Travel

This page has everything and nothing to do with entertainment.

Ultimately, my feeling is that the best way to truly learn about yourself and the world around you is to travel. Nothing compares to engaging all of your senses fully, and being thrust into the "present unknown." It makes you a better artist and a better human being.

Travel is a huge part of my life and I'm blessed to say that I've been to 5 continents and 27 countries so far. The people I've met and the experiences we've shared mean everything.

trAvel Highlights

Living alone for 31 days in the Cascades wilderness and having a one-on-one encounter with a Grizzly bear

Diving with Great White sharks in Adelaide, Australia

Horseback riding through the tobacco fields in Cuba

Visiting the original Parmiggiano Reggiano factory in Maranello, Italy, then test driving a Ferrari

Playing amongst the cherry blossoms during sakura in Kyoto

Exploring the Glow Worm caves in New Zealand

Hiking through the Icelandic valley and discovering a meadow with a private thermal stream

Putting a prayer in the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem

The Christmas market in snowy Budapest

The Acropolis at golden hour

A star-filled sky and bioluminescent plankton during a midnight swim in Brazil

Cycling in the pouring rain through London

TIPS

I know that travel isn't easy, accessible, or affordable for everyone. Honestly, travel is the only thing I spend my money on, and when I do, I always keep it low-budget.

Here are some of my tips, in case they're of any use to you. See you out in the world!

PLANNING

Use Google Flights and Skiplagged when searching for affordable flights. Try to be flexible with your dates if you can.
Avoid traveling on Fridays and Sundays as they tend to be the most expensive and busiest days. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are always solid. I also attempt to plan departure / arrival times that don't fall during rush hour.
In general, try to travel during fringe months like May and September. Prices are low, the weather is usually good, and kids are still in school.
Book with airlines directly, not third parties.
If you can reliably pay your credit card off each month, then open a travel rewards card with a lucrative sign up bonus and meet the minimum requirement. This is an easy way to rack up points and maximize travel spending bonuses and perks.
Before you go abroad, always register with your government's travel website. In the US, it's STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). This is so they know where you are in case of an emergency, and can send you any pertinent travel alerts.
Send your itinerary to at least two people so they can also keep track of you.
Double check that the country you're going to does not require a visa or pre-travel fee. There have been some recent changes in the UK and Europe, and you should be aware.
Don't forget to tell your cellphone company where you're going. See what they charge for coverage and if it's worth it against getting a local or digital SIM card like Holafly. Try and avoid those hefty roaming charges!
Practice common phrases in the local language. Also, download Google Translate. It's incredible. You can type and dictate into it, and can also use your phone's camera to translate text in real time. Super helpful for menus, signs, and ingredient labels.
If you're driving on your trip, be sure to read about the local traffic laws and review all signage. If you're driving on the "wrong" side of the road, watch Youtube videos to simulate the experience. Many locals have made videos that you can watch online. This mental rehearsal is key!
When it comes to food, I like to review sites like Infatuation, Eater, Condé Naste, Instagram, and travel blogs to find out where the best food is. They tend to be more up-to-date compared to travel books.
When it comes to activities, I definitely don't shy away from the iconic sites, but I also try to visit them at off hours. Visit the classics, but also plan on some other off-the-beaten-path adventures. I love and highly recommend Airbnb Experiences for this reason. Their tours and activities are run by local people––not big, government-run companies. This allows for a more real, authentic experience generally in smaller groups. Always read the reviews, but I'd take one of these over a corporate tour any day.
Any site or activity that is a "must do" for you, go ahead and book tickets early. You save money and time this way, and can begin to plan your days around core events.
Once you know where you're staying, what you want to see, and where you may want to eat, add all of those locations to a special Google Map. Put anything you're even remotely intrigued by in there, so you can make impromptu decisions based upon where you are on any given day. Share the map with your fellow travelers. Once all that is inputted, download Google "Offline Maps." This will allow you to navigate the area without needing to be connected to the internet.

PACKING

Unless you are traveling for a very long time or are simply going to one destination (like a resort), then I insist that you do not check a bag. It may seem impossible, but many of my friends and partners said the same thing... until they did it! Carry-ons are absolutely the way to go––especially in Europe and Asia where things tend to be more compact than in America and/or the streets are cobblestone. If you have many stops on your trip, or many modes of transportation (e.g. train, bus, car, plane, ferry), you will save so much money and heartache by having an efficient small bag for the duration of your trip as opposed to bulky, heavy luggage.
I have had an AWAY bag for almost ten years. I have subjected it to merciless travel in all kinds of environments and weather, and the thing holds up. Highly recommend.
If you don't already use travel cubes for packing––do so! It makes it all much more organized and easy.
To maximize space, pack your rolled up socks in your empty shoes.
Bring layers that are versatile as opposed to bulky coats and thick fabrics that take up space, and only offer limited use.
Pack clothes that are designed to be worn more than once (i.e. fast-drying, antimicrobial, durable).
While requirements have eased recently, put all toiletries in a clear freezer bag to avoid a pain when going through security in foreign countries.
Remember: no matter where you are, you can almost always find a laundromat. That's a good place to have an authentic connection too!
Don't forget to pack your essential medications as they may not have them where you're going. With that being said, I enjoy buying medicine in other countries as they often have different ingredients that work better than US, brands and might even be better for you. Similarly, make sure wherever you're going doesn't have strict medication policies (like Japan) that may prevent you from bringing meds into the country.
Bring a reusable water bottle. It will save you money and is better for the planet.
Make a photocopy of your passport, ID, and other important documents for back-up and keep them separate from your real ones.
Don't wait to get local currency. Try to get it from your bank before you leave town as they will often have the best rates, and may not charge any additional fees. Most banks can send currency to you via mail, or you can pick it up at your local branch. Don't exchange money at the airport in most countries as the fees are high.
In terms of your plane wardrobe: I like things with many pockets (e.g. cargo pants, sweater), and I recently starting wearing compression socks on long flights, and I swear they really do help!

