Vacation Safely and Inexpensively

Vacation safely and inexpensively. Especially in this post-Covid time. Because traveling well and in budget has never been more important. Of course, everyone has specific health requirements, so make provisions as you/your doctor believe best. This guide will help you travel more securely. And at a lower cost.

Especially time and money saving: Food Allergy specific Ultimate Packing List. Grab this Packing List and you will never pay $350 for replacement Epi-pens at your vacation destination.

Let’s Vacation! Updated 6/10/2023.

Vacation Safely and Inexpensively – Plan

Before I became a Mom, my job as a Marketing and Sales Manager, required weekly travel. Actually, I would leave Sunday evening and have meetings in the USA and internationally. Then return home Friday and do it all over again. So, know extensive solo travel as well as family travel. Also, we began a traveling scuba diving group. Then started my own travel consulting company and became a certified Top 50 travel advisor.

So, whatever type of traveler you are, these road-tested travel tips will help. Especially now, having a well-thought-out plan is key. And every trip starts the same: either when can we holiday or where do we want to go? How many days? Budget. Considering these will allow you to start your planning.

Grab a calendar, pencil and let’s plan your vacation safely and inexpensively!

• Super stressed to Travel with Food Allergies? Want your trip entirely planned for you?
• Our wildly popular Travel Starter Guide will walk you through your entire trip with food allergies.

Safety 1st- Location

No matter where you want to travel, it is important to look at location.  Always check crime info first. Sometimes a good neighborhood may abut a less than ideal area. Or a really not great part of town. Especially being new to an area, you want to be as safe as possible. In the US, look at websites like NeighborhoodScout. Specifically, look at the crime analysis. As a solo female or as a Mom traveling with young children, this was my number 1 criteria. Also, take a look at reviews for hotels/vacation rentals on TripAdvisor. Surprisingly, time of year makes a lot of difference. Because Summer in a popular holiday locale is not desolate. But Winter can be much more isolated.

Alternative locations can save you money and be in a safer locale. For example, a trip to NYC. As my husband is from Queens, we know NYC well. Manhattan and South Bronx are close. But I would look at Staten Island or parts of Queens for safer location/better prices that are still very close to Manhattan’s attractions. And super fun to ferry in!

For those of us living with food allergies, being near a hospital and grocery stores is very important.

#foodallergytravel tip: Insulated AllerMates Epi-pen/meds bag, especially for warm climates.

Finding Perfect Vacation Rental

We may be one of the longest vacation home renters. Since 1997, our top choice is a home rental. Usually because we get a lot more space for less cost than a hotel room. And that’s very important with a family or friends group or if you need a kitchen! With our food allergies, having a safe place to make meals or snacks is crucial.  Although, even as a solo traveler, I appreciate having a kitchen and love a terrace. As my son says, “we are terrace people”! Always enjoy my morning coffee or evening wine outside. Super relaxing hearing birds chirping or singing in the piazza below. And rejuvenation is what a vacation is for! Take a look at a home we rented in Italy, Seaview. Absolutely beautiful! And super-affordable. So, tips on how to find your perfect holiday home:

 

Healthy on the Road – Food Trip

Staying healthy while traveling starts with nutritious, food allergy friendly safe eating. If you have a kitchen, coffee/breakfast can be much more convenient and less costly. Especially if you have kids! When our kids were young, breakfast was early. But now as teens, my husband and I enjoy a leisurely breakfast while they sleep in. Considering everyone’s preferred schedules makes for an especially pleasant holiday!

As I enjoy cooking, it is so much fun to shop at local markets and prepare native foods. Although, it is also fantastic to try local restaurants. Lots of times, a home rental will offer a cook/cooking lesson for an additional fee. Almost always, a wonderful experience at a good price!

Want a #foodallergyfriendly 5-minute prep meal? Carnitas Tacos here we come! #Yum Goes REALLY well with a Pina Colada!

Vacation Safely and Inexpensively – Car Trip Tips

OK, the detailed travel tips if driving.

