![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Screen-Shot-2017-07-26-at-2.58.57-PM.png\")
Drama? Not on my vacation!<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 1: Plan a Little<\/strong><\/h2>\nNow, I know this sounds like a stress-inducing proposal. But hear me out here. Whenever I\u2019m going on vacation, I usually like to plan at least two or three must-do activities. Maybe it\u2019s reservations for the hottest restaurant in town. Or pre-booking an excursion<\/a> I know I won\u2019t want to miss out on. That way, if what I really want to do proves to be a popular choice among every other tourist there, drama won\u2019t ensue!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/SnorkelingGnome.png\")
I like to pre-book popular activities, like the time I snorkeled with sea turtles!<\/p><\/div>\n
I also like to have a plan when it comes to directions (because what is more stressful than realizing you have no idea where you\u2019re going?) and a backup plan for what to do when the unexpected happens. I\u2019m looking at you lost luggage<\/a> and flight cancelations.<\/a><\/p>\nTIP 2: Be Flexible <\/strong><\/h2>\nI just told you to plan ahead, and now I\u2019m telling you to be flexible! Please don\u2019t consider me a flaky Gnome. It just that I\u2019ve been there, and know my best trips were the ones where I could truly let go and be spontaneous. This is why I recommend planning just a few activities in advance, leaving room for something that may come up while you\u2019re there. Maybe you\u2019ll find yourself zip lining down a mountain \u2026 or sleeping in till noon. Or gasp, getting a tattoo! Who cares \u2014 the point is, you\u2019re on vacation and can do whatever you want. Enjoy it!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/PortlandTattoo.png\")
Contemplating a spontaneous, yet permanent travel choice!<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 3: Unplug Within Reason<\/strong><\/h2>\nVacation time is not the time to catch up on your work emails while missing out on memories. Let go and let yourself enjoy the moment. I\u2019m very guilty of this \u2026 but as a rule you shouldn\u2019t always feel the need to Instagram<\/a> every meal you eat. But as much as I\u2019d like to tell you to completely unplug, that\u2019s a sure fire way to create drama. First off, if you\u2019re traveling with a group, you\u2019ll still need to be reachable or you might spend your evening apologizing for the three hours they wasted looking for you while you were \u201cfinding yourself\u201d on a solo hike. (Oops.)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GnomeMeal.png\")
Go ahead and take the picture, then put the phone away and savor the moment!<\/p><\/div>\n
Secondly, technology can be pretty useful when it comes to staying organized on a trip. I always keep my Travelocity app<\/a> at hand so I can check on my itinerary from anywhere. I\u2019ve rented cars, scheduled activities and even booked a one-way flight on mine. Now that\u2019s a spontaneous decision I\u2019ll never regret!<\/p>\nTIP 4: Add an Extra Day<\/strong><\/h2>\nEver go on a weekend escape, and by the time you\u2019ve decompressed enough to relax realize it\u2019s time to pack up and leave? Give yourself a little more breathing space, and you\u2019ll see that even one more day away is well worth it. I\u2019ve found the magic number is five days, allowing for plenty of time to explore the destination and experience<\/em> it, without running at a manic speed to get everything accomplished. If you can stay longer, go for it!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GnomeOcean.png\")
An extra day gives you breathing room … and more time at the beach!<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 5: Rely on Locals <\/strong><\/h2>\nBlogs, online reviews and social media can help you prepare for a trip, but nothing beats a conversation with a local once you\u2019ve arrived. Only they can offer the most candid advice on what you should and shouldn\u2019t do while you\u2019re in town, which can be invaluable when you have limited time on your hands. And the stories \u2026 oh the stories! My pro tip? Find the nearest brewery and grab a glass. Not only will you get to enjoy a local pint, but you\u2019re also sure to make a few friends before the evening ends.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Pizza.png\")
