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Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Increase your odds of smooth travels and reduce stress by using these valuable tips.

“Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”

Ibn Battuta

Recent stories of travel chaos have sadly discouraged many people from getting out after years of being held back due to Covid. The stories of lost luggage and crowded sites have deterred even more people. If everything else is lined up in favor of traveling, no situation should not keep you from heading on a long-overdue adventure.

First, remember though the stories sound awful, most flights are still taking off on time, and most people’s luggage are getting to their destinations. Second, life is too short to keep putting off what brings you joy and excitement. What next year brings is unknown, and if you are ready to go now, then do it. Travel always comes with some risk and potential chaos, but learning how to mitigate those risks is vital. These tips provide you with every chance of success and give you as much control as possible. It has worked for us for years.

Another reason we pulled this together is people ask us how our travel is stress-free and always seems perfect. That isn’t entirely true, as many crazy moments and problems arise during our travels for the blog and our personal lives. We have always handled these events gracefully and with a go-with-the-flow attitude. One way we continue to have success is by following the 25 Tips to reduce travel stress. Some are easy, and some will take practice. Our goal here is to provide you with the tools and inspiration to return on the road.

Even with the best-laid plans…

Remember that even if you do everything on this list, things can still go wrong or get messy. There are no guarantees in anything in life. So make the best of any situation, learn to go with the flow, and embrace whatever your travels throw at you. Turn it into an adventure that will be part of the fantastic story you will tell. Here are our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

1. If possible, reserve airline tickets, hotels, cruises, and rental cars at the source.

In other words, if flying United book through United, Using Avis book through them. We prefer Hilton hotels, so we book directly through Hilton. In the case of cruises, please go through the cruise line itself. They are more likely to take better care of you than if you used a third party. If their issues arise, especially during travel, you can deal with them directly, not through others. You might also be less likely to be bumped off if the flight is overbooked.

No matter how you place your reservations, verify every couple of weeks to see if everything is in order, especially for airlines. Are the dates correct, and is the reservation still showing up? If you have a connecting flight on a different airline, look at that airline’s website to verify the flight is still there. Don’t wait until right before departure. Several years ago, a connecting flight on a different airline was canceled, but the airline we booked the flight on never notified us. We only noticed it when our final destination was no longer the same. Our trip was only four weeks out, and because we caught it ourselves, it gave us plenty of time to find alternatives.

It is essential to confirm with hotels you have reservations with before the trip. You can do this directly with the hotel or verify that your reservation online is still there. Look closely at the dates and room category. Some people recommend checking if you can make new reservations at the hotel you are staying at; in other words, verify it is open. This is a good idea, especially for privately owned, smaller boutique hotels. If you are in an Airbnb or VRBO, write the contact person to confirm your arrival is all in order.

2. Book connecting flights with at least 3-hour layovers if non-stops are not available

We have been doing this long before all the recent chaos, both for international and US-based flights. It, so far, has never failed that we and our luggage make the connection. That is with one of us is flying at least once a month!! Our first choice is always non-stop, if possible. Sometimes they cost only a little bit more, but your time and stress should be your primary concern. Plus, like most of us, our time for travel is limited. Having a whole extra day because we arrived in the morning vs. late afternoon can be huge! Also, the less time you are inside an airplane, the better your body will adjust to the time change. The dryness of airplane air is tough on a body; spend the least time possible at 37,000 feet.

Based on our destinations, in most cases, we have to layover. We always aim for at least a 3-hour layover. Often it is about 4 hours. Most international airports have a ton of great shopping and places to eat. There is sometimes entertainment, workstations, and places to lay your head and put up your feet. You get free drinks, food, and a pleasant waiting environment if you have access to airport lounges. We find that time goes by quickly, and we can get some work done. It is worth it versus missing a tight flight, avoiding the stress of trying to catch a flight, and worrying if our luggage made it.

