Whitney Haldeman
This Week in the World: Week 10

Tips For First-Time International Travelers

tips for first time international travelers

If you're headed abroad for the first time, you're in for the adventure of a lifetime! I'd argue that international travel is one of the most life-enriching experiences in the world for countless reasons (which I won't get into right now). And while you have so much to look forward to, there are also some things you should plan on before you go to ensure a trip without hiccups.  

 

1. NOTIFY YOUR BANK + CREDIT CARDS

Always call the number on the back of your debit and credit cards to notify them of your travel destinations and dates. Sometimes if they see charges in another country without notice, they'll assume it's fraudulent and freeze your account. Also, be sure to ask if any of your cards offer no foreign transaction fees (there are lots of cards that do and all of those little fees can rack up quickly). 

 

 

2. KNOW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

Call your insurance to see if your policy applies overseas for emergencies. If it doesn’t, you can consider supplemental insurance. And be sure that you've renewed all essential prescriptions so you don't run out while you're gone! 

 

 

3. MAKE COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT

If your passport is lost or stolen on a trip, the last thing you want is to be stuck at the border or denied re-entry. To avoid this issue, simply make sure to have some copies of your passport (I take photos of all my travel documents and credit cards to keep in a secure album on my phone). You can also make a scanned hard copy to give to someone you trust back home so they have it if you need it for any reason. If for some reason you do lose your passport, immediately contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate so they can assist you. 

 

 

4. GET CASH FROM AN ATM IN THE COUNTRY YOU'RE VISITING

Skip those rip-off conversion centers in the airport or around the city and just get your cash from an ATM when you arrive in the country you're visiting. You won’t get charged as many fees this way, and the conversion will be exact. If you really want to avoid fees, you can open an account with Charles Schwab (who offers no international ATM fees or conversion rates). I did this, but only because I was gone for quite a while- it may not be worth the trouble otherwise. 

 

 

5. PACK THE PROPER CONVERTER

All electrical outlets are not created equal in this world. So before you head overseas, be sure you have the proper converter for all of your electronics. It’s unlikely you’ll need to plug-in every single device at once, but also that you’ll only need to use one at a time. So pack a number that makes sense based on your individual needs. But my biggest piece of advice? Don’t factor the one you’d need for a wand or straightener. Regardless of how they’re advertised, I’ve heard countless stories from travelers of converters frying hair tools overseas (my best friend even burned off a chunk of her hair while we were in Paris). If you want to curl your hair, buy a cheap wand once you get there (you can easily find one under €30) to protect both your tools + your locks.

 

 

6. GET A GLOBAL PHONE PLAN

In today’s world of having our phones practically glued to our hands, feeling limited to when we have data or service can feel suffocating. And while that comment may make me sound like a millennial you want roll your eyes at, I’m not just talking about being able to post on Instagram or Snapchat. You try navigating a foreign country without maps or Google, and then let’s talk. 

While most restaurants and public establishments overseas have wi-fi, it’s leaps and bounds easier to have international data on your phone whenever you need it. Depending on your phone plan and provider, these rates can be astronomical- but there are other options. Check to see if your device is unlocked (aka- able to read other SIM cards). T-mobile offers plans for as low as $50 a month that include unlimited data and texting (if you bring your own device). Simply purchase the sim card (~$20) from them or any carrier overseas and pay for each month you’ll be abroad. Voila. 

If you decide to skip this part and rely on wi-fi, be sure to turn off your data roaming to avoid charges. 

 

 

7. REGISTER WITH YOUR EMBASSY

Registering with your embassy when traveling abroad gives you an extra sense of security. It ensures that you receive information relevant to your trip (like warnings about severe weather or civil unrest) and it also makes it easier for people back home to contact you in case of an emergency. 

 

 

8. ENSURE YOU HAVE PROPER VISAS + VACCINATIONS

While lots of places require neither, be sure to check the visa requirements and vaccination requirements (if any) for the country you're visiting. 

