Things to Keep in Mind During Your Trip

These may seem obvious or simple, but we promise they make a huge difference!

There’s this moment right before a trip: the bags are packed (well, mostly), your out-of-office reply is set, and your phone notes are full of restaurant recs and walking tour screenshots. You’re excited, you’re slightly overwhelmed, and your brain is running through every “what if” scenario imaginable.

Sound familiar?

We’ve been there more times than we’d like to admit haha. Running through the airport with an overstuffed tote, realizing we didn’t check if the hotel has an elevator, and getting soaked during a surprise thunderstorm in Venice because we thought the weather app said sunshine. (It did. It lied.)

So today, we’re sharing a few things we’ve learned to keep in mind during your trip. These are the kinds of things that might not seem like a big deal… until they are. Trust us, a little intention goes a long way when you’re navigating new places, cultures, and climates—especially if you’re someone traveling with a disability, sensory sensitivities, or just a very low tolerance for being wet, cold, or hangry.

🚗 Manual or Automatic? Double Check That Rental

On one of our very first big European trips, we rented a car to drive through Portugal’s wine country. It was all so picturesque—until we realized the car was a manual, and neither of us had touched a stick shift since high school.

Cue the panicked Google searches and the deep regret.

Outside the US, most rental cars are manual by default. So:

✅ Make sure someone in your group knows how to drive a manual transmission

💸 Or budget extra for an automatic (it’s usually double the price, no joke)

🛞 If accessibility is a concern, call ahead to ask if they offer vehicles with adaptive driving options—they may need extra time to prepare one

🚆 Trains Are Magic... Until They’re Not

We are big believers in train travel. It’s scenic, sustainable, and generally less chaotic than airports. But depending on where you are, strikes and delays can be common—and timetables aren’t always released far in advance.

In Italy last summer, we learned (the hard way) that Trenitalia tickets don’t open up until closer to your travel date, and the regional train we needed was canceled the morning of our trip. We pivoted, drank cappuccinos, and caught a later one—but it threw off our whole day.

A few tips to help you stay chill when the trains are not:

📅 Don’t panic if tickets aren’t available months ahead—just check back weekly

🔄 Always build in buffer time if you have a connecting train, flight, or tour

📱 Apps like RailPlanner or Trainline can help with real-time updates and alternate routes

☔️ Pack Layers Like Your Trip Depends on It

Because it kind of does.

Weather doesn’t care about your itinerary, and that perfectly planned museum day might turn into a street puddle splash-fest. We’ve learned to treat compact umbrellas and layering pieces like essential travel gear, right up there with chargers and snacks.

A few things we never leave home without:

🧥 A lightweight packable raincoat or windbreaker

🌂 A compact umbrella (the kind that can fit in a purse or day bag)

🧣 A scarf or shawl that doubles as a blanket or sun shield

🧤 Layer-friendly clothes that work for both chilly nights and sunny afternoons

Accessibility tip: If you’re traveling with sensory sensitivities, consider bringing layers made of materials that feel good on your skin (and avoid itchy thrifted sweaters, unless you love the gamble).

🔐 Keep Your Stuff Close and Safe

There’s a difference between being paranoid and being prepared. After seeing one too many travelers panic over a stolen wallet or passport, we now always opt for safety first.

Here’s what helps us feel secure without sacrificing style:

🎒 A crossbody bag that zips closed and can be worn on your front side

🔒 A small lock for zippers (especially useful in crowds and public transport)

🛑 Leave valuables at your hotel or Airbnb when possible

🗝 Keep your passport locked in a safe unless you need it for the day’s plans

Pro tip for fellow neurodivergent folks or anyone who gets overwhelmed in crowds: A secure bag helps reduce stress so you’re not constantly checking and re-checking that your phone and wallet haven’t vanished into the travel void.

💧 Stay Hydrated—But Check the Water First

You’d think water would be simple. It’s not.

In some places, water is free with meals. In others, it’s bottled, priced like gold, and served without ice. And in certain destinations, the tap water might not be safe to drink or even wash fruit with.

Here’s what we’ve learned:

🚰 Always Google “Is tap water drinkable in [destination]?” before you go

💧 Pack a reusable water bottle for days when bottled water isn’t easy to find

🧼 Avoid brushing your teeth or washing food with tap water in places where it’s unsafe

🧊 Don’t assume you’ll get ice, ask for it if you want it!

Accessibility tip: Staying hydrated is even more crucial when managing chronic conditions, navigating long travel days, or if medications make you more sensitive to heat or dehydration. Don’t be afraid to prioritize water over wandering.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, travel is messy and magical. You can’t predict everything, but you can set yourself up for a smoother ride. Whether it’s remembering your umbrella, triple-checking that train time, or packing that one extra layer that saves the day, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference.

Sometimes, it's the tiniest preparation… like having a granola bar in your bag or knowing how to say “thank you” in the local language—that turns a stressful moment into a story you’ll laugh about later. And let’s be real: most of our favorite travel memories didn’t come from perfectly executed plans, but from the weird, wonderful detours we weren’t expecting.

Being prepared doesn’t mean you’re rigid. It just means you’re ready for whatever comes your way. It gives you space to notice things. To wander down an alley that smells like fresh bread. To change your day’s plans because a stranger told you about a hidden beach. To rest when your body says rest, without guilt.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this:
Being prepared gives you more freedom to be spontaneous.

And that’s where the real magic of travel lives, in the moments you never could’ve planned for, but were totally ready to enjoy.