Pack With Me for My Trip to France

The other day I pulled out everything I needed to bring with me to France. I have a packing list and I only packed those things. I made a video and maybe you'd like to see it. This is just my clothes. Eric's clothes are also going in this same carry-on.

Yes, I think I take this top on every trip I go on that isn't Vegas.

I know I said I wanted to bring my 16" carry-on on this trip, but I forgot that we need pants and extra shoes for this trip, so I had to upgrade to my 20" bag. Even so, I found that I couldn't close it fully, and I ended up leaving behind my sweater and some pajama pants. I will either wear bike shorts or the leggings I'm wearing on the plane to bed, and I will layer tops if it's colder that I expect. We are only bringing rain coats on this trip, but they are thick, so can be worn as a regular coat, too. 

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I do have a cardigan I'm wearing on the plane, which you can see at the end, and a packable tote (similar to this one) for any purchases I make, so if one of those is a sweater or sweatshirt, I have room to bring it home. Could I have brought a bigger bag or a second carry-on, since there are two of us? Yes, but 1) we're renting the smallest car, 2) it's easier to keep track of less stuff, and 3) we won't need to check a bag on the way home if we buy stuff. I feel good about my choices and know I have everything I need for the weather, even if it pours buckets or is super chilly.

What are some things you always take when you travel?

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5 Reasons To Bring An RV On Your Next Road Trip

Whether you’re looking to explore one of the great routes through the US, the best road trip regions of the world, or you simply want to get out and explore freely and without a plan, there’s nothing like getting out there and driving your way through your vacation. It gives you the chance to explore, up front, many of the sights and spots that you might easily miss otherwise. However, with an RV, you can improve your journey even further.

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A Road Trip With All Of Your Creature Comforts

One of the biggest advantages of traveling by RV is having the comforts of home with you wherever you go. Instead of juggling hotel stays or eating every meal out, you’ll have a bed, kitchen, and bathroom right on board. You shouldn’t underestimate just how comfortable and convenient this can make the trip, especially if you’re traveling long distances or with the kids.

It Can Save You A Lot Of Money

Although road trips may traditionally be less expensive than other vacations, the costs can still quickly add up if you have ot consider hotels, dining, and entertainment. While you should still give yourself a budget to have some fun, RVs can cut those costs greatly, allowing you to cook meals in your own kitchen, bring entertainment with you, and enjoy cheaper accommodation, be it through RV parks or by stopping wherever you’re allowed to camp for the night.

RV Parks Bring Community To A Lonesome Road

Although road trips do offer you the ability to explore and meet some new friends along the way, there’s no denying that they can get pretty lonely at times. By finding RV parks along your route, not only can you get hookups for water, power, and enjoy a host of comfortable amenities, but you can also meet fellow travelers on their own RV road trips. It’s a great opportunity to swap stories, tips, and places to recommend to each other. RV parks are more than a practicality; they can truly enhance your whole trip.

Get Out Into Nature

One of the big benefits of an RV is that it also makes it much, much easier to hit up hiking trails, national parks, and other natural hotspots. If you’re not particularly fond of camping, but you would love the opportunity to get outdoors a little more, then RV parks offer great access, but you might also be able to simply bring your RV to designated stopping points near many of the more popular outdoor stops.

Flexibility And Freedom

When you’re traveling by RV, you’re not tied to hotel reservations or flight schedules. This freedom allows you to design your trip as you go, even more than the typical road trip. Being able to spend the night in the RV means that you’re not always pressed to find the next place to sleep. Wherever you can stop is wherever you can spend the night.

If you love road trips, but you’re looking for a way to really enrich your next one, then taking out an RV could be just the remedy you need.

Top Tips To Survive A Road Trip With A Toddler

If you’re thinking of heading off on a road trip but you have a toddler, you might be wondering whether or not this is possible. To be honest with you, it completely depends on what your toddler is like, but most of the time it is possible if you know what you’re doing. There are just a few little things that we would recommend to make this as smooth as possible, ensuring that your toddler doesn’t just feel bored stuck in the back of the vehicle. 

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Let's talk about some of the different tips that we’ve got to survive a road trip with a toddler.

Stop Regularly 

The first thing that we’re going to say to you is that you need to find somewhere to stop on a somewhat regular basis. Of course, this does not mean that you should be stopping every fifteen minutes, but every couple of hours is a good goal to aim for. This allows your toddler to get out and stretch their legs a bit, they can use the bathroom, and they can generally not feel trapped in their car seat.

