What to Do in Peru Besides Visit Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is without a doubt the most popular tourist attraction in Peru, and understandably so. The history behind the ancient Incan ruins is incredible, and visiting the site is an unforgettable experience.

The good news is that Peru is full of even more unforgettable experiences. 

Christiana, our Taste of Peru tour host, has been living in Peru for the last 10 years and she’s here to share some of her favorite things to do all around the country. With so many incredible things to experience, one visit to Peru just isn’t enough. 

Kayaking & Kitesurfing in Paracas 

Paracas is known for its popular tour to the Islas Ballestas to see the sea lions, but there’s so much more Paracas has to offer. Hop in a kayak and paddle your way around the peaceful Pacific Ocean, or kick the adrenaline up a notch and take a kitesurfing lesson. After you’ve dried off, explore the Paracas National Reserve either on a bike or ATV tour. The sight of the desert right next to the ocean is pretty incredible. 

Insider Tip: Paracas is home to some beautiful 4 and 5-star hotels, so it makes a great home base if you’re exploring other places in the area such as Pisco, Ica, and Huacachina.

Insider Tip: Many tour operators offer day tours from Lima to Paracas, but we highly recommend renting a car and going for a whole weekend. That way you can go at your own pace and you have the freedom to explore the surrounding areas.

Dune Buggies and Sandboarding in Huacachina

After you’ve explored Paracas, head down to Huacachina and get ready for a wild ride on the dunes! This is one of our favorite things to do in Peru. You’ll be completely covered in sand once it’s over, but the adrenaline rush and the view of the sunset over the dunes are worth it.  

Insider Tip: Make sure you purchase your spot directly through a tour operator that has the vehicles on site so you can see how they are maintained. Many other tour agencies in the area are resellers and you can’t see the state of the vehicles before buying a ticket. 

Insider Tip: Schedule the last time slot available so that you can see the sunset over the dunes. 

Nazca Lines

If you have the time, keep going further south to Nazca, hop on a plane, and take to the skies to get a bird's eye view of the incredible Nazca lines. The lines are estimated to have been created between 500 BC and 500 AD but are still clearly visible today due to the lack of wind in the area and its dry, stable climate. Some of the designs you’ll see are of plants and animals, suggesting that they were created for religious purposes.

Insider Tip: Many people experience nausea or dizziness on the plane ride, so you may want to take some Dramamine before you head up. 

kayaking in Paracas

Surfing

If you’re in Lima, head down to the beach along the Costa Verde where there are many surfing instructors offering lessons. If you’re in the north exploring the city of Trujillo, check out the small beach town of Huanchaco - it’s a great place for beginning surfers to get their feet wet…literally. ;) 

Insider Tip: Be prepared to don a wetsuit before heading in; the Pacific Ocean is chilly.

Paragliding & Para-triking in Lima

If running off of cliffs and floating over the coastline is your thing, you should definitely check out paragliding from the Malecón. If you still want to take to the skies but prefer to have a motor propelling you, para-triking might be more your style. You can find numerous para-triking operators on the Costa Verde in the Magdalena area. The flights are about 10 minutes and include a GoPro recording of your ride.

Insider Tip: A long sleeve shirt, pants, and sunglasses make the para-triking experience more comfortable.

Amazon River Cruise

Peru is more than just mountains and deserts - it’s also home to part of the Amazon River and Rainforest. You can experience the Amazon by staying at an ecolodge in the rainforest, but we personally prefer taking it in by floating down the Amazon River. Trust us - it’s not nearly as hot. 

If you’re worried you’ll get bored sitting on a boat, fear not! Many cruises have scheduled activities such as early-morning bird watching, a night safari to spot caimans and other nocturnal animals, sloth spotting, piranha fishing, swimming with the pink dolphins, and nature walks through the rainforest to see the massive, ancient trees. It’s a great choice for nature enthusiasts.

Insider Tip: BUG SPRAY. ‘Nuf said.

We hope we’ve awoken your travel bug and inspired you to explore more of Peru than just Machu Picchu. Join us on our Taste of Peru and Machu Picchu Tour and experience the vibrant culture, incredible history, and delicious flavors this beautiful country has to offer.

If you’re traveling to Peru but don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service. 

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

Written by Christiana Jones, Administrative Assistant & Taste of Peru Tour Host

More Travel Resources

3 Favorite Crossbody Bags for Effortless Travel

Settle this debate: If you wear a fanny pack as a crossbody bag, is it still a fanny pack?

Either way, it doesn’t change our opinion that we love fanny packs for effortless travel, whether worn around your waist or slung over your shoulder.

We’ve dabbled with some other bag options from time to time, but we’ve always come back to fanny packs.

We love that they don’t get in the way and that they’re just small enough that they’re often overlooked as a personal item while getting on a plane. Most of the time, we can get away with wearing it onto the plane along with our backpack and carry-on suitcase. That’s a win-win.

We love that they’re hands-free. Sling it over your shoulder or clip it around your waist and it basically disappears. It’s not slipping off your shoulder or weighing heavily on your back. This comes in handy when juggling lots of luggage.

We love that their super versatile. You can wear them anywhere and everywhere. Walks through the city, on a hike, out for dinner. They’re great for a trip that covers a wide variety of activities.

As the three fanny pack/crossbody bag users on the team, we’re sharing our tried-and-true bags.

Fjällräven High Coast Hip Pack

“It’s for the minimalist. Small, lightweight, and not overloaded with pockets and zippers, AND you can fold it into itself to be even more compact. It’s versatile – I wear it as a crossbody when walking around the city or as a hip pack on a morning run and it stays put! My favorite feature is the small loop on either side of the pack, perfect for hanging my sunglasses or a water bottle. Plus, it comes in my favorite color.”

