There are many travel tools, apps, and accessories to help make a trip run smoothly and to feel prepared and confident. This page will list some of my best travel resources and strategies.
Travel Planning Tools
There are a number of things I use to plan an itinerary and double check recommendations and locations. Here are a few I find helpful to research.
Travel Planning Sheets – I created these planning sheets to help you brainstorm and plan your next trip. Get your sheets here.
Disney World Packing List – This Disney World Packing Checklist for adults will give you confidence that you will have everything you need for your exciting upcoming trip! I took my first solo trip to Disney World recently and felt totally prepared. Get you list here.
Viator – You can find adventures on Viator as well as purchase tickets for tours and activities you are interrested in.
TravelAdvisor – This is a great resource to find highlights for local activities, restarants, and hotels for destinations. You may not however find the hidden gems just using this platform.
Yelp – Helpful to cross check recommendations for restaurants, businesses, and local activities.
House Sitting and Pet Sitting Checklist – I always feel more confident going on a trip when I have everything organized not only in my suitcase, but at home and with my dogs. Here are your checklists and prep instructions.
Looking For Help Planning Your Next Trip?
I’m a travel coach and seasoned trip planner passionate about exploring every corner of the U.S.—from road trips and national parks to cruises and hidden gems. I believe travel should be exciting, meaningful, and tailored to you.
Whether heading out solo, planning a romantic getaway, or organizing a family adventure, I’ll help you create a thoughtful itinerary that fits your needs and builds your confidence at every step.
Travel Safety Guides & Tools
I have been planning travel for many years and love that there are many platforms and tools that can make planning travel and trips easier to navigate.
Life360 – I appreciate this app for travel and for sharing with family members. When traveling solo, it’s a good idea to let others know your location, and this app makes it easier.
Google Maps – I like to check my maps for every step of the way when traveling. To check routes, the trip time, traffic, ratings for locations, find things quickly like bathrooms or a coffee shop.
U.S. Travel Advisories – If you plan to travel abroad, this website can help to give you safety guidelines and register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
Trip & Packing Organization
Packing Cubes – I’ve heard from many travelers whom I’ve interviewed for my podcast that packing cubes has been a game-changer for them, and I agree. They are helpful if you are using a carry-on-only suitcase and if you are sharing a suitcase with your partner or family.
If I travel solo, it helps me to stay organized and to get everything to fit in my carry-on suitcase. If I am traveling with my husband and we decide to take one larger suitcase, using cubes to keep our stuff separate is helpful. I even wrote our names on our cubes to keep it manageable.
Toiletries Organizer – There are separate bags you can use for your makeup and toiletries, as well as hanging organizers. It’s more about what you prefer, but having an organizer is better than throwing everything in a bag. Men use what we call dop kits, and women have toiletry bags.
Clear Makeup Bags – I like to pack my makeup in clear bags for my backpack. They are easy to slide in, and I always have what I need while on the plane. Before I had TSA Pre-Check, they were handy because they were clear and made security screening easier when I had to remove them.
Laundry Bag – The packing cube set I shared above comes with a laundry bag. If you don’t need packing cubes, consider purchasing a travel laundry bag instead. I prefer to use one because I don’t want to keep my dirty clothes mixed in with my clean clothes in a drawer or suitcase, but I also don’t like to make a pile on the floor wherever I am staying.
Shoe Bags – Like my dirty clothes, I don’t like to have my shoes packed with my clean clothes. Putting them in shoe bags is like using packing cubes; it keeps them together and away from clean items. Depending on the size of the shoe bags, you can get two pairs in.
Travel Pillow – If your neck gets stiff, like mine, whether you’re driving in a car or on a plane, a travel pillow can be helpful. However, I have to be careful about which one I use because some make my neck feel worse. I like adjustable pillows; that way, they aren’t stiff, and I can get the support where I need it.
Backpack – I typically use a backpack when traveling. I like to have multiple pockets so I can fit in all the personal items, snacks, computer and electronic accessories, and several smaller items I want with me for comfort.
Phone Stand – This is a must-have for me when I’m on a plane and in the hotel room, perfect for the side table. It makes charging easier and watching movies on the plane. There are many different types of phone stands; it’s just a matter of preference.
Earbuds – A must for the plane, but I also love them for my solo walks when traveling. I am an Apple product girl, but many brands are compatible. You have to be careful, though, while out on your own, to either use one earbud or be very aware of your surroundings.
White Noise Machine for Travel – I did this for the first time when I went to Disney World solo. I was next to a young family with a baby, and leaving my white noise machine on was awesome! It would be helpful for any trip if you, like me, are a light sleeper.
Portable Phone Charger – This is a valuable, small, and compact tool for those with quickly draining batteries, those out exploring all day, or those with long travel days. I create the habit of plugging it in each time I return to the hotel room so I don’t forget to do so.
Travel Water Bottle – You can get a lightweight bottle, and some even collapse to pack easily.
Luggage Tags – I put tags on everything. I don’t take chances. It includes backpacks, duffle bags, carry-ons, and any checked bags.
Luggage Trackers – Some airlines have trackers on checked bags, but some don’t. I use these tags for our bags, not just checked bags but everything I take.
Raincoat – I travel with a light raincoat on each trip, but I also sometimes take a poncho. Like at amusement parks, I travel with my backpack covered or with an additional layer over my raincoat. Avoid getting a light poncho, as it will blow around or rip easily. You can also opt for a backpack cover if you prefer not to use a poncho to cover it in rainy weather.
Waterproof Case for Phone – A case is ideal for a day at the beach, places where a purse is not allowed, or when exploring in the rain.
Clear Purse – Perfect for travel and concerts.
