5 Tips for Summer Travel

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of United Healthcare. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own. 

Summer is always my favorite time of year. I remember summer vacations as a kid and getting so excited to go new places. My husband and I have traveled ourselves quite a bit – we’ve been to Nicaragua, Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand together. We love exploring new places both nearby and abroad.

Earlier this year we took Baby Awesome to Sonoma, San Diego, and Palm Springs. It was so much fun. Children under the age of two fly free so we’re trying to take as much advantage of our “lap child” as we can for the next six months until we have to pay for a full price fare for her. Next month we are heading to Ohio to visit family and then in August we’ll be spending a week camping. Here are some tips for travel that have been helpful for us on a personal level as well as for our family. They apply whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile! I hope can be useful for you in your summer travel plans.

 5 Tips for Summer Travel 

1. Pack Light- This is easier said than done when you’re traveling with children. I remember the days when my husband and I would just travel with backpacks and a shared suitcase. Not anymore! We have a Pack N Play crib, baby carriers, and strollers to think about. It’s a lot, and it can get bulky. Try and think about what you really need and downsize where you can. For example, when we went to Sonoma this Spring we didn’t bring a stroller and I used my Baby Carrier the whole time. That may not work for everyone, but it worked for us.

2. Call Your Credit Card Company – This is something you may not have even thought about, but it’s especially important if you’re traveling abroad. If your credit card company notices you are making charges in a different place, they may put a hold on your credit card. Call them in advance and let them know where you are traveling to so you can make sure you get this squared away.

3. Get Travel Insurance- Another one that you might have thought about but can be very important. Travel insurance can help you feel secure and covers more than just a trip cancellation policy, especially if you are traveling abroad. What happens if you get sick while you’re traveling in another country? How would you find a qualified doctor or hospital? Health care policies are different in other countries. If you have travel insurance you can rest assured knowing that if you get injured, sick, or have a non-medical emergency (lost or stolen passport, transfer of funds, etc) you can purchase a travel insurance policy in advance that will cover these costs. Check out MEDEX international travel insurance plans from UnitedHealthcare Global. You’ll have a choice of coverage and deductible levels, sports riders, lost baggage coverage, and more.

There’s a common misconception that travel insurance is expensive, but it’s actually pretty affordable. A basic travel medical policy can cost about the same as a nice meal at a restaurant. For a week long day trip, that’s only a few dollars a day. When you think about it, the peace of mind you are getting from knowing that you will be covered for anything from a lost or stolen passport, how to get home in a medical emergency, lost baggage protection, and finding quality care is hard to beat. You never want to think that these things will happen to you, but they can. You can check out some case studies here and see how people have benefitted from having travel insurance. Accidents do happen, and it’s always best to follow my motto of ABP – “Always Be Prepared.”

4. Bring Snacks- This is a big one for those of us who follow special diets like myself. Whenever I travel I always make sure I pack the following: gluten-free snacks for me, snacks for my husband for when he gets hangry, and snacks for Baby Awesome for when she gets fussy. I usually pack bars like a Larabar or RX bar for me and my husband or the personal bags of almonds from Trader Joe’s. We always have pouches on hand for Baby Awesome and usually some teething biscuits and puffs as well. If we are going in the car then we’ll usually pack a cooler with ice and bring along fresh fruit, veggies, and La Croix waters too.

5. Be Resourceful- Think about what you are taking with you and bring items that are versatile and can be used in several different ways. Don’t bring a pair of heels that will only go with one specific outfit. My rule of thumb is I bring one pair of sandals / flip flops, a pair of workout shoes, and casual shoes. I try and bring tops that will go well with everything as well as bottoms. Bring baby wipes and use them for the whole family. If you have multiple children, pack toys that they can all enjoy like a soccer ball, books, or blocks. This sounds like a little thing, but I believe it makes a big difference when traveling.

Overall

Traveling is good for the soul, and it’s important for us to break out of our comfort zones and experience new things. It’s also fun, so try and keep it light and make your planning, prep, and packing fun, too. The more organized and prepared you are in advance, the better off you’ll be. I hope these tips of packing light, bringing snacks, and being resourceful are helpful. If you haven’t considered travel insurance before, it’s definitely something worth putting on your radar, too. Happy travels!

What about you? What tips do you have for summer travel? Have you ever purchased travel insurance before? Post in the comments and let us know.