Travel Tips : How to Enjoy Flying

July 29, 2015

I’ve always loved flying. Maybe it’s because I’ve been doing it since I was a baby or maybe it’s just because I’ve never really stressed about it, but regardless, I know it’s something that a lot of people have a hard time with. Whether you’re scared of flying or just can’t seem to figure out a way to get comfortable, here are some tips on how to enjoy the long (or short) flight you’re headed out on. Here’s how to enjoy flying, once and for all!

Don’t Stress.

When you work yourself up before a flight, it’s only going to make your anxiety worse. So if possible, try to keep your mind off your upcoming flight and use techniques like meditation to calm your senses. If you can arrive at the airport feeling pretty good, your flight will be that much more enjoyable.

Embrace the time on the Airplane.

Get work done, watch movies, listen to music… one of my favorite things about flying is the time on the airplane when no one can bother you. You’re phone is off, you can’t be doing laundry or cleaning, there is literally nothing for you to but sit and just relax for however many hours. I love catching up on movies I’ve been wanting to watch or reading that book I keep putting off. Embrace those flying hours to do the things you don’t usually get to do when you’re busy at home.

Trust Your Crew and Fellow Passengers.

I know this is a hard one but if you trust that you’re all this together, things will go smoother. If you trust that your crew really does know what their doing, it will make your trip that much more enjoyable. Whether they act like it or not, airplane cabin crews are actually really well trained and react to situations really well when there are problems, so when in doubt trust that they will take care of you if they can. Your fellow passengers also deserve a little trust… granted you’re all in the plane together so when you realize that you’re in good hands, it makes flying easier.

Know Ahead of Time, that Everything Might Not Go According to Plan.

If you can prepare yourself ahead of time for the fact that everything with your flying experience might not necessarily go according to plan, you’ll be better off. Know that your flight might be delayed, you might have issues checking in or there might be turbulence. But following the advice of the other steps on this page will help a lot.

Let Go.

Sometimes you just have to train yourself to let go. Take flying for what it is, know the risks but also remember that you’re probably headed somewhere fun or off on an adventure or maybe just heading home. Take the time and embrace it, but also just learn to let go of those fears and leave it up to fate.

What to Wear: My All Time Favorite Travel Looks

July 27, 2015

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

One of my favorite parts of a trip is packing for it. I know a lot of you are probably thinking that’s your least favorite. But honestly, putting together outfits that fit a certain location and setting aside a wardrobe for a week or 10 days that everything can mix and match with everything else is an activity I genuinely enjoy. As I start packing for upcoming trips, I spent some time looking back at some of my all time favorite travel looks from previous trips and particularly looking at how I put the looks together to match certain places. So since you might be headed to some of these destinations too, here’s my top all time favorite travel style looks and why I love each one.

Casual Chic in Paris

One of my all time favorites, this look actually sort of came together spur of the moment while in Paris in the Fall. It was warmer outside than I had expected and had planned on having a trench over this for most of the day, though as the temperatures warmed, I used this long black sweater as my “coat” for the day. The scarf is also one of my all time favorites that I own and it doesn’t hurt that my long sleeved top and the scarf both have city names on them from all over the world.

Warm and Colorful in Dublin

I love packing for cold destinations. Coats and scarves are my favorite wardrobe staple, so when I get to pack warm clothes, I have so much fun. I love how the red in this outfit on my mittens and inside the jacket pop against the blues of my scarf and jacket and the green of the denim. It fit in very well in Dublin and was so comfortable for the trip.

Traditionally French in Nice

What’s more French than a trench coat and a scarf? Maybe wearing that and standing on your balcony in Nice overlooking the Mediterranean? I loved this outfit and it’s still one of my go-to’s at home too. This blue trench I picked up at Zara in Paris a few years back is one of my all time favorite coats… it’s not quite navy, but a dark royal blue that seems to brighten up any outfit. And as above, this same scarf from Madewell that I also wore in Paris paired with those sunglasses from Galleries Lafayette (that unfortunately broke recently after 2 years), this combo is a personal favorite and so very me.

