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Looking back on the past few weeks. Hello Wandering Family! In this blog I want to talk about the growth I have seen in myself these past 5 weeks. A blog or Instagram page dedicated to my travel passion would never have occurred to me before I took my New Media Writing course. The class gave me the courage to follow my dreams and the confidence to pursue my passion. I am so happy I created this blog because I have been able to reflect on my growth and development and have seen the positive impacts it has had on my life. It has been a great source of motivation and inspiration for me, and I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to pursue my dreams. One of my greatest dreams has always been to travel the world. There are, however, many people who advise me not to due to the current state of the world. But I don't ever want that to be the reason to not pursue my dreams. I'm determined to make it happen, no matter what. I will make sure to take all the necessary precautions and be extra careful to stay safe. I'm sure that this experience will be unforgettable and worth all the challenges I might face. As a result of writing this blog, I have held myself accountable not to forget my dreams. During college, you only think about your grades and graduation, forgetting everything you once aspired to do. Originally, I had planned to delete this website and my current Instagram account after my class was over, but I don't think that is the case anymore. I believe I have acquired more knowledge about travel than I thought I did, as well as learning things about myself that I didn't know. I truly love sharing my passion for travel with others and I don't think willever change. Future plans I have for this blog include full itineraries of future trips, posts about different ways to save money traveling, and tips for how to make the most of your travel experiences. I also plan to use my blog to curate resources for travelers, such as airport guides and travel hacks. I want to provide an all-in-one resource for travelers where they can find information on where to go, how to save money, and how to make the most of their trips. I also want to provide them with resources such as airport guides and travel hacks to make their trips easier and more enjoyable.

10 Travel Must-Haves When Traveling Abroad Going on a trip and don't know what to bring? Don't worry, I got you covered. Travel tips can save you time and money. Before I learned all the travel tips with packing and only bringing essentials, I always overpacked and brought things that I did not need. Now, I have learned to pack smarter and plan ahead. I make a list of all the items I need and only bring the essentials. This way, I can travel light and enjoy my trip without the burden of a heavy suitcase. These opinions and recommendations are my own and other may have other points of view. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is best for yourself when you travel. My Favorite Carry-On Luggage Packing Cubes Travel Backpack Travel Water Bottle Travel Adapter Portable Charger Disinfectant Wipes and Hand Sanitizer Sunscreen GoPro/Camera Umbrella My Favorite Carry-On Luggage As some of you may know by now, on previous blog posts I have talked about how I love a good carry-on bag. In the past I used to always check my heavy bag. I was always unsure if it would be over weight or not and at times I had to sit on my suitcase to help it close. Can you relate? My favorite bag is my Away carry-on. This bag fits approximately 5-7 outfits, but I know it fits more. Especially if you plan your outfits in advance and can mix and match your clothes for more outfits. The inside has two compartments with an interior compression system to help pack more in—one designed for your clothes, the other for items like shoes and toiletries. Plus, its lightweight yet durable polycarbonate shell lets you pack (and protect) even more. Now this bag is on the more expensive side, but I believe if you spend the money to invest in one good product, it will save you money down the road. However, you can find similar bags on Amazon for a lot cheaper. Packing Cubes Packing cubes are a regular part of my travel routine. I highly recommend that you purchase travel cubes if you haven't done so before. When packing for a trip, packing cubes make it extremely easy to maximize the amount of clothing you bring and save space in your carry-on or regular suitcase. I recommend these packing cubes on Amazon or really anywhere you can find any. I have found packing cubes at my local TJ Maxx that I also love. Travel Backpack With travel backpacks, you can pack everything you will need for your flight directly inside, it will fit nicely underneath the seat, and you won't have to worry about getting up and pulling the overhead bin during your flight . This travel backpack on Amazon is really nice because it has its own large main compartment for shoes or more clothes, it has a wet bag compartment if you need to separate wet and dry items, and it has a 14 inch laptop compartment. In addition, a travel backpack is essential for busy days when you don't have time to return to your hotel. It allows you to quickly and easily store any items you may need for the day, such as a change of clothes, snacks, a water bottle, and other items. It also keeps your hands free to explore and enjoy your day. Travel Water Bottle Another item that I also bring with me on trips is a travel water bottle. In the airports, travel water bottles are great because you can refill them at drinking fountains and save yourself the overpriced bottled water. This collapsable bottle on Amazon is so nice and I may consider buying one for myself. It is a silicone