money to pick up new clothes or shoes while you're in your new destination.  Apparel is one of the most functional souvenirs you can acquire.  And no, I'm not talking about a 'I love Rocky Point' tee you picked up at the gas station.  I mean an authentic pair of handmade shoes from Italy, or handwoven bag in Guatemala, something about the craftsmanship of something made in the places I go makes me really happy, so I try to prepare for that a bit by setting aside spending money on functional 'souvenirs' and I like to think this helps artisans in the community in a relevant way.

7. Read a book.  Nope, Not a travel book but a literary book, I like historical fiction, but anything will do.  Sometimes reading stories that take place where I'm heading are super exciting.  Or maybe a book that was mostly written by an author in a famous city, like this is where they sat, this is the drink that drank while writing.  Or as an artist reading about artists from certain places knowing they painted in a certain park, those kinds of interpersonal connections we can make with a place are us bonding with our destination.  So, I like to do that before a big trip and if you don't finish it before you leave, you've got some in flight entertainment.

8. Speaking of in-flight entertainment.  I'm a mom. To two little girls.  Who get bored sitting still.  I highly suggest downloading a new season of a tv show they haven't watched before, or downloading audio books they haven't read before, or free games they haven't played before.  Bonus points if anything you download has to do with your destination.  This should be done a week or two in advance.  I've definitely sat in the airport connected to spotty wifi hoping an episode of Dora the Explorer would finish downloading before our boarding time, spoiler alert: it didn't. Do not make my same mistakes.  Also if you drink pack mini bottles because in fight cocktails are too expensive.

9.  Learn the language.  Or at least try to.  This one is so obvious, it's trite but I have to remind you when you go to a new place you should at least be able to greet the natives in a poor attempt at their language, they might correct you or ignore you, but nothing is worse than when I see Americans walk into European cafes and ramble off in English about needing table or bathroom.  At least give the common courtesy of asking in THEIR native language first, if they speak English, you're lucky, if not move on to calm hand gestures for your needs as opposed to getting frustrated.  They don't know your language. I wish I was over dramatizing what I'm talking about, but I've seen it and it's embarrassing.  Make the effort.  I love the Duolingo app and google translate (offline) has helped with conversations on numerous occasions.

10. Browse AirBnB.  You all know I love expedia.  I always have great experiences with them and I earn points when I book trips {which helps pay for smaller getaways throughout the year} but I like to look at the houses and apartments in the cities we go to because they're really cool, I don't want to miss out just because I'm on a budget sometimes, far enough out there are affordable airBnBs I'm also crushing hard on Kid & Coe which is a site of destinations for families, there is a range of prices and locations and everything is uber adorable.  Really just make sure to explore your options, I suggest booking your accommodations at least a year out for the best deal and widest variety of selection.

How do you prepare for your adventures? I'm always looking for more suggestions!


P.S.  Don't forget to check the weather! Nothing is worse than spending all your time and energy planning the prefect trip only to be miserable because you didn't bring the right jacket or shoes for the trip, being too hot or too cold can ruin a trip in the moment, yeah my photos will look good and I might even forget I was shivering or overheating in the image, but in the moment? Nah, I'd rather just be prepared.

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