Seven Tips for Summer Travel

summer travel tips 13

Summer is all about that relaxed state of mind, but it can also be quite the opposite when it comes to travel plans. To ensure your vacation is as rejuvenating as it should be and as stress-free as possible, I’ve listed out my top seven tips for summer travel!

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

1. If you don’t have TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry (which automatically gets you Pre-Check) and travel often, JUST DO IT! Save yourself a whole lot of time and headache with the long security lines that are synonymous with summer. Sure, the Pre-Check lines might look long, too, but they move a heck of a lot faster.

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

2. Always have a portable charger! I carry mine around constantly, but it’s extra helpful while traveling. You don’t have to find and sit by an outlet at the airport, instead you can charge your phone or tablet on the plane, etc. I have the Mophie XL and couldn’t recommend it more. It has two full iPad charges, so it charges your phone up to 6-8 times, and has two ports for dual charging! I’ve had it for at least three years, it’s a game changer.

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

3. Bring ZzzQuil! There’s nothing worse than jetlag if you’re traveling far, or simply not able to sleep in a new room/bed, even if you’re in the next town over. Don’t ruin your trip by getting a bad night of sleep, it’s not worth it. I bring ZzzQuil with me wherever I travel, always, because you never know when you will experience occasional sleeplessness. When I went to Iceland in March, I was glad I brought extra doses because I ended up sharing it with friends who had trouble sleeping on the long haul flight! (And Danielle texted me a few weeks ago about where to buy, not realizing it was OTC, before her upcoming trip to Italy!) (PS: You can try it too for occasional sleeplessness, head here for $1 off!)

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

4. Make sure you bring a travel-sized sunscreen and aloe ahead of time. Most of the time when I’m heading to a beachy vacation, I almost always buy a big bottle of sunscreen when I get there so I don’t have to check my bag. I like to travel with sunscreen just-in-case there isn’t time to make a stop on the first day (or you find yourself outside before you’ve even checked into the hotel!), and aloe to soothe my after-sun skin. I was having a hard time finding sunscreen in the travel aisle at the drugstore, and actually recently figured out that these tubes are under 3.4 oz! It’s one of my favorite sunscreens, too, so I was pretty pleased. I also order these in bulk when the summer starts!

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Nothing dehydrates me more than traveling and getting out of my “usual routine” when it comes to water drinking. When I’m dehydrated, I start to feel sluggish, get a headache, and also start to crave junk food. All bad things! To avoid paying for a $6 bottle of water at the airport, you can always bring an empty water bottle through security to fill up at a water fountain once you’re in the terminal. (Or grab one of these reusable water bottles before your trip!)

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

6. Get cheap sunglasses! Especially if you’re headed to the beach, there’s nothing worse than getting your designer sunglasses taken by a rogue wave. (Right, Hallie?!) Also, from experience, trying to remove sand that seems to be imbedded in your expensive glasses is beyond tedious and annoying and requires many toothpicks. I’ve scooped up a few pairs of cheap sunglasses this year that I wear anytime I’m going to be swimming, in the ocean, or at the beach so it won’t ruin my day if they get lost or ruined! (Or from previous experience, stolen in Europe!)

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

7. This is more so for a packing post, but it’s all about the bags when you’re traveling. I never want to feel like I’m schlepping when I’m en route, but I want to be prepared when I’m arrived with all of the things I need. Here’s my usual bag situation when I’m traveling… Crossbody bag with all of the important things (keys, wallet, passport, boarding pass, etc) inside of my tote (computer, chargers, any reading materials, small bag of travel toiletries). And sometimes if I foresee myself accumulating things on the trip (read: shopping), I will put my tote inside of this bag for one big “personal item.” Then, if you need to check your suitcase on the way home, you can split your big bag and tote bag on the plane ride for your “carry-on” and “personal item.” Make sense?

