Traveling Light

Angie Spann at the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Do you love to travel as much as I do? If so, here are some great ideas to make your next adventure a breeze.    

Here’s the truth: You do not need a lot of things.

You’ve probably seen a lot of people these days selling or donating all of their stuff to live a more minimalistic lifestyle. It is a bold move because it does take a lot of emotional bravery to get rid of things that matter to you. 

Let’s discuss clothing, your choices should be lightweight, versatile, climate appropriate and neutral in color.  Think ‘little black dress’ of travel.  Neutrals that you can wear many different ways will save you!  The less stuff you struggle with carrying, the more you can maximize your experience! The most important part of your wardrobe are your shoes, keep them simple and comfortable! 

Are you a travel organizer freak like I am?  I like to keep things tidy in life (and during my travels). One of my favorite travel items are packing cubes. They keep everything tight which saves space and they make finding items easy (even in the dark). 

I suggest these packing cubes from The Container Store. 

Airline apps are the best! Utilizing your airline’s app on your smart device will give you real time information. This feature I love for their “head’s up” alert when there are gate changes.  

Traveling with credit cards is the only way to fly. Plastic is convenient to pack, gives you a record of your purchases and is more secure than cash.

By now, you probably know the basics of traveling with credit cards. You should notify your card issuer of your itinerary to make sure your card doesn’t get cut off for suspected fraud just when you need it most. You should also write down the contact numbers for your cards, just in case you lose them or they are stolen.

Over the years, my travel style has evolved. But one thing has remained constant – I’m always looking for the sweet spot of cost, convenience, comfort, and culture. With a well-planned trip, I am able to check all my boxes! 

Written by: Angie Spann, Project Coordinator