Another weekend, another edition of the Weekend Wanderlust!
The week following the 4th of July always feels as though we’re on the back end of summer! I’m hoping to cross off some of my summer bucket list items this weekend as well as watch the Wimbledon finals!
BTW – if you’re looking for a fun summer movie go check out Spider-Man: Far From Home. Nerdy fact about me – I love the Avengers movies! Mike and I saw this movie last weekend and it was so good! Go see it – you won’t be disappointed! Lot’s of great European travel footage too!
Alrighty – time to pour yourself a cup of coffee (or tea if you’re across the pond!) and get settled in for this week’s Weekend Wanderlust edition.
What you’ll find in this newsletter:
- Traveling Chic’s New Articles – 25 Unforgettable Things to Do in Florence, Where to Eat in Rome, Italy – The Rome Restaurant Guide, What to Pack for the Lake House, The Best Weekender Bags for Every Style & Budget
- Travel Tip of the Week
- Travel Gear Find of the Week
- Hotel Spotlight
- In-flight reading
- Quoting Thoreau
- A Printable Checklist of Must do Activities in Florence
- The best links around the internet this week
Let’s get started!
This Week on Traveling Chic:
25 Unforgettable Things to Do in Florence
What to Pack for the Lake House
Where to Eat in Rome, Italy – The Rome Restaurant Guide
The Best Weekender Bags for Every Style & Budget
Travel Tip of the Week – Savvy Business Travelers (and how they do it!)
They whiz through security, take a left instead of a right when boarding the plane, and somehow manage to appear stylish, confident, and unfrazzled at all times. It’s none other than the business traveler. There is something so effortless about their traveling ways. So what’s their secret?
THEY TRAVEL LIGHT
Business travelers have packed so many times that they know exactly what they will wear and what they will need for the week. They don’t waste space with extra clothes, shoes, accessories, or electronics. They have their go-to wardrobe and have invested in travel sized products. Not only is it easier to get dressed with limited options, but lighter bags allow you to move quickly and seamlessly through the airport and on public transportation.
THEY ARE PREPARED
Business travelers have thought through all stages of their travel experience before they even leave for the airport. They pack things so that they can pull out their electronics and toiletries quickly in security. Their bag is the perfect size to fit in the overhead compartment. They pack a smaller bag to go under their seat with everything they need for the flight. Their transportation to and from is prearranged and they stay up to date on flight times with their smart phone. You get the idea. Every step along the way is organized and prepared.
THEY TRAVEL IN STYLE
Business travelers are about the only people who still dress up for flights these days. While it’s sometimes nice to wear a hoodie and leggings on a long flight, I’ve found that when you are dressed professionally TSA employees, flight attendants, and other passengers tend to treat you more professionally. Time to bring back the lost art of stylish travel!
THEY HAVE SPINNER LUGGAGE
These days most people have carry-on bags with wheels, but most business travelers go one step further with four-wheel spinner luggage. Years ago the two extra wheels were a bit of a luxury, but now you can get one at all price points. The extra wheels help you move through the airport much quicker as they ride along side you with little effort on your part. Pulling on a two-wheel bag wears on your back and shoulder over time (Trust me – I know from my flight attendant days). So next time you upgrade your luggage go for the spinner case.
THEY STAY LOYAL
Business travelers know the perks that come from airline mileage programs and hotel rewards programs. But they also know it’s important to stay loyal to one airline, one hotel chain, and one car rental company to maximize the perks. Once you’ve picked out your go-to brands try to stay loyal whenever possible to take advantage of free flights and hotel stays.
THEY HAVE TSA PRECHECK
When TSA Precheck first came out it was difficult to obtain and it catered to mostly business travelers. Now it’s much easier to get approval for. Not only are the lines often shorter, but you don’t have to remove your shoes, laptop, belt, or liquids before going through security.
THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANE COMFORT
Business travelers know the importance of being comfortable on a flight. Whether they need to get work done, or a good nights sleep before an important meeting the next day, comfort is key to making this happen. Splurging for extras like noise cancelling headphones, chargers, travel blankets, and neck pillows are worth it so you aren’t cold, bored, or annoyed for the duration of your flight.
Travel Gear Find of the Week – Travel Steamer
This may seem like an unnecessary item to pack when trying to save space, but I’ve become a big fan of travel steamers over the years. I like that they can be used on all items of clothing, whereas irons are typically only useful with pants and shirts. It’s also nice to have your own reliable one because you never know what condition the hotel iron will be in. I just ordered this dual voltage one to try (I’ve used and liked this one in the past too). Make sure you get a dual-voltage steamer if you ever travel abroad.
Hotel Spotlight: Ladera
Those views! The Ladera hotel in St. Lucia – popular for honeymoons – is a gorgeous, secluded hotel, with the best views of the jaw dropping Pitons that the island is infamous for. Each room only has 3 walls so that you can never stop enjoying those views! On top of that – each room has it’s own pool! Did someone say Paradise?
In-Flight Reading
Jenna Bush Hager’s most recent book club pick is the perfect novel to bring with you to the beach or on your next flight this summer.
In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them. Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future. A joyful, hilarious, and hope-filled debut, Evvie Drake Starts Over will have you cheering for the two most unlikely comebacks of the year—and will leave you wanting more from Linda Holmes.
“Everything a romantic comedy should be: witty, relatable, and a little complicated.”—People
Quoting Thoreau:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.”
A Printable Checklist for Things to Do in Florence:
Weekend Reading
Wimbledon’s Best Dressed Guests
How Serena spends her millions
My Brilliant Friend – Season 2 Updates
What would the father of the bride wedding look like now?
Happy Travels!
Jenny