Travel Tips // 2014

As we enter the last few months of 2014, we start making travel plans for 2015. Over the years as I have traveled I have heard "do this" or "avoid that". Working for a travel agency, I have been educated on the many do's and do not's of the travel world. I have compiled a list of some of the most valuable information when it comes to great travel tips. 

1.) Avoid chain hotels: By staying in a small boutique or family-run hotel, you will be saving more money than you think. You will also have a more unique experience in the area you are vising. 

2.) In countries rich in history and culture (Italy, France, Japan), go off the beaten path: You will avoid the usual crowds and higher prices and in return find better food, shopping, and so on! 

3.) Be wise when choosing flight days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the least-popular travel dates for domestic flights. 

4.) Take a layover tour: Many cities will offer a layover tour. So if you have a long layover, take advantage of the layover tours. Have a 5 hour layover in Paris? Go explore! 

5.) Buy insurance: I can't say it enough. BUY INSURANCE! Yes, it costs a little extra, but you will thank yourself in the long run. What if a family member gets sick? Canceling the trip would cause you to lose everything! Not if you had purchased trip insurance. When asked if you want to add it, don't hesitate. Say YES! 

6.) Scan important documents before you leave: In the event of theft or misplacement, you will be glad you scanned your passport, cards, etc. 

7.) Use a travel agent: I know, coming from someone who works at a travel agency, this comes off as biased. But now that I know how much easier traveling is after using an agent, I will never travel internationally without one! Plus using a travel agency is FREE! So, why not?

Tip from Hayden: As a treat to yourself, send yourself a postcard from each day of your travels. It will be a nice treat to come home to and make the transition to reality easier! 

Tourists Scams // How to Avoid

When traveling you MUST be careful and observant of your surroundings, because you may fall victim to one of the many tourist scams.

Fake Police: A street merchant may put something on your wrist or around your neck, then when you try to give it back, they complain that you are trying to steal it. A uniform policeman-- who is fake–happens to be passing and threatens to arrest you if you do not pay. Be very careful when shopping on the streets of foreign countries, because this happens more than you would think!

Fake Valuables: A vendor may try to sell you a "designer purse" or a "diamond necklace" at a fraction of the going price. These are all scams. While many people will travel JUST to buy the knock-off products, just be careful.

Distraction Theft: Someone may distract you (ask you for directions, help with map...) while an accomplice picks your pocket or goes through your bags. There are dozens of variations of this so be cautious.

Taxi Tricks: When you jump in a cab and ask to go to a specific location, the driver tells you that it is "closed" but offers to take you to a "better" one. At best, the new place is a long trip and will cost you more money.

The Fake "Gift": A street musician hands you what appears to be a "free" CD, asking yo to listen to their music, and after you have it in your hands and are walking away, demands payments even after you try to return it.

Photo Finagling: Someone will offer to take a picture of you and your family with YOUR camera. They then run off with your camera. Be very careful with people walking up and offering to do this!

Fake Friends: You meet a group of friendly locals at a bar or cafe and join them. After a while they leave to use restroom or make a phone call and never return. You are stuck with their bill.


While there are many people who could actually be wanting to help you take a picture and there may be that street musician who wants to give out free music for FREE with no strings attached. But you have to be careful no matter where you travel!

Choosing the Right Invitation

A wedding invitation can say more than you imagine. I love getting wedding invitations in the mail or even looking at the ones my friends receive. Some are so elegant and beautiful, while others are simple and very casual. An invitation can speak volumes. A well-crafted invitation gives even more meaning and significance to any event.

 

The type of paper you use can showcase that your ceremony will be rustic (a more textured paper is a likely route) or if you choose to have a more formal wedding, your paper should reflect that decision, so a sturdy card stock would work!

 

 

Your font and printing choices let your guests know what your wedding will be like and gives them a first glimpse into your big day. Font can speak to your guests. For a more traditional wedding, a Bickham style font is suggested.  

 

 

For a casual, maybe outdoor barn wedding, Carolyna would be perfect.

 

A popular style wedding this year is a modern wedding. A great font for a modern invitation would be Mr. Eaves. That even sounds modern!

 

Letterpressed invitations are my personal favorite. They are beautiful and delicate. The font and designs are indented into the paper. Letterpressed invitations can be used for all types of weddings!

 

 

Kempis Press is a great place to find letterpressed invitations. Kempis Press is a small letterpress shop located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. They use the finest papers, writing and typography. Kempis Press also designs and produces fine stationery and announcements. Utilizing the highest quality papers and binding techniques combined with a unique approach to design. Every piece of their work is hand cranked on a letterpress, so every piece is special.

 

Stunning letterpress invitations:

 

 

 

 Words become more intimate and meaningful when they are conveyed upon beautiful paper and surrounded by graceful impressions.