- Carly, Operations Manager

Kate Spade Chelsea Belt Bag Waist Fanny Pack

“Perfect size to carry essentials while traveling. I put my chapstick & hand sanitizer in the front pouch. In the main pouch, I put a small wallet, passport, travel size hand lotion, sunglasses, mask, cell phone, tide pen, and writing pen. It’s easy to throw in a tote bag or backpack if I’m carrying something large or a carry-on for the plane, but it also means I have my essentials & valuables right in front of me when I’m just going out for a quick coffee walk, etc.”

- Annie, Founder & CEO

Baggu - Fanny Pack

“This is the bag I use daily, and it’s also the bag I immediately grab while packing for a trip. I like that it’s big enough to fit a water bottle in it if I need to, but still small enough that it doesn’t feel clunky or get in the way. The front zipper provides easy access to items I pull out a lot, like my phone or mask. There is an inside zipper in the bigger pocket that is perfect for storing my passport. On top of that, it’s really durable and doesn’t stain easily.”  

- Emme, Marketing Manager

If you love the idea of a fanny pack but are worried about needing extra space, the solution our team came up with is packing a canvas tote bag. These fold up really small so they don’t take up a lot of space in your suitcase, but they provide extra room to store things during the day if you need it.

You can find some cute canvas tote options in our brand new Etsy Store!

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.  

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

More Travel Resources

5 Life-Changing Items We Can't Travel Without

There are over 1,000 trips taken between the five team members of TTLT. 

We’ve got loud opinions on rolling suitcases versus backpacks, a strategy for sourcing laundry detergent for late-night sink washings, and airplane rituals for the smoothest travel day. Being travel experts isn’t something that came on the first trip. 

We know the struggle of figuring out exactly what to bring on a trip and what’s worth leaving behind. To be honest, sometimes the brain freeze still comes back before a trip.

Right there with you, we’ve been in the same spot (usually around 1 a.m. the night before a trip) beseeching the internet for answers on what to pack in a carry-on and which headphones are the best for planes and how can I get them overnighted. 

After many, many, many domestic and international trips. Packing way too much and not packing enough. Forgetting items and investing in new life-changing products, we created a list of the items we refuse to leave on a trip without. 

Read our “can’t-travel-without-them” recommendations and kiss those 1 a.m. aimless googling sessions goodbye. (The best part? They’re all easily sourced from Amazon.)

“This see-through, TSA-approved toiletries carrier must be like Mary Poppins’s bag. Because of the shape and structure, I can fit way more mini bottles in here than in a normal quart ziplock. And if there's a liquid explosion, it’s easy to clean and hang to dry.”

- Annie, Founder & CFO

Buy on Amazon

“Noise-canceling headphones – an investment I made back in 2015 that I still use today! Living in Hawaii means when I travel, my average flight path includes 2 layovers and 12+ hours of flight time. These little guys help keep me entertained the entire way and they’re perfect for getting a good night’s sleep when unknowingly booking accommodations near noisy areas. But my favorite use is that they’re fantastic for taking a moment to drown out noise when I feel overstimulated while traveling, allowing me to stay grounded and present throughout the rest of my trip!”

- Carly, Operations Manager

Buy on Amazon

“I know what you’re thinking, “Really, a water bottle? That’s so basic.” Basic, but essential! I love having my water bottle on hand, especially at airports around the US that offer free water refill stations since it helps cut down on single-use plastic. I'm quite picky about the type of water bottle I use, and I’ve enjoyed this one for the last few years since it meets my personal criteria: flip-top straw, easy to clean all parts, and has a handle for easy carrying.”  

- Christiana, Administrative Assistant

Buy on Amazon

“I always bring my current pair of white tennis shoes. (These are my newest pair that I wore on our Mexico Team Trip.) I love Nikes because they’re comfy for all-day exploring. Most of my travels include lots and lots of walking and I’ve never gotten blisters before. They’re great for any weather AND they’re very easy to pair with shorts or a dress. We love shoes that can do it all!”

- Emme, Marketing Manager

Buy on Amazon

“This mask is key to getting some shut-eye on long flights! So comfortable and blocks out any light. I’m now at the point where I can’t sleep without it even when I’m not traveling.”

- Kathryn, Experience Advisor

Buy on Amazon

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.  

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

More Travel Resources

7 Packing Tips for International Travel

I know a lot of you already have big plans for travel this year and are starting to plan for 2024. (Psst, we are too!)

With all that jet-setting on the horizon, I’m sharing my tried and true recommendations and suggestions for making airport travel as easy as possible. If you can master the art of packing, your travel experience will improve tremendously. 

Here are the top 7 international travel tips I share when friends and family ask for guidance. 

1. Use packing cubes because they’re an easy way to stay organized.

The linked option above is my personal favorite and the one I use on all my trips (Two other TTLT team members have these cubes too, so they’re definitely TTLT approved.)  

2. I try to carry three items with me when bringing a carry-on.

Hear me out. I know they say two, but I’m rarely stopped if I go with these three items. 

The first item is a carry-on roller bag. 

The second item is a BIG backpack that can be squeezed under the seat. I like this bag in particular because it has a luggage sleeve to go over the handles of my roller bag, laptop space, and plenty of pockets for organizing.

The third item is a small fanny pack where I can keep my airport essentials like my phone, ID, medicine, passport, etc. 

On the rare occasions that they do require me to throw my fanny pack in a bag, it’s so small that there is usually enough space in the backpack that I can squeeze it in or stuff it in a side pocket. 