Show up early

Along with long layovers, showing up early for your first flight is a great idea. We have been arriving at least 3 hours early for international flights for years. Checking in before the rush comes will increase the chance if TSA pulls your luggage for an extra check; it can still make the plane. A bonus is spending time in the free airport lounges we have access to due to our travel credit cards. We find that when we get on that plane, we are relaxed and start the trip on a positive note. Want to get free access to travel lounges and other free perks? Check out our blog post. Want to travel for free? Let us show you how

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Picture from Global Entry Website

3. NEVER EVER leave home without travel insurance.

We all have home insurance though it is rare for a house to burn down. Travel insurance is no different and is there for the big and little stuff that can occur. We know many stories of people who were financially devastated after a crisis while traveling. Once that flight is booked, our next step is buying travel insurance. We have become loyal fans of Squaremouth.com and highly recommend them. They have many companies to choose from and advocate for you when needed. It is essential, though, to do your research and closely look at reviews before purchasing a policy. It tends to be inexpensive for great coverage if you know what to buy and how to compare pricing.

Many say I have travel insurance through my credit card, so I am covered. We do too, but it is insufficient for medical incidents. Become an empowered consumer and learn why having a separate policy is essential. Check out our blog post, Travel Insurance: Protecting You and Yours, to get more educated on the best insurance at a reasonable cost.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

4. Register with the STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)

STEP is a free service provided by the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs under the auspices of the U.S. State Department. Protecting the lives and interests of U.S. citizens abroad is a core mission of U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll in their trip or extended stay with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. They can provide important safety and security information and support during crises or emergencies. We have been registering for years. We especially appreciate that we get an advanced notice via email of planned demonstrations in each country so we can avoid the area.

The process is simple and quick. We feel so strongly about this program that we wrote a blog post. Check out this link: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for U.S. Citizens Traveling Abroad.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

5. Use credit cards for almost all purchases and get foreign currency before you leave

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

We get a few hundred dollars worth of currency before leaving our home country at our local Chase bank. This provides us cash in hand when we arrive, and it will cover tips, small purchases, and those rare places that don’t take credit cards. Our norm is to get about $300 worth of the currency. We often never need to get more cash once there.

Once at your destination, use your credit for everything. During all our travels, it is rare that a place does not take cards, even in small villages. In most European nations, it is preferred and what most locals use. Some road tolls can only be paid by credit card too. Always have more than one card with you and keep them stored separately in case your wallet is stolen or your card is compromised.

It is crucial while traveling abroad to check your credit card activity every few days to ensure it is only your charges appearing. Never use your debit card as a credit card; it gives scammers access to your bank account.

While at it, this would be a great time to apply for a travel credit card. One that provides no international fee exchange rates, fantastic travel perks, reward points for future travel, will be replaced if lost or stolen cards overseas and provides car rental and other travel insurance for free. We are huge fans of Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards, which are geared toward travelers. They also have sweet sign-up bonuses that translate to free travel or money back in your pocket.

6. Invest in some Apple AirTags

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Apple AirTags

These AirTags are a new hot travel must-have. You just put an AirTag in each piece of luggage you take with you. These have proved invaluable for many. It tracks where your luggage is anywhere in the world. We know of cases of the airline telling people that their luggage did make it to their destination when the air tag shows it is right there in the airport. It also directs you to it if you need to find your suitcase in a sea of bags. Click the Apple AirTag Amazon link here to learn more about them. The price on Amazon for an AirTag runs about $27. We carry an extra AirTag on us to put on rental car keys.

Want some other great suggestions for travel? Check out Our Top Recommendations for Travel Gear and Accessories in 2022 for other great products we use during travel.

7. Put your contact info on and in all your luggage. Take pictures of each piece of luggage and the contents before you leave home.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Place your contact info outside and inside the suitcase as exterior tags fall off. It is crucial to make the writing clear, including your name, address, home country, email, and phone number, with the country dialing code on all luggage. People often forget to add email, home country, and country dialing code; these are essential. If your luggage gets on the wrong plane and lands in South Africa, the person handling it may not know the U.S. dialing code or what country North Dakota is located in. Many people can now text or email from their cell phones, so providing various quick methods to reach you is valuable.

Please take a picture of each piece of luggage and its contents before leaving for the airport. The airline will often ask for a description or image if your luggage is lost. If your luggage can’t reach you during your travels and you need to claim its contents, pictures will help that claim process.

8. Make copies of all travel documents and cards

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Make copies of your passport, Covid vaccination card, travel insurance coverage, paper tickets, credit cards (front and back), hotel and car reservation, medical insurance card, medical info, and med list, and place them in a binder. We keep this binder in our carry-on, so it is always with us. Make an electronic copy if you like, but you need the paper backup in case your phone is lost, stolen, or malfunctioning. Then take one set of photocopies of the documents, place them in a manilla envelope, and store them separately from your main binder.

