So many places…so little time!
Back when I first began writing I dreamed of becoming a travel writer. In those days travel writers wrote mainly for newspapers, magazines or occasionally a book. Then 10 years ago when I started hearing about the potential of blogging, Thom and I toyed with the idea of a travel blog for middle-aged motorcycle riders. Yes, really! That idea crashed and burned when I dumped my motorcycle at 40 mph, broke my arm and shoulder, and Thom sold my bike. Instead I spent over three years writing about the environment and everything green and sustainable before eventually focusing on what I call SMART Living. But even though writing about things I consider SMART is deeply satisfying, I’ve never forgotten that pull to write about my second love—travel. So with a three-week adventure planned in the days ahead, I decided to give it a shot—with a dose of SMART on the side!
As I’ve confessed several times on this blog, I’m a big planner when it comes to travel. The entire process makes me so happy that I almost enjoy the planning as much as the trip. Of course, some people tell me that I take away the spontaneity of enjoyable travel by putting in so many hours of planning. But what those people don’t know is that science now shows that the anticipation of a trip dramatically increases people’s happiness and overall enjoyment of a vacation. So even if a spontaneous last-minute trip seems like a dream come true, we do ourselves a disservice by not taking some time to anticipate the fun of future events.
With that in mind I began planning our upcoming trip to Mexico back in January of this year. We had been talking about making Southern Mexico a destination for many years and with nothing else on the horizon it seemed like the right time. When I began researching airline costs, I was astonished at the great prices I found during our favorite time to get away. And with our last four or five trips to the land of the Euro, the Peso exchange rate makes it especially attractive.
Our basic plan is to fly from to and from Tijuana, Mexico. Why TJ? When I began searching airline times and connections to other U.S. cities closer to where I live, most had horrible departure times and connections. Our Tijuana flight flies direct to Mexico City and we leave at the decent hour of 11:30 a.m. Oh, and did I mention, it costs almost half the price? And lest you think such a move is daring, several good friends have flown from TJ and spoke highly of the airport. I’m certain that we too will be able to write a good review upon our return.
Our overall itinerary consists of four nights in Mexico City, four nights in Puebla and nine nights in Oaxaca. I intend to give more details of each leg of the trip as we go along. And how am I going to tie it into SMART? Basically one reason I love to travel is because it opens us up to new learning experiences and ways to think AND just like everything else in life it can relate to one of the five categories of SMART—Sustainable, Meaningful, Aware, Responsible and Thankful. And because so many of you like lists—I plan to come up with the Top Five Tips Learned on the Road for each and every post.
With that in mind, here are my Top Five for this week. (Okay I haven’t left yet but here’s what they are for SMART pre-travel!)
#1 If you have the time and like to plan—go for it! I realize many people work long hours and are simply too busy to enjoy the process. In that case a cruise or an escorted trip is a great option. But if you enjoy reading about travel AND like planning things out, don’t be afraid of this fun and satisfying experience.
#2 The Internet makes travel planning fun and easy. I’m sure most of us remember back when we needed guide books, newspapers or magazines to point out unique and special travel experiences. Not any more. The Internet is packed full of descriptions AND photos of just about any place you could want to go. Just Google and go for it!
#3 Read reviews. Probably the single best tip I could give anyone is to find and read reviews about locations, things to do, places to stay, and where to eat. I always throw out the very best and very worst reviews and pay attention to all the rest. In all the years we’ve traveled around the world I have never been disappointed by the reviews I’ve read and chosen to follow—best of all I’ve experienced some AMAZING places and things because I read other people’s advice.
#4 Focus on the Wows! I’ve already confessed my FOMO addiction (Linked HERE) so you know I don’t like to miss out on anything—especially when traveling. But early on Thom explained that running around exhausting ourselves by trying to cram everything into one trip JUST WASN’T FUN! That’s when he told me—let’s just see the WOWs. So that’s what I plan. I make sure that what I want to see is considered a WOW or at least 4 or 5 stars and put it on the list. Not only does this satisfy my FOMO, it also makes Thom happy because we spend more time seeing and experiencing the best that any location has to offer.
