05/29/2026
If you’re planning your first international trip, here are a few things I always encourage people to think about beforehand:
→ Don’t choose a hotel based on star rating alone. A beautiful hotel that’s far from the areas you actually want to spend time in can completely change how the trip feels.
→ More destinations doesn’t always mean a better trip. Trying to fit too much into a short amount of time usually sounds better in theory than it feels in reality.
→ Give yourself some grace on arrival day. Jet lag, long flights, and travel days hit differently than people expect—especially internationally.
→ When you’re booking flights, pay attention to the routing, not just the price. Tight international connections and complicated airport transfers can add a lot of unnecessary stress.
→ And probably the biggest one: not every “top 10” itinerary on the internet is going to be the right fit for *you.*
The best trips are the ones designed around your travel style, your priorities, and how you actually want the experience to feel.
That’s one of my favorite parts of helping first-time international travelers—making the whole process feel a little less overwhelming, and a lot more exciting.