STAYING

We all have our own comfort and accessibility needs when it comes to lodging. However, if you are someone who always stays in hotels, then I encourage you to try Airbnbs and bed and breakfasts. Staying with locals is the best way to make friends, and I've found the experiences to be much more unique and memorable.
If that is still out of your budget, of course there are hostels as well as Trusted Housesitter and WWOOFing opportunities. These two sites allow you to trade pet care, house sitting, and/or farm work in exchange for free lodging and other perks all over the globe.
If you're staying in a hotel, definitely book directly with them (not a third party site) as they tend to offer better deals and are more accommodating when it comes to upgrades, which you should always ask for. Hotels want returning clients, so be friendly. Even write to them before you arrive about how excited you are, and any special requests you may have. Definitely let them know if you're traveling for a special occasion. Be nice and good things will come in return.
When you're booking lodging, try and stay somewhere near public transportation, but not in the hub of it. Most city centers are not the most pleasant places to stay. However, if you can find lodging within a ten minute or so walk from a transpo hub, in a safe and vetted area, then that is ideal.
Always tip your concierge when they give advice, as well as your bellhops, housekeepers, valets, etc. in their local currency.

ARRIVING

Your first day in a new city, I recommend signing up for a walking or bike tour. Most cities offer them for free, via an app, or an Airbnb Experience. This helps you get the lay of the land and an "inside scoop" right off the bat. You may even make friends you can socialize with for the rest of the trip.
No matter where I go, I like to travel with a travel wallet that zips up, velcroes, and is chained to my belt. This safeguards against pickpockets, but if you're like me, it helps with dropping and forgetting your wallet while your focused on your adventure. At best, put your wallet in your front pocket.
For purse carriers, don't carry a big, bulky bag. Bring one that is small and only has your essentials. Wear it in front of you, always check that it's zipped up, and never leave it hanging off the back of chairs at restaurants and the like.
When you're in a new place, try to fit in as best you can. That means learning some of the language, and not overtly drawing attention to yourself by wearing bright colors, your hometown football team's jersey, big hats, or anything that screams "I'm a tourist!" You make yourself a target.
Also, while you're taking pictures, always mind your other belongings, and have two hands on your phone at all times. If you're taking pictures near a road or intersection, be extra careful as there are thieves that snatch them on motorbikes these days.
Overall, just be smart. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Go at an easy pace to avoid problems.

EXPLORING

Depending upon the climate of your destination, make sure you always have a little day pack with the essentials you need to stay comfortable.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Flying dehydrates you, and you're probably walking more than usual.
Try to get to popular sites as early or as late in the day as possible. Nothing ruins the Acropolis or the Blue Lagoon like twenty thousand tourists. If you want to see things with a little more peace... get up early!
Spark up conversation with locals. Ask questions. Be kind and respectful. Ask them about their history, upbringing, and favorite places to go around the city.
Avoid eating at places in popular tourist centers. Frankly, the food is usually not as good and the prices tend to be much higher. Ask around for the authentic experience––even if that means getting a little outside the main part of the city.
When considering souvenirs, try and buy things from local artists and businesses as opposed to mass-produced tourist junk. Quality over quantity. It's nice to support hardworking craftspeople.
Get off the beaten path. Most traditional guidebooks and websites are filled with tried and true classics. Some of them are absolute "must dos," but my most memorable experiences have come from local invites, or simply wandering into magic. Know which neighborhoods to avoid, stay vigilant, but allow yourself to get a little lost. That feeling of being a bit in the unknown is good.
Say "yes!" You've traveled all this way, so embrace the local customs. Try the new food (I see you, haggis)! Get up and dance. Speak to the stranger. You have to get out of your comfort zone a bit if you want to have a life-changing trip. Some controlled, legal danger is okay––that's the difference between "adventure" and "vacation."
Build in rest time. I tend to travel at a break-beck speed to see as much as I can, but it's advantageous to also build in empty space to either revisit a place, see something unexpected, or simply sleep.

RETURNING

Before you leave, remember to tip the people who have taken care of you in their local currency. This is a good opportunity to use the remaining foreign currency you may have.
If you stayed with a local person, a small gift or card are lovely ways to show your appreciation.
Don't forget to leave reviews. Guides, venues, and accommodations really live or die based off of reviews, so help them out.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. There tends to be more security and unexpected occurrences on the way back.
Always give yourself at least one full buffer day to relax before returning to work. Travel is exhausting and you need some time to mentally prepare for normal life.
Find a way to commemorate your trip! A film, a painting, a slideshow, a journal, putting a pin in a map––what do you do? Digital photo albums like Aura are hits in my family. It's easy to upload pics and even easier to share them.
Hopefully, something truly impactful happened on your journey. Don't forget it. Hold it close. Write it down. Remember how you felt when you were fully alive and present. Cherish it, and find ways to incorporate what you enjoyed and learned from your travels into your day-to-day life.