#5 Stay flexible. This tip might seem strange coming from an uber-planner. But what planning does is give me the very best options in advance. From there I have the ability to flow with whatever life hands me along the way. Having an awesome plan, but not being too attached is a key to happy travel.
I’m sure more tips will come to me as we travel, so stay tuned for insight into travel as well as photos as we go along. Because so much of what I do here on SMART Living is an experiment in creating a happy and content life, I’m not sure how this will go. But I’m convinced that attempting to do what we’ve always dreamed of doing is not only SMART, but also a big part of a happy life.
“Thom sold my bike.” –> that made me laugh.
Handy for you that you can get to Tijuana!
My level of trip planning is either “almost none” or “almost all.” The former strategy is employed on my solo trips, and the latter when hubby is along for the ride. Although we have 22 days together in SE Asia coming up in November, and I plan to not plan. Ask me in October how nervous he’s getting. 😉
Hi Laura! Yes Thom wasn’t taking any chances with me going through that again. Although it was actually just a dumb mistake on my part so I wasn’t afraid to keep going (I think that’s what Thom WAS afraid of!)
Hmmm….it sounds like you and Thom might be more alike and I’m like your husband. Thom could easily just wing it because he is much more comfortable just taking it as it goes. Of course after all these years he has grown rather accustomed to me handling it so now he gets the best of both worlds. YES! I do want to see how things are going in October! 🙂 Will you be blogging about your trip? I hope so…. ~Kathy
I look forward to hearing all about your trip and seeing photos! Thank you for the tips! Although I travel a great deal, I can always use a new one or a reminder!
Hi Suzanne! I am going to give it my best shot. And yes, I’m definitely hearing the need to put lots of photos. Stay tuned! ~Kathy
How exciting, Kathy! I can’t wait to read all about your adventures and learnings on this great trip! Safe travels! Have fun! Take lots of pics! xoxo nancy
Hi Nancy! Thanks for the good travel wishes. I’m looking forward to my first travel blogging…I’m hoping it goes as AWESOME as I expect….and YES! to the photos. ~Kathy
Amsterdam was fantastic! We did two days, but you could spend weeks there and still not see everything!
Hi Liv!….yes. I went to your blog and read about your trip to Holland…and got ideas for my travel posts as well. And I so agree that it is impossible to see an entire city in a short time…but all the more reason to return again in the future right? Oh so many places to go huh? ~Kathy
I miss travel more than I can say. We haven’t been able to for budget reasons, but we love to travel. You offer some great tips. My husband is an excellent planner and he always comes through no matter where we travel to. Being the youngest child, I was left home alone with my parents who were world travelers. My dad was our master planner, and our vacations with just the 3 of us was pure magic.
Great post, Kathy, and wonderful tips.
Hi Cathy! Sorry to hear you haven’t been able to travel much lately. I get that although even when Thom and I had practically nothing we always figured out ways to go and visit friends and/or family just to get out of town. Of course that was back when gas was a bit cheaper. It sounds like you have traveling in your blood for sure. In our family it was pretty much the opposite. Out of all of my family–only one other has even been out of the country–and most are certifiable homebodies. I think I got MOST ALL the traveling genes in my family for sure.
But best of all, what great memories you have. ~Kathy
I’d say your “experiment” is working out well, wouldn’t you? I can never get enough tips, even though I am a seasoned traveler. There’s always some bit of wisdom I need to know!
Hi Carol! Yes, it’s a good start to my experiment. The real test will be if I can sit and compose a few words on the road. I actually had a paid writing assignment one time that I had to work on while riding in the car with Thom driving. Not fun at all! I’m a real gawker in the car so it was a struggle. I’m hoping this will work when we are relaxing in our B & B’s after a busy day of touring. You all will get to see my progress for sure. ~Kathy
I got a taste of travel blogging during my recent trip to Holland. I’d love to just travel and write. Sounds like you’ve got a wonderful trip planned – can’t wait to see it! And I’m with Lisa – pics are a must!
Hi Liv! Thanks for stopping by SMART Living and sharing your thoughts. And now I will have to go and check out your posts on Holland to see what worked for you! We were in Holland a few years ago–just Amsterdam actually so if you were there I’d love to read your travel experience. And yes on the photos! I may even try a video or two! I’ll let you know how it goes…. ~Kathy
I am a huge planner also and I agree it makes me so happy to be planning a trip!