At the end of the day when you’re done for the night, you need to make sure that you have somewhere to rest that is safe and comfortable. There are plenty of options around, so it’s just a case of choosing one.

Plenty Of Entertainment

On top of this, you need to try and have as many different entertainment options as possible to keep your toddler engaged. You can bring items such as sticker books, coloring books, a device for them to watch some shows or movies on, games that you can play and so much more. 

The more entertainment you manage to sort, the easier it's going to be for everyone. Your toddler is less likely to get bored, which means you’re less likely to end up with a headache. 

Snacks, Snacks, And More Snacks

The last thing that we’re going to include on this list are snacks. Everyone loves a good snack, especially a small child, so ensuring that you’ve got a large pack of snacks is always going to go down well. Of course for meals you will need to stop and get out of the car, but snacks to get you through the day are necessary.

You can pack a variety of options so that nobody gets bored, and if you’re struggling for inspiration then search for the best road trip foods. More than anything though, stick to foods you like!

I hope this helps and you can now see some of the things that you should be doing in order to survive a road trip with a toddler. Is it always going to be easy? No. Are there going to be times where you regret your decision entirely? Potentially. The thing that you need to remember through it all is that you’re doing your best, and that’s all you can do to make this trip the best ever.

What are some of your best tips for traveling with a toddler?

Your Best Leaf Peeping for 2025

With such a long and hot summer, fall is going to change pretty quickly for some regions of the country. If one of your favorite things to do is see the trees change colors before they drop all their leaves, then you might need to really plan your leaf peeping, like, now. Some of our peak seasons are coming early and some of them are going to be fairly short, but here is info on how to see the best right now or very soon.

If road tripping isn't for you, no worries. You can visit some prime fall foliage while doing fun autumn activities, too, like going to corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and wineries. Who says you can't multitask? Here are some great fall  staycation ideas that also work when you go away from home. You can use the fall foliage map to see the best colors this season.

What are your favorite fall activities or best leaf peeping spots?

Do You Need An International Driving Permit?

It's been a while since I've gone out of the country and decided to drive. Aside from a few trips to Vancouver, the last time I drove outside of North America was a trip to Ecuador in 2009. I needed an International Driving Permit then, but it also was a small cardboard folder with my name and information on it. It didn't even have a photo.

Last week, Eric and I went to our local AAA to pick up some current IDPs, because they are only valid for up to 3 years and he needed one this time, too. The process is quick and easy. You can do it through the mail, or you can take, literally, 20 minutes out of your day to fill out the paperwork, get your picture taken, give them $25 (if you have your own passport-size photos, then it's only $20), and then leave with your permit to driving in a ton of different countries.

Why do you need an IDP? 

Honestly, I didn't know the answer to this. Apparently, it translates your identifying paperwork into different languages. You still have to have a valid driver license, so you will need to carry both if you are in a country that requires an IDP. If you are unfortunate enough to get pulled over while driving, an IDP is extremely helpful in showing you are serious about driving laws and for the officer to correctly identify you and your information.

Though we'll be driving in a country where our own language is fairly common, not everyone does speak English, so this small bit of insurance is nice to have, especially since we'll be renting a car (through Turo, but some car rental companies require you to present your IDP, as I had to when we rented a car in Ecuador). It's one of those things that you don't think you need it until you actually need it and you can get fined for not having one. Some countries, like Andorra, require you to present yourself and a registration fee at the local police station.

Where can you get an IDP?

I have only gotten mine through a AAA office, but you can get them other places as well. You do not need to be a AAA member to use this service. You don't get a discount by being one.

What is it valid for?

You can drive a motorcycle or passenger vehicle, as well as larger vehicles or those with trailers. You still need to be aware of driving laws in other countries and obey them to your best ability. In some cases, if you have to present yourself at the local police station, you will exchange your IDP for a local driver license. There are very few of these, but Cambodia is one of those countries. 

It's always smart to do research into any country you're planning to visit and for any situation you plan to be in. I have been looking up toll road information and whether or not they have rest areas. That may seem weird, but these are important things for me to know. The answer is yes, they have toll roads, but you can use your credit card to pay for all of them and don't need an app or a permit, and yes, they have rest areas that are most often coupled with a gas station. 