3. Liquids that are small enough are always an issue for me.

I like silicone travel-size bottles for things I can't buy in travel size. If you’re traveling with liquids, I recommend packing them in this clear pouch versus a ziplock bag because it’s more spacious and easier to open. Take my word for it, always pack your liquids in a separate little bag. Save yourself the headache of possible leaking liquids getting on everything after your flight.

4. I usually wear my most bulky & heavy shoes on the airplane so that I don’t have to fit them in my carry-on.

I always pack three pairs of shoes. First, one versatile tennis shoe that can be dressed up or down. They’re usually white-ish and basic. Second, a pair of sandals that can also be dressed up or down. Third, a pair of flats that are easy to compact and fold. 

5. I always wear my jacket and a scarf on the plane because planes are a little chilly.

I recommend packing puffer coats and jackets that are super lightweight and compact when traveling. Check out Mountain Hardware and Uniqlo for some options.

6. Deciding which clothes to pack is usually what stumps people the most.

In order to prevent under-packing or, worse, overpacking, I plan out my outfits before I go and never bring a clothing item that can’t go with more than three outfits. This makes it really easy to dress up or down, warm or cold, with or without layers, etc. These are a few pieces I love and come with me on almost all of my trips.

• High waisted wide leg pants - so lightweight

• Zuri dress/jacket/skirt - very multi-purpose

• Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and lightweight blouses

7. My last parting words of advice - Do laundry when you're traveling.

If you don’t have a laundry machine in your Airbnb or hotel, then find a local laundromat. It makes a world of difference and only takes an hour or two.

Written by Annie (Cheng) Sim, Founder and CEO

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.  

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

More Travel Resources

Quiz! Is a TTLT trip right for you?

It makes our explorer hearts happy to see that we’re all returning to travel and connecting with one another again. If you’re looking to travel to Japan, Italy, or Peru this year, we might have the perfect trip or travel service for you! But first, let’s see what’s the best fit for you based on your travel style.

Take this quick 5-question quiz below and then tally up how many A’s, B’s, and C’s you have at the end, then see which TTLT travel service is right for you!

1. Do you enjoy making friends when you travel?

A. Yes, I enjoy meeting new people.

B. I usually travel with my friends or family so I don’t go out of my way to meet people.

C. Not really, I enjoy traveling alone and spending quality time with myself.

2. Do you like having a detailed itinerary when you travel?

A. Yes, I enjoy knowing what I’m doing each day and filling each day with activities.

B. A little bit, I like structure in my trip but also time for spur-of-the-moment decisions.

C. Not really, I prefer to make spontaneous decisions throughout the day.

3. Do you like exploring with local guides?

A. Yes, I like learning details I wouldn’t be able to learn on my own and going places I wouldn’t be able to find by myself. 

B. Sometimes, guides make it easy to see a lot with minimal effort which I like.

C. No, I prefer to wander and explore on my own.

4. How important is food when you travel?

A. I want to eat something delicious at every single meal if it’s possible.

B. I’ll make sure that at least one or two meals are delicious and intentional but it’s not a priority for me.

C. Food is not a priority for me when I travel.

5. What hotel accommodations do you like?

A. I want to stay somewhere with all the comforts of home but that also feels special to the destination.

B. I just need a comfy bed and running water.

C. I can sleep anywhere, so I opt for the cheapest hotel accommodations.

If you answered mostly A…

Your travel style matches our TTLT group trips perfectly. You value connection and exploration beyond the tourist stops & frequently-visited restaurants. You want to learn about local culture and taste delectable cuisines with local guides and chefs who know their stuff. You want to do it all and at the same time, you don’t want to spend hours sifting through recommendations and planning the perfect trip. You trust the folks who have been there, done that, and have the local relationships to elevate your trip into a relaxing and effortless experience. Lucky for you, we have just the thing! Check out our current small group trips - Heart of Italy, Taste of Peru, and Inside Japan.

If you answered mostly B…

Your travel style matches our Travel Consultation Service! You want to learn from an expert how to create thoughtful experiences and the best ways to visit and explore your destination, but at the same time, you want more control over your itinerary. You also want to make travel easier and want to have insider knowledge, tips and tricks from somebody with local experience who knows where to go, and when to go, and can help identify specifically what would be best for your travel style. You may even want to hand over the bookings so you can focus on traveling and less on the administrative work. It’s the best of both worlds! Send us a message to get more details.

If you answered mostly C…

Your travel style matches our Pocket Guides + free resources! You want all the freedom to plan your itinerary exactly how you want it and half the fun is getting into the weeds of researching what looks good and what doesn’t. But you know it’s important not to go empty-handed. You can sift our blog for tips and tricks, and if you need a little more support you can book a travel consultation with one of our destination experts.

No matter how you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

More Travel Resources

14 Essential Items When Traveling with a Baby

In this guide, we’re sharing TTLT Founder and CEO, Annie Sim’s, tried-and-true baby travel items.

On her most recent trip to Italy with her 4-month-old in tow, each of these items made travel more seamless and stress-free. 

The best part? Everything is available for last-minute purchase on Amazon.

Here are Annie’s recommendations and why she swears by them!

1. Doona Stroller/Car Seat

BEST money we spent! I cannot rave about this stroller/car seat combo enough. It collapses while baby is in it, so there is no need to wake them while moving them in and out of a car. The one-unit design also means it’s easy to pop them in and out of taxis, buses, rental cars, etc. If you’re flying with your infant in your lap, it fits in the overhead bin and meets airline requirements for seats if they’re using it on the plane. As if it couldn’t get any better, the sturdy wheels make it easy to push, even on cobblestone roads. We conquered all the bumpy streets of Italy without a problem.

