It’s that time of year again—let’s explore the world! But how do you turn that dream into a reality?
Planning a trip can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why many people turn to travel agents. But if you’re like me, you prefer to plan your own adventures. So where do you start? Do you book plane tickets first? Hotels? Tours? If you know when you want to travel, booking 4-6 months in advance can help you score the best deals. I know that might seem challenging, but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. I also like to print out a calendar for that month and jot down departure dates, nights in each city, and any special events. If you’re visiting multiple cities, it’s important to check for local events to make sure you don’t miss anything special. For example, I knew the Milan opera’s opening was during the summer, so I checked the dates for opening night and planned our stay in Milan around that experience—my girls absolutely loved it!
But first things first—how do you get there? For our extended vacation, which lasted a month and a half, the first thing I did was list all the cities we wanted to visit. With so many airlines to choose from, I have my favorites for long-haul flights: British Airways and Delta. Both offer a premium economy or world traveler class, which is a step above coach but below business class. I prefer premium economy because it’s usually just a few hundred dollars more than economy but offers more space, both in width and legroom. Since we’re a family of four, we usually book the four middle seats or two rows by the windows. British Airways, in particular, offers great food options (vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher) and an impressive entertainment selection. The large aircraft also makes for a smoother flight. However, if you’re focused on finding the cheapest option, I recommend using Google to search for flights. Simply type “flight from LAX to London” into the search box, and you’ll get a screen where you can enter your travel dates and apply filters.
Once you’ve identified your preferred airline, it’s time to check for suitable flight times to your first (or only) destination. I also recommend purchasing your flight directly from the airline or through American Express in case you need to make changes. If you’re traveling within Europe between cities, there are plenty of affordable airlines to choose from, such as Ryan Air, Easy Jet, Vueling, and Lufthansa. Alternatively, if you prefer trains, I suggest downloading the Omio app. It’s a user-friendly app that provides most train schedules and prices, making it easy to travel between countries. You can purchase tickets through the app or wait until you reach the train station, though you risk sold-out trains. If you’re visiting multiple cities, be sure to check for direct plane or train routes to minimize travel time. In future blogs, I’ll share itineraries that feature the most direct routes for optimal time savings.
Next, it’s time to book hotels! I can’t stress this enough: read the reviews! I typically read 10-20 reviews per hotel to ensure it’s clean, in a good area, and has friendly staff. I usually book through Hotels.com or American Express, though if you’re a member of hotel chains like Hilton Honors or Marriott Bonvoy, they also offer great rates. While I don’t always stick to chains because I feel they can sometimes lack local charm, I have stayed at some amazing ones, like the Hilton in Lake Como and The Martinez (part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt) in Cannes. I like Hotels.com because it allows me to earn points or free nights within one system, which I’ve been doing for over 14 years. American Express also offers great point conversion and sometimes special hotel discounts for platinum members. In upcoming city blogs, I’ll recommend the hotels I’ve stayed at in each city.
Keep in mind that hotel rooms outside the U.S. can sometimes be smaller than expected, so always check the room size, and if it’s not listed, give the hotel a call. Many couches convert into full beds, so if you’re traveling with kids or have an unexpected guest, make sure to ask about that. And double-check whether the hotel has air conditioning—some European hotels don’t! Always check if breakfast is included or if you can add it for a small fee. In my experience, breakfasts abroad are often amazing and well worth the extra cost.
Lastly, if you need an affordable way to make calls while abroad, I recommend using the Boss Revolution app. It’s easy to use and very cost-effective for international calls.
Alright, I think I’ve pointed you in the right direction to get started…now I need to plan my next trip!