This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! With such a wide range of activities on offer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you may wonder how to pack lightly for your trip. Your itinerary highlights could include plenty of museums, historical road trips, folk music, beaches, mountain lakes, unique festivals, quaint small towns, and delicious barbeque. You may feel the need to pack your entire closet to accommodate! That doesn’t have to be the case. This packing ..read more

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! You could spend weeks traveling in Virginia, but for the visitor who wants an introduction to the entire state, below is a seven-day road trip itinerary starting and ending in Richmond, the capital and closest city to the airport.  This itinerary hits some of the most famous tourist attractions, but leaves out many. This is partly to give you a few off-the-beaten-path experiences and partly to cover as much geogr ..read more

I visit beaches in cold months more often than in the summer. Having traveled to Myrtle Beach at least twice in December, I know that the sun may be warm but the wind can be quite frigid both on the beach and between buildings. This makes packing for your trip a little tricky, but with some preparation, you can be comfortable and enjoy the winter sea air. Weather & Activities Is Myrtle Beach worth visiting in winter? Yes! There is plenty to do at Myrtle Beach in December, January and February. Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular beach areas along the Virginia – Georgia coast and is val ..read more

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! Unexpected problems pop up while you’re traveling, no matter how prepared you are. You can’t plan for everything, and you certainly shouldn’t pack enough stuff to cover every imaginable what-if situation. But there are certain items that don’t take up much space and can really help you out in a bind. Here are some helpful little items to pack that solve problems on the road. Duct tape Possibly the most versatile and ..read more

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! In December 2021, I traveled to Uganda for the first time. It was my first time in Africa and my first time traveling internationally since 2004.  Having overpacked so badly on my last trip that I almost fell on my face coming up the escalator, I wanted to pack more lightly this time. (Thanks HPL for the inspiration and education to make that happen!)  Uganda Trip Summary Jill in Fort Portal Crater Lakes Th ..read more

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! Can you bring snacks through TSA? For anyone wondering about the best travel snacks that you can bring in your carry-on luggage, you need to also know the answer to this question. And the answer is… Yes! Food and snacks from home or a restaurant can be brought through airport security and on flights, but food is subject to the same restrictions as other liquids, gels, and creams.  Here are some things to keep in ..read more

Traveling alone means you can do what you want, when you want. Even if solo travel is your jam, there will be times when you find yourself traveling with others – whether that’s with family, with one friend, or with a group of friends for the first time. If your friends are willing to travel with you, there are a few things you should do before purchasing tickets and setting off on your great adventure to keep everything running smoothly. The last thing you want is to have a fight with a friend while overseas and be stuck with them (or worse, stop being friends). We suggest setting an actual m ..read more

The last thing you want to worry about is what happens to the travel mementos you’re bringing back from various parts of the world. If souvenir shopping accounts for a big part of the travel experience, planning for the extra additions to your luggage becomes a vital part of the packing process. This is especially important when traveling carry-on only. Here are some words of wisdom for shopaholics looking to bring home souvenirs safely while still packing light and in a carry-on. Souvenir Tips for Light Packers 1 – Buy as many souvenirs at the end of your trip as possible. Carrying that one-o ..read more

When I travel and stay at someone’s home, I always try to pack a gift to thank them for playing host. Whether they’re providing me with a place to sleep, cooking me meals, showing me around town, or maybe even picking me up from the airport, I want to thank them for their generosity! If you’re traveling this year (and I hope you are!), consider adding one of the gift ideas below to your packing list. Your hosts will be grateful. Food + Drink 1 – Chocolate Carry-on Friendly Who doesn’t love chocolate?! Okay, I know not everyone is a chocoholic like me, but it’s one of the safer gifts to give! S ..read more

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you! You just got off the night bus and haven’t showered in days, but your new hostel mates want to go out on the town. There’s not enough time to shower, but you look like you just woke up. What’s a girl to do? As I mentioned in the Low Key Traveler’s Beauty Kit, packing dry shampoo is pretty much the best thing you can do while traveling. It’s right up there with your passport in terms of importance, transforming your lo ..read more