Happy Thursday!

Last week, I shared some things I do before every trip I take! I got great feedback so I wanted to share a few more things with you.

No matter where or when you are traveling, I recommend doing these things before every trip:

1. Plan Airport Transfers: Arrange transportation from the airport to your accommodation, especially if arriving at odd hours, as public transportation may not run 24/7. I book my airport transfers with Viator.
2. Check Currency Rates: Familiarize yourself with the current exchange rates to help with budgeting and avoid being overcharged. I use the XE app on my phone to get updated exchange rates.
3. Share Your Itinerary: Share your travel plans with friends or family, especially if you are a solo traveler, so someone always knows where you are.
4. Research Local Customs and Laws: Understand local customs, cultural norms, tipping culture, and any laws, to avoid mistakes abroad.
5. Check Visa Requirements: Look up visa requirements for your destination and apply ahead of time if needed. Each country has a different timeline for issuing visas, so plan ahead to ensure you get your visa on time.
6. Download Travel Apps: Ensure essential travel apps, like airline, accommodation, and transportation apps, are ready to keep your travel plans organized.

Are there any essential things I missed that you always do before a trip? Reply to this email and let me know!

Have a great weekend :)

Sarah

Some links in this email are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you click the link or make a purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you.

Travel Giveaways

​Kinder Bueno is giving away free Kinder bars. Enter your information and you will receive a coupon by email within 2-3 weeks. Get your coupon while supplies last!

​Travel Japan is giving away an eight-day trip to Japan, including airfare and hotels. There will also be one 2nd place winner and five 3rd place winners. Enter to win by September 20, 2024.

Go Brightline is giving away two tickets to the Eras Tour in Miami on Sunday October 20, 2024. To enter, follow @gobrightline on Instagram and sign the train safety pledge. Enter to win by September 20, 2024.

​Hommel Pepperoni is giving away a trip to New York or Chicago to celebrate National Pepperoni Pizza Day. Enter to win by September 20, 2024.

​Spirit Airlines is giving away domestic round-trip flights for two with their new Go Big and Go Comfy packages. Enter to win by September 23, 2024.

​Sonic and TripAdvisor are giving away five trips to some of America’s most fun destinations, including Alaska, NYC, and three others. Enter to win by September 23, 2024.

​Daily Drop – my favorite free travel newsletter – is giving away a trip to Hawaii! One lucky winner will get a 5-night stay for two at Mauna Lani Resort by Coral Tree Residences and $2,000 for flights and other expenses. Enter to win by September 24, 2024.

​Visit Orlando is giving away a trip to Orlando, including hotel, flight vouchers, attraction tickets, dining experiences, a rental car, and more. Enter to win by September 25, 2024.

​Food & Wine is giving away $10,000 in their Dream Big Sweepstakes. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​People Magazine is giving away $10,000 in their Vacay Like a Celebrity Sweepstakes. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​Shape is giving away $10,000 in their Summer Shape Up Sweepstakes. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

UK: Frontier Ski is giving away a 7-night ski holiday for two, including flights, transfers, and accommodations. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

UK: Travel Weekly is giving away a case of prosecco with Casa De Campo. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

YouTube

My latest Youtube video is up! It's about the final five days of my trip to Turkey in the Turkish Riviera + my final thoughts on the Grand Tour of Turkey with EF Ultimate Break.

Check it out here:

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Make sure you subscribe to my channel!

Social Media Sneak Peek

As always, you can follow along with my current travels on Instagram and Facebook.

Travel Sales

​EF Ultimate Break, my favorite group travel company for people 18-35, is having a sale on winter trips! Trips to escape the cold in winter 2025 are up to $800 off, plus you can save an extra $100 when you book with this link + code UASarahET100. Book by September 30, 2024.

Travel News

​Intrepid Travel released it’s Not Hot List, which highlights lesser-known yet well-worth visiting destinations around the world. The Adirondacks in upstate New York were part of the top 10.

There are tons of giveaways to the region happening right now:

​Whiteface Region is giving away a two-night stay at Hungry Trout Resort. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​Saranac Lake is giving away a getaway in the Adirondacks. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​Lake Champlain is giving away a trip to stay, dine, and enjoy the lake. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​Lake Placid is giving away an Olympic experience in Lake Placid. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

​Adirondack Hub is giving away an Adirondack getaway, including a two -ight stay in a Cabin at Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks. Enter to win by September 30, 2024.

Travel Insurance

One of the things I get asked about the most is travel insurance. Should you get it, and if so, which one?

YES, you should have travel insurance, as you never know when things may go wrong. SafetyWing is my go-to for travel insurance because it covers so much, is easy to purchase for days or months, and is affordable.

Many credit cards also include travel insurance. Personally, I get SafetyWing on top of my credit card insurance.

Learn more about SafetyWing and the benefits of using them in my blog post about travel insurance.