Leave one set of photocopies of all your travel documents with someone you trust at home. In Italy, we once had a wallet stolen. It was a simple call home to have the family notify all the banks.

A harsh lesson from that incident is never to keep all your cards in one place. In this case, we did, and all our cards were gone. Luckily we had left most of the cash in the room. Since our main card was a travel one, a new card was delivered to our next destination in just a couple of days for free. It was awesome.

9. Buy what event or entry tickets you can apply online before departure, especially for those must-dos on your schedule.

Queues in Europe can be notoriously very long. Time is precious, and standing in line wastes time when there is much to see and do. Look for Skip the Line tickets that you can buy from the venue itself. It can also be a City or Museum Pass that offers free admission and bypasses buying tickets.

10. Pack light and use only carry-on luggage if possible

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Writing that feels a bit hypocritical as that will never be us. Due to her medical background, Joelle wants to be prepared for everything. Plus, there is no room for clothes between camera equipment, laptop, meds, medical supplies, etc. If you can keep it to only carry-on, you have one less thing to worry about.

If you are like us, splitting your checked baggage belongings between your suitcases is a good tip. This way, if one piece of luggage is lost, which has never occurred internationally to us (knock on wood), we both still have clothes in our one suitcase. Once there, we move everything back into our bags. We have a page with valuable tips on packing with printable packing lists. Check out our blog page, Packing for Success.

11. Prepare early by packing a few weeks before your departure date

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Our tradition is about 3-4 weeks before a trip, we start sorting clothes and travel essentials in a spare bedroom. It helps coordinate outfits and determines what other essentials you may need. It also gives you time to sort out what you won’t need to bring.

Buying needed items early when you aren’t rushed can reduce costs. Too often, last-minute purchases land up, requiring expedited shipping costs. People often forget that travel costs are also what you buy beforehand, so keeping that in check is valuable.

12. Rest, hydrate, and eat healthily on the days before and on the day you travel.

It is counterproductive to start a trip exhausted, ill, and emotionally drained. It makes you more susceptible to issues when you are traveling, too, such as illness, falls, and stress. We know it is easier said than done but try to start on a healthy note. Drink lots of water, eat healthy meals, avoid alcohol, and get a good sleep in the week before you leave. One reason to pack early is to prevent some craziness those days before travel brings. In recent years we have become diligent in our vitamin intake in the weeks before a trip. Check out our blog page on How to stay healthy during travel.

We also feel it is essential to dress comfortably during travel. We do not advocate dressing fancy to fly in hopes of being upgraded. It is a well-known myth that holds no fact to it. Having been upgraded often, we can assure you that is not why it happens. Also, having been upgraded often, most business and first-class people are not dressed to go to the theater.

13. Avoid jet lag at all costs – follow this simple rule

This, for many, sounds impossible, but it is pretty darn simple. There is one consistent message in the medical travel community and with travel experts like Rick Steves. Never ever nap, even for a few minutes, when you arrive or in the first days in your new time zone. Whether you arrive early or later in the afternoon at your destination, keep moving at all times. Stay outdoors when possible and get lots of fresh air. Hydrate and get some solid nutrition in you. If alcohol makes you tired, then avoid it. It will get tough sometimes, but haven’t we all had sleepless nights and then had to work the next day or care for our young kids?

Plan to go to bed early your first evening; you will be exhausted. We sometimes take Benadryl or melatonin or both to encourage deeper sleep. Chamomile tea works for many people. We sleep wonderfully and wake the next day ready to go, fully normalized in our time zone—no jet lag, no sleeping issues, just off and running full of energy.

Since we have followed this approach, we have never had jetlag again. We are quite a few years apart in age, so that doesn’t seem to play a role. All the people we travel with do it and have done fantastic—the ones who ignore it all land up with significant jet lag. Once jet lag sets in, it can take many days to adjust, making many people miserable and leading to other health issues during the trip.

What about sleeping on the flight?

