Years ago I traveled to Portugal and Spain, a part of the world I’ve always felt drawn to thanks to my Puerto Rican roots. One of my stops was the Portuguese coastal town of Porto, and some of my favorite memories include a home-cooked meal of seafood caught earlier that day, ancient houses stacked endlessly on top of each along the hillside, and the azulejos —hand-painted blue and white tiles— decorating the facade of every building.
Travel
De-Stressing Holiday Travel
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Holidays are a great reason to spend quality time with family, especially the ones you don’t see very often. Or maybe you prefer disappearing for a while, visiting remote locales where you can disconnect and recharge. Here are my favorite tips for minimizing the stress of getting there so you can spend more time actually enjoying your time away:
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Try limiting yourself to one carry-on so you can skip baggage claim and get out of the airport fast. If you do need to check a bag, Tracy of Brunette Wine Bar recommends putting emergency supplies in your carry-on: a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bathing suit; even if your luggage gets lost, your vacation’s not ruined.
2
If you’re like me and you can’t go anywhere without jewelry, bring a jewelry roll or travel case to protect your valuables. They’ve got dedicated spaces and pockets designed especially for jewelry, and they let you bring options (very, very important 😉).
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My friend Amy recommends bringing small bags of candy for the airline counter, gate, and cabin crew on your next flight. You might be having a rough day, but they have to deal with everyone’s rough day. It’s a small gesture of thanks that can go a long way, and might results in occasional perks from grateful staff.
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Suysel of Tilton Fenwick recommends having a photo of your passport and license on your phone just in case something should happen to the real ones.
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My friend Peter recommends looking into gym hours or workout classes at your hotel or near where you’re staying. The holidays are all about overeating and lazing about (mine are, at least), and a trip to the gym can help keep you feeling balanced.
Hope these tips help make your trips more enjoyable, and have a wonderful holiday!