Using "SMART" Goals To Take Action Toward Your Travel Dreams

When I was working at a leadership conference recently, I was introduced to the SMART goal system. Basically, using SMART goals turns a vague goal into something more specific. A detailed outline of your goal will help you reach it faster by putting a reasonable plan into action. Last year when I was still in college, my travel goal was: "Go back to Europe."

"Going back to Europe" is extremely vague. When would I go back? How would I do it? For how long? What would I do to make sure I made this happen? How would I evaluate whether I had achieved this goal or not?

This is where creating a SMART goal really helps you define what you want and how you will achieve it.

"SMART" stands for:

SPECIFIC: A goal needs to really focus in on the specifics. Think of the who, what, when, where, and why.

MEASURABLE: Establish criteria for which you will measure your progress on your goal. Often the measurable part includes numbers - think, How much? It also answers, How will I evaluate if this goal has been met?

ACTION-ORIENTED: How are you going to reach your goal? This is where you put your action or steps toward reaching the goal in place.

REALISTIC: This is where you need to be true to yourself on the work you're motivated to and willing to put in. You're much more likely to achieve your goal if it's realistic.

TIMELY: Set an attainable time frame to meet your goal. When are you going to start acting toward your goal? What specific date do you want to reach your goal by?

Now let's tweak my vague example of "Go back to Europe." Here's how I could've turned that into a SMART goal:

"Go back to Europe for at least one month starting in August 2013, by applying to 2+ jobs per week based in Florence, Italy from May-July 2013 and networking with individuals involved with international travel through email or LinkedIn. Follow up with employers directly after any interviews and again every two weeks until I found out whether I have an offer."

Budget is also a huge part of travel goals, especially with flights. Here's a SMART goal I could've made for saving up for that long-haul flight from Seattle to Florence:

"Save x amount of money per week from my summer job to pay for round trip flights to/from Italy on the dates I will fly in/out on. Track savings using my banking app and check balance weekly to ensure I'm saving enough."

Setting SMART goals are especially great for taking action on your travel goals, though SMART goals can be applied to any aspect of life. I encourage you to come up with some SMART goals, and if you have some you'd like to share, please post yours in the comments below.

Traveling Solo: 5 Questions Answered

Never did I ever think I'd travel on my own somewhere, by myself, in a foreign country, for fun. Though I had a great travel opportunity come up for work where I'd be able to make my flight dates flexible and could travel on my own before/after. This was a last-minute gig, so friends or family weren't able to join me because of jobs, expensive flights, etc.

I didn't let that stop me. I knew that if I wanted to do some extra travel, I'd have to travel solo.

Originally I was looking into planning a couple weeks in the Balkans/Southeast Europe: Romania-Bulgaria-Bosnia & Herzegovina-Croatia-Slovenia. That would've been too expensive at the time. Then I looked into Portugal-Spain-France-Belgium-Netherlands. That was too expensive too. So I settled for a weekend in Paris, and I'm glad I did. It was my first visit to the city, it held a high spot on my bucket list, and according to my research it was considered very safe for tourists.

Even though I was a little overwhelmed before I flew out of the airport, I felt more confident than I had in previous trips abroad. I was a little nervous to be all "alone" and by myself, but I had a feeling that it would be worth it. And it was!

I questioned a few things before I left, because I was nervous - traveling by myself was way out of my comfort zone. Here are the questions I had before I left, and my answers now that it's over:

1. How do I get photos of myself if I'm not with someone to take it for me?

The best way is to just ask! There were plenty of tourists in Paris, and especially if you're at a touristy spot (like the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, etc.) there will be tourists taking photos. Sometimes you'll see a group of people attempting to take a selfie - this is the perfect opportunity to offer to take a photo of them, and then you can ask them to return the favor to get a photo of you. Win-win!

2. Should I eat at restaurants alone?

To be honest, I barely ate in Paris. Haha! This was the first leg of my trip and the jet lag made me really nauseous, and food was not appetizing at all. I was also major budgeting because I had two weeks of travel ahead, plus I was moving when I got back to the States. I ate at a couple cafes by myself, and I was fine. Nobody gave me weird looks. I didn't feel embarrassed to be by myself or anything, since there were other people by themselves too. At one cafe the guy working there was excited to find out I was from Seattle, because Grey's Anatomy is his favorite show, and was asking me all kinds of questions. As far as nice restaurants though, I didn't experience any...because the food in Paris (well, most things in Paris) was so expensive!

3. Will I be safe walking by myself at night?

There was never a moment I didn't feel safe by myself in Paris, day or night. I will note that it was "high season" for tourists, as well as summer, so there were a ton of people out and about on the main streets. I didn't stray into any dark alleys, or anywhere that seemed "sketchy." I just kept confident and knew where I was going, avoided the scammers, and navigated easily. I was fine!

Wherever you go solo, make sure to do your research beforehand. I was fine walking by myself in Paris in the areas I was in, but in other areas (or other cities) I might have not been. If you're ever in doubt, find an area with a lot of people around or take a (legit) taxi.

4. What if I get lonely?

I only spent about 3 1/2 days solo before I met up with the staff I was working with for the rest of the trip, and with so many things to do, I never felt lonely. There were plenty of other people walking around, so I was rarely "alone." And I met new people - something I wouldn't have done, had I gone with a friend.

5. What if I get lost?

I've never had the best sense of direction, so when the hotel guy handed me a map and pointed the route on how to get to The Louvre, a wave of fear washed over me as I stepped out onto the streets for the first time. Surprisingly, I kept the map in my bag and navigated my way to The Louvre easily. Getting around Paris was much easier than I thought, and since I was by myself and actually paying attention, I had no trouble finding my way.

Having a physical map, a phone with GPS (download maps to use offline), and the address and phone number of your hotel/hostel/accommodations are always smart to have on hand in case you get lost. If you're still stuck, then it doesn't hurt to ask someone to point you in the right direction - most people are friendly and will be happy to help you out!

5 Forgettable Things You'll Want To Pack For Long-Term Traveling

There are always those moments when you're traveling where you think, "Ah, I wish I would've remembered to bring that." Here are five slightly random items that are usually forgotten that you'll want to remember for any long-term trip, study abroad, or work abroad.

1. Medicine & Vitamins

Make sure you don't forget any prescriptions you regularly take, but it's easy to forget cold medicine and pain reliever. Especially if you're constantly traveling, you're more likely to get run down faster with all the flights, public transportation, late nights out, and switching hotels/hostels often. Hopefully you won't get sick, but if you do, you'll be glad you had it. Vitamins are also smart to bring to to help keep that cold at bay.

2. Extra Socks & Underwear

If you're nomadic or backpacking, this will help you stretch your wardrobe further in between trips to the laundromat.

3. Reusable Water Bottle

Hydration is important and buying plastic water bottles multiple times a day adds up. When you're at home or at work, you may not realize how much water you drink, but when you're traveling and are out and about all day, it will be nice to have (free!) water on hand.

4. Q-Tips

A random and easily forgettable item that I (and a few friends) have forgotten on a number of occasions. They're just nice to have when you get out of the shower and you have water in your ears.

5. Mini mirror

For the girls - if you're sharing a room with multiple other people with limited mirror space or if you're at a hostel that lacks mirrors even in the bathroom (been there) then it is very nice to have a small mirror you can bring with you to get ready. I like ones like this, where they're larger than a makeup pocket mirror but still small enough where they won't take up much room in your luggage.

Where To Find Good Food in Florence On A Budget

Florence is one of the best cities for food in Italy (the best in my opinion). The pasta is perfect, the pizza is topped with fresh mozzarella, and the panini are made with crisp bread.

Like any city, not all restaurants are budget-friendly, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice quality for a cheap eat!

To find delicious Italian staples and save a few euros, go to these places to get your fix for pizza, panini, gelato, pasta, and chicken.

If you’re looking for some of the best Italian food for less…you’re in the right place.

Let's eat!

Pizza: Gusta Pizza | Via Maggio, 46r

It can be hard to find good Italian pizza under five euros, but you can find it at Gusta Pizza, located near Santo Spirito.