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

Shop the photos…

Steamline Luggage Suitcase
Kate Spade Nightgown (on sale!)
Eberjey Pajama Set
Fujufilm Mini Polaroid Camera
Old Navy Sweater
Old Navy Striped Shirts
Iluminage Eyemask
Jack Rogers Sandals
J.Crew Gingham Slides (on major sale!)
Cuyana Leather Cosmetics Case
‘Rising Strong’ by Brené Brown
‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

For my bedroom decor, check out this post!

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

A few more cute things to sleep in…

Bows & Sequins shares her top seven tips for summer travel!

PS: After a lot of interest in how I pack lightly (almost always carry-on only!) and quickly (usually about one hour max!), I’m going to share my tips and tricks with you guys. I really want to branch into the video realm so if you have any videographer recommendations (open to working with students!), DIY tutorials when it comes to filming videos, or any other resources, I’d be so grateful if you shared them below or shot me an email! xo

PPS: To find out more about ZzzQuil follow them on Twitter!

This is a sponsored post written for ZzzQuil. I was compensated for this post as part of the Vicks Ambassador Network but, as always, all opinions are my own.

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15 Comments

  1. 8.11.16
    Rena said:

    Your tips are good and especially helpful for me 🙂 Thank you!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

  2. 8.11.16
    Jen said:

    I do the same thing when packing a carry-on and personal item! Such a cute pajama set. x

    Jen | affecionada

  3. 8.12.16
    Jillian said:

    Such a great and usefull tips !

    Jillian – http://www.cupofcharisma.com

  4. 8.13.16
    Katie said:

    These tips are awesome- so many things I would never never think of myself!

    xoxo,
    Katie
    chicincarolina.blogspot.com

  5. 8.13.16
    Emily Piskulick said:

    that little suitcase is the cutest! xo

    http://www.dearserendipity.com/

  6. 8.15.16
    Olivia said:

    These are such awesome tips! I totally swear by my portable charger when traveling too…and just completed my first TSA pre-check trip this past weekend. Talk about a game changer!

    xo
    Olivia
    PrepEssentials

  7. 8.15.16
    Lottie said:

    100% agree with you about the sunglasses, I always now go with a pair of sunglass that cost around £1.00!
    http://www.flareaforte.com

  8. 8.15.16

    You have some super cute pj sets (but a little too obvious it’s a Zzquill sponsored post)

    What has been your favorite book this summer?
    C’s Collection | http://chelseascollection.com

  9. 8.15.16
    Matthew said:

    I swear by ZzzQuil, best thing if you are ever traveling lol

  10. 8.16.16
    Cattleya said:

    I always have a portable charger with me when I travel. You never know when you will need it or when you will find the next outlet. I love these tips and your photos are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!

    x. Cattleya

    alittlecattleya.com

  11. 8.16.16
    Vicky said:

    Cute suitcase!

    xo,
    Vicky
    http://www.aspiringsocialite.com/

  12. 8.17.16

    Couldn’t agree more about the need to hydrate when you’re traveling! Like you, I always bring a bottle to refill once I’m inside the airport, the bigger the better!

  13. 8.17.16
    McKirsty said:

    Good read, thanks! Totally agree about the cheap sunglasses. And how gorgeous is that suitcase…

    I’ve never head of this ‘personal item’ luggage – is it a US thing ? In the UK most budget airlines only allow your one hand luggage item (or carry-on as you guys say) and that’s it.

  14. 11.23.16

    I can definitely tell by reading this blog that you are way more organized than I am. Most of the time I’m packing either the very night before or the day of the trip. I am terrible at organizing that stuff.

    What a great list of travel tips for summer vacation with family enjoyed reading it and hope it helps many get out there on holiday with their family this Summer.

  15. 6.16.23
    Jessisca Milligan said:

    I have already planned my summer vacation in the Philippines. I like to travel to different locations on vacation instead of staying in a hotel. And lately, I have been increasingly favoring electric cars additional info. So I’m planning to fly to Cebu, rent a car, and visit interesting locations. Who has been to the Philippines and what can be visited there?