Last Updated on March 22, 2026
Traveling is fun. A lot of fun. But it can be a logistical nightmare if you don’t do some planning in advance, especially if you’re visiting some of the world’s most popular places like Paris, Rome or New York City.
My family travels often and we have managed to find great ways to make our vacations easier, enriching our journeys. It’s all part of becoming a smart traveler.
I’m not going to cover safety factors, vaccinations, travel insurance. or packing essentials in this article as these are unique to each destination you visit. Rather, I prefer to share some tips you may not have considered when booking your next vacation.
Only Pack a Carry-On
I know, it’s not an easy task to fit everything you need in a carry-on bag, but there are so many benefits to doing so. First of all, you don’t end up with lost luggage that doesn’t catch up with you until days after you’ve arrived at your destination. And no more waiting at baggage claim.
Ultimately, it all comes down to good packing and a well-sectioned suitcase or the use of packing cubes. I never thought I could manage this, but I did, even on international trips to places like London or Riviera Maya, Mexico.
To stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or dealing with expensive roaming fees, consider using eSIM technology from Simify. It allows you to activate a mobile plan instantly before or during your trip, so you’ll have reliable data access as soon as you land. If you absolutely can’t fit it all into a carry-on, make sure to throw an Airtag into your suitcase so you can track where it is and ensure it reaches your destination.
Buy a City Pass
On a multi-generational trip to New York City, my daughter, granddaughter, and I opted for the New York CityPASS. The discount travel package company bundles admission fees to several popular tourist attractions in a city for one single, lower price. That’s a huge savings (up to 50%) when you consider the individual price to visit the city’s best venues. Plus, they often include transportation.
CityPASS is available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California, Tampa Bay and Toronto.
Skip the Lines
If you’ve ever looked into the frustrating faces of visitors standing in an unending line waiting to get into the Louvre or the Vatican on a hot summer day, you’ll understand how this can prove to be a real downer on vacation.
These spoiler moments occur when visitors don’t do their homework. We always suggest opting for skip-the-line tickets that fast-track your entry. You can book these in advance and though they’ll cost more money, time is money on vacation, and trust me, it’s well worth it.
We’ve nabbed those skip-the-line tickets for many popular attractions. In New York City for example, we sailed past the line at One World Trade Center and headed straight to the express elevator. We did the very same at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and in both the Vatican and Roman Colosseum.
Book a Private Tour
Yes, group tours are more economical, but a private tour where you’re practically one-on-one with a guide is priceless. They likely costs less than you think.
When a group of five couple friends took a cruise that departed from the port of Venice a few years ago, we booked a private guide through ToursByLocals. Guides are carefully hand-selected in each destination. You can choose the guide that best fits your interests, and even connect with them ahead of time and select the one that’s most suited to the needs of the group.
Our guide was born and raised in Venice and has a degree in world history. She created a personalized itinerary for our group and provided an unforgettable experience. We skipped the lines at Doge’s Palace and hopped on our private gondolas with no wait time.
We’ve used this company in so many locations across the globe, and it’s always been a great experience.
Don’t Overlook a Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour
Let’s say you’re spending a day in Barcelona and you want to see as much of the city as possible. We’re not talking about a deep-dive here, but rather a snapshot of the must-see attractions. I did this on my day of arrival in Barcelona before leaving for a Mediterranean cruise the following afternoon.
Destinations across the world offer different companies that provide 24 or 48-hour passes in which visitors ride in open-top double-decker buses and include maps and headsets that interpret the local sights in a variety of languages. Some companies even offer live guides.
Choose a More Immersive Experience
If you’re the type of traveler looking for a more in-depth experience when you visit a destination, consider using Originals by GetYourGuide.
Whether it’s a unique culinary experience, the chance to get into the Sistine Chapel before the general public is allowed inside, exploring a Mallorca sea cave, or discovering Berlin’s hidden backyards, this guided small-group tour company offers an unforgettable experience. We booked a tour to Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica that included our son, daughter-in-law, and my husband and I with only one other very fun couple.
Our guide was not only an experienced naturalist, but a professional photographer, meaning we not only spotted and learned about the park’s resident wildlife, but got some amazing shots as well. We had such an incredible experience that we booked a waterfall tour with the same guide for the following day and ended up with only four of us on that hike.
Make Dining Reservations in Advance
Yes, it’s nice to have a little spontaneity in every vacation, but there’s nothing more disappointing than trying to nab a reservation at that highly recommended restaurant with a killer sunset view in Maui only to realize once you arrive that the restaurant has no availability.
I use the Open Table system to book many of our dining reservations. It’s an easy online tool to use and you get points each time you complete a restaurant booking, When the points add up, the reward is a dining credit.
Not all restaurants are on this system, however, so if the search comes up empty, go to the restaurant’s website and give them a call or send an email. Just be sure to get the name of the person who took your reservation if you phone.
Consider Adding in a Day Trip
Let’s say you’re spending a few days in San Francisco. Of course, you’ll want to see the top attractions of the city if you haven’t experienced them before. There’s so much more to this Northern California region to explore. Consider booking a day trip that includes Napa and Sonoma Wine Country, Monterey and Carmel or even nearby Muir Woods and Sausalito.
Even a trip to Yosemite is doable on a day trip, and if you’re the type who loves keeping memories, you can use a free photo collage maker afterward to capture all the highlights in one beautiful layout.
Get an International Driver’s Permit
If you plan to drive in an international location, don’t forget to pick up an International Driver’s Permit as you cannot get one once you’re at an overseas destination. You can apply for the permit at any AAA Travel office for only $20 and have your photos taken for the license there as well.
The IDP is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and driver information. It translates your identification information into 10 languages and many destinations require an IDP to drive locally, even to just rent a car or moped.
Don’t Forget a Universal Adapter and Converter
You’ll be able to use your electronic devices around the globe if you pack a universal adapter. But don’t forget to add the converter too if your electronics’ voltage doesn’t match up to the outlets abroad.
Most importantly, remember that travel is one of life’s most valuable experiences. Enjoy every moment and explore as much as possible.
