These are not the standard travel tips that you can get everywhere, like using a packing list to remember to take an umbrella. Over the years I have traveled smartly and stupidly. I have also learned a lot from others who have traveled smartly and stupidly. Perhaps you’ll see a little of yourself in these tips that I share from my experiences. These notes primarily regard general tourist travel as opposed to adventure travel, or a “backpack, hosteling year”, etc., though there is a decent amount of overlap with business travel.

Before you leave home, change the sheets on your bed and put out fresh towels in your bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Fact: When you return from your trip, your home will feel even more like your sanctuary. You’ll thank yourself.

In the days leading up to your trip, resist the urge to eat fast food or throw perishables away on the day you leave; instead, try to consume the food you have on hand (vegetables, fruit, dairy items in your refrigerator and items that will likely get “burned-out” in your freezer). Make sure to leave something you love in the pantry or freezer, though, so that upon your return you’ll have the perfect comfort meal to welcome yourself home instead of ordering take out or delivery because you’re tired and it’s easy.

Fact: I had a bunch of shelf-stable and freezer diet program meals hanging around after having retired from the program itself… so, 6 weeks prior to my trip, I started “Project Dump the Dinners”. (In reality, those meals covered breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.) I kept a cheap calendar on my refrigerator door and each day I would put “B, L, S, D” whenever I ate one of those meals or snacks. It kept my calorie count under control and effectively wiped out the (not cheap but paid for) supply (of admittedly processed foods) that was taking up space in my pantry. I was able to go on the trip knowing I hadn’t been overindulging at home, and I found more enjoyment in treating myself to great meals on my trip.

When leaving your car parked in the airport lot, always consider what time it will be when your return flight gets in, providing for the potential of a delayed flight—and, especially if traveling solo, think about the worst-case scenario for getting back to your car? Also, you may have friends and family who are happy to drop you off for your flight during the day but are suddenly too busy to pick you up during evening hours; always be prepared to catch a taxicab.

Fact: For multi-day, but short trips, I’ve learned to park in the pricier lot that is best connected to the main terminal. You’ll know why, when you’re on your own sitting on the one still-operating parking shuttle at midnight to return to your car in the economy lot.

Always pack a swimsuit—every trip. I learned this a long time ago from a woman traveler who was in her 60s. You might use it if you decide to treat yourself to a day spa, or any other reason. I just pack a tank so it’s only one piece to have to look after.

Fact: In a group of about 40 of us on a winter-solstice-time tour of Ireland, that lady traveler was the only one of us who was able to take advantage of a hotel’s whirlpool spa after a very cold day exploring castles and such.

Decide whether you are going to wear contacts or eyeglasses on your trip. If contacts, make sure you take enough pairs for the length of the trip (always have a backup pair even for short trips) and remember that contact solution needs to be considered in your liquids allowance in hand luggage. Whether contacts or glasses, what will you use on sunny days? Multiple pairs of glasses/sunglasses in proper cases take up a lot of space and require looking after. If you cannot decide and ultimately choose to take along both contacts and glasses on your trip, you may learn to lament that decision, especially if you purchase souvenirs and must pack around contact solution that you never actually use, for example. And, if you wear contacts but also need reading glasses and sunglasses—that’s the same as taking contacts and eyeglasses. It sounded like a good idea when I purchased shaded reading glasses at the beach one year, but they are utterly useless as everyday sunglasses, so solved only a specific problem.

Fact: Last year I finally treated myself to transitional eyeglasses that cover my entire prescription (with exception of separate blue light computer glasses) and satisfy the sunglasses requirement as well. It was the best decision I’ve ever made.

If you take a pair of bulky shoes, make sure they are comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to never pack them; consider them your primary pair of shoes for every activity. Choose shoes that have a little up-style and could be worn with dress slacks or a skirt/dress. Resist the urge to pack a pair of heels for the off chance of having a “dress night”. If you want to take a second pair of shoes, make sure they’re also good for walking. (Of course, if you are attending a wedding or other special event, true dress shoes would be appropriate.)

Fact: You will resent hauling around a pair of heels in your suitcase after attempting to “look nice for dinner” one night in a town with cobble-stoned pedestrian areas.

On longer trips, you will get tired of wearing that same old sensible warm and rainproof, etc., jacket (no matter how smartly it’s styled) …or the same pair of jeans, even if they are your favorite. These items will start to feel gross after repeated wearing—especially after sitting on public transport, spending a dusty day at the zoo, etc. Plan a 24-hour period of wearing something else while on your trip to feel better about wearing those items repeatedly. Use layering pieces to replace the jacket and a second pair of pants to get over that mental “everything feels yucky” hurdle.

Fact: Wearing exercise leggings for day tours is worth consideration—they pack relatively small, help you remember that you’re being active, and those other people will never see you again.

In lieu of actual laundering, bring a small can of disinfectant to spray on your jeans, purse, jacket, etc., when they start to feel a bit “world weary”.

