Darlings, the key to traveling stress-free? It’s all in the organization. In today’s story, I share all the best tips that I’ve picked up over the years.

“I wander through life lusting for all it has to offer,” -Honey Good

There are many legs to a journey. The first leg of your trip begins in your mind. Managing worry is an important part of preparing for travel—staying calm and organized can help prevent worry from affecting your experience. Remember, your dream is just a dream. A productive and organized approach will bring you lasting joy.

I have learned to be a master travel planner. Please call on my skills for your questions, and if I cannot answer one, I will lead you to a person who can. Leave a comment, and I promise to get back to you!

The First Step in Organizing Your Stress-Free Trip

The subject on my mind today is how to organize a trip. From how to choose a travel agent, what to bring home as a memory from your travels, and so on. This story is a mix of interesting potpourri.

Alongside my Ultimate Concierge, I have traveled the world. We have visited every Middle Eastern country except Iraq and Libya. We have explored South America, Cuba, all of Europe, Indonesia, Africa, and beyond. We are a great team because my Ultimate Concierge quenches my thirst when I approach him with an idea for a trip. He says, “Let’s pack up and go.”

Our next adventure begins March 9, 2023. We are traveling with three of our grands, Scott, Logan, and David Good to Eastern Africa. Off to Rwanda to visit the SilverBack gorillas, on to Tanzania for Safari and hot air ballooning over the Serengeti. And then to Kenya and more, visiting the tribes.

I will have the boys photograph our journey and share this dream trip with you.

Taking the opportunity to expand my worldliness in a multitude of ways would not be available to me without using productive organization skills. To be able to study and enjoy my travels, I taught myself, through trial and error and the advice of others. It is my joy to share my skills in today’s musings. I can sum it up like this: How to travel stress-free and enjoy the ride. Sometimes, it is worth it to spend a little more on a reputable travel agent to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.

Organization Before Stress-Free Travel

The first leg, so to speak, of my trip begins at home. My mind is geared towards leaving home organized.

That means making list after list and checking them twice. And then making sure everything on my list is crossed through before I leave our home.

It is a massive chore because I live a big life. Writing lists is taken seriously!

• Did I make a copy of our passports?
• Do I have our list of vaccinations in case?
• Did I list names in case of emergency?
• Did I schedule when my plants need watering, etc.?
• Did I remember packing bags and organizing luggage?

For example, America, our pooch is healthy, but never-the-less I take him for a check-up.

My Ultimate Concierge and I are healthy but what if we get sick while traveling? I phone our doctor, tell him where we are traveling and he prescribes everything we might need as a preventative measure. This saved us in Paris last summer when my Ultimate Concierge caught the virus. I had the preventive Covid medicine. My lists leave no stone unturned.

I use the Apple app, Reminders, as my list organizer. It is simple, and I owe my sense of sanity to my Reminders App. Remember, darlings, life without organization is havoc. I have lived with chaos, so I know this to be true.

A Travel Plan Begins With Organization

I have always employed a well-traveled and respected travel agent. Do not hire an agent until you check that person out. Beware of the agent who plans your trip on a computer. I say, no, no, no, to that idea.

The first question I asked our ‘new’ agent before planning our trip to Singapore and Bali was, “Have you spent time in Singapore and Bali.” She had and she was able to answer all of my questions and meet all my needs. She helped me choose the right hotels, restaurants, and sights to see. Because she had walked the streets, eaten in the restaurants, and visited the sights.

My travel agent told me to take a poncho because of the chance of sudden rain. I even knew hospital care was outstanding, just in case. She knew to ask for early check-in and late check-out. Though I did not do the actual legwork, I did the mental work with her, between several hours on the phone and emails back and forth.

We were a productive team, working hand in hand. I did not allow her to make decisions without my input.

When I received her Pocket Travel App, with our entire trip laid out with minute details, I knew that my Ultimate Concierge and I would have an amazing trip. Because it was planned and organized to fit our lifestyle. I installed her app on my phone. It allows messaging back and forth also.

If you chose not to have an agent, consider watching the History Channel, listening to podcasts, and watching videos.

Here are a few videos that rank high on traveler’s lists:

• Fearless and Far (off the beaten path)
• Sabbatical ( dives into the culture through connecting with people)
• Itchy Boots for the solo traveler
• Discover with Ruhi Cenet ( unique locations, people, and natural phenomena.)

These videos and books can be very helpful for planning a stress-free trip, offering practical tips and insights from experienced travelers.

Also purchase a 5-star travel book(s) and, of course, ask trusted friends. You can do your homework and be organized in this manner.

Remember this saying, “Nothing good happens by accident.”

Organization Upon Arrival

Personally, I believe in asking those I trust for advice. And, I am happy to return the favor in areas where my confidence level is high.

Arriving at your hotel is a key moment—having a plan for what to do immediately after arriving ensures a smooth and organized start to your stay.

I learned from my southern girlfriend, Norma Jean, that one should check the room before you accept it when traveling. Southern girls know the importance of taking care of their needs!

She taught me to say to the check-in clerk, “Please show me the room I will love the first time so I won’t have to bother you to show me several other rooms!”

I love that!!! It works!!!

You won’t believe how many times I said to myself, “Thank you, Norma Jean!”

I am not a spoiled woman, I am a smart traveler. You should not have to settle. Your room is your home away from home and it should be as special as your home. Unless you are taking a trip that you know will have a particular type of accommodation.

When luggage is delivered to our room, I don’t let the porter leave. No way!