Ask a true Chicagoan to help you find the perfect deep dish pizza.<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 6: Shop Shoulder Season<\/strong><\/h2>\nYes, I travel year-round, but I try my best to book destinations based on their shoulder season for the most enjoyable experience. This is the travel period between peak and off-peak seasons. Meaning the lines are shorter, the crowds are thinner and the weather is just right! It also means less chance for drama if I didn\u2019t plan ahead (see Tip 1), and find myself scrambling for a dinner reservation or to book an activity mid-trip. Less people means less chance for my coveted spot to be taken! Another piece of advice, go for the under-the-radar destinations. These are the places not every tourist has discovered, making them ideal for travelers like you and me. We\u2019ll keep here<\/a> and here<\/a> our little secrets \u2026 shh.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GnomeonSlide.png\")
Book during shoulder season, and you might get first dibs on the waterslide!<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 7: Choose Your Getaway Goal<\/strong><\/h2>\nWhat do you want to get out of your vacation? Perhaps it\u2019s a better understanding of the local culture. Or, a few heart-pounding adventures. Maybe it\u2019s just the chance to reclaim a zen state of mind. When you\u2019ve determined the goal of your getaway before you arrive, it\u2019s a lot easier to achieve it once you\u2019re there. Set this expectation up prior to departure, and you\u2019ll skip the drama of trying to please your travel crew by doing something you would rather not. That way, when they suggest a daylong hiking excursion and you opt out for a spa day, there will be no hurt feelings.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Brunch.png\")
Getaway Goal: Never leave the pool.<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 8: Pack Like a Pro <\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\nExtra baggage not only racks up airline fees, it\u2019s a hassle to tote around! Leave the unnecessary toiletries, eighth pair of shoes and extra *just in case* outfits at home. This is vacation time! Pack light, and leave a little extra room for what you might find while you\u2019re there. Even when I don\u2019t mean to, I tend to come home with at least one \u201csouvenir\u201d from my ventures. And believe me, a drama-free vacation doesn\u2019t include TSA pulling you aside for a luggage problem. So make smart choices in your carry-on too, and keep it organized! Need some guidance? My well-travelled Gnational Gnomads friends, Angie Orth<\/a> and Ava Roxanne Stritt<\/a>, have a few hints.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GnomeSuitcase.jpg\")
When packing, I always have to remind myself that less is best!<\/p><\/div>\n
TIP 9: Get in Relaxation Mode<\/strong><\/h2>\nSometimes it takes a little effort to get into a relaxed mindset. Give yourself the tools you need to unwind, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with a drama-free escape. If I\u2019ve had a particularly hectic week (yes, even the Roaming Gnome has those!), I\u2019ll make sure to book a tension melting massage<\/a> to kick off my vacation.<\/p>\n
I like to pre-book popular activities, like the time I snorkeled with sea turtles!<\/p><\/div>\n
I also like to have a plan when it comes to directions (because what is more stressful than realizing you have no idea where you\u2019re going?) and a backup plan for what to do when the unexpected happens. I\u2019m looking at you lost luggage<\/a> and flight cancelations.<\/a><\/p>\n I just told you to plan ahead, and now I\u2019m telling you to be flexible! Please don\u2019t consider me a flaky Gnome. It just that I\u2019ve been there, and know my best trips were the ones where I could truly let go and be spontaneous. This is why I recommend planning just a few activities in advance, leaving room for something that may come up while you\u2019re there. Maybe you\u2019ll find yourself zip lining down a mountain \u2026 or sleeping in till noon. Or gasp, getting a tattoo! Who cares \u2014 the point is, you\u2019re on vacation and can do whatever you want. Enjoy it!<\/p>\n Contemplating a spontaneous, yet permanent travel choice!<\/p><\/div>\n Vacation time is not the time to catch up on your work emails while missing out on memories. Let go and let yourself enjoy the moment. I\u2019m very guilty of this \u2026 but as a rule you shouldn\u2019t always feel the need to Instagram<\/a> every meal you eat. But as much as I\u2019d like to tell you to completely unplug, that\u2019s a sure fire way to create drama. First off, if you\u2019re traveling with a group, you\u2019ll still need to be reachable or you might spend your evening apologizing for the three hours they wasted looking for you while you were \u201cfinding yourself\u201d on a solo hike. (Oops.)<\/p>\n Go ahead and take the picture, then put the phone away and savor the moment!