Hello Foodie Friends,

Today’s post comes courtesy of our guest contributor Jesse Clark, of Soulful-travel.com who continues to share with us some useful info related to traveling safe during this crazy new norm we live in. You’ll find her previous articles,  How To Travel Safely On A Foodie Vacation In Florida and Your Never Too Busy To Travel–And Save Money In The Process to be super helpful and we are pleased to share this latest one with you today.

Traveling to visit family is a means to an end for most of us. We long to see friends and family, enjoy a home cooked meal, and form fond memories. We accept the crowds, delays, and congested highways as the price we must pay. But what if you could enjoy the journey as well as the destination? Would that take some of the stress out of travel? Stick with us as we present five tips for traveling stress-free, presented below by Savor Our City.

First Tip: Bring Ear Plugs

Do you enjoy spending time in an airport? If so, then you’re part of a rare and exceptional breed. Most of us would rather do almost anything else. Still, air travel is the fastest way to get where you’re going. So here’s a tip for making the trip a bit more pleasant: plug your ears. A pair of foam earplugs can take the edge off all the cacophonous caterwauling and help you to find your happy place even if you’re stuck in the terminal. This tip comes courtesy of the good people at the Travel Channel.

Second Tip: Give Yourself a Buffer

Leaving for your trip at the last minute is no way to promote peace of mind. You run the risk of working yourself into a tizzy well before you ever reach your destination. Do yourself a solid and allow as much buffer time as possible. That way you’ll stay calm, cool, and collected.

Third Tip: Secure Your Home

Arranging some common sense deterrences prior to your trip can help you to focus on having a good time. Here are some suggestions:

• Avoid leaving keys under potted plants, in your mailbox, or anywhere else that thieves are likely to look. If you need to hide a key, be smart about it. If you need to change your locks before you leave, or you’d like a professional to see if your locks are in good working order, use sites like Angi to find a locksmith in my area.
• Set up a webcam to monitor the inside of your home. You can check the images just by going online.
• Place high visibility signs in prominent spots around your home advising would-be trespassers that you have an active electronic security system. You can find the appropriate signage online or by checking your local hardware or home improvement store.
• Arrange for a trustworthy person to check your mail, pick up the paper, and take a poke around the premises while you’re away.
• Leave a car parked in the driveway if possible.
• Use light timers so that they come on in the evenings to make your home look occupied.

Fourth Tip: Stay Connected

What’s the number one item left behind in hotel rooms? The phone charger. We really rely on our phones for pretty much everything these days, especially while away. And you do not want to be unable to use it. As simple as it sounds, packing an extra charger will put you at ease, even if you never have a need for it.

Fifth Tip: Schedule a Post-Vacation Vacation

Let’s face it: traveling to see family can be stressful. Why not schedule a little break for yourself between the family togetherness time and when you go back to work? For example, you could rent a cabin in a peaceful lakefront setting, where you and perhaps a special someone can spend a day or two to unwind. Think of it as a well-deserved gift to yourself.

Or let the family know you’re going into the city for a day just to explore, to see a museum you’re excited about, or to just have a coffee somewhere and relax.

Pack your bags and get ready for a great time with those you love. But take a moment to appreciate all that you have before you head out the door, and make sure you’re prepared in all regards.

Until we eat, drink and travel again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise