10 Airport Travel Tips For The Holidays

98.6 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more this year for Christmas, and just like every year, air travel is going to get busy. If you're flying home for the holidays, use these 10 airport travel tips to make your trip home smoother.

Tips For Packing Your Bags

1. Don't wrap your gifts

Airport security may look through your bags at any time of year, and there is no tolerance for suspicion. To save your packages from getting torn apart, leave your gifts unwrapped for the flight and wrap them once you arrive at your destination.

Already bought special wrapping paper for the occasion? Save time (and your paper!) by cutting out enough for what you need, folding it, and laying it flat. Keep it from getting wrinkled by sticking it in the middle of a magazine or book.

2. Fly Southwest

If you're flying domestic in the US and are bringing a number of gifts home with you, fly Southwest - they are the only US airline to allow two free checked bags. If you are expecting to receive a gift(s) of larger size, only use a carry-on or one checked bag on the way there and fold up a duffle in your suitcase to use on the way back.

3. Place shoes in separate compartment

Place your shoes in a separate compartment so the odor doesn't mix with your clothes (or any new clothing/fabric items that you're giving to loved ones as gifts). I like to use the zip compartment in my suitcase to prevent this.

4. Place a dryer sheet in your suitcase, too

Fabric softener makes your clothes smell great in the dryer and will also keep your clothes smelling fresh in the suitcase, too. Place it on the top of the pile before you zip the suitcase up. Now there will be no fear of stinky smelling clothes for holiday parties!

5. Bring small breakables in your carry-on

Bringing home breakables? Keep them in your carry-on to avoid them from cracking when your checked luggage gets tossed around by airport staff. Speaking from experience: last year I put a fragile, hand-painted ornament from Florence in my checked bag only to take it out of the suitcase in shattered pieces when I arrived.

For the Airport

6. Print your boarding pass ahead of time

This will save you time and one extra step. You never know how long the lines will be at check-in.

7. Use travel apps

For smooth travel days, get some assistance from an app like TripIt for your itinerary.

8. Allow extra time for security as airports are busier

As mentioned at the beginning 98.6 million people are traveling for the holidays this year. That means busier airports and longer lines. Allowing extra time to get to the airport (especially if the weather is bad) and get through security will save you stress.

9. Bring snacks and a water bottle

Airport food and water can get expensive, and shelling out cash for a bag of processed, unhealthy food that doesn't even taste that good is the worst. Plan ahead by picking up your desired snacks at the grocery store the day before you leave to save money and eat what you like. As for avoiding paying $4 for a disposable water bottle? Pack an empty one in your carry-on and fill it up at a drinking fountain after you get through security.

10. Communicate with whoever is picking you up

If a friend or family member is picking you up, make sure you communicate with them on what time your flight gets in - and keep in touch if your flight gets delayed. This will save your driver from sitting in the cell phone lot for an extra hour or two while they wait for a delayed flight!

Around The World On A Budget

Is traveling expensive? It can be, but it doesn't have to! Instead of getting discouraged immediately after checking the price of flights, start to think outside the box when it comes to planning your next trip. If your dream destination is somewhere warm on a beach, look into Southeast Asia - there are hoards of beaches there. If it's classic European architecture, check out the castles and cathedrals of old-world Eastern Europe. If it's something adventurous or outdoors-y, look into Central or South America. For somewhere totally exotic and different, head to Central Asia.

Below are a few destinations around the world on a budget that will still satisfy your desire to travel that won't drain your bank account. This list can help get you started when thinking about where to go!

Also read: Where To Find Cheap Flights

Asia

Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, etc.

Countries in Southeast Asia are extremely inexpensive to travel to. This region is often called a "backpacker's paradise" due to being safe, cheap, and with multiple countries that are easy to get to. Get started with a Full Moon party in Thailand, waterfalls in Laos, pristine beaches in Cambodia, delicious fusion food in Singapore, or bright green rice fields in Indonesia.

South Korea

For an Eastern Asian adventure without the Tokyo price tag, head to South Korea. Sing karaoke, eat Korean barbecue, and take trips through the lush countryside to see this stunning country.

Europe

Eastern Europe and The Balkans: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Romania

This region of Eastern Europe is far cheaper than its western counterpart. While London and Paris are amazing cities, you can find accommodation for days in parts of Eastern Europe that cost the same as one night in the former two. You'll get a more in-depth experience and set foot in parts of Europe that many travelers never get to. The castles and architecture are gorgeous, too!

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Turkey

Istanbul is one of the most interesting cities in Europe, partially due to its influences with both the West and East. It's really cheap, and the farther east you go, the cooler it gets. Hot air ballooning in the Cappadocia region is a popular activity these days, as is taking a cruise along the sparkling Mediterranean Coast.

Greece

Greece is a European country that many people assume is outrageously expensive but is far more affordable than you'd think. Read the Greece section on this post for more reasons why.

Africa

Morocco

Morocco tends to be more on the inexpensive side for tourists, especially if you're getting there from Western Europe (in which case, it will seem very inexpensive). Avoid tourist scams to save your money, and enjoy the beauty and exotic flavor of this country.

Madagascar

If you can get to Madagascar, you'll notice that prices are on the lower range for accommodation, transportation, etc. You never know, it could be worth it to see the Avenue of Baobabs in person, where baobab trees reach heights of about 100 feet.

The Americas

Peru

Peru has Machu Picchu which is already awesome, but you'll also find jungles and beaches in this South American country. Go to Lima or Cuzco for a city vibe, or head out to Lake Titicaca to marvel at this huge lake that sits over 12,000 feet above sea level.

USA

North America in general can get pretty pricey, but if you want to go to the US, shave down the cost of seeing big cities in different parts of this large country by driving instead of flying. This will significantly cut down your costs and allow you to stop at unexpected spots on the way! Popular routes include:

-Historic Route 66 (California-Arizona-New Mexico-Texas-Oklahoma-Missouri-Illinois)

-Deep South (Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia)

-Pacific Coast Highway (Washington-Oregon-California)

-California to New York

-Florida

-I-90 (East-West interstate highway along northern states)

-Southwest loop (Los Angeles-San Diego-Phoenix-Grand Canyon-Zion NP-Las Vegas)

Panama If you're craving Central American beaches but aren't digging the idea of Costa Rican prices, go a little further south to Panama. Rainforest, tropical birds, beaches, diving, and surfing are a few of many great things to see and do in Panama.

Oceania & The Pacific

Islands: Fiji, Northern Mariana Islands

Aside from Australia and New Zealand, which are both notorious for being pricey, look into islands in Oceania. Fiji is a great alternative to the Caribbean if you're looking for a beach getaway. Also check out some other islands, such as the Northern Mariana Islands - Saipan is on the US dollar and is relatively inexpensive (read more about Saipan here and here)!

How I've Paid For My Travels So Far

Spice Market and Grand Bazaar

I don't believe that money has to be a barrier to traveling the world. Money is definitely important and is a big factor toward travel, but it's more about changing the way you think about paying for things and prioritizing the things you spend money on.

Don't automatically dismiss that dream destination because of the cost. Do your research. And research some more. And get creative and come up with alternative ways to travel to that dream destination. Then comes the fun part - start planning and GO!

I haven't addressed exactly how I've paid for my travels so far on this website because money is a sensitive subject and is different for everyone.

I've also read blogs where the blogger explains how they fund their travels, and then a horde of criticism and whiny people troll their comments and inboxes saying life isn't fair, you suck, your lifestyle is unrealistic, wah wah wah.

Everyone is different. Everyone is in a different financial situation. If money is a barrier, think outside the box.

That said, here goes nothing...

Some facts about my financial situation:

Yes, I have bills to pay every month.

Yes, I still drink Starbucks every day.

Yes, I currently work both a full-time and part-time job.

No, I don't have a rich uncle who secretly funds my travels.

No, I don't have student loans (yay, scholarships).

---But I also don't think student loans should stop people from traveling (and have proof of friends with nasty loans that still find ways to travel).

No, I don't go shopping as much as I used to.

Croatian Islands

Here is a completely transparent overview of how I've funded my previous international trips to Europe.

1. I studied abroad in college.

After emptying out my savings account to pay for the summer tuition, I had finally convinced my parents that I was serious enough to study abroad in Italy. They reluctantly let me go, afraid for my safety "in scary Italy" (seriously, how ridiculous does that sound?). My parents paid for my flights and two weekend trips (London and Amalfi Coast), which I of course was extremely grateful for. Other than that, my spending money came from my personal remaining funds. Even though I came home with just $25 in my bank account, I was happy, smiling, and had no regrets. Luckily I had a summer babysitting job to come back to...

