This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us keep Travelling Cooks alive and sharing more recipes and travel tips.
☐ Book early for cheap flights (use Skyscanner, sign up for alerts) or book directly with the airlines
☐ You can book a train, bus, flight or ferry tickets with Omio, a global travel all in one place.
Find Your Perfect Stay
I use Booking.com to find hotels, boutique stays, cosy B&Bs, and special places close to nature. Their filters and reviews make it easy to choose the right spot.
☐ Reserve refundable hotel rooms in advance (booking.com is reliable)
☐ Always buy travel insurance
☐ Pre-book key activities and tours, you will find almost everything on Viator or Getyourguide (more focused on Europe)
Top Tours & Activities
When exploring a new place, I love using GetYourGuide for well-organized tours and experiences. They offer everything from food walks to outdoor adventures.
☐ Pre-book activities and tours focused on food with ByFood, they are big in Japan ;) but are expanding quickly
☐ If you are visiting a big city Gocity sells city passes that include entry to multiple attractions for one price
☐ Travel during the off-season for better deals
☐ Use points or miles for flights or hotels if available
☐ Learn a few basic local phrases (“Please”, “Thank you”, “Sorry” )
☐ Check for visa and safety
☐ Check for vaccinations at least a few months before you leave
☐ Check out party/drug laws (that is one my son had on his list)
☐ Make copies and photos of important documents (passport, ID, insurance)
☐ Visit local tourism websites for free guides and events
Be flexible and leave room for spontaneity in your itinerary:
Expect changes or delays, you never know when another Covid can hit again
We stayed extra days in the beautiful Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge in Minca, Colombia for example.
Packing & Luggage
☐ Choose light, durable luggage, such as Samsonite
☐ Plan your outfits based on destination and weather
☐ Use packing cubes and a small laundry bag.
☐ Roll clothes to save space and reduce wrinkles.
☐ Bring a portable luggage scale.
☐ Make your packing list a week before departure (use destination-specific checklists).
☐ Pack key items in your carry-on: electronics, medications, essential toiletries, change of clothes, reusable water bottle.
☐ If traveling with someone, divide personal items and money across bags.
☐ Essentials: small quick-dry towel, light jacket, earplugs, headlamp (if needed), hand sanitizer, first aid kit, universal adapter, extra batteries, portable power bank, small daypack, reusable water bottle, Kindle, and bum bag
-
Packing Cubes Set
Keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free. Includes a laundry bag for worn items.
-
Portable Luggage Scale
Avoid extra baggage fees with this lightweight, accurate travel scale.
-
Clear Toiletry Bag
TSA-approved, wipe-clean, and easy to organise at security.
Electronics & Travel Gadgets
-
Universal Travel Adapter
Stay powered wherever you go. Works in over 150 countries with built-in USB ports for easy charging.
-
Portable Power Bank
Compact and fast-charging — keep your phone, camera, and headphones powered up on long travel days.
-
Amazon Kindle
Read anywhere, even in bright sunlight. Lightweight, long battery life, and space for hundreds of books.