<\/p><\/div>\n Secondly, technology can be pretty useful when it comes to staying organized on a trip. I always keep my Travelocity app<\/a> at hand so I can check on my itinerary from anywhere. I\u2019ve rented cars, scheduled activities and even booked a one-way flight on mine. Now that\u2019s a spontaneous decision I\u2019ll never regret!<\/p>\n Ever go on a weekend escape, and by the time you\u2019ve decompressed enough to relax realize it\u2019s time to pack up and leave? Give yourself a little more breathing space, and you\u2019ll see that even one more day away is well worth it. I\u2019ve found the magic number is five days, allowing for plenty of time to explore the destination and experience<\/em> it, without running at a manic speed to get everything accomplished. If you can stay longer, go for it!<\/p>\n An extra day gives you breathing room … and more time at the beach!<\/p><\/div>\n Blogs, online reviews and social media can help you prepare for a trip, but nothing beats a conversation with a local once you\u2019ve arrived. Only they can offer the most candid advice on what you should and shouldn\u2019t do while you\u2019re in town, which can be invaluable when you have limited time on your hands. And the stories \u2026 oh the stories! My pro tip? Find the nearest brewery and grab a glass. Not only will you get to enjoy a local pint, but you\u2019re also sure to make a few friends before the evening ends.<\/p>\n Ask a true Chicagoan to help you find the perfect deep dish pizza.<\/p><\/div>\n Yes, I travel year-round, but I try my best to book destinations based on their shoulder season for the most enjoyable experience. This is the travel period between peak and off-peak seasons. Meaning the lines are shorter, the crowds are thinner and the weather is just right! It also means less chance for drama if I didn\u2019t plan ahead (see Tip 1), and find myself scrambling for a dinner reservation or to book an activity mid-trip. Less people means less chance for my coveted spot to be taken! Another piece of advice, go for the under-the-radar destinations. These are the places not every tourist has discovered, making them ideal for travelers like you and me. We\u2019ll keep here<\/a> and here<\/a> our little secrets \u2026 shh.<\/p>\n Book during shoulder season, and you might get first dibs on the waterslide!<\/p><\/div>\n What do you want to get out of your vacation? Perhaps it\u2019s a better understanding of the local culture. Or, a few heart-pounding adventures. Maybe it\u2019s just the chance to reclaim a zen state of mind. When you\u2019ve determined the goal of your getaway before you arrive, it\u2019s a lot easier to achieve it once you\u2019re there. Set this expectation up prior to departure, and you\u2019ll skip the drama of trying to please your travel crew by doing something you would rather not. That way, when they suggest a daylong hiking excursion and you opt out for a spa day, there will be no hurt feelings.<\/p>\n Getaway Goal: Never leave the pool.<\/p><\/div>\n Extra baggage not only racks up airline fees, it\u2019s a hassle to tote around! Leave the unnecessary toiletries, eighth pair of shoes and extra *just in case* outfits at home. This is vacation time! Pack light, and leave a little extra room for what you might find while you\u2019re there. Even when I don\u2019t mean to, I tend to come home with at least one \u201csouvenir\u201d from my ventures. And believe me, a drama-free vacation doesn\u2019t include TSA pulling you aside for a luggage problem. So make smart choices in your carry-on too, and keep it organized! Need some guidance? My well-travelled Gnational Gnomads friends, Angie Orth<\/a> and Ava Roxanne Stritt<\/a>, have a few hints.<\/p>\n When packing, I always have to remind myself that less is best!<\/p><\/div>\n Sometimes it takes a little effort to get into a relaxed mindset. Give yourself the tools you need to unwind, and you\u2019ll be rewarded with a drama-free escape. If I\u2019ve had a particularly hectic week (yes, even the Roaming Gnome has those!), I\u2019ll make sure to book a tension melting massage<\/a> to kick off my vacation.<\/p>\nTIP 2: Be Flexible <\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 3: Unplug Within Reason<\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 4: Add an Extra Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 5: Rely on Locals <\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 6: Shop Shoulder Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 7: Choose Your Getaway Goal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 8: Pack Like a Pro <\/strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n
TIP 9: Get in Relaxation Mode<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/MassageTime.png\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/GnomeSunset.png\")