Simliar Trench Coat | Similar Scarf | Sunglasses | Cross Body Purse

Color and Comfort in Marrakech

This dress is a favorite travel item in my wardrobe. I picked it up at Forever 21 years ago before and I’ve worn it non-stop since. It was also amazing for our India trip. I also like having a light jacket with me when I travel, specifically in conservative countries as well as walkable shoes, these tan loafers are super comfortable to travel in. This outfit fit perfectly with the colorful culture in Marrakech but also was conservative enough that I felt comfortable in the Muslim country. This photo and this outfit definitely are one of my faves.

Sea Adventure in Alaska

I love Alaska and there is such a sense of adventure there. We took a sea cruise off the Kenai Peninsula and got to see so much wildlife. It was one of those trips that you’re just so excited to be there and see it all and this look was perfect to keep me warm but also allow me to be out in the elements at sea in Alaska. The beanie is from Peru that we brought home from our trip there so it was special too and I love a good outfit where I can wear my favorite “wellies”.

Spring in the City in London

In London a couple years ago, I saw this coat in one of my favorite stores there, Boden, on our first day. I kept thinking about it all week and finally went back and bought it later in our trip and it’s become one of my favorite clothing staples. I paired it for a Spring evening in London with all black underneath so that the coat really got it’s moment to shine!

Boden Coat (sold out) | Black Leggings | Black Long Sleeve T-shirt | Black Boots | Tan Purse (similar)

Summer Café Life in Paris

One of my favorite photos that Nick has captured of me, this image is completely me when I’m in Paris. Paris has always felt like a second home to me and this easy Summer outfit in Paris is perfect for wandering and stopping at cafés along the way.

Black T-Shirt | Jean Mini Skirt | Black Sandals | Cross Body black Kate Spade Purse | Hat

Fall Weekend in New York City

New York City is one of my favorite cities and we try to go as often as we can to enjoy the city environment and visit out favorite restaurants. This particular trip was for my birthday and we started the day at my favorite spot, Fabrique for cinnamon buns and oat milk lattes, followed by a lovely day around the city. The air was crisp for an early Fall day and this look was perfect for an October Saturday in the city.

Zara Sweater (similar) | Navy Blue Beret |Cross Body black Kate Spade Purse | Shamrock necklace from Ireland (similar)

Travel Myths Debunked : Once You Start, it’s Easy to Stop

July 23, 2015

In this week long series, we’ll be looking at debunking some of the travel world’s myths and explaining the truth behind these sentiments. So follow along this week for some of the most well known travel myths and how we prove they aren’t true.

I recently had a good friend say to me, “you guys have seen so much now, I bet there aren’t a lot of places left to see.” It struck me as strange because as a traveler, the more you see, the more you want to see. But that’s often the mentality, that once you start traveling, once you start seeing the world, it’s easier to stop. In fact, in reality it’s the complete opposite and yet that sentiment is brought up a lot to me by people who haven’t traveled. So for the record, once you start traveling, it’s definitely not easy to stop and here’s why…

The world gets smaller as you see more.

When you travel, you realize how interconnected we all are. And while you start with this notion that the world is so big, you eventually come to the realization that actually it’s very small. The web of connections around the globe is getting smaller and more connected thanks to technology and ease of travel, so once you start seeing new places and see more and more of the world, the connections make you want to see everything even more.

Places that you never even knew existed are shared and found so easily on social media.

A large percentage of our travels to places have happened not by traditional research but merely through finding them on social media. Instagram and Twitter and blogs have revolutionized the way we travel, including more and more places that we want to see that we might have never even thought of before.

Travel is all about exploration and seeing all you can.

There is no such thing as a true traveler who travels to one landmark place and says, “ok I’m done, I’ve seen enough.” Travel is about exploration, it’s about trying new things, and it’s about doing it as often as you can. The mindset is that there really is no amount of time that you could offer to see everything. You have to keep doing it and know that you might not be able to get everywhere but you’ll try because you truly want to see and experience the world.