2. Stroller/Car Seat Bag

It fits our Doona Stroller perfectly. Pro tip: when trying to reduce your "number of bags" for bag charges with luggage storage, transport, etc. this bag is large enough that you can fit other carry-ons, backpacks, and small items in with the car seat to count as "one bag".

Doona Stroller/Car Seat on Amazon

Stroller/Car Seat Bag on Amazon

3. Bottles & Lids

These are my favorite bottles for travel because they are silicon and incredibly easy to wash and sanitize. You only need one shell but can bring multiple of the collapsible pouches. The best thing is that there is a variety of different lids/nipples that can convert the bottle into a toddler sippy cup as your child grows. The lids are great for travel and make it easy to store full bottles. I only bring one or two feeding lids to use interchangeably.

Bottles on Amazon

Lids on Amazon

4. Travel-Size Dish and Bottle Soap

It’s carry-on approved and one small bottle lasted for a month of travel.

5. Bottle Cooler

It comes with an ice pack that fits around the bottles and keeps them cool while on the go.

Dish & Bottle Soap on Amazon

Bottle Cooler on Amazon

6. Quick Clean Wipes

These are the best for quick, on-the-go cleaning for pumps and bottles when you don't have a sink to rinse them out. 

7. Travel Size Washer and Drying Rack

It’s compact, making it super easy to pack and perfect for washing bottles and pump parts even in hotels without a kitchen sink. 

Quick Clean Wipes on Amazon

Travel Size Washer & Drying Rack on Amazon

8. Magnetic Onesie

These are a game changer for quick changes on the go. I recommend the fleece options for keeping warm on a cold plane, and lightweight ones for warm nights or places with no air conditioning.

9. Sleep Sack

Great for all types of travel because the wool helps with temperature control whether it’s cold or hot. My baby slept in this sleep sack during warm Italian nights and chillier Seattle nights, and it was great for both.

Magnetic Onesie on Amazon

Sleep Sack on Amazon

10. Pacifier Clip

It’s lightweight and easy to clean. (Have you noticed a trend yet? I’m all about that easy-to-clean life while traveling.)

11. Travel-Size Diaper Paste

This is the diaper paste that’s recommended by my daughter’s pediatrician and it’s under the limit for carry-on liquids.

Pacifier Clip on Amazon

Travel-Size Diaper Paste on Amazon

13. Fitted Crib Sheets

These are great to use over crib mattresses provided by hotels, but they can also be used on your own take-along crib.

14. Travel Crib

Super lightweight travel crib! It’s easy to pack and sling over your shoulder. It can fit in a large suitcase but is also just as easy as an additional bag to carry. It’s also MUCH smaller than the other ones I’ve seen people carrying around. 

Fitted Crib Sheets on Amazon

Travel Crib on Amazon

Boarding our first flight with an infant was quite intimidating, but after long days of international flights and a month in Italy with our little one, I feel much more confident in the items that made our lives easier and travel seamless. I hope the things I learned help encourage you to continue exploring and sharing the world with your little ones.

Check out our full list of recommended travel items.

Let us know if there are any items you would add to the list or that you think I should try!

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.  

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

Written by Annie (Cheng) Sim

Founder & Chief Eating Officer

More Travel Resources

Before You Go Travel Checklist

TTLT is making its return to international travel! This year we’re going on our Heart of Italy trip and we’re so excited to share our travel expertise again and help travelers see the world through the experiences and cuisine of local residents (some of whom you already know because you’ve taken a virtual cooking class with them!)

---

Interested in traveling with us on our Heart of Italy culinary tour? Click the link below to read more about the unique foodie experiences we curate for our trip, who you’ll meet, and when we’re going!

---

If you’re traveling internationally in 2022, there are a couple of extra things to be aware of compared to past years. You need to make sure to cover all of your bases so you’re not missing important documents, getting stuck in foreign countries, or stressing about not being adequately prepared.

This is the general “before you go travel checklist” that we send to each of our international travelers when they sign up for one of our trips. We want to make the travel process as seamless as possible so our travelers can focus on the cultural experiences and relationships they are building while abroad.

Months Before You Go

1. Check your passport expiration date.  For U.S. Citizens, passports must be valid for six (6) months after the return of your journey and should also have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps.

2. Check the U.S. Department of State's website for country-specific information like visa requirements, local laws, and travel alerts & warnings.

3. Visit a doctor or travel pharmacist 4-6 weeks prior to departure. Give your doctor your itinerary and history of vaccines.  Ask for routine vaccinations and prescriptions as necessary (including a backup supply of antibiotics). For more information visit the CDC.

4. Research local country requirements regarding COVID-19 and prepare accordingly. 

5. Purchase trip protection, as well as “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage. No-obligation quotes are available through our preferred provider, Travel Insured.

Weeks Before You Go

1. Purchase baggage or clothing needed for packing.

2. Register for the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

3. If you are planning on using your cell phone, talk with your carrier to find out the best international plans that will suit your needs.  

4. Designate and alert an emergency contact about your travel plans.

Days Before You Go

1. Review the local weather.

2. Notify your banks of your travel plans and itinerary for international use of your credit cards and ATM cards.

3. Make two (2) copies of your important documents such as passports, credit cards, and driver's licenses.  Leave one copy with your emergency contact and store another copy in a safe place in your luggage (separate from the actual documents).