Have you ever needed to have any special paperwork to travel?

How to Pack Your Personal Item for International Trips

It's time to start seriously packing for my international trip, instead of just heaping a bunch of stuff in a pile and saying I'll get to it. This is generally, how I pack. I gather all the things I know I'm taking and shove it in my carry-on, to be sorted and organized before I actually pack. I work off a packing list and then go through it once again when I sort everything and put them into packing cubes, my toiletry bag, or wherever it goes.

We started with a fun post about packing my snack bag, because that's a big part of what goes into my personal item. So, what else is in there? Let's look!

I'll be on the plane for a total of 12 hours - Portland to Chicago and Chicago to Paris. I'll try to get sleep on the second leg of my trip, because I want to get my body on Paris time as quickly as possible, so as not to deal with jet lag. I will stay up to eat dinner and breakfast, if it's served, but other than that, sleeping 5 hours or so will give me the energy boost I need to spend the next whole day sightseeing when we arrive at 9am.

Airplane Pockets

I hate digging around in my bag for things I want to use or do on my flight, especially when there is hardly any room to do so in economy. This is when I use Airplane Pockets to keep those things right in front of me. They slip over your seatback tray, giving you a cover for that surface, and also give you multiple pockets, so you can organize your things like your water bottle, meds, snacks, book, and electronics without having to put things in the (sometimes miniscule) dirty seat pocket. If you feel like you need more space for your knees, check out the Serenity Tray Organizer. I have that and use it as well.

FaceCradle Travel Pillow

I don't want to get to my destination with a terrible back and neck. This is why I will take the best travel pillow that works for me. FaceCradle works like a massage table. You attach it to the headrest behind you and lean into it, taking the stress off your back and allowing you to rest you neck instead of your head flopping around and your neck being at some odd angle, because it has no support. I've had people tell me that they'd rather be in pain than carry this thing around, and, I guess good for them, but I've also had flight attendants want to know where I got it, because it works so well.

Snacks & Reusable Water Bottle

I always carry snacks, and generally carry them in a Stasher Bag, because it can be used for so many different things. (This is the one shown in this picture and my snack post.) I also always take along a reusable water bottle, because I can fill it with ice in the morning and have a cold drink all day, or carry my coffee with me. It keeps water bottles out of landfills and saves money.

Gravel Layover Travel Blanket

I find that I'm always cold on the plane and it makes it real hard to sleep if your shoulders or feet are freezing. Gravel gifted me this awesome lightweight blanket and I'm excited to actually use it on a trip. It feels like a puffy jacket, but without the puffiness. You can wear it like a giant bib (snap it behind your neck and hide behind it) or just like a regular blanket. It has foot pockets, so you can go socks-only and keep your feet off the floor and hidden from your neighbor. This will also be good for when I'm chilling at the hotel and need a second layer. 

Travelon Passport Holder

Obviously, I want to keep our passports safe and in one place. This holder also has card slots, where I am keeping our Global Entry cards and my Priority Pass. This is made for must one passport, but it holds two. It is also RFID-blocking, so no one is going to steal your info. If you purchase through Travelon's website, you can use my code SHEREENTRAVELS20%

Random Necessities

I like to be comfortable, obviously, so I'm also bringing an eye mask and some regular masks, because I also don't want to get sick. The plane air is very drying, so aside from the usual lotion and lip balm, I'm also bringing a moisturizing facial mist. I've got this one from GlowRecipe, but if you want a more affordable option, try the travel size Beekman Milk Shake. 

I'm also looking to drift off to sleep easily and without feeling gross and groggy when I wake up, so I'm bringing along some Dream Water sleep packets. You just add to a glass of water and it's pretty tasty, then you find that sleep is a lot easier to achieve. The gummies are also really good and I like the liquid version, but they aren't very travel-friendly.

Entertainment

I'm not a person who just stares at the seat in front of me for hours, thinking thoughts or whatever. I'm not sure who enjoys that, but it's not me. With many hours of sitting in my seat ahead of me, I need to fill some of that time not sleeping. So, I am bringing a book, some games, this phone holder from Perilogics, so I don't have to hold my phone in my hand if I want to watch something. You can also attach it to a table, your carry-on handle, and other things. 