design that can collapse to save you space when you aren't using it! Travel Adapter A travel adapter is a must when traveling abroad! It allows you to plug your electronics into the different types of outlets found in foreign countries. It is essential for charging any devices that you bring with you. It is a small and lightweight item, making it easy to bring along wherever you go. It is important to check the voltage compatibility of your device before plugging it in. Most travel adapters include multiple ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices at once. Make sure to always bring one when traveling! This one I found on Amazon is perfect because it has 4 international adapters for multiple countries. Portable Charger A portable charger is great for long travel days when you may not have access to an outlet to charge your device. This one that I found on Amazon is best seller because its fast charging, small, and has temperature protection ready to use in all climates! Disinfectant Wipes and Hand Sanitizer Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer are a great purchase before you go on an airplane. It is important to keep your hands clean while flying, as airplanes are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. Be sure to keep your wipes and hand sanitizer handy to use throughout the flight. One word: Coronavirus. It is especially important to be aware of these risks in the current Coronavirus pandemic, as the virus can easily spread from person to person. Taking the extra precaution of using disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer is a smart way to stay safe and healthy while flying. Here is a link for sanitizing wipes on Amazon. Sunscreen If you are going to a sunny location - sunscreen is a must. Sunscreen helps to protect the skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Without it, sunburn and skin damage can occur. Sunscreen should also be reapplied every two hours for maximum protection. Do I need to explain anymore? I love Sun Bum suncreen, so here is a travel pack that comes withSun Bum Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30, 3oz Tube, Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm, Coconut, SPF 30, and Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Lotion, 3oz Tube. Go Pro/Camera Purchasing a GoPro is not a necessity but it is great for capturing video footage or photos on your trips. It is easy to set up and use, and it is durable enough to withstand most natural elements. Plus, you can easily transfer the footage to your computer or phone to edit and share with your friends and family. I use my GoPro on all my trips and I get great videos underwater. If you don't think you have use for a GoPro, I definitely recommend a separate camera to take pictures on for higher quality images to always remember your trips. Umbrella Lastly, always pack an umbrella just in case the weather decided to change on you. You don't want to be caught out in the rain unprepared. An umbrella is a small and easy item to bring with you, taking up minimal space and weight. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

A quote a day, keeps all the troubles away... or something like that. In all seriousness, some of you know that I have moved to Pennsylvania for an internship. While this has been a great opportunity I have found my days to be a bit off balance than they normally were living in Ohio with all my friends and family. I have put myself in a situation where I have to make new friends, explore an unfamiliar area, and relearn my environment. In addition, traveling abroad has also connected me to this quote I am about to share with you. When we travel you learn to rely on yourself and to be self-sufficient. It can be a humbling experience that helps you to appreciate the little things in life. It also gives you a chance to explore the world and gain a different perspective on life. Here is a quote by Cesare Pavese: “Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comforts of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things: air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky. - all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese This quote speaks to the idea that life is ever-changing and unpredictable, and that we need to focus on the things that remain constant and are a source of comfort. These things, such as air, sleep, dreams, sea, and the sky, provide us with a sense of stability and permanence in an uncertain world. Traveling is truly a brutality but it is also a blessing. You learn to appreciate the beauty of nature and to be content with the simple things in life. It also encourages you to take risks and to be brave enough to try new things. This is something I struggle with. I am often so content in my little bubble I get scared to go out a try new things. For me traveling helps to strengthen my inner self and to find my true purpose in life. Taking a break from your normal routines can be beneficial. It allows you to take a step back and reflect on your life and to gain a new appreciation for the small things. While I have struggled a bit being in a new environment I have also appreciated this part of my life. I have witnessed a new area, met new people, tried new foods, and so much more. Despite the challenges, it is a worthwhile endeavor that will hopefully lead me to a lifetime of memories. While I don't know if Pennsylvania is somewhere I will stay forever, I am trying to enjoy the time I have here and I am slowly learning to embrace change and get out of my bubble. I hope that you all will appreciate this quote and if you find yourself in a similar position as me - learn to trust strangers and embrace the changes that you welcome into your life.

