Successful travel is often learned through many trials and errors. It encompasses research and lots of planning. The first step to launching your next exciting adventure is to have the tools to get there.
Planning your trip is often overwhelming to many people. We will try to eliminate that for you. A large part of what scares people away from organizing their adventures is the lack of the tools and resources to do so. We are going to provide you with that!
Our goal is to give you all the Tips and Resources we use to plan our trips. We are saving you many of those hard-learned lessons we experienced. As a result, your trip will be the enormous success you deserve. This is all in the hope that you are already planning your next adventure on your flight home.
We will also discuss the what-ifs of travel and how to prepare for them. Life happens even when we travel, so being mentally prepared and with the right tools to get through is vital.
All our travel tips and resources blog posts
Independent travel
While researching and planning your trip, you will discover unique places you never considered visiting. They may be just a little bit off the beaten path, but they can transform this adventure into an authentic and unforgettable experience. This trip is your dream; you make it your own by planning it yourself. That is an essential part of your journey, and honestly, without it, we think it would be much less fun.
With our tips and resources, we will help you plan an incredible trip. We encourage you to squeeze every moment out of your adventure, map out full days, and always leave room for spontaneity.
That is essential, letting those moments in and embracing them.
What is a trip without a cold local brew at the local pub in Ireland? A conversation with a kind elderly gentleman sharing what his life is like in Siena, Italy? Simply people-watching while sitting at a Paris corner bistro? Take that gorgeous boat ride up a river you had no idea was even there.
Combining independent elements into group travel
We believe that independent travel is always the best way to go if possible. What you experience when it is just you vs. a large group can be very different. If you choose the group route, there could always be days before; after that, we can guide you through the planning. When traveling on cruises or tours, somebody else will set most of the schedule for you, but you can still handle many elements. Even in organized travel, you can have ownership of many aspects. Why use an intermediary or travel agent when you can deal with the company directly?
We fully recognize that traveling without a tour or guide is not an option or even safe in some parts of the world. Though we admire those who travel places few would go, we are not risk-takers by nature. There are independent adventures, and those risks outweigh the benefits, at least for us.
Traveling on a Budget
Our Tips and Resources will help you keep costs down without compromising on accommodations or experience. We will also teach you ways to get the perks you thought were only given to business or frequent travelers.
Full disclosure: we are not backpackers or people who like roughing it (though we admire those who do). We stay in hotels, B&Bs, or Airbnb. Our dining is kept pretty simple, preferring local eateries, but we occasionally treat ourselves to a nice meal. We seek places where we get complimentary breakfast, free dinners, or executive lounges with an evening light meal. We save costs everywhere we can.
The more saved, the more experiences we can have with our dollars.
As for most of you, the cost is a significant component of how often we can travel.
That said, let us be upfront: life is unpredictable. While we are in a position to travel, we should. We can’t keep saying, well, one day when I have a lot more money, or I have more vacation, or when I retire……… for many, those days may never come. Joelle can speak well about that after her years in oncology. If you want to travel, do it. Stop putting it off.
Travel does not have to break the bank and leave you stressed for months afterward. You do not need to settle for unsafe or cheap accommodations, and peanut butter and crackers will not need to be your primary source of nutrition. Tips and Resources are here to guide your next adventure.
The Cost of Tours and Guides
Many people feel safer about taking tours, and that is understandable. We are not touring people but know many people who enjoy them. When sharing more details, they often speak of the cost, the amount of time spent waiting, the lack of time for self-adventure, or being stuck with people who drive you crazy for ten days. Others rave about it. They adore the group dynamics and the friends they make, which becomes the highlight of the trip. It is your experience and your memories that make you the happiest.
The cost, though, can be relatively high. It could be three times the cost of an independent trip. If you can get three adventures instead of one, when a significant part of your time is spent with the group’s movement and waiting, it does not seem like much bang for the buck.
Most tours have independent days; you can arrive early or stay later. This is also true before and after cruises. Our country travel guides are full of facts and other important info, making them an excellent resource no matter how you travel. Click here to visit our Country Travel Guides page.
Resources and guides for all
Our style is independent travel, but has info for everyone. Our overall message is to travel! Travel well and travel often. We want to inspire you to get out there and experience this incredible world, to become a global citizen, and to absorb all the beautiful places you will visit and the people you will meet. Absorb the history and culture of all the beautiful places you will visit. You will be changed in ways you never imagined.