My nonprofit is doing a craft show in November, and we are selling some new things, including magical-themed bracelets, so I thought this might be a good time to get some of those done. I picked two styles and put together a little craft pack to make them. I can listen to a podcast while I string beads. I purchased these organizers for beads, and while they are smaller than I'd like, they are the perfect size for sticking in my carry-on. I am taking one for small beads and then a small zipper bag with larger charms, tiny scissors, and string. And this all fits into another Stasher bag. I also purchased this DIY bag that can be used to corral my items on my tray table and keep things from jumping onto the floor. 

Miscellaneous

Last, but not least, I have things that I always bring, my laptop, sunglasses (not shown), some biodegradable bags for keeping trash in one spot (sometimes you end up with wet trash and it's nice to have a place to put it), and change. I keep all my non-US change/bills at the end of a trip in a specific spot at home. I happened to end up with 6+ Euros from my last France trip, and this should be good for any toll roads we encounter on our drive to Normandy or for public toilets.

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You can get this gorgeous Cascade Tote from Portland Gear. This will be my first trip with it, but I also have their standard Cascade Backpack and I love it. I paid for my first Cascade Backpack, but was gifted a second and this tote for this trip.

If you want to see more packing, and other, videos, follow me on Instagram. 

Disclaimer: Support Shereen Travels Cheap by using the links in my posts to shop. I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) so I can continue to create helpful free content. I earn from qualifying purchases made to the featured retailers. Thank you. I appreciate your support!

Save Money On Travel with Cash Back

Did you know that you can basically get paid to travel and shop (for your travel gear and clothing) for things you buy every day? You can and Rakuten will pay you for it. I never buy or book anything without first checking Rakuten. So, what IS Rakuten? It's a fantastic - and free! - site that offers you cash back for purchasing from online merchants. If you plan to make a purchase anyway, you might as well get something for being a loyal (or even a new) customer. 

Here's how it works: Sign up is quick and easy, then you're ready to shop! When you have a hankering to buy something, say, at Sephora, go to Rakuten, sign in, click on Sephora and it takes you straight to the main website. You must go through Rakuten, so they can track your purchase. At checkout, make sure you use the same email address you used to sign up on Rakuten and within a few days, your purchase will show up in your account. 

You can track your cash back total to see how much you saved and then every quarter, Rakuten sends you a Big Fat Check (if you choose that method) or a Big Fat Payment via Paypal. Normally, you get $5 for signing up, but right now get $30 once you make your first qualifying purchase! Who else does that? If there are coupon codes available or special sales, Rakuten will show them to you, helping you save even MORE!

I like to use my cash back as a travel savings supplement. Each time I make a purchase, I rack up cash and then it gets deposited right to my Paypal account. I use that money to purchase travel stuffs, like Groupons, clothing, tours, and more! If I can get more cash back with it, even better! Of course, you can use it for whatever you want. 

Heart your favorite stores for easy access to them on the site.

Stores you can shop at: Rakuten has, literally, hundreds of online merchants you can choose from, including a long list of travel merchants. Just a sampling of those include: TravelSmith, Holiday Inn, Avis, Alaska Airlines, Camping World, Orbitz, Air France, Delta Airlines, HomeAway and even SkyMall! Keep your eyes out for the Daily Double. Each day one awesome merchant offers double cash back on your purchases for the day. 

And now, you can easily get cash back through Rakuten by downloading the Chrome extension on your computer. When you go to a website that accepts Rakuten, the app will add a banner to the top of your screen letting you know, then you can can click on the banner and it will automatically put you through your Rakuten account and straight back to the site. That's it. One click and you're on your way to getting money back. I always like to check out the Rakuten site anyway, because they include any active coupon codes, so you can save even more. 

If you spend a lot of time on your phone, download Rakuten there, too. It's a bit of extra work, since you have to open the app and then find the store you want to shop at from there, but it's always worth it. It's easy to get around, see your account, find your favorites, and see all the places you can get cashback on one screen.

Haven't signed up for Rakuten yet? Do it now.

Budget-Friendly Destinations for December

December is coming, bringing along cold temps and and holiday travels. if you want to get away from the stress of family obligations and spend money on a great trip instead of presents (because we love experiences and memories over things), then I have put together a list of 10 places you can travel on a budget and some awesome free things to do when you get there. Obviously, this is just a taste of what you can do for nothing, but that gives you a good base to start with, or things to fill in to stretch your budget between paid attractions and activities and eating delicious food! 

