Destination: Tips to take into 2018

Photo credit Marctran

Travel Bags With Annita & Friends celebrated the final episode of the year with a special gift for our listeners: travel tips and tricks to make 2018 your best year yet! Annita was joined by travel friends Marjorie, Nichole, and Olivia to discuss their favorite tips but it didn’t stop there. Oprah Magazine Insiders from all over the country sent in their best travel advice too! Read on for essential travel knowledge from Annita’s fellow O-Mag Insiders.

We start with links below to the Travel Bags With Annita Show which aired on Dec. 30th.

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Travel tips with Nichole Roberts, Olivia Varnson, Tonya Parker and Shelley Webb

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Travel tips with Tanya Taylor, Amber Mamian, Sarah Harris and Amy Boyle

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Travel tips with Eileen Fruithandler and Nichole Roberts

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Travel tips with Sarah Hirsch, Ann Brasco, Stephanie Graney, Rachel Simmonds, Nichole Roberts and Sarah Harris

Photo credit- Wavebreak Media

Healthy travel

App suggestion: Find Me GF. This app helps you find gluten-free options in your area. It was the only way I could drive across the country this summer and locate gluten-free restaurants! It was a lifesaver!

– Rachel Robles Simmonds – RachelSimmondsFitness.com

• Food allergies? Stephanie suggests that you scout out the areas before you head out to see the closest grocery stores.
• GF/DF products are expensive in the store but still cheaper than going to a restaurant every meal with a family of four.

– Stephanie Becky Hubbard Graney – ocrealmom.blogspot.com

• Wherever I go, I buy a yoga mat. I give it away or donate it when I’m leaving.
• I am up early for coffee = quiet and meditation time. My alarm rings with the message “I am grateful for___________”. I write an IAGF (I write that) in my Oprah thought for a daybook or journal from OMagInsiders! This sets my intention, although every morning I pray “God, use me today.”
• I always bring sneakers to walk somewhere outside.
• My mat is open near a bed or couch for the reminder to go there first. “If you don’t want to change, don’t get on a yoga mat.” I do my flow that I teach and practice. Stand with your arms at your side, raise arms up, forward fold or bend to the earth, look up to the sunrise and open your heart, “vinyasa” or plank (push-up), up dog, down dog, warrior poses, and do a tree pose on each leg.
• AS LONG AS YOU INHALE AND EXHALE WITH INTENTION, you will feel stronger and peaceful where it counts, in your heart. Sit cross-legged on the mat, lay back with knees up and twist side to side.
• Let go with love at the end in “svasana” or meditate for as long as you can. End with hands to your heart center, from the light in me to the light in the universe, Namaste.

– Eileen Fruithandler from ThirdEyeYogaShala.com

Multi-generational travel

• Choose a resort or a destination that has plenty of activities for all ages.
• Try to do dinner all together at a reasonable hour, so little ones don’t get tired. Dinners are great for the group can come together and share what they did during the day.
• Choose a resort with a kids club or use your family as babysitters to get a night out for those who can stay up late.
• Ask the resort if they will facilitate fun games or team building exercises. This is a great way to get to know your family better.

– Sarah Hirsch from WellTraveledKids.com

• SAFETY – Consider what activities are age appropriate for elderly travelers, small children and those with health conditions. Think of dietary needs. Be aware of ambulatory and walking restrictions. Be sun smart. Drink plenty of liquids.
• SAVINGS – There is no need to break the bank making memories. Creating these lifelong highlights don’t require the fanciest of accommodations or the priciest of souvenirs. Collect memories, not stuff.
• SOLO TIME – As much as inter-generational vacations are about connecting, build in downtime where you can be alone or away from the group to recharge and rebalance. This will greatly reduce stress and can amplify gratitude.
• SLOW DOWN – We often pack in as many events and activities as we can only to return home feeling we need a vacation from our vacation. Make this adventure stress free and slow down. It is about the quality of interaction rather than checking every sight to see an event to experience off the list.

• SANITY – Leave your expectations at home. Plan for your trip and then plan for the unexpected to occur. Remember you may not have control over other people’s comments or behaviors, but your reaction is always completely within your control. Ride with the tide and don’t let small changes make a big damper. When considering the amount of time, planning and money going into the trip remember that committing yourself to having a positive and grateful attitude is the best investment in the trip that you can make.

– Ann Brasco from AnnBrasco.com

• Let Kids Help With Planning- if you want your kids engaged in the activities you plan on your next family trip make sure you involve them in the planning.
• Embrace the Little Things- kids and grandparents alike are more in tune with finding joy in the smaller more ordinary moments. So, slow down the pace of your multi-generational trip and plan for some quality downtime. You can grab coffee and head to a local park, plan for a family dinner at a kid-friendly restaurant, or just go for a walk.

– Amber Mamian from GlobalMunchkins.com

Packing tips

Always pick a color palette-typically one or two colors that pop and neutral staples to make dressing chic easier! Create a travel capsule by selecting items to mix and match, and for dressier nights I limit the number of shoes I have to bring by choosing nude heels which go with anything!

– Tonya Parker from TheRealChicLife.com

Save the shower caps they give you in hotels to use like shoe covers when packing. They easily keep the bottom of your shoes separate from the rest of your clothing.

– Shelley Webb from IntentionalCaregiver.com

Photography tips

As a mom and professional photographer, I could easily be out of the picture per se. When it comes to vacation photos, we all have a camera and take our story-telling images that reflect the flavor of our trip and then compile a joint album that tells the whole story of our vacations. – Amy Boyle from AmyBoylePhotography.com

Road trip tips

• For road trips with our young children, we preferred to get on the road late at night. Late night trips for the kiddos mean fewer bathroom breaks and fewer stops for hungry tummies, and more open roads and quiet enjoyment. By the time the children begin to wake up, we are much closer to our destination.
• We always have our vehicle tuned-up and checked out before a long trip. We keep a set of jumper cables in the car, flares, an...