 

All in all, going abroad is much easier than it may sound so don't let this laundry list of items scare you! And when you've done these things once, they'll all seem so easy to do again the next time you go. 

Have some other tips that have been helpful when you've gone abroad? Let me know in the comments below!

I'm off to load up my car because I'm hitting the road for 6 weeks tomorrow! Be sure to follow along in real time on Instagram and Snapchat (blonde_atlas). Hope everyone has a great Friday and a fun weekend! 

xx

Whitney

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3 SPRING LOOKS I LOVE FOR TRAVEL

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SPRING TRAVEL LOOKS

Happy Tuesday! I'm gearing up to hit the road this weekend for a 6 week adventure to the west coast and back. After living out of a suitcase for almost 5 months while I was in Europe, I know a thing or two about packing for a long term trip. While this one will look a bit different than the last, it requires strategy nonetheless. 

 

Typically my travel uniform (AKA what to wear on a plane) involves early mornings at the airport or sleeping on a red eye. But for this journey, I'll be needing outfits to wear on a road trip. So for the sake of versatility, I've pulled together a few travel looks for the spring that are cozy enough to wear on a plane or in the car, but polished enough to keep on when you get to your destination. 

 

1. RUFFLE TEE + CROPPED CHINOS

valentine's day

I love these grey cropped chinos. They're a cozy fit that you can wear comfortably all day (plus they're a nice mix up from always being in jeans). I especially love them paired with a soft blush (like this ruffle tee). I wore it all with these adidas superstars because I like the juxtaposition of playing with both feminine + athletic styles, but you can easily swap them out for a mule if you prefer a more traditional look.

 

 

Both these frayed skinny ankle jeans and this red pocket sweater are super comfortable and can easily be worn all day (no matter if you're on a plane, in a car or exploring a city). And by simply adding this silk primavera scarf tied around the neck, the look instantly becomes polished + chic (and is still just as comfortable).

I've already raved about how comfortable these cropped chinos are, but I also particularly love how versatile this slate grey color is. Here, I paired it with this bell-sleeve blouse (which is also great for travel because it's soft, breathable and a comfortable fit). I love these pieces together because while they're both loose (AKA super comfy) the cuffed pant leg and the bell sleeves give it enough structure to still look polished + put together. To give it a pop of royal blue, I paired them with this linen scarf I found at a market in Paris a few years ago (a light linen is always a great textile for layering while traveling). 

My favorite piece of the outfit was this gorgeous Saint Laurent Sac De Jour Small handbag (which you can purchase gently used for a discount from Trendlee-- along with lots of other great designer bags from brands like Givenchy!) I almost always carry neutrals like black, camel or grey, so it was fun to mix things up a bit with this bright cobalt blue. 

While I love so many types of fashion and unique approaches to individual style, dressing comfortably while traveling trumps everything else (at least in my book). I hope these give you some fun inspiration to look cute + stay cozy whilst traveling! 

Have some other questions about packing strategy? Let me know in the comments below!

As always, thanks for stopping by, friends! x

Whitney

 

VALENTINE'S DAY: GIFT GUIDE FOR YOUR GIRLFRIENDS + ENCOURAGEMENT TO SINGLES

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! I shared last year that I genuinely love this holiday so much (no matter your relationship status). While I'm a huge advocate for everyone finding a way to celebrate love as often as possible, today's post is for all my single ladies out there (cue Beyoncé). 

I'll be celebrating this weekend (before I hit the road for my 6 week road trip!) with some of my best girlfriends. I did the same last year and it was honestly, probably my favorite Valentine's Day to date. We totally embraced all the clichés you can think of: chocolate, flowers, watching the movie 'Valentine's Day'... the list goes on. Some people even brought us all gifts (Justin Bieber earrings FTW). All that to say, I am always a fan of celebration over cynicism and Valentine's Day is no exception. 