Hi Rena! Don’t you think us uber-trip-planners would just have to make up a trip if we didn’t have something we knew we were doing for sure? It is so rewarding to research all the different things to do and where to stay, that I’ve surely been tempted bto try that before. Thom NEVER even suggests something to me unless he is pretty sure about it because I’m on it right away otherwise! 🙂 The internet provides hours of free entertainment…I’ve never been into fashion, or news or cooking or so many things…but travel. Yep! ~Kathy
My favorite travel quote: “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” ~ Lao Tzu
That said, I like to plan and have LOTS of ideas from which to choose based on what resonates in the moment ~ and I do want to know where I’ll be resting my head at night.
Bon Voyage. Glad that your ankle is feeling up to wandering!
Hi NR….yes I love Lao Tzu too and Thom throws that one at me on a regular basis! 🙂 I think the operative word is “fixed” plans because that’s about the only time they get me in trouble. And oh yes…I too like to know where I’ll be resting my head at night. The way I look at it is that I want to at least attempt to get the best I can for the money I spend. Same with food. I don’t mind paying for something that is extra special, I just dislike paying top dollar for average. Planning definitely helps me in those regards.
And yes, I’m happy to say my ankle is doing well. Not 100% just yet but certainly good for what we plan to do. Photos will follow you can be sure of it! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Your trip seems to be quite fascinating! Have fun! We would look forward to more SMART ideas.
I am also a great planner when it comes to traveling and yes, half of the excitement we can derive is from reading reviews, discussing them and arriving at the conclusion. You have shared very useful tips and the best one is Wows!! After all the most important part of any trip should be Wows! Bon Voyage!
Hi Balroop! Thank you for your good travel wishes! I’m definitely anticipating the trip in a positive way. I love researching trip reports and reviews especially on tripadvisor and reading what fun other people enjoyed there. I am also looking forward to sharing some of our WOWS with everyone else. Stay tuned…. ~Kathy
Sounds fantastic, Kathy! Have a great trip and I look forward to your posts. I hope you include lots of pictures too! Great idea.
Hi Lisa! I’ve put Thom in charge of photos so we’ll see how he does! I normally post quite a few on my personal FB page so I figure this shouldn’t be that much more effort….and sort of a fun way to go about it. I’m definitely looking forward to it…. ~Kathy
****early on Thom explained that running around exhausting ourselves by trying to cram everything into one trip JUST WASN’T FUN!***
Great tip.
It’s more about the WOWS & breathing & Savoring. I so much agree!
Xx Happy Sunday.
Hi Kim! Thom will be VERY pleased that you agree with him about not trying to SQUEEZE everything into a day! And yes, as I’ve confessed I have gotten more and more appreciative of it too. Now it is rather nice just to sit and have a coffee (glass of wine) and watch the people going about their day almost as much as touring amazing sites. Yes to breathing and SAVORING! I will use that on this trip I promise. ~Kathy
How exciting! Look forward to hearing more about the trip. We’d like to go to Mexico in the not-too-distant future, sometime during winter.
Hi Michelle! Your blog inspires me all the time! And yes to Mexico in the winter–although everywhere we are going is at 6,000 feet or higher so except for afternoon thundershowers it will be much cooler there than our house here in the desert. (that was one of the deciding factors too.) I will keep you posted! ~Kathy
I never would have thought flying from TJ would be more economical.I like the planning part too. We once came home form a trip only to later discover that a factory was 20 minutes away that we would have liked to see. Since then I always have a back-up of just in case places and things in the neighborhood.
Hi Haralee! Yes isn’t TJ a great alternative for those of us living in Southern California especially? There is actually talk of building a tunnel (yes really) from the U.S. side and allowing passengers to park on the U.S. side and walk through the tunnel to the airport. The TJ airport is actually right at the border anyway. Whether it will ever happen who knows? But if we can get cheaper flights with most major airlines I’m all for it.
I will DEFINITELY let everyone know if it is something that I would do again! ~Kathy