After a difficult year dealing with inflation, you'd expect travel percentages to decrease in 2023. However, we are seeing just the opposite. The number of people travelling is up by 20%, with airline bookings reaching an all-time high. Hotels in popular destinations are having difficulty keeping up with demand, as more people are choosing to travel this year than in the past. It seems that people are determined to make up for lost time in 2020. According to Forbes Advisor, "A resounding 87% of survey respondents expect to travel at least as much as they did in the prior year, with 49% selecting that they expect to travel more." With that being said, let's look at 3 travel trends that we are seeing this year in 2023. The Rise of "Set-Jetting" If you have ever felt inspired watching one of your favorite television shows or movies to travel to a specific location - this would be set jetting. However, you can also experience set-jetting from social media. If you follow influencers or travel bloggers, you can feel itchy feet to travel somewhere after being exposed to it on social media. According to American Express Travel 75% of respondents have been inspired by social media to travel to a specific destination while 64% of respondents agree that they have been inspired to travel to a destination after seeing it featured on a TV show, news source, or movie. My twin sister is obsessed with the Vampire Diaries and two summers ago, she and her friend visited Covington, Georgia where the series was filmed. Sustainable Travel Another trend we are seeing in 2023 is sustainable travel. There is a growing awareness of the need for sustainable travel among travelers everywhere. This is due to the increasing realization of the negative impacts of travel on the environment. People are now looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen the environmental impact of their travels. This includes opting for public transportation or carpooling, choosing eco-friendly accommodation, and making an effort to reduce their waste. Travelers are also seeking to support local communities by buying locally made products, participating in conservation activities, and supporting projects that promote sustainable tourism. This helps to ensure that the tourism industry is sustainable and benefits local communities. A study by World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Trip.com Group and Deloitte shows an increase for sustainable tourism among travelers, with 69 percent of travelers actively seeking sustainable travel options. Solo Travel In the last travel trend on the rise, solo travel is becoming more popular. People are now more comfortable with travelingalone as it allows them to explore a destination at their own pace and enjoy freedom from any social obligations. Solo trips are also great for self-discovery and for connecting with locals and other travelers in a more meaningful way. According to Travel Weekly, "EF Go Ahead Tours has seen a 200% increase in solo traveler bookings since the start of the year, compared with the same time period of last year. And those traveling are booking early: In June 2022, solo travel bookings for this year were already up by 120%, compared with the same period of 2018 for 2019 travel." These statistics show that solo travel is becoming increasingly popular. This is likely due to people's desire for more control over their travel experiences and the freedom to explore without having to worry about the needs and wants of others, but also self discovery. When you solo travel, you get to go where you want when you want. You can also make new friends, gain new experiences, and have an adventure that is completely unique to you. Plus, it can be a great way to challenge yourself and build confidence. I personally have been looking a trips to take by myslef but in a group setting. EF Tours has a solo travel group going to Greece this summer and I would love to go.