 

If you're also celebrating with your girlfriends, I think it's more fun to shop for them than it is for a guy! And while I'd be lying if I said I'm buying gifts for all my friends (#BloggerOnABudget) it's really fun to set up a Dirty Santa style gift swap, or just surprise a few of your closest pals with something small.

If you're like me and my friends, you pretty much can't go wrong with gifts related to wine. I love these etched glasses, this decanter, this adorable phone case and of course, this rosé candy box. I also am obsessed with these chocolate truffles I found in London (and you can get them in the states!) You can also play up the holiday color theme with some red, pink and blush nail polish. Honestly, pretty much anything pink goes! I love this pink polaroid camera, this coconut milk mango reed diffuser, this faux fur pillow and these tassel drop earrings. 

But gifts aside, if you're single this Valentine's I realize you may not be happy about it. Some people wouldn't trade it, but others really wish they weren't. While I'm currently having a lot of fun being single, that wasn't always the case. So last year I wrote this article for The Everygirl on embracing this season no matter how you feel about it (and I threw in a few more notes now that I have another year under my belt!):

 

 

I was proud of myself when I hit the milestone of being single for a full year. That may not sound like a big deal, but coming from someone who was a serial monogamist (I'd been in relationships for the 11 years prior), it was a pivotal realization. 

But what I’m especially proud of isn’t merely the fact that I’ve been single—it’s how I’ve been single. In today’s world of Tinder, Bumble, and everything else, there are endless ways to never be alone. Sure, you may not be in a committed relationship, but just swipe right a few times and soon enough someone is readily available to text with as often as you so please. At least, until you’re sick of them and ready to move on to the next option. 

Don’t get me wrong. I think dating apps have the ability to connect people (and I've loved using them to meet people while traveling). However, they can also make it far too easy to distract yourself in the interim from grieving or growing before you move into your next relationship if you're not careful.  But for my first 365 days as a single, I put dating on a shelf entirely and made a conscious effort to show up 100% to the season I was in. 

For starters, it wasn't always easy or fun. There are things about being someone’s companion that I absolutely loved and sometimes being single feels straight up lonely. But as equally as I’ll confess to that, I must also emphasize that it was pleasantly surprising and a little underrated.

So whether you’re just entering this season or you’ve been sitting in it for a while, here are some things to remember and celebrate about embracing exactly where you are. 

 

Now is the time to focus on YOU.

How many times have we heard that cliché? But man, is it accurate. When someone first uttered that phrase to me I had to close my eyes to hide that they were rolling with annoyance. But there is so much freedom in this truth. Ever hear someone say they wish they’d moved to a new city? Or learned a new language? Or backpacked through Europe? People are dripping with regret for their lost dreams and quite often the culprit is a laundry list of responsibilities and obligations that stood in their way.

But as a single? The world is your oyster. Move if you want a change. Use your evenings to take a language class. Save some money, quit your job, and travel Europe for a bit if that's what you really want (having done almost all of the above this past year, I can personally vouch they were the most incredible experiences of my life so far). There are literally no valid excuses to not be fully chasing after the life you want to build. 

This is the time when you’re allowed, hell, encouraged even to be selfish. Embrace it. 

 

 

It’s really OK not to be dating.

Friends, family, and even colleagues constantly asked me (and still do) if I’m dating anyone. The question can feel uncomfortable if the answer is “no." But try to remember that their intentions are almost always pure. Without pointing fingers or making generalizations, a lot of people think the solution to losing a love is to find another. And while most of us would agree we’d like to again at some point, I’d argue that there is a lot more out there for you to discover before simply finding another relationship. So fight the urge to over explain or agree to a date simply because people are asking. At the end of the day, they just want you to be happy. But only you know what is required to make that happen. Date when you feel ready and excited about it—and not a moment sooner. You’ll be doing both yourself and your future partner a favor. 

Having been on dates now, I'm so glad I took this approach. When you know how to be happy on your own you can truly enjoy the other person for who they are rather than trying to build on some toxic foundation of co-dependency. I have no problem (gracefully) letting go if I'm not feeling it, because I know I don't depend on them for my happiness or sense of self-worth.

