After starting my travel and lifestyle blog WorldWideStylista in 2012, I’ve had the opportunity to visit various places around the world including Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and Mexico. With many long flights, AirBNB and hotel stays, and streets explored, I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling. Here are my most important travel tips I’ve gathered from my travels:

Travel Tip #1: Do Your Research

Before planning a trip, the first and most important thing to do is research. Google is your best friend, but you can also look to your favorite travel bloggers for inspiration and tips. Some important things to keep in mind are what time of year you’ll be traveling, what the weather will be like and how you will manage your expenses. You want to make sure that you are prepared for the country or place you are traveling to, especially in regards to packing, using the right language and understanding the culture.

Travel Tip #2: List It Out

While researching, I recommend making as many lists as you need. I always get a travel journal or folder where I can keep all of my resources together to easily access before and during my trip. Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to start listing out: what to pack, places to stay and eat, things to do, Instagrammable places, etc.

Travel Tip #3: Pack Light

Overpacking — it happens to the best of us. It’s easy to get caught up in worrying if you’ve packed enough, but it’s always better to pack light for a trip. You can usually find important things you forgot at your next destination, and you most likely will completely forget about that extra skirt you had to pack “just in case.” A general rule of thumb is, if you’re not positive you’ll use or wear it, leave it at home. Check out my blog for more tips on packing light.

Travel Tip #4: Be Flexible

While on your journey, it’s important to be flexible with your schedule. Although you spent months researching and planning, things happen and plans often change. Keep an open mind about any changes or transitions that might come up in your itinerary during your stay. These can often lead to amazing opportunities and even better travel stories!

Travel Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Relax!

Relaxation is often forgotten while traveling — even though that’s usually the point of a vacation! Even if you’re on a work trip, make sure to take a few moments to yourself to enjoy and appreciate where you’re at. This is a huge issue for travel bloggers, who are juggling working and traveling at the same time. It can be very stressful to try to take the perfect photos and not miss anything, but you should always remember to take time for yourself to enjoy the experience.

For more travel tips, visit my blog at www.worldwidestylista.com!