How I Plan A Trip

Am I a vacation planning expert? No, but I do it a lot, so I've made tons of mistakes that you can learn from!

You see, it all started in Paris in 2005... I had planned that trip down to the minute.  There was no room for altering from the itinerary because it would throw off the whole thing.  Needless to say, Jason and Jade felt a little suffocated by that, so I learned something important: Plan for Spontaneity.  I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but I mean it.  Now that I'm planning another trip to Paris 10 years later, I thought it would be the perfect time to see how things have changed.

While Jason and Jade didn't like having every minute planned on our trip, you also don't want to wake up in Paris one morning, and look at each other and say, "what are we doing today?"  Also, you don't want to come home from Paris and think, "I wish we would have done X."  That, to me, is so stressful!

So, here's how I plan now, I'll take you with me on my journey to plan a romantic weekend in Paris.

Once we've decided on a location to visit and book the flights, the next thing I do is NOT book hotels, but start researching what we want to do when we're there.  That way we can pick a hotel that's in an area that we want to be in.  Since we've been to Paris already, we don't have to see all of the same sights as last time.  And since last time was with Jade and my mom, this time I'd like it to be a more romantic trip.  Also, I'm now gluten free and have food allergies I didn't have last time.  Keeping that in mind, I start googling "what to do in Paris the second time" and "romantic Paris" and "gluten free crepes in Paris" among other searches (like looking at what shows and concerts are happening there at the time) to make a list of what we want to see and do.  My list looks like this:

1. A walk through the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, for views of Paris.  There is a waterfall at Rue Manin et Rue Botzaris in the 19eme, Metro Buttes Chaumont.
2. A late afternoon walking through Montmartre and sit on the the Basilica of Sacre Coeur steps to watch the sunset (did this last time, so don't have to do it)
3. Be at the Jardins du Trocadéro at the top of the hour at night to watch the Eiffel Tower light up
4. See the De Medici Fountain at the Luxembourg Gardens
5. Breizh Cafe for Gluten free crepes 109 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France (Le Marais)
6. Jazz festival at Saint-Germain-des-Prés
7. Watch a tennis match at the French Open

It's still a growing list, but we'll start with this for this exercise.  Next I'll map each place to see where they are in the city so I can group neighboring items together.  Having done this, here's what I've come up with:

The day we watch the tennis match at Rolland-Garros, we should stroll to the Jardins du Trocadéro to watch the Eiffel Tower light up, then head to Set Germain des Pres for some evening jazz and dinner. Day 1.

Also, we can pick up crepes for lunch from Breizh Cafe, then head to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont to explore and picnic before going to Montmartre to watch the sunset and have dinner.  Day 2

That just leaves a visit to the Luxembourg Gardens, maybe we'll do that one day while walking around and shopping.  Day 3 = planned spontaneity (AKA Jason day)! 

Now that we've got a loose itinerary, I would start researching hotels that are centrally located to what we plan to do.  I like to use venere and tripadvisor to find hotels.  I don't have to do that for this trip since ESPN is paying for Jason's hotel.

And that's it!  Trip is planned!

Flying Tips from Frequent Flyers

Jade and me in the new first class pods.

As people who fly a lot, we have a few tips for long flights.

Before leaving

First of all, when you book your flight, check Seat Guru to find your best seat.  The website is awesome and this way, you'll know just where to sit.  Then make sure you check in online to save time at the airport.

Now, before leaving for the plane, I like to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  I use argon oil all over my body, followed by a body moisturizer, and I put a nice facial moisturizer on, too.  I wear very little makeup on the plane, because it's likely going to be all over my face.  If I'm going to want makeup on when I land, I'll bring it with me and apply in the seat before landing. (This only goes for a long flight, for short flights I will wear makeup.)

I also make sure I pack the following before leaving for the aiport:
- I'm very light sensitive when I sleep, so I bring an eye mask
- Jason is sensitive to noise, so he brings noise cancelling headphones
- Again, the planes are so drying, I bring facial moisturizer and lip balm to reapply as needed
- This one should go without saying, but hand sanitizer, and use it OFTEN.  Everything you touch on the plane has been touched by hundreds if not thousands of people
- Water is very important.  Buy a big bottle after security
- I also eat a lot when I'm bored, so I pack lots of healthy food: fruit, veggies, nuts and protein bars

How to dress
I remember when we used to get dressed up to fly.  Now people literally go in their pajamas (gross) or sweatsuits.  Just a tip, they will never upgrade someone dressed sloppily to first class.  Never.  It's in the rules.  Here's my favorite outfit on a long flight (it's what I'm wearing in the picture above):

- Think layers! a loose fitting, comfortable tee shirt or tank with a black cardigan

- A large black pashmina which can double as a blanket or pillow

- Leggings are super comfy and fashionable

- A leather jacket or blazer

- Flats or riding boots.  My feet swell, so now is not the time for pumps, and sneakers are only for the gym.

- Huge sunglasses.  If I'm not wearing makeup, or I've gotten puffy on the plane, I just like to hide behind large sunglasses

Side Note:  While flying I like to keep to myself and wear headphones and read.  Everyone has their favorite way to fly, but for me, I make a playlist that will get me in the mood for my destination, load it onto my ipad, and read while listening.  It's one of the few times I'm not working, so I like to take advantage.

Airplane Etiquette 
We always know the amateurs because they have no idea about Airplane Etiquette.  Don't be that guy! 

- Wait for your row or boarding zone to be called, and wait someplace else, not around the gate entry.  Don't be rude.  I know the overhead space is a premium and with charges for checked bags, everyone wants to carry-on, but if you get onto the plane and can't find space, hand your bag to the flight attendant.  You might be lucky enough to have your bag gate checked, which means it will be waiting for you as soon as you get off the plane.   Even better!

- When you board, put your bag in the overhead quickly and get into your seat, you are holding up the boarding of everyone when you take forever to find the perfect spot for you bag.  Also, if you are behind someone having trouble getting their bag into the overhead bin, help them out.  Everyone behind you will thank you.  One final note about overhead bins, please put your bag in the general vicinity of your seat, not in the first bin at the front of the plane when your seat is in the back.  What will the people in front do?  Go to the back of the plane to put their bags on?  Come on!

- Once you've done that, sit down, turn off your phone, and sit patiently.  The flight won't take off until that's done and it's YOU keeping the rest of us from going.  Don't go to the restroom, don't go talk to your friend 5 rows back, don't talk on the phone and have the flight attendant tell you 5 times to turn it off.

- Now that you're in the air, someone asks if you can trade spaces.  Here's the tip, never ask someone in an aisle or window if they want to trade for your middle seat.  Not going to happen.  Instead, try to trade like seats for like seats.

- Armrests:  The person in the middle seat gets both armrests.  Period.  That's the rule.  If you are in the aisle seat or the window seat, you can lean away.

- If you need to go to the restroom during a flight, please don't use the seats in front of you as your crutch.  It's not at all fun to be woken up by the shaking of your seat by someone grabbing it by your headrest and shaking you.  Also, try not to bump or kick the seat in front of you if you can at all help it.  (This also goes for movie theaters, but that's another post).  And don't forget those touchscreens on the backs of the headrests, don't pound to hard on those either.

That's all I can think of for now.  Happy Travels!
~Sue