Staying Healthy On Vacation

Even though Covid and all its variants are floating around and still a big problem, that doesn't mean it's the only thing you can get sick with on vacation. Flu season, regular colds, and just general germs are still exist, especially with mask mandates being non-existent most places and people being lax with social distancing. 

<just a quick reminder to get vaccinated & boosted>

I've had my share of sickness on trips. My first visit to San Francisco had me looking super miserable on our tour of Alcatraz. I ended up with THE WORST head cold in Vegas, which turned into a sinus infection. I started to feel the crud creep up on me in Hawaii, but by then I learned how to stave it off with all the Vitamin D. Need a quick cold remedy so you can get back on your feet and enjoy your trip? Here's what I know, in addition to always carrying some Halls Defense and Emergen-C in your bag:

Take a hot shower - Steam is great for breathing, and a hot shower can really open up your nasal passages if you've got a stuffy nose. 

Eat extra foods high in protein - Proteins help boost your body's infection defense, so load up on things like eggs, chickpeas, yogurt, quinoa, lentils, pumpkin seeds and tuna.

Hydrate - This is especially important as you travel anyway, because you're getting more exercise than normal (hopefully). Drink two or more cups of water more than you usually do. I always travel with a reusable water bottle, so this is the time to fill it up and drink it while out and about.

Get 7-8 hours of sleep - I'm a horrible monster if I don't get enough sleep, even on vacation. I tend to schedule myself for the whole day, but knowing how I am, I also schedule in down time, because I know I need to not be go, go, go 24 hours a day. I try my best to get as much sleep as I can, because if I don't, not only am I crabby and stressed out, I know I'm also likely to get sick.

Exercise/walk - Walking increases your ability to breathe better and it's also incredibly good for you. Fresh air and exercise are underrated, so even if you feel gross, try to get up and moving, because you may end up feeling much better, much faster than if you just lay in bed like a lump. You'll also still be able to see some stuff, which you won't see from the inside of your room.

Clean your hands - Yes, you're probably sick of hearing this, but washing your hands frequently and/or using antibacterial spray/gel can limit your exposure to germs, even if you're still masking (which I highly recommend in crowded places), and can keep you from lingering in your sickness if you're unfortunate enough to get sick while you're traveling. 

Wear a mask - If you do get sick, masking is even more important for those around you and to keep from spreading your germs to others. It's also important for you to get tested for Covid, just in case. There are a lot of testing sites up and running, or you can travel with at-home tests, which are easy to use and give you a quick response. 

In addition to these things, don't forget to eat well as much as you can on your trip, so your body has the nutrition to keep your immune system at its best. Now, go forth and have an amazing trip!

Tell me all your best healthy travel tips, or your worst case of sickness on a trip!

Always Have Your Bag Packed

Do you dread packing? Or wish you could just find a great deal, book it and leave with little time to prepare? Why not keep a bag packed with all your necessities that will just require a few additions before heading out the door? I'm headed to Vegas in just a few days and it, literally, took me 20 minutes to pack for it, and it all fit in a backpack.

There are always going to be items that you take on every trip, so start by making a basic packing list and go from there:

Toiletries
You pretty much use the same toiletries time and time again, so purchase some travel-sizes of your favorites and keep them packed. Minimus is a great place to get health and beauty products in tiny sizes that are perfect for your carry-on or ask for sample sizes when you go buy your cosmetics at Sephora, Ulta, or other makeup retailers. 

When packing makeup, instead of waiting until you have used it the day you leave, pack items that are nearly empty – but good for one to two weeks more use – and use new ones at home. You can always decant your items into smaller containers, too.

Undergarments
I’ve never gone anywhere without socks and underwear, so I doubt it’s common among the majority of travelers to leave home without them. Purchase a half dozen of each solely to pack your travel bag. This way they’re always in there and you don’t get to your destination and have to go shopping for these important items. Look for clothing made of soy or bamboo, as they will be odor-resistant, moisture-wicking and quick-drying.

Charger for electronics
Everyone travels with at least a few electronics. Be it an iPod, laptop, mobile phone or an eBook reader, you’re going to need to charge it at some point in your trip. Look for a multi-charger that can charge all your gadgets with just one cord. This eliminates the last-minute scramble to find all your adapters and the inevitable knotted mass that you find upon making it to your destination.

Convertible layers
You never know what the weather is going to be like when you travel. You could encounter a freak snowstorm, monsoon rains or even a heat wave. I always suggest bringing a fleece or similar pullover and several tanks or t-shirts that can be worn alone or underneath other clothing. When it’s warm, one layer is probably more than enough, but if it’s cold, you’ll be glad you packed that cardigan or sweater.