4. Pick up any prescription drugs and necessary medicines.

5. Verify each piece of luggage (and handbags) have your contact information easily accessible. Adding information such as printed flight or hotel information in a pocket can help somebody contact you if your luggage is lost. 

6. Download books/shows/movies to electronic devices.

Download a free printable version of our Before You Go Checklist!

---

Travel with us around the world on one of our multi-day small group food tours. Check out our itineraries to Italy, Japan, Peru, and more! Join us as we visit tea farms in Japan, sip on limoncello in Italy, and savor ceviche in Peru.

If you’re traveling abroad and don’t know where to start or want to tap into our travel expertise to make the most of your trip, check out our customized travel coaching and optional booking service.  

No matter where you travel, we always recommend purchasing travel protection to safeguard against sudden changes or cancellations. If you don’t already have a preferred vendor, you can check out ours - Travel Insured - who offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” policy. 

More Travel Resources

6 Top Tips for More Meaningful Travel

I exchanged glances with Katie as we both slowly raised our spoons to our mouths, full of green slop. After swallowing, I managed a lackluster, “yummmm” through clenched teeth. 

Little Katie and Annie in South Africa

There we were, in the middle of the “bush” in South Africa. Katie was in the Peace Corps and I was visiting her for two weeks, experiencing the reality of life in her village. Walking through grassy paths to the local school (one of the only buildings in the village), fetching water from the pump, bathing in our system of buckets, and… in this instance … eating like a local. However, I’ll spare you the details of what I was actually consuming (ok, fine, it was cow stomach 😫).

Throughout my 6 month trip around the world, I lived with locals and experienced their lives. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And although there were far more glamorous moments in my travels, this memory sticks out to me as one that was so raw, real, and connective. 

A group of teachers had invited us to their home so we could have their traditional food. They took a special shopping trip to get the right ingredients, they cooked for hours, we sat and talked and laughed (the hearty, belly kind of laughing), played with their neighbor kids, and they even walked us home since the sun went down and we didn’t have flashlights. It was genuine. They were our friends. They shared their lives with us. And us, with them.

This type of experience was one that became common during my extensive travel—ones that were real, connecting, and that went beyond simply seeing sights of a place. It was more than being “exposed” to somebody else's way of life. For a short time, I was able to be part of it. When I returned home, the first question I would get was, “How did you meet them?” Or, “How were you invited to their home?”

The truth was, there were so many different scenarios and not one of them was a straight path with a straightforward answer. I maintain that most of it had to do with mentality — being open to opportunities, being flexible, patient, outgoing, and curious.

Boogie-ing with a little girl in South Africa

Fast forward a few years and the relationships we have with local friends around the world have become the cornerstone of the value we bring to our travelers in our small group tours. We connect our travelers with our local friends, share experiences, share stories, share food, share laughs, and get an inside peek into the lives of the people who live in the places we visit.

I started this travel company back in 2014 when I realized people were looking for more meaningful travel experiences. They were looking to not just SEE a place, but to CONNECT with a place, its people, and its culture. 

So how can you have more meaningful moments in your own travel? Here are a few of my top suggestions for a deeper, realer, travel adventure:

1. Interact with the Locals

What makes a place? Its people. It’s great to see the sights and learn about the history— but what about the culture in the here and now? I won’t lie, you may have to go outside your comfort zone for this one: you’ll have to meet people and make friends.

But how? Be friendly. Smile. When you catch someone’s eye, say hi (or hola, or ciao), be curious, ask questions like, where are you from? How long have you been here? Build from there.

Strike up conversations with those who you see can understand you—if you’re in a non-English speaking country, often those who speak English enjoy a chance to practice, or identify expats and start conversations with them (they may not exactly be “locals”, but they know the area better than you and I’ve met locals through expat friends I’ve made). If you speak the language of the country—even better!

On our small group tours, we always visit a local home for a meal; we experience first hand how they live, how they cook, we hear stories from their family history, and we leave with a richer, deeper cultural understanding than we would have gotten from eating at a restaurant.

Gloria, cooking for us in her kitchen

Finishing the night at gloria’s with homemade dessert and, of course, wine

2. Use a Local Guide When You Can

When I backpacked on a budget, I never shelled out any extra cash for guides. Then, I took a guided tour from a local and I never went back to that no-guide life!

I can see a place, research online, or read a book, but a place still doesn’t come to life until I hear a story. Good guides can make a place come alive with stories, and any personal connections they have to that place.

On our Heart of Italy tour, Gaia, a Florentine art-history major, gives us an insider’s guide to Florence, showing us the back-alley artisan shops and hole-in-the-wall eateries, telling us what to eat where. She loves her city and the passion she speaks of it with while she relays the history and anecdotes and the way she greets the shop owners give us a completely different view of Florence than we would have had just exploring alone.

Cristo our local guide in peru

Gaia handing out the good stuff

3. Participate in the Local Customs & Traditions

Research the customs, traditions, and maybe even the holidays of the countries and cities you are visiting to make your trip so much more memorable and meaningful.

Sometimes you may even want to schedule your trip around a special festival time to participate in the experience, like San Fermin and running with the bulls in Pamplona, or Holi festival in Jaipur.

But it doesn't have to be a special festival to get in on the customs and traditions of a place. You could attend a mass in the Vatican, eat dinner at 10pm like the real Spaniards do while in Spain, or even simply learning the basic etiquettes and greetings of the culture you’re in.

For example, when we tour to Japan—where etiquette is of the utmost importance—we are sure to follow the traditional customs of taking our shoes off in homes and we participate in a traditional tea ceremony.

