How I Overcame My Fear of Flying

I’ve never been a huge fan of flying, but it isn’t due to the danger of flying, it’s always been because of how dangerous I perceive flying to be.  

This can put a major damper on traveling for people. Believe it or not, some people don’t even travel to places that they have to fly.  Well, I’m going to tell you a few tricks I’ve used to overcome that fear of mine, and I can’t express enough how important it’s been to my enjoyment of traveling.

The first thing I did on my journey to overcome the fear of flying was face the facts.  

I realized that I wouldn’t be able to see the world unless I got over it.  That alone was enough to get me on board, and buckled in for my first flight.  

The most uncomfortable thing for me on flights was the quick and sudden drop that happens sometimes during takeoff or during turbulence.  I think I was almost more afraid of throwing up during a flight than I was of actually flying.  I mean, who wants to be “That Guy” that threw up on the plane?!

A good mind set to have when going into a flight is to just realize that turbulence will probably happen at some point, it’ll usually be over before you know it, and there’s nothing you can really do about it.  I’ve taken motion sickness medicine before my flights in the past which helped tremendously, but one of the best things to do, in my opinion, is to say a prayer.  Saying a little prayer for safe travel and peace of mind before getting on a plane works wonders when it comes to helping me relax.


I’ve also found that having a small meal before going on a flight helps my stomach to settle down. Most people take comfort in food and having a little something in your stomach before flight could be a big help for some.  I was reluctant at first, because I thought it would make me throw up in flight, but after I tried it, I’ll never go on a flight with an empty stomach again.

These are just a few tips that have helped me along the way in regards to flying.  I’ve heard some friends say that having a few drinks beforehand helps them relax, some that take medication so they fall asleep before they even take off, and some friends that just play some Sudoku and listen to music. 

Every person is different so if you’ve had luck with other methods, then please let us know by commenting below.  We’d love to hear from you!

Traveling Ireland

We are planning our first ever trip to Ireland this summer, so I wanted to share with you what that looks like for us.

First, we knew we only had 3 full days to spend in Ireland, so we needed to narrow down the things that we wanted to see or do while we were there. I don't count the day that we arrive or the day that we leave. This allows for some free time to do whatever you feel like and there's no added pressure of trying to fit something in before you need to be at the airport.

   

Our top 6 adventures included:

• The Guinness Storehouse  
• Kilmainham Gaol 
• Cliffs of Moher 
• Giants Causeway
• Dunlace Castle 
• Portrush Beach

Once we narrowed down what we wanted to do, I was able to determine a good central location for our overnight accommodations. Given that we're flying into Dublin and the first two items on our list are in the city, and the fact that Dublin is about the same distance between the cliffs and Northern Ireland, finding a place in the city was a win-win. 

I <3 AirBnB! So, naturally, we found the perfect little studio apartment, walking distance from the Guinness Storehouse, that fit within our budget. Check!

Now, time is money and timing is everything! So, this is the part where I make spreadsheets.

It starts off as more of a list...

Day 2: Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol
Day 3: Cliffs of Moher
Day 4: Giants Causeway, Dunlace Castle, Portrush Beach

You don't want to cram too much stuff into one day. Afterall, this is a vacation! I group things together based on the amount of time they will take and where they're located.

After a little research, you can begin filling in the details and your itinerary will turn out something like this:

As you research, you might add little things to your activity list. For instance, the Burren is on the way to the Cliffs of Moher, so it only made sense for us to take an extra 30 minutes that day to see it.

Just try to consider how long each activity, including your meals, will take. I also try to keep a running tab in the far column to make sure that we are within (or preferably below) our budget.

This can be as detailed or as simple as you want it to be. I do eventually add our flight itinerary and reservation codes in the details section, so I can have everything in one place. It is a little bit of work, but it's like cleaning your bedroom: once you're done and everything is organized, you feel SO much better.

So, where is your itinerary taking you? We can't wait to hear about your next trip! Leave us a comment below and if you 'follow' our blog (top right!) I'll even help you create your next itinerary!