For 3.50 for marinara (just sauce and crust) or 4 for margherita (sauce, crust, cheese), the prices are hard to beat.

Pizzas with more toppings aren't even much more. What's even better is if you split your pizza with a friend, then you'll have some extra cash for a glass of wine!

Panini: I Due Frattelini | Via dei Cimatori, 38

Due Frattelini is always packed at lunch time and for good reason. Part of that is because it is a tiny walk-up kiosk, but mostly because the panini are just that good!

And inexpensive, too: 2.50 euro for most sandwiches.

The bread is the best part, warm and crisp. The ingredients are fresh - you see them cut up the tomatoes and mozzarella right in front of you. They serve wine as well!

Gelato: Gelateria La Carraia | Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25

You can't beat tasty gelato for only 1.50 euro!

My general rule is to only trust gelaterias that serve the small sized gelato for 2 euros or less. More than that, the prices are likely tourist-driven and the quality isn't as great.

The gelato at La Carraia is good quality and right across the Ponte alla Carraia bridge. Take your gelato with you to the bridge and enjoy the views while you eat.

Pasta: Osteria de' Peccatori | Piazza di San Firenze, 14

Osteria de' Peccatori is one of my favorite restaurants in Florence. We went there a number of times - it is great for a semi-large group of people or dining solo, whatever works for you.

There is a lot of selection on the menu, but the pasta has always been my favorite - especially the gnocchi al pesto or the tortellini labro di prete (7.90 euro each).

The service is really friendly and welcoming. (The dessert is beyond amazing, too)! I could sure go for their tiramisu...

Rotisserie Chicken: Ristorante La Spada | Via della Spada, 62

I'm not quite sure if rotisserie chicken counts as a staple Italian food, but if you need to take a break from all the carbs, head to La Spada for some delicious, juicy take away chicken.

For only five euros you get a half chicken and can add a side if you want - potatoes, vegetables, etc. You also have many other choices with the take away selection.

(Note that sitting down at the restaurant costs more than it does at the take away shop around the corner, but tastes the same all the less).

There you have it - the best places in Florence to get amazing Italian food at a fraction of the price.

These are a few examples of my personal favorite places to go from when I used to live in the city – I would often frequent these eateries at least once every other week!

I recommend these places and hope you enjoy them too.

Book a Place to Stay in Italy

My all-time favorite booking website is the well-known Booking.com - I’ve used it for years all over the world.

It is the easiest way to search and find the best hotels (hostels too!), especially based on reviews. I always check the reviews on Booking, even if it’s a name-brand hotel. You never know!

Where To Find Cheap Flights

With flights often being the most expensive portion of a trip (at least for international ones), finding cheap tickets can feel like a scavenger hunt. If you wait too long you're screwed, unless a magical last-minute deal pops up. Before booking flights, I always make sure to compare fares from at least a few sites. Here are six of my favorites that you can use to get the best airfare deal and make that dream trip happen:

1. Skyscanner

My all-time favorite flight search site. I've been using Skyscanner for years and like how it shows you the cheapest flight, and shows you what that specific flight costs at different sites so you know you're getting the lowest deal. I also like using the other features, such as the low fare calendar to find the cheapest day to fly on, or looking up flights from my departure airport to "Everywhere" to view prices all over the world.

2. Airfare Watchdog

I've come across Airfare Watchdog more recently, and it's great for finding last-minute deals or cheap flights for certain times of the year. Check out their Twitter, too, where they tweet especially good fares.

3. Hipmunk

I've used Hipmunk a couple times, and it really helped me find an okay deal when I needed to book a last-minute flight to DC (literally only four days before I left). With Hipmunk you can organize your search by price, duration, or my favorite, agony, so you can avoid the seemingly "great" deals that happen to use multiple airlines, 3+ stops, long layovers, etc.

4. Student Universe

If you're a student or under 26 years old, you are able to book through Student Universe which offers a flight search engine, comparison tool, and also other travel options like rail passes, hotels, tours, and activities.