Mrs. Konishi leading us in our traditional tea ceremony

4. Shop Local Whenever You Can

Giving back to the local economy is an important way to contribute to the community you’re visiting. Instead of spending your money with big corporations, spend it instead with the local families and small businesses. This is one reason why on our tours we make it a point to visit small artisans and boutiques to learn about their trade, craft, and way of life.

So, skip the big supermarkets and the Starbucks and hit up the small mom & pop grocers, bakeries, and boutique shops.

This can also be a good way to interact with locals, hear their stories, and see them at work. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunities we have to learn about the local traditions by browsing the traditional goods and speaking with the local artisans who make them.

Like the small textile shop we stop at as we make our way to some Peruvian ruins. The Andes can be cold, and the women there have woven their own warm clothes for generations. They show us how they cut the alpaca hair, wash it, spin it, and dye it with nature’s finest: berries, herbs, and other natural dyes.

I love watching the process, hearing the beautiful history behind it, and then of course, supporting the local makers and small businesses producing these beautiful things that will keep me warm all winter.

The stories and the connections behind the products I’m purchasing make them even more special and allow me to take a bit of my trip home with me.

5. Eat the Local Cuisine (Bonus Points if You Learn to Cook it!)

We all have to eat (thankfully! Totally not complaining here). And as something that we all do, it’s a beautiful way to experience somebody else’s life by eating the local food, or cooking with local people.

Search for cooking classes where you’re visiting, or for restaurants specializing in the traditional fares. Sometimes restaurants will have special days where they only make a certain traditional meal.

On our small group tours, we make sure to schedule in making limoncello in Sorrentine lemon groves, picking tea leaves on a tea farm (and then making our own matcha) in Japan, or watching and learning how chefs cook traditional pachamanca in the Sacred Valley of Peru (and of course, so much more), so that we can literally taste the flavor of a place.

Watching our food cook in the earth in the traditional Panchamanca way

Learning to make our own pizza in sorrento

6. Carefully Choose the Places You Stay

We are big supporters of staying in boutique hotels for so many reasons!

Not only do you typically get better, more personalized service, since they often have lower capacity than chain hotels, but they also provide a unique experience you can’t exactly replicate anywhere else—from the staff, to the architecture to the design, to the more intimate atmosphere.

Staying in boutique hotels is another great way to give back to the local community: usually they are owned by small businesses, hire local staff, and have a connection to the place where they are.

The lovely eco lodge we stay at in Malaysia —located two hours into the rainforest

Travel can hold some of the greatest experiences of your life, but sometimes you have to take a bit of an extra step to make the real meaningful moments happen. We hope this post has inspired you to take those steps on your next adventure, wherever it may be.

If you’re looking for these meaningful travel experiences, but don’t yet know where to begin or how to coordinate it all—we can help. We lead intimate, small group tours to bring you the unique, insider’s experience in each country we visit. Click the button below to get started.

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!

More Travel Resources

Simple Ways to be a More Responsible Traveler

Responsible travel can take on many different meanings, but boiled down, it really means being conscious visitors—economically, culturally, and environmentally conscious—in the places we go.

With 1.2 BILLION people traipsing here and there across the planet each year, understanding why and how to be a more responsible traveler is an increasingly important—and thankfully, an increasingly discussed—topic.

The good news is it’s really pretty simple to be a more aware and responsible traveler.

On our small group trips, we encourage our travelers to view our journeys the same way you might view a weekend spent in the house of a new friend: like you are being graciously hosted and welcomed into someone else’s space.

And in the same way you would respect your friend’s house and their particular way of going about living in it, to also respect the land, culture, and way of life of anywhere we are visiting.

Here are a few more tangible things you can do to travel more responsibly wherever you go:

1. Reduce your usage of single-use plastic water bottles

You know this one, don’t you? This is obviously something that is promoted as every-day conscientiousness, but even when we have a great routine remembering our reusable coffee mug for work, while traveling it can often be so much easier to let this slide.

This is especially true in countries that if you don’t ask specifically for tap water, they’ll bring you bottled, or in countries where the tap water can be less-than safe to drink.

How many reusable water bottles can you count?

The trick? Always specify “tap” water in restaurants in European countries (look up how to say it in the language of the country you’re visiting for extra clarity and bonus points), and check out our list below for favorite products to help you reduce plastic bottle usage AND drink safely:

•  Grayl—water bottle with a built-in filter. Great for travel to countries where the tap water isn’t safe to drink, or if you just don’t like the taste of tap from the hotel.

• Platypus— lightweight, flexible water bottle great for carrying during the day.

• Kor—dishwasher safe, lightweight water bottles that also have a covered mouthpiece. Great for outdoors, hiking trips and places where your bottle could come into contact with contaminants.

• Yeti—keep hot hot and cold cold. These are also nearly indestructible. The only downside is that they are quite heavy since they are very sturdy.

• Steripen—if you want an extra level of sanitation for the water you’re drinking.
  
  

2. Reduce water and electricity usage in hotels

Many hotels post notices that reducing the washing of your sheets and towels can be a good way to help the environment—and it’s true! Think of HOW MANY basically-clean sheets and towels are washed every day in hotels all over the world after just one use? Honestly, it’s mind-blowing.

If you’re staying more than one night, hang up your towels and only ask for new linens when you need them. And just like in your house, don’t forget to turn off the lights, A/C and TV when you’re not in the room using them.

3. Leave the maps, brochures, etc. where they are if you don’t need them

This is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste you leave behind—because let’s be honest, you’ll probably end up throwing them away in a couple hours. A good hack is to take a photo of maps or other information you need so you’ll have it right there on your phone.