Not only do I want a lovely room, but I also have a need for organization, so I start asking our bellman questions:

• Please show me how to work the clicker.
• What number on the clicker is my favorite news channel?
• What is the WiFi password? Is it free?

Next up, I check to see if we have enough hangers and two luggage racks for our suitcases. Not to mention, how to work the complicated coffee machine — if there is one — and I ask for extra towels.

Our room is now organized for our stay, and my Ultimate Concierge and I can have fun and know our home away from home is as organized as our actual home.

Organization of Days and Evenings

Several years ago we traveled outside of London to the Cotswolds. We went with four other members of our family through marvelous hamlets. Unfortunately, I learned nothing because we did not have an organized itinerary. The member in charge of our plans did not have a plan except for hotel reservations. We needed a guide. I missed restaurants. Most importantly, I missed learning all I could have learned in the Cotswolds.

What I learned from this experience is to leave nothing to chance. No guesswork. After all, we are spending expensive time away from home. Every day and evening I have to have a plan in place.

We make dinner reservations, buy tickets in advance, hire a guide if we need one. I know which museums have exhibits we will enjoy, etc. It’s also important to allow extra time between activities to reduce stress and avoid feeling rushed. ORGANIZATION, DARLINGS, ORGANIZATION.

When to Throw Organization Out the Window…

Darlings, while planning and organization are the backbone of stress free travel, sometimes the most magical moments happen when you let go and simply embrace the adventure. When you find yourself in a new country or exploring a vibrant new city, don’t be afraid to put the itinerary aside and wander. Give yourself permission to take a break from planning—let curiosity lead the way! You might stumble upon a charming café, a hidden garden, or meet new people who share their favorite local spots.

Traveling is as much about the unexpected as it is about the planned. If you start feeling stressed or anxious because things aren’t going according to plan, pause and take a few deep breaths. A meditation app can be a wonderful companion for those moments, helping you stay relaxed and present. Remember, darlings, some of the best stories come from the times you allowed yourself to be free and spontaneous. So, on your next trip, don’t be afraid to let go, explore, and let the world surprise you. That’s where the true joy of travel lives!

When to Throw Organization Our the Window…

Next, let’s discuss gifts and memorable trinkets to buy. Until it hits me, I have no idea what I want to bring home as a memory to savor our trip. Honestly, shopping is not my priority. I have never traveled to shop.

After I have read a book about the country, been in a city or country for a time, and learned something that I find memorable, I look for a unique gift that I can hold onto as my memory.

In Africa, it was a plain white ostrich egg. The egg, in my mind, is symbolic of the survival of Africa because the Africans used the ostrich egg as a canteen. Without water, they would have perished. I learned this when I read James Michener’s book, The Covenant. I bought the perfect memory.

In Cuba, I bought a portrait of a large Cuban woman with a bandana covering her head, a Cuban cigar in her mouth, and spiritual-religious beads around her neck. I love her.

For my trip to Israel, I brought home my red Kabbalah strings from Jerusalem at the Wailing Wall. In Turkey, the Evil Eye, in Hawaii my Hawaiian bracelets, In Antarctica, a penguin. Get my gist? A meaningful memory.

Your Feelings Will Guide You

Genuine feelings direct my purchase. You might want to copy me. I would love that.

Many of you are empty nesters, retired, and have the time to travel in the USA or abroad.

My musings today can be of immense help. Though only a short survey, a help. I learned the hard way, by trial and error. I am giving you a tutorial that I guarantee will work and make your trip immensely enjoyable and stress-free. Following these tips will help you feel good and enjoy your travels even more. Bon Voyage, darlings, bon voyage.

Embracing the Joys of Solo Travel

There’s something truly special about solo travel, darlings. Setting out on your own can be both empowering and deeply relaxing, giving you the chance to connect with yourself and the world in a way that’s uniquely yours. When you travel solo, you have the freedom to set your own pace, indulge in self care, and focus on what brings you joy—whether that’s curling up in your hotel room with a good book, savoring local cuisine, or simply taking a quiet stroll through a new city.

Solo travel is also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. Strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler, join a group tour, or chat with locals—you never know what friendships or stories you’ll collect along the way. Most importantly, let go of worries about the past or future, and stay relaxed by focusing on the present moment. If you ever feel a wave of stress or anxiety, take a few moments to breathe deeply and remind yourself that this journey is yours to enjoy. Embrace the adventure, darlings, and let solo travel fill your heart with wonder and peace.

Your Ultimate Travel Checklist

To truly enjoy a stress free travel experience, a well-thought-out checklist is your best friend. Start by packing the essentials: a portable battery to keep your phone charged, a reliable carry on for your most important items, and all your travel documents safely tucked away. Don’t forget snacks for the journey, a phone charger, and a meditation app to help you stay relaxed during any downtime or unexpected flight delays.

Plan ahead for every step of your trip—think about connecting flights, your travel destination, and how much time you’ll need at the airport for security checks. Arrive with enough time to spare so you’re never rushed or worried. Packing smart means less stress: keep your luggage organized, and make sure you have everything you need for comfort and fun, whether you’re exploring a new city or relaxing in your hotel room.

Remember to take breaks, get enough rest, and stay open to new experiences. If something doesn’t go as planned, stay present and flexible—sometimes a little detour leads to the best memories. With these tips and your checklist in hand, you’ll be prepared for anything, ready to relax, and free to enjoy every moment of your journey, wherever in the world your travels take you.

If you enjoyed this story about traveling stress-free, please subscribe.

What tips can you share for making travel stress-free? Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.

**Honey Good may receive a small commission for items purchased through links on this page. This helps with the cost of maintaining this site.