 

Discovering who you are is exhilarating.

Relationships are about compromise, and that sacrificial gesture is a beautiful thing. But you know what else is pretty awesome? Being able to make all of your own decisions and discovering more about what makes you, you. After years of agreeing on restaurants, movies, and things to do, there was something so very liberating about making simple decisions by myself.

I've discovered that I’m a significantly happier person when I’m hiking or adventuring on the weekends instead of always watching Netflix on the couch. Or that I love a good laugh as much as the next girl, but what really lights my soul on fire is someone who is a great conversationalist. Time with yourself is like a childhood Easter egg hunt where you're constantly discovering treasure after treasure that holds a little surprise you were never aware of before. Eat up that delicious goodness. 

 

 

You are stronger than you think.

So many things are easier with two people involved: household chores, traveling logistics, car maintenance, the list goes on. So when those tasks you used to divide suddenly fall entirely on you, it can feel overwhelming (there's nothing like a flat tire weeks after a breakup to cue the tears and make you feel defeated). But if you can get past your emotions and self-pity, you quickly learn to suck it up and just get it done.

And suddenly, that self-pity turns to self-confidence. Because you just did that hard thing all by yourself (even if sometimes "by yourself" means asking or hiring someone to help). Channel that inner Olivia Pope badass, because you’ve got it handled.

 

You are already enough.

Whether we say it out loud or not, being in a relationship feels validating. It strokes our ego to have a companion that frequently reminds us that we’re loved, that we’re beautiful, or that we have a place in this world. But the reality is, you already are all of those things. And the more you are willing to sit with yourself and learn who you are (apart from anybody else), you will eventually start to look at yourself in the mirror every morning and know that it's true without needing anyone else to affirm it. 

 

More seasons lie ahead.

In the early days of my singleness, I found myself lamenting to a mentor about how alone I felt. I longed to someday have a family and be a wife, and it all felt suddenly so far away. She took my cheeks in her hands and squeezed them sternly. “You have the rest of your life to do that, my dear. But this is your season for adventure.” She then went on to tell me that while she adores her child and her husband, she appreciates them so much more because of the years she spent being single: living in London, exploring the world, and getting to know herself. “This time that you’re cursing under your breath will very likely be the same one you look back on so fondly someday,” she reminded me. "Don’t miss it."

This has been some of my very favorite advice, and it couldn't be more true. It's now been a year since I originally wrote this article and it has been a wonderful season of adventure. I started my own business. I lived in Europe (something I always said I hoped I'd do someday). I visited 11 different countries and saw more of the world than I ever have before. There is still a ton about my life that hasn't figured itself out yet, but again- more seasons lie ahead. I'm actually so incredibly thankful that my life didn't figure itself all out straight away. If it had, I highly doubt that I would have these experiences-- and they're the very best ones of my life so far. I can confidently say that whatever seasons are up next, I will be able to greet them as a better person because of what this one has taught me. 

So while I still look forward to all that lies ahead in my future, I’ve learned to genuinely cherish all that I have in the meantime (and not just the amazing travel and adventure). My cozy apartment is all mine and mine alone. I can still have sleepovers with my girlfriends at a moment’s notice (and when I'm in town, it happens pretty often). I can go to a yoga class just about anytime that I feel like it without needing to check in with anyone else. 

Now let's be clear: even with all the freedom I find so much joy in, I’m certainly not against relationships or judging you for your timelines. Hear me when I say that I’m absolutely excited to find love again someday. But I can say with confidence from what I’ve learned: Singleness is a sweet, beautiful place that's intended to be cherished, appreciated, and fully taken advantage of. It’s our time to become a better person for ourselves and the people we’ll end up with someday. So enjoy it. Drink up all it has to offer, and don’t leave a single drop behind. 

I hope you feel loved and encouraged this Valentine's Day, no matter what season you're in!