Sleeping on the flight itself is up to you. In Joelle’s case, she rarely can sleep on a plane. Ryan is often so engrossed in the great entertainment choices he watches movies the whole flight. On average, we get a couple of hours at most. Keeping sleep to a minimum helps us reach even better night’s sleep that first night.

14. Learn the essential words in the language and the history of the place you are visiting

Learn hello, goodbye, please, thank you, excuse me, and do you speak English? When entering a store or business, always greet the locals in their language. It goes a long way to showing respect and being gracious. Thank them and say goodbye in their language.

We use Google Translate to help when more of a conversation needs to occur. You can type in what you want to say in your native language and then have written or speak for the person you are communicating with. It was an excellent free option that came in very handy. Click here for the Google Translate link.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

While you are at it, learn a bit about the country you are about to visit. Please take a moment to know their history, cultures, and traditions. It will enhance so many aspects of your visit.

15. Read recent reviews

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad

Always check reviews or get recommendations from multiple sources on any hotel, restaurant, or activity you use. Make sure they are recent reviews too! What was a fantastic place to eat two years ago could have changed owners and now has awful service and quality. There are many great sites for reviews, but we favor TripAdvisor or Google Maps to seek out recent reviews and photos.

16. Do not wear expensive jewelry or carry costly handbags; leave them at home.

Europe is known for its pickpockets. It is essential to do all you can to prevent being a victim. The goal is to avoid looking like a tourist as much as possible. Wearing clothes similar to how the local dress helps. Thieves constantly look for targets they could get the most significant take from. You make yourself a target if you wear huge diamond earrings, have a Rolex, or carry a Louis Vuitton. Even wearing a wedding ring with large gems can draw attention. Please keep it simple and reduce your risk.

In our case, we carry one backpack between us, with no purses or other items. The Anti-Theft backpack from Travelon is our absolute favorite, and we have used the same one for years.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad

It has the following features that we love: The first is a complex, interlocking mesh barrier engineered right below the surface material to prevent a blade attack aimed at opening up your bag. The second is a hidden steel cable that runs the strap length to prevent it from being cut and your bag pulled off your shoulder. Third, the main compartments of our bags lock to prevent a skilled pickpocket’s hands from accessing them. Fourth, RFID-blocking card slots and passport pockets protect against hand-held identity scanner theft. And finally, lock-down hardware allows you to lock your bag to a chair or stationary object when sitting in a public area. Check out this link to learn more about it. Also, dress for comfort; you have a lot of things to see.

17. Remember, always, you are a GUEST IN THEIR COUNTRY!

Behave as a good guest should, as you would expect of those visiting your home. Respect their culture and traditions even if they don’t mesh with yours. Be sensitive to their political situation, and listen more than talk. Avoid judgments. You don’t have to choose their way of life, but you do have to be polite and accepting. The choices available to them are different than yours. You are not there to change them but to observe their way of life.

Take the time to learn about the people, their behaviors, and customs. Such as, some countries are very conscious of space. If that is the case, then follow suit. Check out our Country Travel Guides to see what important cultures and traditions you must be mindful of.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Valetta Malta

18. Stay flexible at all times, and avoid a rigid schedule.

If that cute little village caught your eye, go. If you want to grab a cold brew, do so. If that shop intrigues you, go in. If you come across a local medieval festival, stay and partake. If that local dessert calls to you, get it. If you need downtime, take it.

Planning an itinerary is essential but always allow for flexibility and spending time in places you discover along your path. Seek off the beaten places. Go down that one-lane country road. Some of our most memorable moments have been experiences not on our itinerary.

19. Go with the flow. Stay Calm.

Travel is an adventure; sometimes, things can go haywire, as life often does. Shit happens. Getting agitated and ruining a trip over something out of your control wastes energy and serves no purpose. In the end, the person you hurt most is yourself and the people you are traveling with. So you lost a day or two due to delays, illness, or injury. That doesn’t mean the rest of your days are any less note-worthy. Accept what came your way and move forward.

Another common irritation is if someone was rude and disrespectful to you. Don’t let someone you don’t know, who you will never see again, ruin your dream trip. They are nobody to you; why would you give them power over your journey and memories? Just smile, wish them a nice day, and walk away. Make them part of the story, don’t let them ruin your story.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Siena Italy

20. Be street savvy

Think safety at all times. Assess the situation around you. Keep on top of travel alerts and safety warnings. Ask the hotel staff if it is safe to walk around at night. Are there areas you should avoid? Check your emails often for STEP travel warnings of local threats or other issues.