Travel Myths Debunked : Guidebooks are Best

July 22, 2015

You can always tell if people have traveled before if they rely solely on guidebooks when planning a trip. I started that way too, looking through Frommer’s guides and Lonely Planet books on countries I was going to visit. And while I still buy them as needed and use them for specific research, I have found over my years of traveling that guidebooks really don’t provide the best and most up to date information that you need to know when traveling. There are so many amazing resources out there now that provide better information than the old fashioned guidebooks that are heavy and clunky to travel with, that today we’re debunking the theory that guidebooks are best for travel research.

You’ll find the best, most current recommendations on Instagram and travel blogs.

Travel blogs and social media are truly the best source of information regarding traveling. I like to start following specific accounts and blogs when I know I’m headed to a specific destination. I also screenshot any restaurants, activities or hotels that look cool from people I follow and keep them filed so that when I’m headed to that destination, I can look into them. You’ll find the best, most current recommendations this way; things you’d never find in a standard guidebook.

Use travel guides like LUXE or Wallpaper guides that are small and can travel with you.

My favorite travel guides are the LUXE city guides and Wallpaper guides that are small, have relevant, modern information and that can be easily slipped into my purse when exploring without having to lug a giant book around. Both companies are really modern and offer great advice for young travelers in a fun sophisticated way.

Download travel apps before you leave home so you can access information on your phone.

Most travel guidebook companies now have apps, which means you don’t need that big guidebook anymore. Download the relevant apps before you leave for your trip and then you can access whatever you need to on the go on your smart phone.

Travel Myths Debunked : The World is Dangerous

July 21, 2015

For some reason, a large majority of people really believe the world is a dangerous place. It’s probably the media and the bad things being replayed over and over. But all in all, the majority of the world is totally safe to travel to. Of course you still need to be safe, but so do you at home, so with some planning and common sense, the world really isn’t all that dangerous and doesn’t need to be feared.

You should travel safe, no matter where you are but don’t let that hinder your experience.

One of the things that really bothers me from people I know are the comments that traveling is dangerous. The thing is, you can have more happen to you around your home than while traveling, so being safe no matter where you are is important. Travel safe, stay in well lit areas if you’re out at night, keep your belongings safe and use common sense and you won’t have issues. Don’t let the fear of danger hinder your experience, just be safe in general and you’ll be totally fine and enjoy the travel experience.

There are more kind people in the world than dangerous ones.

I’m constantly amazed, regardless of what you’ll hear in the media, by how many amazingly kind and helpful people you’ll come across while traveling. People want to help you if you let them. Put your faith in the good side of humanity (while still being safe of course and listening to your intuition) and you most likely will be blown away by how kind people can be. There is far more good in the world than bad.

Don’t believe everything you hear. But do your research.

I hear all sorts of things from people in my life about destinations we travel to. Before we went to Cambodia last year I got all sorts of comments from relatives about why we would travel to such a war-torn, unsafe country. It turned out to be some of the friendliest people we’ve ever encountered while traveling and we had no qualms about safety while there. People remember one bad thing they’ve heard over the years about a place and instead of looking into it or moving forward, they hold on to it and let it define a place for them. Don’t do that. Do your research and don’t believe everything you hear. Some of the most incredible places on this planet have had conflicts in the past or something negative in the media, move forward and embrace the country for what it is now.

Travel Myths Debunked : Travel is Expensive

July 20, 2015

One of the things I hear the most often regarding travel is that it’s just too expensive for the average person to see more of the world. And while, yes, flights and hotels and activities cost money, it doesn’t have to be expensive and here’s why…

Traveling abroad isn’t always more expensive than domestic travel.

This one is one of the complaints I hear time and time again. And yet, if you can afford to take your family to Hawaii or Disneyland for a week, those trips easily cost way more than it would cost you to spend a week in some of Europe’s cheaper cities or in SE Asia. I guarantee it. If you pick the right place and spend your money well, there are lots of options to travel abroad that are the same price point as those domestic vacations you’re taking.

Those airline and credit card miles you have sitting and have never touched…that is money wasted.

