Travel Tips Round One

To all those lucky enough to be at the Lilly sale right now I am there in spirit by all the shift dresses!!

I am one that likes to prepare for anything in advance, but I am especially into getting things figured out before I travel. Of course packing is always a top priority, but so is getting to know my intended destination. I honestly am not one who has ever understood how someone can just get off a plane not having done any research on a city. I have always been taught that it is important to NOT stand out and you should always have an idea of where you are going. Thus, not only should your bring a map if you are unfamiliar with a city, but a fabulous travel guide is a must for me too!

I have carried an Access guide with me ever since I first studied abroad alone in 2004. (I mentioned these way back when I first started my blog, but figured we could all use a refresher!) Mother and I have looked through a number of guide books, but have found these to be the very best. Like many travel books, these too are divided into sections so it makes planning a visit to a particular area to a city much easier. The Access guides also use a color code so you can easily flip through and only read about hotels or restaurants or stores. These guides are incredibly thorough and also include maps at the start of every section as well is small ones placed in between some of the larger sections. So, even if you forgot to buy your Streetwise map (tish, tish!) you will be able to navigate the city without too much trouble.

While I LOVE to visit museums and historic sites and monuments you can only spend so many hours each day taking everything in. I just love that the Access guides give you the 411 on all the fabulous stores too! I have discovered many of my favorites haunts with the help of Access and you can too! From small paper boutiques on the smallest of Rues in Paris to divine leather shops off the beaten path in London Access has something for everyone! Then, after you have gotten you shopping fix simply open up the book, find your section and pick a cafe! With the help of Access you can almost live as if you were a native!

So when preparing for your next trip, whether is be in the US or abroad, be sure to prepare well in advance. Make a list of all your "musts" and then flip through your Access book to spice things up!
Later this week: the shopping guide of shopping guides!