Tips & Resources

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 talk about the what-ifs of travel and how to be ready for them. Life happens even when we travel, so being prepared mentally and with the right tools to get you through is vital.

***To see all a list of our Tip and Resources articles go the the bottom of this page or choose from the drop-down menu under the Tip and Resources menu tab.***

Independent travel

While researching and planning your trip, you will discover unique places you never considered visiting. Maybe 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 much less fun.

We will help you plan an incredible trip with our Tips and Resources. We will encourage you to squeeze every moment out of your adventure. To map out full days but 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 it is not an option or even safe to travel without a tour or guide 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 guide you in keeping costs down without compromising on accommodations or experience. We will teach ways to get the perks you thought were only given to a business or frequent traveler.

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 to 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 after. You do not need to settle for unsafe or cheap accommodations. 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, your memories, do what makes you the happiest.

The cost, though, can be relatively high. That cost could equal three times what an independent trip would cost. If you can get three adventures instead of one, when a significant part of your time is the group’s movement and waiting, it seems not much bang for the buck.

Most tours have independent days; you can arrive early or stay later. That is the case before and after cruises as well. Our country pages are full of facts and other important info that is an excellent resource to have no matter how you travel. Click here to go to our Destinations page.

Resources and guides for all

Our style is independent travel, but there is info at Wanderers Compass 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 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 Knowing where to go

Part of the success of travel is knowing your travel 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? 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 will 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, in the end, they benefit you and the business.

We will work hard in the early stages of the blog to build this part of the portfolio. If we do not give the Tips and Resources to plan the trip, the destination info only goes so far. We plan to do videos of how to plan your trips and daily routes and keep that all 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 will discuss preparing for that and where you can keep costs down.

Sharing our experiences to make your next trip the best

Travel is an adventure. Therefore, always make the most of it as you can. 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!!

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