I can’t believe how often people let points and miles just expire and never use them. Points and miles are such an amazing way to cut cost on travel and you literally don’t have to do anything other than keep track of them. Get a credit card that works for you (my favorites are the BA visa, the Sapphire visa and the AA MasterCard) and rack up points on your daily spending. Just to give you an idea how much points and miles can be worth: we just booked first class tickets to Europe from the West Coast of the US for only $5. That’s an incredible deal to save money on travel…don’t let them expire, use those points and miles for flights and hotels and rental cars!

There are a plethora of low budget airlines and hotel chains that offer incredible cost for wherever you’re headed.

Anymore, you can find such cheap flights to anywhere in the world that I get tired of people complaining about the cost of airfare. You can fly from LA to Scandinavia on Norwegian Air for as little as $199 each way or from the East Coast of the US on WOW to Iceland, Paris or Amsterdam for just $99. I can’t even get fares like that from Portland to Vegas (an hour and a half flight). If you really want to travel, and you put the time into research, there are so many amazing low budget airlines and hotel chains out there that won’t break that bank. AirBnB is another amazing way to save money on travel and lodging. There are lots of deals out there, if you’re willing to look.

There are a lot of places in the world where you’d spend less per day on a vacation than you would at home.

There are numerous places around the globe where your day to day expenses will be such a fraction of your day to day expenses at home that you could easily spend a week and come home with money left over from what you’d be spending at home. Places like SE Asia, India, some places the Middle East or Indonesia, you could live well on a fraction of what it costs in Europe or the States. So find a place that you can afford and you might end up even saving money in the long run!

Travel Tips : Washington State Ferries

July 17, 2015

After making the trip to the San Juans and Whidbey Island in Washington State in the recent years and then subsequently writing about them here on Land of Marvels, I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the ferries to get to these destinations. So, since these are such popular destinations and because there are so many places to get via ferry in Washington State, look no further than this dedicated post to all you need to know about the Washington State ferry system and all the answers to questions you might have!

You don’t need to buy tickets in advance.

Unless you have a very specific type of vehicle (like a trailer or something), you don’t need to buy tickets in advance. Just head to whatever ferry port you’re leaving from and there will be a booth where you buy tickets. They will then usher you into whatever line is next for the boat.

The lines can get really long.

In many cases in Washington State, ferries are the only way to get to some of these islands, so naturally, the lines to get on the ferry can be horribly long. We waited over an hour in line for the Whidbey Island ferry a couple weeks ago and I’ve heard of even longer waits, particularly during the Summer or over holidays. So know ahead of time, you’ll probably be waiting for a decent amount of time in line. Follow the signs, wait where you’re supposed to and be patient.

Use the website for information in regards to traffic, boat schedules and pricing.

Washington State has a great website for all the information about ferries. They have videos showing lines and wait times, they have updated information if boats are full or how many spots are left available as well as all the pricing and schedule information. It’s also updated really frequently and can be a great resource, so use it!

Stay near your car.

After you get into the waiting area for the ferry, you’ll generally have some time before you start loading on to the boat itself. However, stay close to your car in case that comes up quicker than you thought. I’ve seen cars left unattended and having people just drive by them in the line if people went off to get something to eat or drink and missed the call to load the ferry. So stay close by!

A Few Hours on Whidbey Island

July 15, 2015

As I mentioned the other day, the reason we headed up to Seattle last weekend (other than to try and escape the heat in Portland) was to visit some friends of ours that were having a housewarming party at the North end of Whidbey Island. Last year when we went to the San Juans, we really wanted to head South back home through Whidbey Island, but I got really sick and we had to cancel that part of the trip. So when the chance came up this year, we jumped at the chance to sea some coastal views and small island towns, as well as a ferry ride over from the mainland.

We took the quick ferry from Mukilteo (see tips below on this) and then started in Langley and drove North throughout the day, spending a few hours on Whidbey Island. There were definitely cool things about the island, but to be honest, we were pretty disappointed compared to the scenery we had experienced in the San Juans and were comparing it to that. All in all, I’m glad we did the drive and got to see the area, but it’s not a place I’d head back to anytime soon. The lack of true coastal views, really run down little towns and houses and overall just not a great feeling, we mentioned multiple times that if you’re looking for an escape out of the Seattle areas, we’d much prefer the San Juans.