Over the weekend, I had the privilege to interview my old high school Spanish teacher, Lindsay Dollinger! This was a rather wholesome moment for me because she is the reason why I really developed a passion for the Spanish language.Not only that, I also took my first trip abroad to Europe with her and had an amazing time! She is the reason I fell IN LOVE with Spain and the culture. She helped to open up new worlds and perspectives for me that I would have never experienced without her. She was and is still an amazing teacher and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to reconnect with her and thank her for all that she has done for me. On that note, follow her on Instagram and check out her Podcast, Purpose & Pixie Dust! Who is Lindsay Dollinger? She just completed her 14th year teaching high school Spanish and she runs her own business coaching business and she has a top rated podcast, "The Purpose and Pixie Dust Podcast". Not only does she run her own business and podcast show, she also does speaking gigs and hosts a yearly retreat. Dollinger loves all things Disney and just completed her first marathon at Disney World in January. But the sole purpose why I asked to interview her was because she loves to travel. She has traveled to over 20 countries and is always finding ways to travel on a budget or low/no cost through applying for programs, leading trips, and other ways. Now that you know more about Lindsay Dollinger, let's get to the fun questions. Can you tell me a little about your experience with traveling? I started traveling domestically with my family when I was in school--my dad wanted to visit every national park so we started doing that. I've now been to every state but Oregon! My first time abroad (not counting Canada and Mexico) was my high school trip to France and England when I was 16, so 20 years ago this past March. I took Spanish but our Spanish teachers never traveled so I signed up for the France trip. Ever since then, I knew I wanted to travel abroad, especially to Spain. My next time abroad was to Spain studying abroad in 2008, and I absolutely loved it--the culture, the people, the history and the language. After that, I started working at Alder and looked online for other ways to travel and found a Master's in Spanish program through CSUS that traveled three Summers and then you'd have your Master's, so I did that. I went to Guatemala in 2010, Peru in 2011 and Spain in 2012. After that I started leading student tours abroad and got to return to Spain four more times on tours, plus to France, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic and England. I also applied for a scholarship to two different conferences in Spain and won them, and applied to be an adult mentor with the State Department on a trip to Chile and Argentina, and also won that award. With my direct sales company, I earned two trips to the Dominican Republic and one to Mexico, so all those trips I got essentially free, which was awesome. Without groups, I've gone with my family to Cuba, Kenya, Tanzania, Australia and New Zealand. How many trips a year do you like to take? We go somewhere at Spring Break then usually 1-2 (sometimes three) during the Summer. It depends on the length of the trips. I would do more if I could! It's hard with school to take off--and I have had to take some days off without pay. I also like to attend conferences that are away to really get a full experience. What is your top travel tip? Dollinger responded to this question saying, "Be over prepared but also flexible. No trip will go perfectly how you envision but it can still be a perfect trip." I love this tip! If you read my blog, A Beginners Guide For New Travelers, I mentioned being prepared but also expecting the unexpected. You can't always be prepared for everything so instead of stressing about it, it is better to embrace it. How do you budget your trips? Dollinger said, "I like to over budget for things because I know I usually spend more money than I plan. But I also try like I mentioned to look for opportunities that I can get things free or paid (or even with my business as a tax write off sometimes). I also join all the rewards programs I can and use my credit card for rewards." I am always trying to find new ways to budget for trips, so I will have to use this trip in the future and let you all know how this works for me. What is the best travel advice you've ever received? This is a hard one! It really depends on the type of trip, but I think in general being five minutes early means you're on time and on time is late, has always served me well. I hate having to run through airports and to meet up with guides when we could just leave early and get there without the rushing. I will be sharing this advice with my mother. She always likes to be "on time" and I like to be early. You never know what is going to happen so being early is always great advice to give - especially to knew travelers. What's your favorite and least favorite place you've visited? Favorite is a three way tie: I love Spain. It's always probably my number one. But the safaris in Kenya and Tanzania were magical and just really brought me back to feeling how in sync with the land we were as humans. And then I LOVED Cairns, Australia, with their rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef--so cool! Least favorite--Probably the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. The whole place just felt evil and I couldn't shake the feeling afterward. I think everyone needs to go once--but not more than that. What place is at the top of your bucket list? I really want to visit Egypt and China. Egypt will probably happen in 2025--I have my eye on some trips. And then I want to visit all the Disney parks around the world! What is one thing you can’t live without when you travel? My portable battery pack for my phone so I can take all the pics! And check on my dog at home. Do you have any horror stories from traveling abroad? Oh for sure--which one you want? LOL. For me the worst has been getting sick abroad. I've had traveler's stomach in Guatemala and Spain and it was awful. I also lived with a bad host family in Peru--they hardly fed us (we'd get broth and they ate the chicken lol), their dog would eat our clothes, the family acted crazy--it was absurd. But luckily I was rooming with my best friend from Chicago and we had each other so it wasn't as bad as it could be. My dad also got sick coming home from Africa and got an antibiotic resistant infection from a bug bite, and had to get a liquid IV drip for weeks after we got back. That was pretty scary. I also had to send a kid home from a trip for self-harm--that was also pretty awful. But everything ended up working out. How have you found the confidence to lead a large group of people abroad? You know I never really questioned that until this year when I had so many things on this last trip go wrong. I think just knowing everything is figure-out-able and being over prepared with medicine, being knowledgeable about our itinerary and customs, etc. helped a lot. End Note To end the interview, I asked her if there was anything else she would like to add? She answered this question saying, "Travel is always worth it if you can be prepared and go with an open-mind." I think this was the perfect ending. Travel is ALWAYS worth it. You learn grow so much as a person. You learn to immerse yourself in different cultures and I find that to be such a beautiful thing. I am so thankful to have been able to keep in touch with my Spanish teacher after all these years. You never know how your path will reconnect with others. My advice to you is to always make connections, travel responsibly, and keep wandering.