Travel perks and tips
Part of the success of travel is knowing your options and the perks available to you, like which hotels, airlines, and rental car companies to use. What are ways to join loyalty programs without frequent stays? Ever wish you could have access to that airport lounge with a free open bar, incredible food, and even a shower without paying a dime? How about a gorgeous suite with a balcony overlooking the walled city of Dubrovnik without paying a dime? You will learn how we use all that and more.
We share our favorite travel companies and why we use them. We will explain how we travel in style and comfort while keeping our costs low. Some call these travel hacks. We have never liked that wording, as it sounds like you are cheating or getting around someone else to get these perks. You aren’t; they are there for the taking if you know how to get there. Trust us, and in the end, they will benefit you and the business.
We will work hard to build the Tips and Resources part of the blog. If we do not provide tips and resources to plan the trip, the destination info will only go so far. We plan to do videos on how to plan trips and daily routes and keep everything in order.
Champagne and dinner before a long flight?
Open bar, unlimited food and snacks, bottled water for flight, lovely surroundings, showers, entertainment areas, workspaces, and even places to sleep. All free, one of the many perks that could be yours.
The what-ifs? Preparation is 90% of the game
With all travel, we must plan contingencies. Our trips could be fraught with emergencies, health issues, injuries (as an example, note on our About page, (I am in a medical boot), cancellations, weather, theft, lost documents, and, as we learned in 2020, Pandemics. All of these can turn our travel upside down.
Being prepared is an essential element. Believing nothing will happen is both stupid and dangerous. Young people often don’t get travel insurance because they think I am not old and won’t get sick. They are more likely to get injured on a trip or get robbed. If they get stranded someplace due to canceled flights, hotel closing, all their belongings being stolen, or a host of other problems, they are often the ones with little financial means to get out of the situation. We have many articles that guide you through being prepared.
Check out the article on the importance of travel insurance and why you should never leave home without it.
Travel Health
Joelle is a registered nurse and, prior to having a travel blog, was a published medical author. She is passionate about travel health, so we will have content focusing on that. From what medications to bring with you on long flights to medical supplies to pack to how to stay healthy during your travels, we will try to cover it all. Our list of travel health posts is below. Check back often to see what is new in the topic of travel health.
Our Travel health posts
Sharing our experiences to make your next trip the best
Travel is an adventure. Therefore, always make the most of it. Using the Tips and Resources we share will make your next journey even more incredible and life-changing. Let us guide and teach you what we have learned from our decades of travel experience. We can’t wait for you to share your travel success stories with us and what tips you gained along the way.
Wander in Wonder!!
Our Top Recommended Travel Products and Services
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured—not just for the little stuff but for the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to place is Squaremouth.com . It does a fantastic job with its user-friendly interface and uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems.
To empower you as a consumer, we suggest you read our blog post on the importance of travel insurance and how to get the best coverage from top-rated companies for an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
They are the premier global air medical transport. One caveat to travel insurance is that medical evacuation usually gets you to the closest facility to care for you. Medjet gets you back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you are stable enough to fly. A Medjet membership is only for medical transport. Medjet Horizon offers expanded coverage. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Expedia
and
VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a US-based company whose mission is to power global travel for everyone and everywhere. focuses on independent travel, and using sites like Expedia makes that possible. Every aspect of travel you need, from airfare, accommodations, rental car, and cruises to activities to do at your destination, can be booked on Expedia .
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to memorable experiences, various transportation options, and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. It is one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. It is our preferred booking site.
Transportatio n
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip is an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers around the world. We love their service, and it costs much less than renting a car. You can enjoy comfortable, stress-free travel with the added bonus of scenic sightseeing stops along your journey. For example, we used them between Budapest and Vienna, making some fantastic stops along the way. Their professional drivers and customizable routes ensure a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and local attractions.
To learn more about how Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that making memories is what travel is all about. And with 300,000+ experiences to explore—everything from simple tours to extreme adventures (and all the niche, interesting stuff in between)—making memories that will last a lifetime has never been easier. We use them often during our travels and love their liberal cancellation policy.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM keeps travelers seamlessly connected worldwide without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or facing unexpected roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making travel more convenient than ever. They have a great offer, a 100 MB data plan for free, and no credit card is required. They are that confident you will love their product!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10
To learn more about how GigSky, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Shopping
Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves
Amazon is one of the most comprehensive online shopping sources in the world. Teams worldwide provide lower prices, better selection, and rapid delivery on behalf of customers. They offer a vast inventory, and their 1.7 million small and medium businesses worldwide selling on Amazon.com offer extensive options to customers.
This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
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