Fact: When I return from a trip, I immediately do the following: 1) unpack/sort items for dealing with later; 2) launder anything that looks like it might survive a wash cycle; 3) spray disinfectant on and inside my luggage.

If you’re going to be at a hotel for at least 2-3 nights, then as soon as you take possession of your room, plan to hand wash everything that can benefit from a couple days’ worth of air-drying time. You’ll have the benefit of not carrying around dirty underwear as well as freshening up other items being worn repeatedly. Use the hangers provided in the hotel room closet on the shower rod in lieu of a clothesline. Hangers with clips are good for getting multiple pieces of lingerie onto a single hanger. I like to leave the light on in the bathroom with the door closed to “encourage warmth”.

Fact: With a 3-night or longer stay, even your jeans will have plenty of time to air dry. Knowing they’ve been refreshed will make it so that you don’t even mind the “crunch”.

Identify a comfortable and stylish outfit for the plane—to be worn in both directions—and only wear it on those main travel days. Even if you feel gross in that outfit by the time you arrive at your destination, when the end of the trip arrives the outfit will feel fresh and appropriate for the return journey.

Fact: Outfits that look a lot like gym-wear or pajamas may get a raised eyebrow once you’re off airport grounds, so choose pieces that are not too obvious (i.e., your solid black spandex leggings may help you feel more put together when off-airport than your brightly-patterned ones). The raised eyebrow may be your own!

Even if you have TSA PreCheck, some other known-traveler status, or a “priority” level that would allow you to pass through security lines with less hassle, always prepare for the most stringent airport security policy. This includes not wearing a belt, wearing socks (or having a small pair easily accessible) in case you must remove your shoes, having the laptop/tablet ready to pull out, etc. You can always switch up your situation after you’ve successfully maneuvered through security.

Fact: Those cute little jelly packets that you picked up at the bistro that one day thinking that you might need them later if you buy a scone on the way back to your hotel room—that jelly will show up on the security monitor as liquid and your bag may be put through an additional security review that keeps you from getting to your gate and/or luxury lounge at your desired time.

Always have local currency on hand, even in this time of contactless payments. Some places may not accept it, and that is fine. Most tourist places still want to take your money in any form, and you can use those opportunities to obtain smaller denominations of cash.

Fact: How else do you think you’re going to have pocket money for tipping the guy who helps you with your luggage at the hotel, or for supporting the street musician who is playing the exact right song you needed to hear during the walk back to your hotel room after dinner?

When traveling solo, don’t be afraid to dine alone. If a restaurant has a bar, then asking to sit at the bar is a good way to get past the queue of larger parties. But, even in this day of social distancing in restaurants, when dining at the bar may not be offered, there’s no shame in reserving a table for a party of one, even for a special meal like afternoon tea at a fancy hotel. Don’t miss out on an experience like that just because you are alone. Take some reading material with you to further distract yourself from any discomfort after you’ve completed the exercise of “looking around at the dining room’s décor for three straight minutes to avoid appearing completely anti-social”.

Fact: If you’re really bothered by eating alone, or need more practice on your solo dining skills, simply eat in the hotel’s restaurant. (You thought I was going to say room service, I know.) In the hotel’s restaurant, strangers that you make eye contact with will likely assume you are traveling on business or something, and you won’t feel quite as scrutinized for being there on your own.

If you need a cab, aim for a hotel. It might be more likely for you to hail a taxi there than on a random street corner. Or, if you order an Uber/Lyft, etc., make sure you are at a recognizable meeting point and under a streetlamp, etc.

Fact: People at the hotel’s front desk are accustomed to ordering taxis. If you’re not staying there, they don’t necessarily have to know that when you ask for their help.

Take a small supply of thank you cards and keep them handy.

Fact: Everyone appreciates being recognized for their attention and performance—even the hardworking airline crew of the plane you’re about to disembark.

Other things I do when I travel:
– Use sample packets of day/night/eye cream instead of taking a larger package(s). Same goes for sample perfume vials.
– Take the dental floss freebie that I get at the dentist, instead of a normal-sized pack.
– Use the plastic laundry bag in the hotel room closet for packing dirty clothes.
– Take unused zip-top bags of differing sizes to help manage loose items I may pick up during the trip.
– After investigating whether the hotel room has a traditional American-style bathtub, I’ll take a suction-cupped cover for the overflow valve so I can enjoy a deep-water bath. (I always wipe down the tub with disinfectant wipes; and sometimes pass on the idea completely if the porcelain is too worn or I’m otherwise creeped-out.) I also take a travel candle and matches.
– Have a small supply of rations in my carry-on bag—like a package of trail mix, preferred sugar packets, a stir stick, napkins, etc.
– Use a luggage strap; it provides extra security and helps in baggage identification.
– Make forgivable mistakes and try to learn from them before the next trip; that’s part of the adventure!