For years, I have spent my time surfing the internet reading and watching my favorite travel bloggers explore different continents and post about them on Instagram or on their blogs. My favorite travel bloggers are always inspiring me to get out and explore the world. From the beaches of Bali to the streets of Paris, they have been to some amazing places and done some incredible things. They always have great stories to share and amazing pictures to show. Hopefully, you will know some of these faces and if you don't you are about to read about them and hopefully you find them just as fascinating as I do. It is surreal to be sitting here writing my own blog after spending years reading those of others. Before I actually start writing about my trips I have been on I want my readers to see where I get my inspiration from. It is my hope that by introducing my readers to these amazing people they will find their own inspiration and embark on their own amazing journey. 1. Helene in Between To start us off in no particular order, Helene Sula is one of my top 5 favorite travel bloggers. Helene's blog Helene in Between is about her travel experiences, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your trips, strategies for creating a successful blog, and how to manage real life, and social media. She has almost 300,000 followers on Instagram where she shares how to start your own blog, culture shocks when she lived in Germany, how she quit her 9-5 job, and so much more! My favorite thing about her is that she doesn't believe in niches, but rather in sharing great content with the world.By sharing her stories and tips on how she left her traditional job and moved to Germany, Helene helped inspire me to start my own blog. She and her husband, Michael, are moving to Oxford, England from Texas, and I couldn't be more jealous of them. I can't wait to see what kind of content they share from England! So, if you haven't followed her on Instagram or subscribed to her blog, Helene in Between - do so now. 2. Sights of Sara It's not just because we share the same name that I I love this blogger - her experiences are truly magical. Her photographs and videos make you feel as if you are right there in the moment. At the age of 18, Sara left Rochester, New York to pursue her dream of traveling the world in an affordable manner. Her travels have taken her to places like The Netherlands, Croatia, Nicaragua, and many others! She documents her itineraries on her blog, Sights of Sara, and on her Instagram account where she currently has a total of 143,000 followers. You can gain inspiration from Sara if you are contemplating picking up your life and traveling abroad. My desire to travel more has been sparked by her stories. Take a look at her Instagram and blog, Sights of Sara, if you are curious to see what Sara has been up to. 3. Sierra in the City Sierra is a Public Relations and Digital Media graduate that loves to blog about her travels, food, and things to do in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her Instagram account is more geared towards where to stay and what to do in your travels abroad. She has documented trips to Positano, Rome, Vatican, Italy, and many more. While her blog, Sierra in the City, if more focused on finding new places around Indianapolis to eat and drink, in addition to planning perfect weekend getaway's throughout the midwest. I really like Sierra because while I have a fascination with trips abroad, she opens my eyes to all the wonderful things I can do in the Midwest. Another pro is she is a big foodie and I also LOVE to eat! 4. The Bucket List Family I say this kindly - if you don't know who The Bucket List Family are, I think you've been living under a rock. The Bucket List Family has over 2.7 MILLION followers on Instagram. They have traveled to more than 89 countries together with more to come. They began their travel journey as a family in August of 2015 when they decided to sell everything and travel around the world together. They started with a list of family goals that said: Become closer as a marriage and family Be good friends to the people in our lives Learn to find happiness with less become more open minded and open hearted Love and respect nature and our planet Create life long memories If I had a say in anything, I would say they are doing just that! For people who are looking for travels to do that are family friendly, culturally eye-opening, a learning experience, and more - The Bucket List Family are the travel journalists for you to follow. You can find their travels to Tahiti, Chile, New Zealand, Tanzania, and more on their blog, The Bucket List Family, in addition to photos and videos on their Instagram. They share all the good experiences but they also keep things real by sharing troubles they have experienced on their trips. They are real and authentic and I can't wait to see where else they travel to! 5. Alex in Wanderland This takes us to our last travel blogger today - Alex in Wonderland. Alex grew up in Albany, New York and spent four years studying and working in Brooklyn. Eventually, she bought a one-way ticket out of the country and she just celebrated her three-year "travelversary". She has no itinerary, no end date, and no back up plan. That's my kind of trip. No planned itinerary with no end date. If you read my blog post, 5 Lessons I've Learned Traveling Abroad, being spontaneous is one of the greatest lessons I've learned through travel. Ditching the itinerary and exploring is one of my favorite things. It's all about getting out of your comfort zone and exploring the world. Being open to new experiences can be the best part of traveling. It can also be the most rewarding. This is what I love about Alex and her blogs. On Instagram, she has over 78,000 followers and she's posted tons of content about her trips to Egypt, Puerto Rico, Indonesia, Germany, and more. If you are looking to ditch the plan and go a more spontaneous route, follow Alex on Instagram or check out her blog Alex in Wanderland.