2. I worked as a tour guide based in Italy and traveled around Europe for my job.

After graduating college, I knew I wanted to go back to Europe, but since I couldn't afford a trip, I knew I had to get creative and find another way to do it. I found a job to work for a company that has trips around Europe for study abroad students, and part of my job was leading the trips (where travel and accommodation were covered).

I worked for the fall semester (August - January) and have no idea how I made my personal budget of $1,400 last that long, other than the fact that I ate vegetables, eggs, and bread every day and (sadly) didn't buy a dirndl at Oktoberfest. If you're going to work a similar job, I HIGHLY SUGGEST a more comfortable budget - at least $1,000/month. My parents paid for 2/3 of my flights as a birthday present, but other than that, I used the $1,400 I had left over from my summer job, plus the monthly stipend I got from the company I worked for.

I had only $30 in my bank account when I returned to the States...but planned ahead before I left - I got a job in February to work a leadership conference in DC for a month to build my money back up.

Note:While I don't regret spending all my money on these first two trips, I definitely recommend coming home with more than $25-30 in your bank account. I also recommend having some type of job or form of income set up for when you get back (unless you're using vacation days from a current job) so you don't go into debt.

3. I worked as a faculty advisor for an international leadership conference in Europe.

The same company I worked for in DC also has international conferences. I was shocked - and extremely excited - to find out I got one of the spots to work at the Europe conference for two weeks. The company covered all my expenses: flights, transportation, hotel, and food in exchange for work. I had very few minor expenses during the conference, and I stuck to a budget during my weekend in Paris beforehand. This time, I came home with a far more decent amount in my bank account than the previous two trips.

There you have it! I hope this information was helpful to you, and inspires you to get creative and see how you can make travel work for you, despite the price tag. Whether you can book a trip in the new year or formulate a plan to go somewhere five years from now, stay focused and be determined to make it happen!

Also read: 11 Ways To Make Money While You Travel

and Is Tour Guiding The Right Job For You?

How To Find (And Ask For) Iced Coffee in Europe

Iced coffee is not very common in Europe, and as someone who loves iced coffee but not hot drinks, finding iced coffee in Europe turned out to be a little bit of a challenge. My first day in Austria I was talking to the barista at the hotel in English, and when I asked for ice for my coffee, he was beyond puzzled. He kept pointing to the Ben & Jerry's case of ice cream pints, asking if I wanted to put Ben & Jerry's into my coffee. Then I looked up how to ask for ice in German - turns out eis means ice cream in and eiswürfel means ice cubes. Knowing how to ask definitely would've helped beforehand!

Here are some tips for both finding and asking for iced coffee in Europe:

Finding Iced Coffee

- Search TripAdvisor and Yelp for cafes that serve iced coffee. For places that do, there are likely to be reviews stating so.

- Type into a search engine "where to find iced coffee in [where you're going]" and see if anything comes up.

- Check your favorite travel blogs that write about locations you're going to to see if they mention finding iced coffee.

- If you find an American cafe or restaurant, ask someone that works there - they'll probably have it.

- Last resort....McDonald's.

How To Ask For Iced Coffee in Different Languages

I love the taste of Italian or Parisian espresso, but for some reason I still just can't drink it without ice. Here is how to ask for iced coffee, cold coffee, or a cup of ice to pour into hot coffee.* Just know that you're bound to get some odd looks, as Europeans tend to think that putting ice into coffee is an odd thing to do.

Italian

Ask for Vorrei caffe freddo (I would like cold coffee)

German

Ask, Kan ichkaffee mit eiswürfel? (May I have coffee with ice cubes?)

French

I'm not sure how this translates or if I spelled it correctly, but my driver in Paris told me I should ask for an iced latte like this: une moisset avec un verre de glaçons, s'il vous plaît? (A coffee and milk with a glass of ice, please?)

Dutch

Ask for ijskoffie

Spanish

Ask, café con los cubos de hielo, por favor (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Catalan

Ask, cafè amb glaçons de gel, si us plau (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Portugese

Ask, café com cubos de gelo, por favor (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Czech

Ask, káva s ledem, prosím (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Hungarian

Ask, kávé a jeget, kérem (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Croatian

Ask, kava s kockicama leda, molimo (coffee with ice cubes, please)

Turkish

Ask, buz küpleri ile kahve, lütfen (coffee with ice cubes, please)

*Most of these phrases I got off of Google translate. Please clarify in the comments if there's a better way to ask!