5. Rome 2 Rio

If you're doing a multi-city trip or want to utilize more than just air travel, Rome 2 Rio is a great site to use because it gives you different route options to get to places. If you're in Rome and you want to get to Paris, it will offer a number of ways to get there, such as taking a bus to one city, then a plane, then a train, or taking a train to a different city that has a cheaper flight to your final destination. Choose to travel by plane, train, bus, ferry, car, or a combination.

6.  Budget Airlines' Websites

Do a little research to find budget airlines according to the region you're in. With a number of flash sales and special deals, you can easily find flights one-way for only $20 on some. Note that you get what you pay for, however: most budget airlines, especially in Europe, charge extra for carry-ons, snacks on the flight, only fly to out-of-the-way airports, etc. A few to consider:

-Southwest Airlines: my favorite way to budget in the US, it actually allows two checked bags free plus a personal item. Also, many planes now offer free WiFi on board. Southwest flies all around the US as well as some places in Mexico and the Caribbean.

-Frontier Airlines: based out of Denver, Colorado, Frontier flies all around the US as well as some other destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. I've flown them a couple times and have found some great deals, especially when I go to Colorado.

Update 6/13/15: Since writing this post I've flown Frontier from Denver. One of the newer changes was a $20 charge to bring a carry-on bag on the flight. Then, the flight was canceled due to weather conditions (it was January in Colorado, after all), but they didn't refund the $20 baggage fee.

-Easyjet, Ryan Air, and Wizz Air: grouping these together because they're pretty similar. All are budget airlines that fly within Europe at extremely low prices.

-Norwegian Airlines: this airline just opened up flight departure options from the United States - you can find one-way flights from the US to Europe for only 300 euros. Again, it's a no-frills airline.

-AirAsia: a Malaysia airline based out of Kuala Lumpur, you can find great deals on flights all around Asia and Australia.

Photo: We Heart It

4 Essentials For a Weekend in Istanbul

Istanbul Mosque

Last fall I had been itching to go somewhere a little more exotic and different than Western/Central Europe, and was thrilled when I found cheap flights to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. For a long weekend, I wandered around the city with a friend to explore a place neither of us had been to. Immediately we were in awe, as the city blends the east and the west, evidently seen through the culture and architecture. The people were friendly and the streets were bustling. Since we just had a few days there, we set out on hitting the major must-see attractions, but also walked around plenty in the attempt to stumble upon random shops and cafes. Here are a few must-see things we did that I highly recommend you do if you find yourself in Istanbul:

Galata Tower

Galata Tower View

Head to the top of the Galata Tower for a fantastic view of Istanbul. Once at the top, you slowly make your way around the tower which gives you an amazing panoramic view of the city, the water, and the mosques in the distance. Look down and people watch those walking around the streets or dining at an outdoor cafe.

Topkapi Palace

Topkapi palace

The Topkapi Palace was one of my favorite places we visited. Nestled on a hill, there are spectacular views of the city and the water surrounding the castle. The rooms throughout the palace are covered in bright colored tiles and stained glass windows that add to the grandeur of the former stomping grounds for the Ottoman Sultans. Inside the palace was the jewel room, which I LOVED. You aren't allowed to take photos in the jewel room, so I only have my memories - think swords and other weaponry completely covered in gems, decorative bowls, and large chests with giant, pure emeralds.

Mosques

Istanbul Mosques

The mosques in Istanbul are grand and elaborate from the outside, but even more so on the inside. While we didn't have a chance to go to Hagia Sofia (something to do next time), we did get to the Blue Mosque and the New Mosque. Being inside the mosques was relaxing and peaceful. I instantly felt a sense of calm. Make sure to dress conservatively in the mosques with covered shoulders, knees, and toes, plus a head scarf for women.

Grand Bazaar/Spice Market

Spice Market Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar and Spice Market were two places I weren't very fond of, but nevertheless are interesting to experience. The shop salespeople were mainly men who were very pushy and annoying just to get you to look at their items. The Grand Bazaar was large and there was a ton of selection on Turkish goods, plus some of the typical souvenir stuff. The Spice Market had a ton of spices (of course), and if I were one to cook, I would've stocked up on everything from paprika to cumin to pepper. The Spice Market also had shops with plenty of Turkish gifts to buy, including traditional Turkish foods like baklava. While these weren't my favorite places to go to, I'd still recommend a look around because there is quite a variety of shops.