21. Keep communication open among travel companions

When traveling, everyone in your group should have a voice, even the kids. Sometimes when we travel with someone, we keep silent about what we will enjoy. Suppose you are a person that tends to run the show. Step back at times to consider if your traveling companion’s needs and expectations are being met too. Be sensitive if they are in pain, exhausted, or hungry.

The word compromise is a powerful word when traveling with others. Use it well, and it will serve everyone in your travel party. Joelle can no longer climb steep hills or hundreds of steps up that clock tower. Ryan does it while she wanders down below. If both of us are on board with the plan, why not? It works well, and Ryan gets fantastic pics in those high places.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Eze France

Finally, be conscious of those who have health issues that keep them from participating in many activities. Sometimes we can neglect them and leave them behind for hours, time and time again because they can’t participate. We can get so wrapped in all we want to do that we forget they are left alone. At times that is not an issue as we all need space, but it can get old quickly if it happens for long periods.

If you have a partier in your group that drinks themselves into a stupor each night, doesn’t get up till noon, and then is hungover and cranky all day until it is time to party again, why should you lose out? They are not being respectful of you. Don’t stay back and miss out due to their bad choices. Take back control of your vacation while keeping the lines of communication open.

Travel Buddies

Finding someone you mesh well with for traveling is pretty darn tricky. Someone can be your dearest friend, but traveling with them is a nightmare. That makes for uncomfortable and stressful situations. Many friendships end as a result of bad travel experiences. Don’t lose a good friend over that; say we are not meant to travel together. That is ok; you have two choices, don’t travel with them again or discuss the issues openly. If talking is a good option, consider spending your days solo and meeting for dinner or breakfast.

Ultimately, the trip is both of yours, so don’t set yourself up to be miserable by not doing what you enjoy the most. Keep lines of communication open and be respectful.

22. Stay grateful.

You are blessed to be traveling when so many will never have the opportunities you have at this very moment. Step back and look at the marvel around you. No matter what crosses your path, appreciate all you have, even the bumps in the road. Over the years, we have learned that some make for incredible memories.

23. Be kind. Be patient. Be friendly.

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
France

Inevitably, problems like unexpected closures of an attraction, getting scammed, losing an essential travel document, becoming ill, or finding that the hotel you booked doesn’t have your reservations can occur. Lashing out at others or having a fit usually does not serve you well or help the situation. Gather yourself and calmly think about the next best step to take.

You will have a much better experience and more positive interactions with honey vs. vinegar. Stay realistic too. Not everything will be as you expected. It won’t be perfect. So, please focus on the positive aspects and enjoy it all. It is an adventure, after all. Perfection is boring.

24. Let go of what you can’t control.

We have known people who only focus on the negative aspects while on a trip. Wasting time wishing they picked a better tour, agonizing over a wrong hotel choice, or whining about a bad meal. It is waste and so annoying to all in the travel group. Do your research and travel planning before you go, and hope for the best. If mistakes happen, take note to avoid them in the future. Think of the big picture and focus on what matters, enjoying your time away.

25. We are all humans on this planet; let’s not forget that.

A few facts, sadly, some people need to hear. No, Americans are not better. Our way of life is not above everyone else. We do not rule the world. They do not owe us anything. No, they don’t have to learn our language.

Where we live and our cultures are different. We all have our stories. Everyone has bad days. You don’t know what they could struggle with or face at home. Please keep that in perspective, and remember their experiences are not yours. Their views of the world on based on different factors than yours. Show them the respect they deserve, especially since you have entered their world. Be good ambassadors and be gracious. It will serve you well.

There you have it, our Top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad. It is about making beautiful memories, and you are indeed on your way.

Our Rules of Travel

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Dubrovnik, Croatia

We should all remind ourselves to break out of our mold and make the experience the best possible. If you follow what we call “our rules of travel,” you will gain more than you can imagine and positively impact others along the way.

Observe life around you

Keep an open mind

Have a gentle heart

See with new eyes

Immerse yourself in the culture

Break out of your comfort zone

Meet new people

Laugh at yourself

Get lost in the moment

Take a deep breath and slow down your pace

Wander in wonder

Smile a lot!

