Check any vaccines requirements, travel restrictions and visa requirements prior to traveling.

Don’t forget your passport. Seriously. This is vital.

Make 2 copies of all documents (passport, itineraries) give one to the other person you travel with and leave one with someone back home. Preferably your emergency contact.

While we are talking about Emergency Contacts, try not to pick your mother. I know this sounds weird but seriously think about if you are in trouble in a foreign country and you call your Mom, what is she going to do? I know my Mom, and she would FREAK OUT. So my emergency contact is a much calmer, well connected, other family member. No offense to all the Moms out there, I think when you give birth your ability to worry and want to protect your babies reaches amazing heights!

Get a translation app. I like Speak & Translate because it works when you don’t have service and there are tons of languages you can not only speak into it but also type. Makes it handy when your cab driver starts yelling at you in Thai.

Schedule a tour on your first full day.

I think this is crucial when you are out of the country because it gets you up and on their timezone to help with Jet Lag and also allows you immerse yourself in that culture and gives you the ability to ask all the questions you want! I love doing this because I get the highlight reel of what is in the area, things that I like and places I may want to spend more time at on my own. Also it’s a great way to get recommendations for dinner, drinks and other things to do. Going to a local eating or drinking establishment also lets you mingle with locals who will give you the low down on some things to do off the beaten path and avoid some of the saturated touristy spots.

While we are talking Jet Lag a few things to mention. If you are someone who likes to workout like me, try getting a little workout and stretch in before your plane ride. When you get on your plane try to sleep, limit the in flight booze (I struggle with this one #teamwine), drink lots of water and try to move around every hour or so if you aren’t sleeping. It may seem weird to you to get up and stretch but I try to operate a plane ride just like a normal day. I can’t sit in a cramped seat for hours on end with no movement. If I’m not sleeping I’m taking laps and stretching. But how does this help with Jet Lag?

When you are flying through those time zones faster than your body is able to accommodate you have to keep it hydrated, rested and not cramped. When you land you will be tired, exhausted, hungry and confused, your body system is no different. Try scheduling a workout or going for a walk around your new environment to see the sights and get your blood flowing.

Quit saying “our time”, your time is whatever time zone you are in at that time #truth.

It’s not what time it is back home, unless you plan on sleeping and staying awake with the time zone back home you have to adjust to the one you are in. Best way to do that? Go to sleep with that time zone and stay awake with that one…also no naps! Seriously no arrival naps or you will be so jacked up you won’t have a time zone except zombie. Day 1 try to limit alcohol too, nothing like a dehydrated, sleep deprived body in a new city to make for a real interesting start to your adventure.

Try to keep your morning routine the same! This goes for any time you travel. If you don’t usually stuff your face with pancakes each morning and skip out on your water then I wouldn’t make it a daily habit. Nothing like being stuck away from home and needing to hit a pharmacy for Tums.

Since we are talking about that, make sure and bring all your normal vitamins and I always like to pack extra fiber. For some reason getting vegetables in when we travel is a struggle so don’t be shy, pack what you think you will need to be comfortable.

Check with where you are staying on any customs or ordinances you need to be aware of. This is especially true for women and clothing, western culture is very different to other parts of the world and what is considered offensive in some cultures is just a tank top back home. Just check to be polite.

Lastly, consider your safety. Most places are fairly safe and the same rules usually apply, use common sense. Don’t ignore that little feeling though if something is off. Please don’t travel outside of where you are staying with large sums of money or your physical passport. Your passport is your most prized possession, keep it in a locked safe.

Let me what travel adventures you plan on taking this year and if this helps!