When going on a trip, I`ve realized I have some travel rituals I keep repeating. It already starts the night before.
Packing
Charging all electronic devices
It`s good to have like a Kindle or Tablet aboard a long flight, as you might be finding yourself on a 9+ hours flight to the USA, like me recently on a Delta flight, where there is no personal entertainment and you have to make due with a small screen in the back of the plane. Trust me you`ll be thankful you can choose your own movies and actually see the screen using your Tablet.
I also always take this travel item with me.
At the Airport
My boyfriend laughed the first time I told him I need my time at the airport. I like being early, heaven forbid I get held up on my way to the airport and I`d miss my flight!
The advantage of being early at the airport is that it gives me the time to do my ‘airport rituals’ as he calls them. I like to browse the shops…there could always be something I forgot right? I buy a bottle of water, a magazine and a snack, sort of a plane survival kit.
At the Hotel
The first thing I check at the hotel is the WiFi, that`s probably because of my job. But I also checkout the bathroom, you can see a lot from the details in the bathroom: soft toilet paper, tissues and other amenities. I`ve noticed, the smaller the details, the better your stay will be. For example at the Shangri-La in Toronto, they even had a hair band in the bathroom for girls with long hair…such a small detail, but so convenient.
When coming back
When I come back from a trip, I always love passing by my favorite chocolate shop. Or have some of the yummy Belgian fries we have. I guess you appreciate what you have when you`ve missed it.
What are your travel rituals?
Just like you I´m nearly obsessed by charging my electronic devices AND my extra akkupaks. I just feel more relaxed when I know that I can recharge my Ipad and Phone once again. I always pack one extra “foodie bag” with sandwiches, fruits, nuts and sweets, because I never trust in airline meals 😉 When I arrived I always take a walk in the neigbourhood and find out wheres the next grocery to avoid those expensive minibar rates and buy some local beer or wine to celebrate the first day of travel 🙂
Thanks for the tip on the supermarket!
I’m always getting up in the middle of the night to charge my electronics! I’m also a magazine buyer at the airport! One of the few times I’ll bother buying them.
When I land I try to get a map as soon as possible to get myself orientated! And if I can, I always spend my first day walking a lot, for the same reason.
Great tip on the map and walking around. I`ve found exploring a city by walking is so much fun and you discover more.
I am the same way before traveling. I charge EVERYTHING. My two cameras, my phone, my tablet, you name it.
The only downside to that is, you have to make sure you`ve got everything with you before you leave. Yes, I have left my battery once at home, camera in hand and didn`t realize until it wouldn`t shoot any photos!
Fun 🙂 Definitely love buying magazines at the airport…it’s something I never do in my daily life but love to do when I travel. It’s a special treat for the plane. I also love perusing airport bookstores during layovers.
Before leaving a place, I shop for gifts for family and buy candy or chocolate to take home for myself.
I used to buy tons of postcards but don’t do that so much now.
Jenna, I see it as a special treat too. On the plane I finally have time to read. I also love snooping through bookstores, because during layovers you`ve got time for it 🙂 Makes traveling that extra bit special because of the special treats!