4. Reduce trash or take yours with you—especially on mountains and islands

One of the biggest problems on small islands with lots of tourists (like Capri in Italy) is that they have many people bringing things onto the island and leaving the trash (even worse—boxed lunches provided by big cruise ships) behind. Then the locals have to dispose of and pay for all this extra trash, which often costs a lot to get it removed from the island.

Travelers soaking in the views on Capri

Take a cue from standard hiking practice: bring off the mountain everything you bring onto it. Consider doing this when and where you can in your other non-mountain travels.

5. Pack your own toiletries or take the ones you use from the hotel with you when you leave

What happens to the half-empty tiny shampoo bottles after you check out? Yep, you guessed it—straight into the trash.

Take it with you to your next hotel to keep another half-used bottle from being discarded prematurely.

6. Live like a local—treat wherever you are like it’s your own hometown

A simple adage we discuss with our travelers is the travel-version of the Golden Rule: treat the homes and countries of others as you would want yours to be treated.

We see far too many tourists who leave behind small pieces of trash or “accidentally” don’t care if their napkins blow away.

Would they do that in the parks where their kids play every day? In their own houses? Doubtful. Would they like it if someone else trashed in the parks their kids play every day? Absolutely not.

Do unto everything as you would want it done unto you.

7. Research & respect the local culture

Not only will this help you not to make an embarrassing faux pas, but seeking to understand the culture you’ll be visiting will help you be a more aware and responsible traveler as well.

Travelers remove their shoes in a Japanese temple serving a zen buddhist lunch

All cultures are different and researching norms and etiquette beforehand will help you be aware and informed.

Learn a few key phrases in the country’s language, ask before taking pictures of locals, avoid being excessively noisy, research common tipping practices, and wear the appropriate clothes to enter religious sites, are all small, basic ways to show respect for whatever culture you’re in.

8. Contribute to the local economy

Another way to travel responsibly is to spend your dollars in support of the local economy of the place you’re visiting.

As a small business ourself, we always try to work and partner with locally-owned businesses in the countries, towns, and cities we visit. This is one reason we frequent boutique hotels on our trips— we prefer our money goes to the locals instead of the large, chain hotel companies.

Our stunning boutique accommodations in Peru

Annie and Omar, a local naturalist guide in Peru

Try the small, local restaurants, purchase locally-made souvenirs, support local tour guides, and put your money where it will make a difference.

Do you have other great ways to be a more responsible traveler? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear them!

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

---

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!

More Travel Resources

5 Tips for Using Your Cell Phone Abroad

International travel can wreak havoc on your cell phone bill. When I worked in the telecom world we frequently had clients who ran up bills over $2,000 a month from roaming on their vacations, and had no clue that data was still running on their phones!

Nowadays, using your cellphone abroad doesn’t have to be so difficult, confusing, or expensive. The major US cell phone carriers have international roaming plans which vary in their offerings and cost.

However, if you’re leaning towards “going dark” and foregoing an additional plan while traveling, then here are some tips to make sure you’re not racking up bills that will cost you more than your trip!

1. Understand what you’re being charged for

Most cell phone bills are broken into three parts where you’re charged for (1) voice, (2) text, and (3) data.

Data seems to be the most complicated for my clients when they talk about international usage. If you are connected to a wi-fi network accessing the internet or apps, then you are not using data. If you are not connected to wi-fi and you’re accessing the internet or apps that require internet then you’re using your data. As soon as you arrive to your hotel, connect to the wi-fi network to limit the data you use.

2. Turn off your “roaming data”

An easy way to prevent data charges is to turn off the setting on your phone which allows “international roaming.” Here are tutorials for iPhone users and Samsung users.

3. Use apps for messaging & calls

There are many apps which can replace your “call” and “text” usage so that when you’re connected to wi-fi you can use that connection (as opposed to your voice, text, or data usage) to talk or text.

Apple users can use iMessage, FaceTime, and voice calls over wifi.

Apple and Android users alike can use apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and Google Hangouts which allow you to message, call, and video call with other users who have the apps.

To call regular phone numbers (people who don’t have these apps or to landlines) you can also use Skype over wi-fi and purchase credits (like a calling card) at a very low per-minute calling rate.

4. Download maps for offline use

Travelers commonly rack up data usage from using their maps for directions or navigation while traveling.

In the Google Maps app, you can still use the compass/orientation even if your data roaming is turned off. Additionally, you can download maps (over wifi) for offline use while you’re walking around. (Google Maps instructions for offline downloads.)

5. Monitor data usage

if you decide to leave your data plan on, but want to make sure you’re not going over the allotted amount, you can use a free app like My Data Manager to monitor your usage.

Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to using technology efficiently while traveling. If you have specific questions let us know and we’ll do our best to answer! Shoot us an email at hello@thetablelesstraveled.com.

---

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!

More Travel Resources

3 Must-Have Items for International Travel

Let's be honest...travel is amazing and wonderful and sparkles and unicorns and whiskers on kittens. But if we're being really honest there's also the side that's tiring, uncomfortable, and annoying. For me—that's packing and preparing for travel.

But there are a few things that are always, without a doubt, going in my travel bag...and that make those uncomfortable parts of traveling a tad bit easier.

Over the years I've tried lots of travel-friendly products which help me build custom packing lists for our private travel clients and our those on our small group tours.  Here are a few of my favorites that I would never leave home without:

1. Inflatable Travel Pillow - I'll admit I used to make fun of people with travel pillows...and then I became one. My favorite Eagle Creek pillow deflates to a compact size, you can remove and wash the cover, and it's far more comfortable than airline pillows (currently unavailable on Amazon — another great option here: Daydreamer Pillow)
   

2. RFID Blocking Wallet - You've certainly heard about the risk of identity theft through RFID (radio-frequency identification). This Articulate wallet/clutch is my favorite tool for storing my passport and cards while on the go. It has multiple compartments and has interchangeable straps.  There is also a men's wallet available.
   