Packable jacket
This is another item I always pack to be prepared. Maybe it’s 80 degrees and sunny where you’re going, but that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. A lightweight packable jacket is great for repelling rain, keeps your hands free like an umbrella won’t, packs small and can double as an outer layer should it become chilly.

With the essentials in your bag already, you can easily throw in other items that you’ll need at the last minute, like a spare pair of shoes and several tops and bottoms that all go together. Here are some tips on packing light.

What are some of your must-pack travel items?

6 Reasons Vacation Rentals Are Awesome

As a timeshare owner, I've gotten used to having a larger space to crash in when I vacation. Unfortunately, I can't always get into a timeshare property, or there aren't any where I'm going. Usually, I check out Airbnb {<--use that link for $40 off!}. There's a time and a place to opt for a hotel, but as a budget traveler, being able to save money on food and saving my sanity by not being in everyone's pocket 24/7 is very important. Here are my 6 reasons to choose a vacation rental.

You get a kitchen

This means you can cook your own meals! Now, keep in mind, I don't go on vacation to cook, especially since cool new foods are the best part of traveling to me. I do, however, hate getting up super early, so I tend to load up on breakfast foods. This allows me to spend a little more time in bed, plus I save money on morning dining. We usually spend at least one dinner in, either making something easy or eating leftovers, which we were able to bring back, because we have a fridge and an oven.

In many rentals we've stayed in, they've also included grills, so we could BBQ if we wanted. This is great if you are traveling in the warmer months. If you travel with kids, having a place to prepare and store foods can be imperative for your sanity and saving money.

You (generally) have a separate bedroom

Listen, I don't need to have a different room with a bed, but it's nice. I'll settle for separate, defined spaces, just so I can get away from my travelmate(s) for a minute. I adore my husband, but we don't always want to be in each other's faces. A hotel room normally has a bed and one chair. If you're lucky, you get a tiny table or a desk. Even if you bring back leftovers, you can't really sit anywhere comfortable. If you have to do work or just want to play on your laptop, there's not a good place to do that either. 

I don't always go to bed at the same time as people I travel with. It's nice to have a table where I can type away, a couch to relax on, a bed for sleeping purposes that doesn't also double as a terrible chair, or a room where I can just hang out alone in that isn't the bathroom. 

You can choose your amenities

I have a small list of must-haves when I travel: WiFi, TV, a shower (if I'm traveling to Europe where not all places have one), and laundry facilities. I get these things in a timeshare property, but I can also choose these things specifically when searching for a vacation rental. For example, we're going to Edinburgh and London in the fall and I want to pack light. Because of this, it's especially helpful to have access to a washer and dryer. I've had to go to the laundromat in the past and while it wasn't the most annoying thing, it cost quite a bit in London. 

You can choose your price range

Sure, you can do this with hotels, but for the same price, you can search for a vacation rental that is in a location desirable to you, plus includes all the amenities you hope to get in a place to stay. If you can get all this for the same price or a little more, you're still saving money on baggage fees, food, laundry, and possibly entertainment, because you have room to spread out and play games and/or watch movies.

You can feel at home

This is the number one reason I enjoy a vacation rental over a hotel. Feeling weirdly displaced when you travel is hard. I like to feel like my space has a home. I don't need a maid to come in and clean up after me every day. I want my space to feel cozy and comfy and lived in. I can make a rental feel like my home until I leave. I can spread out my stuff, not worry about anyone coming in to clean (where I have to clear up things before I leave each morning). 

Having what equates to a small home or apartment makes me feel like I'm a traveler instead of a tourist. Like I'm living like a local. Some come with free parking, some are in buildings with extra security, some have pools or gyms. The best part is that if you don't want these things, you rent a different place and don't pay for them, unlike when you stay in a hotel that offers them for everyone.

You have a true local on-call

One thing you usually don't think about is having someone you can contact for an inside look at your destination. Yes, there's the front desk or concierge at a hotel, but when you rent from a local, it's easy to pick their brain to find out where they like to go and what they'd recommend seeing to an out-of-towner. They probably aren't rich and they certainly don't get kick-backs for pointing you in the direction of an activity or restaurant. Some live steps away or welcome calls/texts or leave detailed folders with all the cool stuff for you to peruse. I always get awesome suggestions this way. 

What are your favorite reasons to choose a rental over a hotel?