It's no secret that our family loves to travel. Between the opportunities we have through my Scentsy business and the experiences we can't wait to have, we are always thinking about and dreaming about our next adventure.
It never fails when we return from a trip that we have friends, family and even strangers asking how we are able to take such fun trips and find such neat places to eat, sleep and play, all while not totally depleting our bank account.
So, here we are with my top tips on becoming a expert Wanderer. While it isn't all of the tricks I use, these are the ones I get asked about the most.
Ready? Let's dive in!
1. Where to stay...
We have 2 favorite ways of finding a place to rest our travel weary heads. One takes a little planning and the other is for those last minute escapes of whimsy or the "we've been driving forever, let's pull over and stop for the night."
The first is Airbnb. We were introduced to the Airbnb concept in Nashville some years ago and have never looked back. Using Airbnb gives you the flexibility to find a space that suits your family to a T. Have a big family or big group going? Skip having to book 2-3 separate rooms at a hotel and find a big house to rent instead. This is not to say in the least that we aren't big hotel fans (we are!), but there are times where, when traveling on a budget, you can find some stellar deals on some beautiful & most immersing places to stay using this avenue. For instance, on a trip to Charleston, SC years ago, we were able to stay in an apartment over a garage in West Ashley (gorgeous area) for a week for $287. For that area, a hotel would have likely tripled that cost.
I've had many friends say they are nervous to use Airbnb because it's someone's house. Pro tip: Read every review and leave your own after you stay. It is the BEST way to get a good understanding of what you're walking into. Also be sure to read all the details of the home & things like cancellation policies.
The other tool we love to use for those last minute hotel needs is HotelTonight. It's an app that can be made to make those very last minute hotel stays. You can search based on your destination, or, if needing to pull over for the night, use the location tracker to see what's nearby. The later in the day you book, the lower the rates get. (They want to fill up those rooms!). If you have a large group, this may not be the right fit, but if it's just a few of you, it's pretty great. While you can't choose the type of room you want at checkout, you will know exactly where you are staying & I've had great luck asking the clerk at check in if they have a specific room available.
Pro Tip: Take a Scentsy mini warmer or our=wall diffuser (coming Fall 2019) and create an intentional scent memory for every trip you take. Scent memories will automatically tie you right back to that incredible destination (and keep your space smelling great in the meantime)
2. What to eat...
Admittedly, I focus on this aspect a LOT when we travel. We love to try new foods and explore what is regionally & the specialty of where we are. I am the gal that will refuse to eat Red Lobster if I'm in Maine. Let's just get real.
One of the best tips I have for finding what is the best of the best, without getting caught up in chains or tourist traps is Instagram. Yep, Instagram.
Using IG to search for foodie related hashtags has led us to some incredible eats. So what do you look for? Well, recently we traveled to Austin and so I hopped on IG, hit the search button typed in the following (one at a time of course): #Austin #Austinfoodie #Austineats #Austinfood Then I'll scroll through the pictures that come up and click on whatever looks drool worthy, find out where it's from and go follow their account. On that trip, one of the discoveries was this small, but stealler breakfast joint, Bird Bird Biscuit . Without my IG search, I would have never found this tiny, tucked away gem and it was worth EVERY calorie.
Another "never has failed us" tool is the TVFOODMAPS App. If you are a Food Network fan, this app is for YOU! You can search a specific city or hit the search to see what's close to you that has been featured on shows like Triple D, Unique Sweets, and more of your favorite TV Food shows. On that same trip to Austin, we discovered Cooper's BBQ through this app and found the most insanely delicious, hands down BEST brisket I've had in my life. It's ruined me on all other brisket.
3. What to do...
While Google has it role here, my standbys are always Instagram & Pinterest.
With Pinterest, I can find fellow bloggers own adventures and see what's popular in a certain area simply by typing the city's name in the search box. I do not like getting sucked into tourist traps, so using Pinterest to see what locals love to do is a great way to make the most of your time.
As with food, I use Instagram to explore what's fun in a city. I use the same method of hash tag searching, but generally will find all I need using the destinations name. For instance, this last weekend we were headed to Denver for a quick 48 trip. By searching #Denver, I found a really neat installation currently being held at the Denver Museum of Art.
Both of these methods allow you to see what the people who are living in, and others who are visiting, are doing and will save you a lot of time and research.
As mentioned before, because of my business as a Scentsy consultant, we get the opportunity to travel frequently. Whether it's because we've earned an incredible incentive trip or are heading to a regional training or our annual Scentsy Family reunion, we have been to some incredible places over the last 10 years. Those events alone have taken us to Disney World, Disneyland, Charleston, Cozumel, Cancun, Vegas, Dallas, Denver, & many other big and small cities across the US.
The other thing my Scentsy business allows is the freedom to visit other destinations on our personal wish lists. It has helped create time and the financial flexibility to become Wanderers and we take every opportunity we get. We are big believers in memories over stuff around here.
If you have your own travel tips that are your 'go tos' we'd love to hear them! Drop them in the comments below and share your travel smarts with us!
-Amanda
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