6 Must-Have Travel Accessories

1. Physical Camera

Today's smartphones come with great built-in cameras, which is great for traveling light. But if I had nickel for every time I knew someone whose phone got lost or stolen while traveling and all those photos were lost... that's why I recommend having a physical camera and/or GoPro in addition to a phone. You have an additional place to store your photos until you upload them.

2. Portable Phone Charger

A portable battery pack is lightweight and can be a life-saver for when you really need your phone. Make sure it's charged beforehand and that you bring the cord! The phone cases that have the extra battery in them work as well.

3. Something to Keep your Chargers Together

I use a small makeup bag to store all my chargers, adapters, etc. when traveling. It's easy to find when you're going through your luggage and you know it's all in the same place. Even a regular ziploc bag works.

4. Portable Luggage Scale

One of the most frustrating things about flying are the luggage weight limits. Weigh all your luggage (some airlines have limits for carry-ons) with a portable luggage scale to ensure you don't go over. You can get one at Target for $20 which converts the numbers into both pounds and kilos.

5. Headphones/Ear Buds

Any flight, train, or bus ride can be a bore without music. These are also nice to have if you have a chatty seatmate and aren't interested in talking. If you have roommates or are at a hostel, you also won't bug your neighbors with your music or TV show.

6. Passport Case

This will help protect your passport from getting bent, spilled on, or ruined in some way. It's also way easier to find your passport in your bag when it's in a case.

Where To Find The Secret Bakeries in Florence

Where To Find The Secret Bakeries in Florence, Italy

Let me introduce to you one of the best things about Florence, Italy: the secret bakery (panetteria segreta). There are a few scattered around town, and you've probably walked by them a dozen times without even realizing it. There is no sign on the door, no open store hours. The only way to find them is through directions from word of mouth and by following your nose...at 1:30 in the morning.

The secret bakeries in Florence are where all the pastries you see in cafes during the daytime are made after they're distributed.

Once you find the secret bakery, politely knock on the door and wait for a baker to pop his head out. Be quiet while you wait. They will not open the door for you if you're loud and obnoxious. (I've seen Italians throw water balloons out their windows at loud and obnoxious people).

Order however many croissants you want (sometimes they have mini pizzas) and the items will be a euro each.

They don't take credit cards, so make sure to have your euro coins on hand.

Enjoy the warm, delicious, chocolate-y or lemon-y or whatever you got as an end-of-the-night treat.

Note: at this time of night, it is best to not go alone - there are a lot of dark alleys in Florence and you want to stay as safe as possible.

The Locations Of The Secret Bakeries in Florence

Approximate Address: Via Canto del Rivolto

This one is near Piazza Santa Croce, which is also close to many bars and nightclubs. If you see Angie's Pub or are on Via delle Brache, you're not on the exact street, but you're very close. Look for a frosted glass door.

Approximate Address: Via della Pinzochere

This one is to the left of the Santa Croce church, and is close to the gym I used to go to on Via dei Pepi. If you're facing the church, turn left onto Pinzochere and look for a small crowd of people or the scent of baked goods. If you've reached Via Ghibellina, you've gone too far.

Approximate Address: Corner of Via San Gallo and Via della Ruote

To be totally honest, I'm not 100% sure this secret bakery is still in business. This was our go-to secret bakery when I studied abroad due to its close proximity to where our pensioni were. Since this bakery has the typical brown door, follow your nose!

Have you come across any additional secret bakeries in Florence? Share where they are in the comments!

6 Simple German Phrases To Say At Oktoberfest

oktoberfest bretzel

We're right in middle of the Oktoberfest 2014 season, and whether you're celebrating in Germany or anywhere else in the world, you're bound to have a jolly ol' time. To get even more in the spirit while you're celebrating the festivities, you'll want to be in-the-know when it comes to fun German phrases (and know what they mean).

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1. Prost!

This means, "Cheers!" Always prost with eye contact while you clink each others' steins.

2. Wies'n

This is the nickname for Oktoberfest.

3. Ein, zwei, drie!

(pronounced ine, tsvy, dry)

This means, "One, two, three!" There is bound to be at least one countdown happening at some point.

4. Mehr bier!

This means, "More beer!" I mean...who goes to Oktoberfest for only one bier?

5. Brezeln

This means, "Pretzel." Those giant soft pretzels are tough to pass up. They just taste so good with a stein full o' beer.

6. Bitte? Danke!

These are "Please" and "Thank you!"