A life update along with some exciting news Greetings and welcome back! There is some exciting news on the Wandering Wiley blog today so keep reading. Let's first start with a brief life update. Life Update I hope everyone is doing well! Here's an update on my life: I've moved to Pennsylvania and started my internship with Pittsburgh I.C.E. To learn more about this great nonprofit organization, visit https://www.pittsburghice.org and find out how you can help. As a Community Relations Intern I will have the opportunity to become involved in the local community and build relationships with members of the organization. I am eager to use my skills to help Pittsburgh ICE achieve its mission. I am determined to make a positive impact on the community with this opportunity. As someone passionate about social media and helping others, this internship is going to be a great opportunity for me! I am confident that my skills in social media marketing and customer service are going to be an asset to the organization. I can't wait to learn new things and grow in this role. Stay tuned for more updates about my internship and how I am settling in Pittsburgh. Exciting News Okay, enough of that - let's get to the exciting news. There is an exciting announcement for everyone at Wandering Wiley this week. Wandering Wiley is now on Instagram! Visit this link to follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandering.wiley On Instagram, you can expect to see short vlogs of trips, tips and tricks, and photos from past and future trips! In addition, I will update my story daily about my day-to-day activities. This will allow the Wandering Wiley family to get to know me better and stay up to date on life changes. I will also share exclusive content with my followers. I would also love to receive DM requests or you can email me using the contact me tab. This will enable you to tell me what you would like to see or hear about on my Instagram account. I am excited to embark on this journey with you and share my experiences with you. Let's get Wandering!

Written by: Sara Wiley Traveling is one of life’s greatest educators. I have learned more from traveling than from any textbook, if I am being honest. This is my list of five lessons I have learned from traveling abroad that I hope you will find useful, whether you're planning a trip in a few days or are planning one within the next year. Lesson 1: Learn something new every day One of the greatest lessons I have learned from traveling is to learn something new every day. It is so imperative when you are traveling to another country to really immerse yourself in the culture. I consider myself a continuous learner, so I love learning various things constantly. However, when I am traveling somewhere new I want to learn something that is new to me. Whether it be learning a word or phrase in a different language, learn something about the history, the cuisine you will consume, and so much more. When you travel, you never stop learning and that is why I love to travel so much. Lesson 2: Be spontaneous When I travel, I’ll admit, I am a planner. I like to have everything planned for each day about what I am going to do. That is how I work best. Traveling abroad, I have enjoyed some of my best experiences when I ditched the itinerary and made spontaneous decisions. Making your trip elastic vs. slaving to a schedule is way more enjoyable. Embracing the impulsive side can be a treat. You never know what you’ll find or come across and that’s the beauty of traveling and exploring new areas. Lesson 3: Find the value in getting lost Get lost! I loved this when we were in Valencia a few years ago. We were just wandering the streets with no true end destination. We were just walking and found the cutest shops and most serene streets. Every street corner had something spectacular to look at. Going off plan and getting lost isn’t something I do all the time. But when I do, they end up being one of my favorite experiences. Lesson 4: Enjoy experiences over things Put your phone down, stop filming everything, and just sit back and enjoy what is right in front of you. A life lesson we can all learn now in the digital age is that experiences are what truly make us happy, not our phones or laptops. When traveling, you learn new languages, you find cuisines you’ve never tried and fallen in love with it or absolutely loathed them. You learn about the history and charm of the mysterious place you wandered into, and so much more. Experiences are what you will remember, not what you see on a screen. Lesson 5: Appreciate different cultures I LOVE learning about different cultures, so when I travel I love to soak up everything around me. The only way to truly understand why people do what they do is to spend time with people of other cultures. We learn that ideas someone had came from somewhere whether it be art, moral codes, religion, why they make food a certain way, you name it. There is something different in each culture. Unbury it and celebrate our differences, but also appreciate our similarities.

