Travel Smarter – 26 Expert Tips You’ll Actually Use

Wish someone would give you real travel advice? The kind that actually saves stress, time and money?

After visiting over 70 countries and planning countless trips for clients who want proper, well-designed adventures, I’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. These are the tips I trust, share with clients, and use myself. The ones that actually make a difference.

Here’s my A to Z of smart, no-nonsense travel advice. And yes, I’ve tested every single one of these on the road.

Packing and Prep

A is for Adaptability
Things will go wrong. That’s part of it. A freak storm once stranded us in Patagonia and led us to an off-grid estancia with the best steak I’ve ever eaten. Flexibility isn’t a flaw. It’s a feature.

B is for Binoculars
Wildlife doesn't appear on a timetable.  Don’t rely on luck or someone else’s viewfinders. I once borrowed a pair to watch polar bears, then spent the rest of the trip slightly seething that I'd forgotten my own. Never again.

C is for Currency
I once tried to tip a porter in Morocco with a smile and a contactless card. It didn’t go well. Always carry some local cash, even if you think you won’t need it.

D is for Daypacks
The moment you find yourself unzipping your fourth packing cube on a dusty roadside is the moment you realise you’ve brought far too much. Keep it simple. Your shoulders will thank you.

E is for Earplugs
There’s always one. The snorer, the 4am street cleaner, the enthusiastic rooster. Costa Rica. Group trip. Never travel without earplugs!

F is for Footwear
If your boots are still squeaky on the plane, you’ve made a mistake. Nothing ruins a walking safari faster than a blister the size of Botswana.

Travel Smarts

G is for Guides
A brilliant guide can change everything. In Kyoto, mine led me into quiet temples and neighbourhood noodle bars I’d never have spotted alone. Worth every penny.

H is for Health Kits
Tiny but mighty. Plasters, painkillers, rehydration sachets. Not glamorous, but they’ve saved more travel days than I care to count.

I is for Insurance
One client had a trip fall apart 48 hours before departure. No drama, no stress, no cost. That’s the power of good cover. Don't wing it.

J is for Jet Lag
Switch your watch on the plane. No naps when you land. Power through with coffee and sunshine. This trick saved me in Rio and has since become gospel.

K is for Kindness
Say thank you in the local language. It’s basic manners and it works. In Tanzania, one “asante sana” turned into a grin, a handshake and a freshly picked mango.

L is for Layers
One minute you’re in a T-shirt, the next you’re in sideways sleet. Iceland taught me that. Layer up and stay smug.

M is for Maps
Phones die. Batteries run out. Paper maps don't. My Madagascar map is still covered in coffee rings and hand-written notes. I’d never throw it away.

On the Road

N is for Nothing
Leave gaps in the plan. Some of the best moments I’ve ever had happened in the unplanned space between scheduled stops. Trust the pauses.

O is for Offline
Download it all. Maps, tickets, contacts. A client landed in Havana to find no signal and no directions. Luckily they’d followed my advice and saved everything to their phone - The TripPlans app I provide free to all my clients works perfectly for this.

P is for Photocopies
Passport and flight confirmation in a separate bag. It’s old school but it works. One traveller lost everything to a rogue wave in Bali and was back on track within a day thanks to a paper copy.

Q is for Questions
Locals know best. A café owner in Vietnam scribbled directions to a place with the best bánh mì I’ve ever eaten. It wasn’t on any map.

R is for Reusable
Water bottle. Tote bag. Coffee cup. Small switches that add up, especially if you're travelling through remote or fragile environments. And it saves you money.

S is for Snacks
You think you won’t need them until you're stuck on a train platform with nothing but an empty vending machine. I travel with almonds. Always.

T is for Tipping
The rules are different everywhere. I include this in every bespoke itinerary so you’re never stuck awkwardly Googling at the table.

U is for Umbrella
A tiny one lives in my daypack. It’s saved cameras, paperwork, hair and spirits. Not glamorous but essential.

Plan Like a Pro

V is for Vaccinations
Some require notice. Some require paperwork. I check this early on so there are no surprises, especially if you're heading somewhere remote.

W is for Waterproofs
A decent jacket, not a festival poncho. If it’s going to rain, at least be comfortable. And don’t forget a dry bag if you’re doing anything vaguely aquatic.

X is for Extra Copies
Yes, I’m stretching the letter. But genuinely. Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home. It gives you both peace of mind.

Y is for You Time
This isn’t a to-do list. Don’t cram every day. Some of the most meaningful travel moments come when you slow down and just sit with the view.

Z is for Zip Locks
Low-tech, high impact. Reusable. I use them for shoes, chargers, damp swimsuits and emergency snacks. You’ll never regret packing a few.

What’s Next For You?

Whether you’re dreaming of beaches in Morocco, cherry blossom season in Japan, or an Arctic expedition that’s actually worth the effort, I’ll help you plan it properly. No stress. No guesswork. Just meaningful, well-designed travel.