Expert Travel Tips

Rented a classic car for 60 minutes in Havana, Cuba. Came with a driver who was also a great tour guide.

Traveling is in my blood... my mom was an international flight attendant and from a young age I was hitting the slopes in the Pacific Northwest, skipping along the beaches in New York, screaming at leeches in Vermont, skiing the mountains in New Zealand and so much more. As an adult I've trekked through Thailand, drank bubbly in Champagne, France and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge amongst many other memorable adventures. On a recent trip to Havana, Cuba I thought to jot down some interesting and easy travel tips for those who would like to save money, ease stress and maximize your vacation. 

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Travel Tips
1. Pick Your Dates

Once you know when you are off from work, or the time period you want to travel, then you can start doing your research. I highly recommend not traveling during a 3-day weekend, or on a Friday, Saturday or Monday. Also if there is a major holiday the days leading up to the holiday will lead to less availability and higher rates overall. Supply and demand. 

2. Register/Sign-up

If you are renting a car or staying in a hotel, it is advantageous to sign-up for the rewards, honors or preferred membership. Most of these are entirely free and you'll reap the MAJOR benefits. For example with car rental you will have preferred car pickup, less of a line, easier drop off and sometimes better rates. For hotel you could have free happy hour, complimentary upgrades, mixers, coupons for breakfast, discounted rooms, rewards points, etc. 

3. Verify Location

I am embarrassed to admit, but I have accidentally booked things in the wrong place multiple times. Like did you know there's a San Jose in Costa Rica and California, also I've booked a car rental in Florida but not at the airport. You type in a specific location but sometimes your booking is somewhere else. So when you arrive you are lost and don't know where to go. Well guess what the car isn't at the airport it's off-site and I often mistakenly took the cheaper option which wasn't at the airport at all. Look at the address and double check by inputting it into your maps. 

4. Book Direct

Third party apps and websites appear to offer great deals, but sometimes they don't include the taxes, parking and fees and you end up paying the same price at the hotel anyway. With that if you didn't book with the hotel direct you could see some problems and issues with your reservation... then the hotel can't do anything to help you because you didn't book with them. Most of the time it works out ok, but I have found that you think you're getting this great deal but you end up paying the same price or more and are at more of a risk. *Pro-tip, if the hotel is under renovation you will see cheaper rates, but with that comes some construction noise and mild inconvenience with the potential for stellar views.  

5. Use other Websites to compare

I like to use websites as a barometer to judge what the climate is going to look like. All these hotels offer this rate and this car rental has this rate. Then I go to the site direct and book straight from the source. My husband and I both do this and it helps with gauging where you want to stay and with whom you want to book. 

6. Off-Site Purchases

It's best to buy your snacks, meals, food and beverages off site. I mean if you are going to the airport and on a trip the cost for your meal is going to be way cheaper if you get it outside of the airport. (Example $4.99 sandwich versus $10.99 sandwich). Also if you buy water, gum or other essentials at a hotel the cost is going to be 3x higher on-site than if you stopped at a nearby market or even a convenience store. We get all our snacks and sandwiches/chips prior to heading to the airport. *Pro tip, remove the food from your carry-on luggage prior to TSA screening and keep it separate until you're in the terminal. TSA requires you take the food out and if you don't you may backup the line and have to send your bags through again. If coming from Kauai, Kulolo has to be taken out and unwrapped. 

7. Enticing Amenities

Overall I am huge fan of Air BnB or VRBO, when looking for a place to stay always look for the amenities, Even in a hotel, do they offer free parking, free wifi, early or late checkin. These are conveniences that are essential and could end up costing you more if you are unaware of whether these are provided. It saves you a ton of time and peace of mind to know your next place to rest your head has everything you need to be comfortable. Look for pool, parking, AC, internet, transportation, location, the view, nearby eateries, are things walkable in this neighborhood, etc...

Hotel at the tail end of it's renovation, $175 a night.