Are you finally getting to that bucket list of yours that you have been putting off for a while? Traveling for the first time or for the first time in a while can be exciting but also a stressful experience. But don’t worry you aren’t the only one that feels this way. Lucky for you, a little knowledge can go a long way. Here are a few useful tips I have learned along the way of traveling. Step 1: Day Dream Sounds funny right? But all amazing trips start with a dream or a bucket list. Ask yourself where is one place I’ve been dying to go and make a list of all those places. Step 2: Decide when to travel One of the best travel tips for beginners I have is to travel during the off-season. Travel during peak season can be stressful and when you are a new traveler or haven’t traveled in a while, I suggest avoiding stressful situations. Traveling to a new place is stressful enough. Being flexible with travel dates can save you a lot. And I mean A LOT of money. In addition, you get to enjoy awesome location typically packed with tourists when it is less crowded. Unfortunately, not everyone has flexible schedules. You may have a long weekend off for a holiday, a one week vacation, or lucky you, 2 weeks. If you have to travel during a busy season, be realistic and research flights and dates. Step 3: Start off somewhere easy One of the most exciting things about planning a trip is choosing your destination. However, make sure you have a strategy to narrow down your choices. Look at the list you made earlier and see which one would be the easiest one to start off with. Look for the hidden gems that many people may not choose over popular spots like Italy, France, England, or other hot spots. Step 4: Set a budget Doing your research will get you a long way. Research your total costs; airfare, transportation, hotel costs, costs of restaurant, excursions, and more. After you do this, add a daily amount for spending money. You should always have extra spending money because no matter how prepared you are you must expect the unexpected (we will talk more about this on tip #8). Setting a budget will give you a rough estimate on how much you need to plan for plus more. If you are working with a limited budget, I suggest look for smaller destinations that fit with the amount of money you are able to spend. I suggest not coming back home from a vacation with a massive pile of credit card debt. I’m speaking from experience. Hopefully by following these steps you’ll save up what you need and won’t have to worry about credit card debt. You are already reading this blog so you must be planning ahead… right? Step 5: Pack light If you aren’t sure you need it, you don't. I’ll admit, this is one thing I am terrible at. I am a person who loves clothes and fashion so I used to always overpack. But overtime, the large checked bags ended up being more of a struggle than we needed. With that said, only pack what you need and try to plan your outfits ahead of time.Save room in your suitcase for souvenirs or clothing you buy along the way. Go carry on over a checked bag every time. Luggage gets lost all the time! And if you aren’t prepared and you didn’t pack clothes in your carry on, you will probably be wearing the same clothes you wore on the plane for a while. Carrying on vs. checking a bag can also save you money. Pack a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is clothing that can all be mixed and matched together. This will save you a lot of space in your bag. Be realistic with what you pack. If you love the dress but already have two others packed you don’t need it or swap it for one of the other dresses. Worst case scenario you can always buy what you need with the extra spending money you budgeted for (see how that worked). Step 6: Arrive early Always arrive early to the airports. Airports suck. Cancellations and weather delays happen all the time. This just happened to me 4 weeks ago. My sister and I were traveling to Turks and Caicos to meet our grandparents and aunt on the island. We arrived to the Columbus airport early and thank goodness we did! Our flight was delayed FIVE hours and we were’t going to make our connecting flight. So we went up to the United Airlines desk for someone to help and all the flights for the rest of the week were booked going to Turks and Caicos! Thankfully we were right next to the Delta Desk and they had just two spots left on the plane that left in 45 minutes. If we wouldn't have arrived early we wouldn't have been able to make our flights or let alone go on our vacation at all. Long story short arrive early and always expect the unexpected. Step 7: Be prepared Isn't this what this whole blog is for? Preparing yourself? Yes but what I mean here is to double check everything you have planned this far. Airfare is paid for (Check) Hotels are reserved? (Check) Transportation or rental cars are planned and payed for (Check) Extra spending money just in case? (Check) Bags are packed “lightly” (Check) Passports