Now is the time to start thinking about planning a December vacation, before airfare is crazy expensive (if you're flying out of the country) and hotels fill up with holiday travelers. We'll, personally, be staying home for December, but we'll be traveling in January or February to get away from the dreary, dark weather here in Portland.

What are your favorite winter destinations?

How to Save Money On a Rental Car

Sometimes when you travel, it’s just not practical to take public transportation. Maybe you are covering a lot of ground on your trip or the bus schedule is iffy or you are on a business trip that calls for you to be at specific places at particular times. The problem with renting a car is that it can quickly add up over just a few days.

Following the pandemic, it was really difficult to find a deal, because with no one traveling, most rental companies sold off the majority of their fleets and couldn't bounce back when travel returned. Finally, you can find some good deals, but it does take some know-how and persistence. Here are some of the easiest ways to get the best deal possible.

Book a Ride-Share Car

Need a rental car? Then skip the traditional rental companies if you can. They are still charging vast amounts of money for their shrunken fleets. I have almost exclusively used Turo for the last 5-6 years, but you can also rent through Uber now, too. These are basically Airbnb, but for cars. I've saved half off traditional rental rates this way. If you're looking for a less expensive, but more convenient rental experience from a more traditional company, check out Kyte, where they will bring the car to you.

I'll be renting a car through Turo while we're in France, so it's not just for the U.S. it'll be the first time I've rented through them outside of America, but you can add a second drive for free, as long as they are approved to drive, so one person doesn't have to drive the entire trip by themselves.

If you are looking for a traditional rental company, here are some tips to get deep discounts. 

Book for a week

Weekly rates are sometimes much better than if you booked each day separately and often even more affordable than a four- or five-day rental. Check the fine print to make sure there’s no penalty for returning your car early. If there isn’t, take the weekly rate and then bring your rental back a few days early. It can only help them make more money by having an extra car on-hand. You can also get a discount on Turo cars if you book a week or more.

Reserve the smallest possible car

Yes, you’re on vacation and you want to be comfortable, but think about how much time you’ll actually be spending in the car. Rental companies can’t downgrade your car once it’s booked – only upgrades are acceptable. This means if you reserve a compact or an economy car (which are the most popular) and they don’t have any when you get there, they have to give you the next available size up at the same rate. If all they have at the time is a luxury car, they are obligated to rent it to you. The other upside to renting a smaller car is that it will cost you less in fuel, because you’ll get better gas mileage.

Avoid the inclusive gas option

By far the biggest rip-off when you rent a car is the optional fill-up upon return. While there are some exceptions, it is very common for them to charge you over a dollar more per gallon than what is charged at the pump. On top of that, no matter how much gas you return with, you will be made to pay as if the tank was empty, and at the highly inflated rate. Tell the rep at the desk that you will return the car with a full tank and then ask where the nearest station is, so you can take note to stop there upon your return.

Rent away from the airport

Airports impose a rental fee to car companies, which they then pass onto the customer. If it is possible to rent off-site, compare pricing to see if there is a notable difference. If there is, choose the least expensive option.

Add a second driver

Most rental companies allow you to add a second driver to your rental for no fee once you get to the counter to sign in. If you are married – or live in the same house and say you are spouses – then you can both be on the rental agreement for the same rate as just one.

Get the most out of your rental

You always want to get the most for your money and renting a car is no different. Sign up for reward programs and earn points toward free rentals, upgrades and more when you use each company. You can usually use your frequent flyer membership number to earn miles for each rental you complete as well. Sometimes you have to pay a bit more for your rental this way, but usually it’s less than a dollar per rental day, so you are still coming out ahead. 

Use corporate rates

If the company you work for has a rental car program, get on it, because they rarely make you prove you work there when you rent. I worked for a company that extended their business rates to everyone in the company. I signed up for Budget's Fastbreak at the time and even though I haven't worked for that company in over a decade, I'm still able to get those rates with Budget. On top of that, I can bypass the rental counter and just go straight to my car, because they have all my info on file. That saves us so much time.

Renting a car doesn't have to be a daunting experience. It's fun to drive something new. It's exciting to save money, and you'll be glad to not have to rely on public transportation if you will be traveling around a lot during your stay. A car rental also enables you to take day trips from the city and go on your own schedule. With these tips, you can eliminate the stress of high rental costs, because you'll know the rate you're paying is the best one you could find.

How often do you rent a car when you travel?