Before I plan a trip, I do some serious research that covers questions like what, where, why, how etc.. Before I even make a reservation, I like to have all my bases covered. That includes seeing different aspects of the location, like tourist attractions and local hidden gems.
October was a big month for me, I planned a trip to Tulum Mexico in February and a trip to Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing this upcoming week. I have researched both places religiously and I wanted to share my process with you.
My process goes something like this:
- Research the area, hotels and things to do there (thank you, Trip Advisor)
- Research hotel prices and airline prices (the earlier you book, the better/cheaper)
- I used TripAdvisor and other booking and airline sites for this
- Book the trip and look up attractions and cities near my hotel
- About a week before the trip I start to do some serious research (aka what am I wearing?)
- I check the weather for the week to get an idea for what I should expect
- I look up the style of that location (is it laid back? urban?)
- I Pinterest for the ideas for outfits
- I also type in the the city name/city name and their style on many of my go-to fashion websites
Today’s most recent search brought me to a lovely article from Refinery29 discussing what to pack. It gave a travelers practical approach to packing and what to bring. When I pack, I like looking stylish, but practical for the occasion.
Another article I found on Refinery29 was about a woman who moved to Tokyo and her favorite places to visit. It was very informative and gave me some ideas for where to shop, explore and taste.
Lastly I try to physically prepare for the time change/travel. I make sure that I am well rested and get enough sleep the nights leading up to the trip and I stay hydrated. I try to drink 64 ounces of water a day, that typically includes tea. Once I am mentally and physically prepared, I’m ready to go.
Bon voyage!
Amy
The Tall Teacher 