and identification are in hand and up to date? (Check) Sounds like you’re ready to go right? Maybe and maybe not. Step 8: But also... prepare for the unexpected Again, budget extra cash. You never know what is going to happen. You or someone you are traveling with may get sick and you may need to buy medicine or go to the hospital. Prepare for weather delays. Changes in weather can result in flight delays, cancel planned excursions you had for that day, and more. Having a back up plan can always be helpful. Travel Insurance: travel insurance can be a great idea! It protects you from a range of things like covering medical emergencies to flight cancellations. That trip from four weeks ago that I told you about, yeah we didn’t have flight insurance and we did not get a full refund for our United flight and still had to pay for the flights on Delta which weren’t cheap. So, if you have a strict budget for your trip and you don’t have much wiggle room in your price range for things such as these, I would suggest getting travel insurance to save yourself and your bank account the struggle. Step 9: Don't be scared If I didn’t have bad things happen to me from previous trips I would not be able to write this post. We learn from mistakes and experiences. It’s what makes us better and more experienced travelers. “Fear is the brains way of saying that there is something important for you to overcome.” - Rachel Huber Fear is a great thing. Fear stops many people from achieving things they dream of, but it also persuades others to chase them. If millions of people can travel to new destinations every day, you can too. Step 10: You don't always have to stick to the plan Things happen along the way. You are adventuring and finding new things. If you completely change your itinerary for the day because you found something else that interests you way more that’s okay! You may have a 5-star dinner reservation at this one restaurant but a local tells you about this authentic restaurant right around the corner. Go for the authentic restaurant every time. You discover the most this way. If you had to take just three things away it would be: 1. Be prepared 2. Expect the unexpected 3. Be adventurous

Hi, I'm Sara, an Ohio native passionate about all things travel! I will be a college graduate from The University of Akron in August and I am so excited to see what life after school will be like for me. Wandering Wiley is my way of recording all of my travels in a virtual way. I used to be obsessed with scrapbooking all of my trips, however, it is quite a time consuming hobby and rather expensive to print off every image. "Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks in your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind." - Anthony Bourdain Where did I discover my love for travel? My love for travel started at a very young age. As kids, we would always visit my aunt in Ocean City, New Jersey in the summer, take family trips to Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and many more places. But my love for travel really sparked when we took a two week vacation to Alaska. The scenery there is truly breath taking. We spent our time there going on hikes, catching fresh salmon and cooking it for dinner. We took a helicopter to a glacier and went dog sledding and so much more. Alaska is where I realized that I loved exploring new places and learning about how people live in different parts of the world. Little did I know that once I took my first trip outside of the United States, I would be hooked on travel forever. Since taking my first trip abroad, I have spent a lot of my time trying to plan future trips while saving the most money as a student in college. I have visited 6 countries outside of the United States and after graduating I plan on that number to increase drastically. Where have I traveled? I can't compare all of my travels to each other because each trip has been different in their own unique ways. But some of my favorite trips have been Iceland, Spain, Portugal, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and many more. On my bucket list, I would LOVE to travel to England because I am obsessed with British accents and have always been. In addition to Germany, Italy, and many other places, I would love to visit Morocco as well. I am currently planning a trip to Germany in September or October. This is because I have two friends there who I have not seen in 6 years. I was supposed to visit them the year Covid-19 happened, and we all know why I couldn't make it. I would eventually like to live in Europe somewhere, sometime in the distant future for a few years because as you will learn in my future posts I love learning about new cultures and learning new languages. What will this blog be about? Wandering Wiley will be a place for all of my readers to learn about my travel experiences local and abroad, tips and tricks, and how to plan your next trip because, well, we all need to live a little.