3. Compact Backpack - It's a pain to carry a backpack on the plane in addition to your other luggage. Having a backpack that folds up has been a life saver on hikes, in markets, and on day trips. My favorite is the Eddie Bauer Packable Daypack which has lots of pockets and *bonus* you can secure zippers to other zippers and hooks using an S-biner.

   And those are my top 3! What do you HAVE to have for international travel? I’m always looking to pick up more tips, so don’t hesitate to comment below your Top 3 Must-Haves!

   
   This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, TTLT earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

---

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!

More Travel Resources

Packing Hack: How to Spice up Your Travel Wardrobe (Without Buying New Clothes!)

Travel is immensely rewarding and exciting, buuut, sorting the details can be incredibly complicated, frustrating, and stressful.

First, you have to choose where to go (okay, that’s the easiest and most fun part) and figure out how to get there. Then there are the hours of researching and (if you’re like me) breaking out the Excel sheets for what to do once you get there, where to stay, and where to eat—all the while trying to decipher which will actually be the unique and authentic experiences you’re looking for, hoping you don’t end up at some touristy diner that serves pre-made frozen pasta dishes in Italy.

Thankfully when you travel with us on our trips to Italy, Peru, or other destinations, we take care of all those maddening details so you can stop googling “best places to eat in Naples” for the 5th night in a row and get back to your busy lives with the reassured confidence that you will show up and have an amazing trip of a lifetime with deep, authentic connections (and zero amounts of pre-made, frozen food).

However, there is one more thing about travel that is complicated, frustrating, and stressful, and that even if you go on a trip with us, you’ll still have to do yourself—PACKING.

Packing is— by far—the thing that drives me most crazy about travel. I’m a “better safe than sorry” kind of person, so I want to make sure I have something for every occasion and weather possibility...while at the same time, I am also equally dedicated to packing ONLY a carry-on whenever possible.

This paradox subsequently results in hours spent debating which items are appropriate for the occasion (will I be too cold? Too hot? To dressy? Not dressy enough?), but also versatile (can I wear this shirt with multiple other items I’m bringing? Does it transfer easily “day-to-night”?).

And then, finally, and perfectly rationally, I usually come around to the conclusion that I hate everything I own, I have nothing to wear, and I want need a completely new, fun wardrobe to bring with me and not the same clothes I wear every day.

Tell me I’m not the only one who goes through this.

The Packing Hack We’ve All Been Dreaming Of...
In walks Armoire—a wardrobe rental subscription service, based here locally in Seattle, but available to anyone online.  

As an already fond member of their service, I was in their store, discussing the pains of travel packing and how I was considering pausing my membership with them while I’d be in Italy for three weeks, since I wouldn’t be able to swap out new items.

And suddenly, it became clear to both of us this was not a problem, but an opportunity!

Together we created the 8-Piece Travel Pack—a travel wardrobe you could curate with a stylist and then return when you get back—to assist with your travel adventures this summer, and solve the classic packing woes.

How it Works & Why Renting your Travel Wardrobe is the Best Tip I’ve Found
For this May Heart of Italy Tour and research trip, I met with a stylist at Armoire and shared the basics I thought I would bring: a white tee, jeans, gray jackets, sneakers, sandals, etc. Then together we picked out 8 items with fun prints, patterns, and colors to put together that worked with my staples and that I could mix and match, dressing up and/or down.

Anytime that I’m allowed to shop, chat, and drink champagne—I’m pretty happy. So packing with a stylist actually became something fun instead of a dreaded chore I save for the last, frantic minute (scene cut to me at my own home alone, frazzled, throwing things around my room, and sending mirror selfies to friends asking which pants I should take).

So here I am currently in Italy with my 8 pieces (you can ready more about which ones I settled on and how I’ll be styling them here), and I am digging this experience!

What I’ve loved about traveling with these 8 pieces is that they are all fun, new, and I am excited to get up in the morning and put on a full outfit that has already been pre-planned. No standing in front of my suitcase debating which items to put together for the day.

Travel Packing Tips to Live By
To get you inspired, here are some of my go-to travel packing tips to keep in mind whenever & wherever you’re doing your packing:

1. If a piece can’t be made into more than two outfits, ditch it

2. Rule of thumb: look for super lightweight, breathable items that don’t wrinkle easily

3. Layers, layers, layers. Unless I’m going somewhere with extreme cold temperatures, I’d rather wear 3 sweaters to keep warm than to carry a heavy, big coat.

4. Always pack more underwear than you need. It’s the smallest item you pack and the thing you change the most (hopefully :)

See How it Works In Real Life — This June!
Interested in this life-changing, new way to pack for a trip? Join us for a drink, packing tips from me, a stylist to help you choose your 8 pieces for your next trip, and a chance to win a $1000 gift card at our Armoire + The Table Less Traveled Event on June 19.

I’ll be hosting this event with the amazing boss women over at Armoire. Come by to get styled for your summer, learn about traveling to Italy on a trip that’s curated and planned, and hang out with fun people while doing that dreaded packing at the same time.

Hope to see you then!

Travel in Style
with The Table Less Traveled + Armoire

Wednesday, June 19, | 5:30-8pm

---

Pin this post to Pinterest so you can save it and come back to it!

More Travel Resources