Clean out car, bring paper towels, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, small garbage bags and disposable gloves (to disinfect light switches, door handles, remote goes in a Zip-lock baggie). Take travel pillows, a blanket, eye mask, car sun-shade and maintenance kit. Also, pack a bag with your allergy safe snacks, drinks and a meal or two. Probably saves us about $150 – $200 on a typical road trip. During summer, we drove to Florida. Staying the night at a hotel that had a BBQ for guests to use. In our cooler, we pack hot dogs, hamburgers, fruit, veggies, cheese, beer and s’mores…because it’s always a good time for chocolate! (A great resource for food allergies: Vermont Nut-free chocolates)

In fact, our teens happily made us dinner while we were relaxing poolside, having a cold beverage. So strongly believe that the journey is as important as the destination!

Vacation Safely and Inexpensively – Plane/Train Tips

Specific travel tips for plane or train.

As soon as you board, use disinfecting wipes to clean seat belt, arm rest, tray table and all buttons, window shade. Or consider a seat cover. Always bring a backpack cooler. We use ours for almost 20 years and highly recommend. Also, take a look at detailed post on traveling with kids. Snacks are key! Always pack more than you think as traveling makes you hungry…maybe that’s just us. 🙂 Usually we like aisle seats to be able to get up more frequently. Now, we try and get seats with an open space in front of or behind us. Never at the back or too close to the bathrooms. Prefer to use airline app/ticketless, to lessen touching.

Because of our food allergies, we always eat food we bring onboard. Also, pickup water/drinks prior to boarding. Especially helpful, have ear buds/headset, playlists, movies, books. Amazing how fast time flies when you have so much entertainment!

Fun, Fun, Fun

Vacations are about having fun, memorable times together! Relax, bring games, watch movies, go for a swim, hike, bike…if you are with larger group, see if each family will make dinner one night.

Actually, one trip to St. Thomas, #usvi my cousin made her delicious Italian meatballs and sauce, in advance, freezing them. Then she brought them along, defrosting en-route! Dinner the first night was extra delicious and easy- just made pasta and a salad. Served with a glass of wine, overlooking the turquoise Caribbean. Now, this has become a vacation tradition!

Can’t emphasis how nice it is to arrive after traveling and just relax. Or start enjoying!  Even if you decide not to make a meal and take it with you, certainly easy to pack pasta (#glutenfree). Cause sometimes delays happen and restaurants and grocery stores are closed when you arrive. Of course, that’s never happened to us (eye roll!) 🙂

Vacation Safely and Inexpensively – Medical

Lastly, especially after 2020, bring some basic medical supplies. Not only all your prescriptions (in original containers) but list of medications, conditions, doctors phone number, some basic medical supplies like a thermometer, Imodium type med, Motrin/Tylenol, if asthmatic, a pulse oximeter and nebulizer. Now it is even more important to have travel insurance with medical.

We use and highly recommend Travel Guard or World Nomads.

Also, I try and have nearest hospital, pharmacy, local doctor info with my travel documents. Always better to be prepared. Usually, a home rental owner/manager can assist you with recommendations.

Returning From Vacation Tips

Ahh, your relaxed self arrives back home. Now having prepared a few things before leaving on your vacation can be significant. Specifically, have some pantry or freezer foods/meals ready. “Salmon saves the day!” Haha…it’s a family saying cause it only takes 30 minutes to put frozen salmon in the oven/on grill while unpacking the car. Also, have 1/2 and 1/2 for morning coffee, Parmalat for tomorrows breakfast cereal or frozen waffles can save you about $100 here. Between eating out another day or having more healthy, food allergy friendly foods ready, saves you time, money and stress. Lastly, try and have things ready for your first day back: clothes, briefcase/backpacks, etc…easing back into routines is so much better!

Any tips you use? Please let us know in the comments.

See all of these #foodallergy travel tips (and more!) in practice: Food Allergy Travels & Life | Facebook

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