Don't miss these great articles by the Adorned Travelers:

Budgeting: The Traveler's 'B-Word' - with Free Printable 

The Big Ten: Our Top Ten Dream Travel Destinations

Just Cruisin’

I wanted to share some throwback pictures of cruises I’ve been on in the past.  If you’re looking to travel a bit while being able to relax along the way, then taking a Cruise is definitely the way to go!  Worried about getting sea sick?  Take a look at the ships before you book a room, I’ve been in a storm while on one of their larger ships and couldn’t feel a thing.

As you can see from the picture below, Cruises are a great travel option for large groups.  Most cruise lines will give you a discount for groups of ten or more which to me means, the more the merrier!  Most cruises assign you a table that you will eat all of your sit-down meals at.  Even with a large group, if you book far enough in advance they can usually make accommodations so you can all to sit together.  I mean let’s be honest, where else can you have a DELICIOUS three course meal while traveling to your destination?  Sure beats the complimentary bag of peanuts on a plane.

While I myself have only been on the Carnival Cruise Line, there are MANY different options out there.   Most cruise lines provide a wealth of entertainment, anything from gambling in the casino once you get out into international waters, to water slides on the deck, to rock climbing walls, to live shows at night.  While I love playing Poker and Blackjack, the shows on board are phenomenal.  I’ve seen all kinds of acts including magicians, jugglers, dancers, live musicians (one of the best fiddlers I’ve ever heard), and Broadway style shows.

When you break it all down, taking a cruise gets you a lot of bang for the buck.  Just about all of the staff on these ships are top notch.  Some of the best service I’ve ever received while traveling.  And if/when you do go on a cruise sometime, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tip the crew that served you during your trip!  They have been working around the clock to make sure you’ve had the best experience possible.

Don't miss these great articles by the Adorned Travelers:

Budgeting: The Traveler's 'B-Word' - with Free Printable 

The Big Ten: Our Top Ten Dream Travel Destinations

Budgeting: The Traveler's 'B-Word'

So, you say you want to travel...

Well, that's all fine and dandy until you're out globe-trotting and run out of money!

Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to be declined in another language?

Me either, because I use this handy budget:

This worksheet will help you build an estimated cost for your trip before you start fully planning and booking everything.

Now before you skip over this boring-but-necessary post to read about taking a tropical cruise, let me walk you through this worksheet.

From the top: 

Line 1 is pretty self explanatory. Are you traveling alone? Are you going with a spouse? Fill it in.

Line 2 is also a gimmie. If you haven't planned that yet, then you aren't ready to create a budget. 

Line 3 will require you to do a little 'research' (read: type into google and estimate). Depending on where you're going and what you're eating, this will vary. I always lean toward the safe side and round up whatever I think it will cost. This helps account for gratuities and random sweet tooth cravings. Typically, an average breakfast will cost around $7 per person, lunch about $10, and dinner around $15. 

You kind of have to cheat to fill out Line 4. At this point in your planning process, accommodations have not been booked. So, give it your best guess. An AirBnb reservation might be $100, a hotel might be $200. Again, google is your friend. Check out the average costs in your destination and go from there. 

In order to accurately estimate Line 5, you'll want to search for flights around the same time that you want to take your trip. If you have exact dates already, all the better!

I realize that many of you may just book a round trip flight. In which case, Line 6 is null. If by chance you are traveling around multiple cities or countries and find that it's easier to book two separate flights... well, carry on. 

Line 7 is to be avoided at all costs! Seriously, if I can travel through 4 countries with one carry on, so can you. If you insist on checking bags, that can put a significant dent in your budget, so you should account for it. 

Line 8 is the fun part! Think of all the cool things you want to do and see on your trip! Ok, fun part over - now look up all the entrance fees and ticket costs for those things. 

Oh, you don't have travel insurance? I'll write a blog about that soon enough. In the meantime, get some! 

