— but after enough miles, enough countries, and enough trips that went sideways and sideways-in-the-best-way, I feel like I owe you the truth.
I have logged a lot of miles. A lot. And I have many more to come 🤣
And while I wouldn’t trade a single stamp in my passport, there are things I know now that I absolutely did not know in the beginning — things that would have saved me time, stress, and more than a few moments of standing in the wrong place wondering what went sideways.
These aren’t budget hacks. They’re not packing lists. They’re the insider moves that separate a good trip from a great one. The things seasoned travelers know and rarely share.
Consider this me sharing. And remember, I am here to try to make your trips smoother!
The Best Room Isn’t on the Booking Page
Hotels hold back certain rooms. Always. The corner suite with the view, the room on the quiet side of the building, the upgrade that doesn’t get advertised — these exist, and they go to the people who know to ask.
When you book through a travel advisor (meaning me with real supplier relationships, those rooms become available. When you book through a third-party site, you get what’s left.
I have walked clients into rooms they didn’t know existed — not because of luck, but because of who I called and what I asked for. The difference is real and it costs nothing extra to get it right.
Your Itinerary Needs White Space
Over-scheduling a trip is one of the most common mistakes I see — and it’s completely understandable. You’ve saved for this. You’ve planned it. You want to see everything.
But the moments that become your favorite memories almost never happen on a schedule. They happen when you wander down a side street, linger over lunch longer than you meant to, or stumble into something no guidebook mentioned.
I build in the blank space. Half day tours, leave afternoons open. Your trip will be better for it, I promise.
Arrival Day Is Sacred
I don’t care how excited you are. Arrival day — especially after a long international flight — is not the day to hit the big attractions.
It’s the day to find your footing. Check in, take a slow walk, eat something local, and let your body and your brain catch up to the time zone. If you can manage without a nap, it will help the next day with the jet lag. The Colosseum will still be there tomorrow. And you’ll actually be present for it.
The travelers who try to do too much on day one are the ones who spend day two exhausted. Give yourself the gift of a gentle landing.
Book That Restaurant
The restaurant you’ve been dreaming about since you started planning this trip? It’s fully booked the week you’re there. That’s the reality in peak season in any major European city, and it catches people off guard every single time.
The fix is simple: book before you leave home. Not the week before. Weeks — sometimes months — before. Generally most restaurants though will open up the booking 30 days in advance.
I can handle this for my clients as part of building their itinerary. The table is waiting when they arrive. That’s exactly how it should work.
Travel Insurance Should Not Optional
I know. You’re healthy, you’re careful, and nothing is going to go wrong.
And then the airline cancels your flight, or your luggage takes a solo trip to another continent, or you twist your ankle on cobblestones in Dubrovnik and suddenly you’re very glad someone is handling this.
The cost of good travel insurance is a tiny fraction of what a single medical evacuation or trip interruption can run you. This is not fear-based thinking — it’s just smart. I try to never send a client abroad without it.
The Bottom Line
Travel is one of the greatest things you can spend your money and your time on. These small moves — knowing who to call, what to skip, where to linger, and how to protect your investment — are what separate a trip you survived from a trip you’ll talk about for the rest of your life.
I’ve been doing this long enough to know the difference. And I love nothing more than making sure my clients feel it.
Ready to travel smarter?
Let’s plan something extraordinary together. Visit amoretraveldesigns.com/contact-me or reach me at cathy@amoretraveldesigns.com.
Check out my other blog posts:
TIPS FOR TRIP TO IRELAND