April 2025
Spring is finally here, and I look forward to the upcoming summer vacation! The longer days, blooming flowers, and warm sunshine put me in full travel-planning mode. Whether you're dreaming of a beach escape, a European adventure, or a quick weekend getaway, this is the perfect time to start mapping out your next adventure.
📷 Robert Lukeman
🌍 Bucket List Destination of the Month: Iceland
If you're seeking an unforgettable adventure, consider visiting Iceland in April! This stunning island blends fire and ice, beautifully balancing day and night.
April offers 16 to 18 hours of daylight, giving you more time to explore. It's also your last chance to see the Northern Lights until next winter!
Start your journey in Reykjavik, Iceland's quirky and colorful capital, then hit the road on a self-drive adventure along the iconic Golden Circle.
Along the way, you can:
Hike across breathtaking glaciers
Wander through mysterious lava caves
Marvel at erupting geysers and cascading waterfalls
Soak in soothing hot springs
Spot adorable puffins and go whale-watching
Plus, with fewer tourists and lower costs, April is a fantastic time to visit.
Join a 10-day “Best of Iceland” small group exploration with Collette! I’d love to help you plan the perfect Icelandic escape!
✈️ 2024's Busiest Airports in the World
According to Airports Council International, these are the top 10 airports with the most global aircraft movements—takeoffs and landings—in 2024.
Proud moment: my hometown airport, Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), moved up a spot this year, edging past Los Angeles (LAX)! Go, CLT! 🎉
Here’s the full list:
Atlanta, USA (ATL)
Chicago O'Hare, USA (ORD)
Dallas/Fort Worth, USA (DFW)
Denver, USA (DEN)
Las Vegas, USA (LAS)
Charlotte, USA (CLT)
Los Angeles, USA (LAX)
Shanghai, China (PVG)
Istanbul, Turkey (IST)
Guangzhou, China (CAN)
Whether you're flying through a mega-hub or a regional gem, make sure your travel plans are smooth and stress-free! I'm here to help with that! ✈️🌍
📷 Mantas Hesthaven
✈️ Travel Tip of the Month
17 Things to Do Before You Leave for an International Trip
Planning an international getaway? Here’s a handy checklist to help you travel smarter, safer, and stress-free. Take care of these 17 things before you leave - and thank yourself later!
1. Check Passport & Visa Requirements
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Research visa requirements for your destination using official government websites, not third-party blogs or social media. If you would like more passport information, please click here.
2. Notify Your Bank
Let your bank know you’ll be traveling abroad so they don’t flag your purchases as suspicious.
3. Get Local Currency Before You Go
A week or two before departure, visit your bank to order foreign currency. Ask for a mix of small and large bills for flexibility. You’ll likely get a better rate than at the airport or foreign ATMs. Keep a few U.S. dollars with you too - just in case.
4. Bring Multiple Payment Options
Pick at least two credit cards and one debit card, ideally ones with no foreign transaction fees. That way, you have backups if one gets lost or declined.
5. Back Up Your Important Documents
Take photos of your passport, visas, credit cards, ID, and travel confirmations. Save them on your phone and bring a printed copy, too.
6. Enroll in STEP
Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the U.S. Embassy can contact you in an emergency.
7. Buy Travel Insurance & Save to your Phone
U.S. health insurance often doesn’t cover you overseas. Get a comprehensive plan and save your policy number and emergency contact info on your phone.
8. Know Emergency Numbers
Look up your destination’s equivalent of “911” and save it in your contacts. CLICK HERE
9. Get an International Phone Plan or eSIM
Avoid roaming charges. Consider a temporary international plan or a digital eSIM via Airalo, Holafly, or Saily by NordVPN.
10. Charge Devices & Bring a Portable Charger
Fully charge all electronics and pack a power bank for long flights or layovers.
11. Make Room for Memories
Free up space on your phone, and consider bringing an external SSD, like the SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD, if you’ll be taking lots of photos and videos.
12. Pack the Right Power Adaptors & Converters
Double-check the voltage in your destination and get adaptors or converters as needed. (Don’t be like me—I’ve fried a few hair dryers this way!). I use the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter.
13. Download Offline Maps
Use apps like Google Maps to download maps in advance so you can still navigate without Wi-Fi.
14. Download Entertainment
Movies, audiobooks, or games can be lifesavers during long waits or transit without internet access.
15. Check Driver’s License Requirements
Some countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP)—do your homework if you’re renting a car.
16. Share Your Travel Plans
Send your itinerary, flight info, and lodging details to a trusted friend or family member. If traveling solo, check in daily and consider using location-sharing apps like Find My or Google Maps.
17. Learn the Local Culture
A little language goes a long way. Learn a few basics like “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you” in the local language. You’ll connect more deeply and show respect for the culture you’re visiting.
📝 To find my printable checklist, click here.
Arcos de la Frontera, Spain - 📷 Wirestock from Getty Images
From Travel Fails to Travel Tales
The Best Memories Start with “Remember That Time…?”
Back in 2006, my husband David and I were traveling through southern Spain, armed with nothing but a tiny rental car, a questionable sense of direction, and our trusty sidekick - Rick Steves. At the time, Rick was our travel guru. He had never let us down... until that day.
Our destination? The charming hilltop town of Arcos de la Frontera, where we’d be staying for five lovely nights. According to Rick, we could simply “park in the main square of the old town at the top of the hill.” Easy peasy, right?
Spoiler alert: it was not.
We didn’t have GPS—this was 2006, after all—just a rental car and a vague map. Following the signs toward the city center seemed like a good idea - until we found ourselves in what can only be described as a medieval alleyway. I’m pretty sure it was built for donkeys, not Fiats. We were going the wrong way, uphill, on a street so narrow I could have high-fived the locals from inside the car.
And oh yes, the locals. They were all out - kids, old men, maybe even a priest - waving wildly and shouting at us in a flurry of Spanish we absolutely did not understand, but which we translated as, “TURN AROUND, CRAZY TOURISTS!” We couldn't because we were too busy sanding the right side of our car and side mirror (which we had pulled in) against a centuries-old stone wall.
After 45 excruciating minutes of three-point turns, and mild marriage counseling, we surrendered and found a parking garage in the new part of town. From there, we hiked up to the old town, luggage in tow, to finally reach our hotel.
To this day, we still don’t know how anyone actually parks in that old town square. Maybe you have to parachute in. Or be born there. Either way, we eventually found it... on foot... five days later.
And the best part? When we finally returned the poor, scraped-up Fiat to the rental agency, bracing for a lecture or a bill, they barely looked up. Not a word. Not a glance. Just handed us our receipt and said, “Gracias.”
Apparently, it wasn’t their first rodeo either.
Got a funny travel story? Email me, and I might share it in my blog!
Arcos de la Frontera, Spain - May 2006
Thank you for reading!
Until next time, keep dreaming, exploring, and making memories!
Erin