Finally, Line 10. If you are an impulse shopper, round up! If you are pretty frugal, round up! You're going to be on vacation after all. This is your fun/free spending money while you're there. It's no fun if you run out. 

Now you do the math. How much is your trip going to run you? 

Hang on to this printout and compare your expenses as you make reservations. That will help you stay on track with your budget. 

*Disclaimer - if your total comes out to $3,567.42, please bring along more than that! It's always a good idea to have an extra fund or credit card for emergencies. 

So, what do you think? Did this budget worksheet help you? I'd love to know! Tell me about your trip in the comment section below.

Don't miss these great articles by the Adorned Travelers:

Just Cruisin' : What to Expect on Your Cruise Vacation   

The Big Ten: Our Top Ten Dream Travel Destinations

Welcome to Our Little Blog: The BIG TEN

Daniel and I are so excited to start this journey together - and to share it with you, of course! We have all of these ideas and thoughts for you, but where do we start?? What topic is worthy of our very first blog post?

Well, as they say, go BIG or go home. Here's our BIG TEN travel list. These are top 10 places we dream of travelling to. In no particular order...

10. Ireland

View towards signal tower, Bray Head, Valencia Island (Espresso Addict) / CC BY-SA 2.0

What's not to daydream about? Castles? Beaches? Vivid green landscapes as far as you can see? Not to mention culture and history. Ireland was a clear choice for our Big Ten list. As a matter of fact, we plan to cross this dream trip off of our list this summer! 

9. China

Severin.stalder [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]

To run along the great wall of china has been at the top of the bucket-list for as long as I can remember. China is an easy Big Ten for us, with plenty of adventures and a culture thousands of years in the making. 

8. Rome

Bert Kaufmann (Rome Skyline) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Rome is another wondrous city that we will be crossing off of our list this summer. Although, I have a feeling, we will want to go back again. We can't wait to explore the beautiful Vatican City and see the astounding architecture of the ancient Romans.

7. Brazil

Photo Credit RyanMBevan

The largest country in South America, Brazil is home to most of the Amazon Rain Forest, breathtaking waterfalls, gorgeous beaches, and an abundance of outdoor activities just waiting for you.  

6. Bora Bora

Photo Credit Benoit Mahe

I could die happy after visiting Bora Bora. This is a luxury honeymoon destination for many people and you can see why. The year-round average temperature is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can spend the days snorkeling the tropical reefs and your evenings sipping from coconuts in the sand. 

5. Hawaii

By Cristo Vlahos (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Doesn't everyone want to go to Hawaii?? I could easily mark 4 things off of my bucket list on these beautiful islands and I would do it all wearing a grass skirt. 

4. Greece

Are you noticing a theme yet? We basically want to go everywhere that meets the sea. Greece definitely marks the top of that list as the birthplace of Western civilization. Also, tzatziki sauce. 

3. Cinque Terre 

Checking this one off of our list this summer, too! Cinque Terre may be the reason I keep trying to pack my bags early. If you don't see any more blog posts, its very likely that I just didn't come home. I can almost taste the seafood and the limoncello already. Plus, adventure is a given in a string of coastal villages that don't even have cars. 

2. Australia

I'll be honest, Australia has been on my list since I was a little girl watching Crocodile Dundee. This place literally has everything: deserts (and desserts), beaches, kangaroos, waterfalls, monsoons, KOALA BEARS!!, the Great Barrier Reef, and an accent that I could listen to all day long.

1. Africa

Photo Credit: Zoutedrop

Africa. Yes, I realize that is an entire continent. Maybe we'll just take a sabbatical! Africa has so much to offer that we can't narrow it down to one country or city. In fact, Africa deserves its own blog post (coming soon). 



Now, here's the fun part - daydream with us for a minute! We want to know, what's on your BIG TEN? Have you been to any of the places on our list? Be sure to comment below!

-Amber & Daniel

Don't miss these great articles by the Adorned Travelers:

Just Cruisin' : What to Expect on Your Cruise Vacation   

Budgeting: The Traveler's 'B-Word' - with Free Printable