Be kind

Treat everyone with respect

Understand and appreciate our differences

Be grateful

Final Thoughts

Now you have tools at your disposal with Our Top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad. Never forget travel is a gift, and you must make the most of every moment. Embrace the challenges and cherish the good times. Now go explore the world, make unforgettable memories, and live your travel dreams to their fullest potential.

© 2024 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved

Our top 25 Tips for Traveling Abroad, Top 25 Tips for Succesful Travel Abroad
Sunset in Poipu Kauai

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Squaremouth.com

Our favorite travel insurance site!

If you book a trip, don’t forget to get travel insurance within 14 days of your first booking. We could not be stronger advocates of being well-insured. Not just for the little stuff but the big things like medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Over the years, we have used many sites but have now found our go-to place. Squaremouth.com does a fantastic job; it has a user-friendly interface, uses top-rated and reputable insurance carriers, and most policies cover COVID-19 medical issues and cancellations. They also mediate on your behalf if you have problems with your policy.

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. They cover COVID-related transport as well.

Medjet carries its own policies. These policies are only for transport and do not cover other aspects of travel insurance. They have individual trip policies starting at $99 and annual policies for around $300. Most of their policies limit the age to 74 and younger. Prices are not based on age below that.

To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.  

Expedia.com 

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. Whether planning a family vacation, booking for business, or organizing the trip of a lifetime, they are a fantastic resource. Wanderers Compass 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.

We always check Expedia and Booking.com to verify prices. At times, one is sold out of rooms while another at the same place has rooms. We also often find some European hotels, especially smaller ones, on Booking.com but not on Expedia. It could be they are a Europe-based company. Try both before booking accommodations.

Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)

Are you traveling with a family or having an extended stay at your destination?

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, VRBO connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The VRBO community offers families or groups various rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, etc.

VRBO is now under the Expedia group’s ownership, which many were worried about, but it hasn’t panned out to be a concern. It is a massive network with access to all lodging forms should issues arise. Joelle has used VRBO for many years with her family and has had no problems with it.

Viator

As 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.

With industry-leading flexibility and last-minute availability, it’s never too late to make any day extraordinary. This one site has it all and has experiences throughout the world. We use them often during our travels, especially for food tours. We especially take the time to read the reviews provided.

Amazon.com

An excellent source for travel essentials and guides

We now have our own Amazon Storefront with all our favorite travel accessories and gear in one place. Check out our travel store at the link below.

Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront

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.

We buy most of our travel books, accessories, and luggage from Amazon. We have ordered up to two days before travel and get what we need.

HYDAWAY

This is not your ordinary drinkware company. The HYDAWAY difference is what their products do when you’re not using them. Practical and portable, HYDAWAY doesn’t take up unnecessary space in your already-packed life or pile up in landfills. We all know that trying to pack light while being environmentally conscious can be difficult. Having the right items can make a world of difference. HYDAWAY provides that.

We have used their collapsible water bottle, carrying case for the water bottle, and collapsible insulated drink tumbler. They are all lightweight and durable. A conservation-focused product you can be proud to buy.

Use our Promo Code. WANCOM15, at checkout for 15% off your Hydaway order

Welcome Pick-ups
(Airport and sightseeing service)

A global leader in ground transportation for travelers. They help hundreds of companies worldwide enhance their services and boost their revenue with our 5-star ride experiences and hassle-free automation.

Founded in 2015 in Athens, Greece, Welcome Pick-ups goes above and beyond the standard transfer service as the first company to deliver a holistic, in-destination travel experience. From the moment a traveler arrives at a new destination until they return home, Welcome accommodates all their travel needs (transfers, travel products, things to do, information) as the easiest, friendliest, and most personalized solution.

PhotoAiD

Do you feel like you are wasting time visiting an on-site photographer only to be embarrassed by the photo? Would you like control of the final product? Get the perfect VISA or passport photo online with PhotoAID.

When traveling, you often need to apply for official documents such as a passport, ID, and different kinds of licenses or cards. Those applications require a picture that must meet specific conditions to be accepted, depending on the country. Now, it is possible to take this picture at home without the help of a professional photographer. PhotoAiD allows you to take the perfect biometric photo you approve without leaving home.

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