Resources
This curated collection of my favorite tools and tips will help you travel smarter and more intentionally — from booking flights with points to finding boutique stays and unforgettable food experiences. Everything here is designed to make planning easier, so you can focus on the good stuff.
Travel Planning
Find flights, accommodations, and transport options to simplify your journey.
Points & Miles
My Favorite Travel Credit Cards: Credit card rewards have completely transformed how I travel. These are the cards I recommend if you want to earn points faster
Free Beginner’s Guide to Using Points: New to points and miles? This free guide walks you through how to earn and redeem points strategically—without spending extra.
Seats.aero: My go-to tool for finding award seat availability
Points & Miles Coaching: Want a custom strategy? I’ll help you turn your everyday spending into business class flights with a tailored plan for earning and booking smarter.
Accommodation
Booking.com: My go-to platform for finding boutique and locally owned hotels with flexible cancellation and helpful reviews.
Tour Providers
GetYourGuide: Book vetted tours, skip-the-line tickets, and unique experiences in destinations around the world
Viator: A wide range of tours, from walking guides to full-day excursions—great for planning in advance
Secret Food Tours: Small-group food tours in cities across the globe, led by locals who know their stuff
Culinary Backstreets: Deep-dive food tours that go beyond touristy bites to explore culture through cuisine
Transportation
Omio: Compare and book trains, buses, and flights across Europe in one simple search
Ferryhopper: The easiest way to book ferries with real-time schedules and mobile tickets
Discover cars: Compare rental car prices from global and local providers with free cancellation
Smart Travel Tools
My go-to apps and tools for smooth, stress-free travel.
Google Maps: I always download offline maps before a trip and use the “Saved” feature to mark restaurants, hotels, and points of interest. It makes navigating on the ground so much easier
Google Translate: Incredibly handy in so many situations. Pro tip: the camera feature is a game-changer for translating menus, signs, and product labels in real time
Pimsleur: – My favorite language learning app. It’s audio-based, so it’s easy to practice on walks or while commuting. My husband used it for our Japan trip and retained a surprising amount of Japanese
Yesim: A great option for staying connected without swapping SIM cards. Yesim offers eSIM data plans you can activate digitally in most countries — ideal for checking maps, making reservations, and staying online with ease.
WhatsApp: My go-to for messaging hotels, local drivers, and tour guides. It’s widely used around the world and often the fastest way to get in touch, especially in places where texting or calling might not work.
iPhone Calculator (Currency Converter): If you’re using an iPhone with iOS 17 or later, the Calculator app now has a built-in unit and currency converter. Just type in the amount, tap it, and choose your conversion — no separate app needed. A quick, seamless way to check prices while you’re on the go.
Packing Essentials
Pack smart with my favorite travel gear