As we drove North, we found the most beautiful part of the island was around Deception Point: a huge bridge crossing between islands. It was instantly greener, better coastal views and gorgeous blue ocean. If we went again, I would head directly North on the island and closer to Anacortes, but all in all, we were glad we got to experience Whidbey Island even though it wasn’t our favorite.

Tips for Whidbey Island:

-If you’re taking the ferry from Mukilteo, the actual ferry ride is really short, around 20 minutes. But the line can pile up for miles and you can sit for hours waiting to get on the ferry boat. I would suggest either going really early before the line gets long or going on an off weekend. Avoid holiday weekends if you can.

-Whidbey Island gets really full on holiday weekends which was when we were there and it got a little claustrophobic in the small towns. I would highly suggest visiting when there isn’t a holiday weekend or special events going on.

Summer in Seattle

July 13, 2015

Last weekend some friends of ours who live about an hour North of Seattle invited us to a housewarming at their new house. So last minute, we decided to make a weekend of it in our neighbor city up North. We have been to Seattle countless times since it’s such a quick trip up from Portland but I always enjoy seeing more of the city and finding new spots that we like.

We didn’t spend very much time in the city itself, really just mornings and evenings since we drove over to Whidbey Island for our only real day up there, but we still managed to enjoy some Summer in Seattle. The weather while we were there was really hot (abnormally hot for the Pacific NW) so we spent our time finding new restaurants and wandering in the covered Pike’s Place Market to escape the heat. We did manage to find some new (to us) spots though and some great restaurants and Summer is such a great time to explore the lovely city of Seattle!

Seattle Tips:

-Eat at Lola for breakfast and order their house-made donuts. Enough said.

-Don’t miss a trip to Pike’s Place Market. I particularly like to pick up fresh berries and flowers as you meander through the stalls.

-Grab an authentic Belgian waffle at Sweet Iron Waffles.

-Don’t miss wandering the downtown area and keep some time for shopping.

Top 5 Pacific NW Weekend Escapes

July 10, 2015

Since it’s high tourist season in my home city, we’re calling this Pacific North West week here on Land of Marvels! We’ll be posting all about my home city of Portland as well as other great spots around the Pacific North West all week long!

I love a great weekend escape. Just being able to get away for a couple days, see a change of scenery without having to fly anywhere or spend a ton of time preparing can often be a perfect way to travel without breaking the bank or spending a ton of time away. And the Pacific NW offers some amazing spots for a weekend escape, so if you’re in this part of the world (or even if you want to just visit us), here are my top 5 Pacific NW weekend escapes!

When the weather gets too hot in Portland or we have spectacular winter weather, the locals in Portland head to the beach. Though for us, the Oregon Coast isn’t really “beach” per-say, but instead our coast features gorgeous views and incredibly blue water. We head to Cannon Beach, Seaside, or Astoria for weekend escapes and it’s the perfect spot to cool down, relax and take in the ocean views.

Eastern Oregon is our hot spot for quirky towns like Bend with great food, a lot of character and an “outdoorsy” type feel. Locals will head here for a weekend escape for a desert environment, lots of resorts and lodges to stay at and the perfect blend of artsy and outdoorsy.

Stay at: Sunriver Resort

For coastal beauty in Washington state, the San Juans are the perfect long weekend getaway. Take the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and look for orcas jumping in and out of the water, wander the town or drive around the island and take in lavender farms and historic lighthouses. This is the West Coast’s version of Cape Cod and it’s perfect for a weekend escape in the Pacific NW.

Stay at: Swinomish Casino and Lodge

If you want to go a little bit international, head up to Vancouver BC, just a quick 2.5 hour drive North of Seattle. You’ll find a lot of culture and tradition in this famous Canadian city, and my favorite time to visit is in the Fall when the trees are changing and the city starts to quiet down after a busy Summer. Spend a weekend here and pretend you went farther out of the country than just a couple hours drive.

Stay at: L’Hermitage Hotel

For a setting with beautiful natural landscapes and great wine, head for a weekend escape to Eastern Washington state. You’ll be sure to spend your weekend here filled with long sunsets sipping a good local wine, while relaxing in a natural environment.