I used to tease my Mom growing up that she packed by set colors. For every family trip we would go on, she would select two to three colors for the packing “theme” so to speak of the trip. She would then toss in basics of black, white and tan. I used to mock that idea, thinking it would be a trip where it looks like you are wearing the same thing, over and over again. And the wise sayings, “You’re mother is always right” or “Listen to your mother” holds true in how I packed for a month in Ireland. Packing is generally a dreaded activity. I may moan and groan about packing, but secretly, I Continue Reading
Redhead Reviews Award Wallet
Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored review, meaning I was compensated in exchange for checking out AwardWallet.com. Regardless, my thoughts about the site are my own. What is AwardWallet.com? Award Wallet keeps track of award program balances, from airline miles to hotel points. Those who travel frequently and join award programs constantly can have all of their balances and expiration dates on points in one place. Similar to HootSuite tracking all of your social media accounts, you can keep tabs on many different travel award systems with Award Wallet. Features After you register Continue Reading
Budgeting For a Month in Ireland
In just under a month, I will be in Ireland. While that thought both terrifies and excites me, I am at those planning stages, going over budgets and finances. I have noticed a pattern with emails I receive. Most want to know how to travel and how I travel. How can you afford to travel? How do you budget? To be honest, I have never really been strict with a budget until this trip. I generally have an idea in my mind of what I am looking to spend. As I will be traveling around Ireland for an entire month, organization proves to be key toward keeping a budget. Before things get out of hand and Continue Reading
Finding The Courage To Travel
With one click of the mouse, I had life altering plans. Perhaps I am being dramatic, but that simple click is often the hardest aspect to travel, especially when you have no plans and you are going it alone. That click, the circling of the purchase button should come with a set of instructions. A little video should pop up with a motivational speaker or a piece of chocolate should jump out from the screen. Sadly, I have yet to find an airline search engine that lends that pat on the back, the support you need to click purchase. For some, pressing purchase comes without hesitation, without Continue Reading
Redhead Reviews Hotel Search Engine Hotel Calculator
Full Disclosure: This is a sponsored review, meaning I was compensated in exchange for checking out HotelCalculator.com. Regardless, my thoughts about the site are my own. No one has ever told me what to do or what to write so why now? What is HotelCalculator.com? Called "the hotel search engine", HotelCalculator searches over 20 travel sites in over 13,000 cities worldwide, detailing over 100,000 hotels. The website aims to save time by doing the hotel searching for you, condensing the results into one simplified list. Features I did some “fake” searching for hotels, beginning Continue Reading
The Surprises of Travel
If you have traveled anywhere, generally some acquaintance wants to pass along a friend’s number in need of advice. A parent is worried about their daughter studying abroad. A couple wants to know where to wine and dine in Barcelona. While I agree, research is a key part of travel, it seems we sometimes forget to let travel come, as it will. No longer do we just hop on a plane without knowing where we are going or what to expect. We must be prepared, have all the necessary travel gadgets and tools to get us there. Travel involves a great deal of preparation, of knowing what to expect, what Continue Reading
So You Want To Be A Travel Writer?
Lately, I have been receiving several emails asking how I got into doing what I do. No matter where I go, I am usually asked that unoriginal question, “So what do you do?”. From my snobby neighbor that looked at me as if he didn’t believe my response to my hair stylist, I often feel as though I have to whip out a safari jacket and steno to prove, yes this is what I do. In college, no one held my hand and told me how to start this location independent lifestyle. I figured it out on my own, as in the case with most searching for their dream job. By no means am I an expert. I’m not the head Continue Reading