There is plenty more to do in Istanbul, and these four essentials only scratch the surface - but will definitely make for a trip to remember as part of your weekend itinerary.

Makeup/Beauty Tips For Travelers

If you're like me (or most girls) you probably like to bring your makeup with you on trips. Just because you're not at home doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your typical beauty routine! I've compiled plenty of tips on how to pack your products as well as tips on makeup for traveling.

Packing Your Makeup & Beauty Products

-You don't need to pack your whole bathroom intoyour suitcase. When you're traveling, packing light is key and makes everything easier. Plus, having extra space means more room for goodies on your trip! When you're deciding on makeup and hair products, think: Do I actually use this every day? Will I actually use this on my trip? If the answer is no, leave it behind. Chances are you'll completely forget about it. The last thing you want is to have a giant bottle of hairspray, a ton of extra eye shadow palettes, and full-size shampoo bottles taking up space in your luggage, especially when you don't use them.

- To minimize space, use travel size bottles. I take a tube or two of travel size toothpaste, and if I don't use the whole tube, I throw it out. Since I like to use a certain type of shampoo and conditioner for my hair that doesn't come in travel size, I get the plastic empty bottles from Target for $1 and take the amount I need with me.

- If you're traveling with a friend, coordinate on stuff you can share. Do you both need to bring a flat iron? Maybe one of you brings the flat iron and the other brings the curling iron. Could you share shampoo? Toothpaste?

- Always put your liquids in ziploc bags. The last thing you'll feel like dealing with when arriving to your destination is buying a whole new wardrobe because your pink strawberry scented shaving cream exploded and stained all your clothes.

- Another tip for liquids: put a piece of plastic wrap over the opening of the bottle, secure with a rubber band, and screw the cap on over it. This helps ensure minimal leaks.

- If you're traveling long-term, there's no need to stock up on a huge amount of product before you head over (that is, unless you're totally attached to it and won't be able to find it in your new country). Many countries have Sephora, department stores with beauty sections, or other makeup/beauty shops. Grocery stores often sell similar toiletries like they do in the US. Check before you go so you don't have weigh your luggage down with 10 pounds of lotion and five large tubes of toothpaste.

- Take advantage of pockets or compartments in your suitcase. On my suitcase, I have a small outer pocket that I put most of my liquids in. This makes it extra safe for not leaking onto my stuff, but also makes it easy to take out when I go through security.

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Traveling

- For nail polish, light colors tend to show less when chipping, so you can make your mani/pedi last longer. If you need to do touch-ups, bring your bottle with you - it's small and doesn't take up much space!

- If you got a spray tan before your beach vaycay and you want to stretch the life of the tan, make sure to moisturize daily with lotion. For showering with a spray tan, avoid exfoliating, and when you towel off, pat instead of rubbing to avoid smears and loss of color.

- Protect your face with one less item to bring - if your foundation has SPF in it, then you don't necessarily need to bring a bottle of face sunscreen.

- If you have a long flight, layover, or you just didn't want to use the icky hostel shower to wash your hair, wear a hat. Baseball caps and beanies pack well. Headbands, hair ties, or bobby pins are other alternatives to help on a dirty hair day.

-  For summer trips, bring bug spray. I brought a mini bottle with me to Florence and it saved my skin! (Florence, Italy especially has a ton of mosquitoes in the summertime). If I forgot to wear bug spray out at night, I'd wake up the next morning with over 30 bug bites. I am not kidding - I still have a few scars. One of the best creams I'd always bring for bug bites is a small tube of Cortizone. It helps reduce redness, swelling, and itching, so I use it for bug bites, breakouts, dry skin, etc.

- Instead of my normal face wash, I usemakeup remover wipes when traveling. Luckily, my skin isn't prone to breakouts, so I don't have to use a specific skincare routine. If you're going somewhere (or multiple places) where the water is different than what you're used to at home, then chances are your skin won't be used to it either. Makeup remover wipes clean and moisturize skin sans-water so you can avoid unwanted breakouts.