Hey everyone, I’m back! Feeling a bit jet-lagged and under the weather from all those plane germs, but it’s great to be home on my couch with my favorite reality TV shows. At least getting sick happened after my trip, so my body can use the break.
The trip itself was amazing, and I’ll be sharing all the details soon. I’ve got lots of content lined up about my travels, but I want to be fully alert and not drowsy from NyQuil when I start writing those serious travel guides. For now, I can handle writing this post while slightly buzzed from NyQuil. Let’s dive back into blogging, shall we?
Alright, let’s talk about my trip fails. Throughout the journey, I took note of what I could’ve done differently to save others from the stress I experienced. Writing this down might help me remember next time and actually learn from my mistakes.
Here’s what I learned for anyone planning to travel soon, even in the next few years—make sure you read this! I wish I had before my trip, as it would’ve spared me a lot of headaches.
1. Avoid Fake Nails and Eyelash Extensions
I’ve repeatedly made this mistake, but I think I finally learned my lesson this trip. If you’re away for more than three days, skip the fake nails and lashes. The fake lashes started falling out within three days, and by the end, both the extensions and a good amount of my real lashes were gone. Considering the cost of extensions and the serum I now have to use to regrow them, it’s just not worth it. Pack some falsies and glue instead.
As for nails, I got them done right before leaving, and they looked fantastic. However, during the trip, they kept breaking due to increased activity. Over the years, I’ve known this yet always tried again because I love my nails. This time, I had three that cracked painfully early in the trip, and there was no fixing them with superglue. Having to make makeshift bandages for the broken nails was not the look I was going for, and the pain was something I won’t forget anytime soon.
2. Always Keep Important Stuff in Your Carry-On
After losing luggage once in Europe, you’d think I’d remember to keep my medication and a spare set of clothes in my carry-on. Unfortunately, no. I was caught off guard when our baggage got left behind on a short flight from Copenhagen to Florence due to a tight connection in Brussels. We found ourselves with our luggage stuck in Brussels and only one flight a day to Florence.
I had important medication in my checked luggage, which I needed to take daily, and only had the clothes I was wearing. Let me tell you, sitting on a blueberry muffin in nude shorts was not ideal. I had to buy temporary clothes, but found out the hard way that returns are not a thing in Europe, just exchanges.
Plus, when you pick up lost luggage, check its condition immediately. Mine was so damaged that clothes were spilling out, and dragging a broken suitcase through Europe was awful.
3. More Packing Cubes Needed
I’ve mentioned packing cubes before, but after this two-week Europe trip, they are my travel lifesaver. They keep everything organized, especially when visiting multiple cities. My mistake was not bringing enough. Next time, I’ll definitely get more for both myself and Zack, who was jealous of my organization.
A helpful tip: when I started running out of space in my suitcase, I could toss an entire packing cube into Zack’s bigger suitcase, which he brings just in case for me.
4. Pack Way Less Than You Think
Though I’m skilled at packing, I always overdo it. Take out three outfits from your luggage before heading out. I always regret bringing too much, and the overweight baggage fees add up. Here’s what you don’t need:
– Multiple hoodies or heavy jackets (in warm months, one or two should suffice).
– High heels (cobblestones make them impractical).
– Lots of pajamas (I brought seven pairs, wore only three).
– Full skincare routine (vacation skin is usually great; I just needed basics).
– Numerous bras (if you don’t wear them at home, you’re unlikely to on vacation).
– A blow dryer (trust me, it won’t work with converters and every place has them).
5. Learn the Language Basics
While everyone speaks English in Copenhagen, Italy was a different story, and we hit a language barrier. It was my mistake to assume English would be widely spoken wherever we went. Don’t be like me and expect others to know your language. The Google Translate app was my savior—download it before traveling. It can even translate signs by holding the camera up to them.
Prepare for more travel content this month. I’ve received tons of requests for travel guides, so expect those, along with outfit reviews, vlogs, and more. While I may not have nailed everything on this trip, planning is where I excel, and I’ll share my detailed itineraries with you all. Happy travels!