Travel Tips + Packing Lists Archives

November 20, 2018

Christmas in Chicago: 7 Reasons To Visit the Windy City During the Holiday Season

There is something so magical about Chicago during the holiday season. Christmas in Chicago means lights soften the everyday hustle, greenery gives life to the gray skies and glittery storefront displays dazzle passersby. Not only was the Windy City recently voted #1 Best Big City in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler’s 2018 Reader’s Choice awards, it also is America’s most asked about city according to Expedia in December 2017. I recently visited this award-winning destination and wanted to share with you 7 reasons why you should visit the Windy City during the holiday season. Pin this to save for later! Disclaimer: I am not a super excitable person. It takes a lot to make my heart flutter, so when you see me jumping up and down joyfully, you know something amazing has happened. A few weeks ago, the Illinois Office of Tourism reached out to see if I wanted to visit the Windy City in exchange for helping to promote travel to the area during the upcoming holiday season. Here’s where my eyes got big, heart grew full and head went a little dizzy…my first out-of-state press trip! Back when I started ByTravelandError.com in 2016, I dreamt of opportunities […]

November 1, 2018

Nine Creative Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

Oh me, oh my…how is it November? The fall always seems to fly by and before you know it, Christmas is here. If you are already starting to fret about gift-giving, here are nine creative gift ideas for travel lovers in your life. I have either asked for the below items myself or they are currently on my own wish list (hint, hint). Happy shopping and gifting! Pin this to save for later! Nine Creative Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers 1. Gift a globe: I have my grandfather’s globe in my living room, as well as a thrifted globe from the Cleveland Flea in my office. Just looking at them make me happy and inspire me to travel more! Our world is big and there are so many places to see. An alternative would be a map. My Aunt Sharon recently bought me a map from PushPinTravelMaps.com and I have loved putting the push pins where I’ve been and where I dream to go. 2. Plan a nearby weekend road-trip: Some people love to plan out their trips (me!), while others despise the detail work. For the past two years, I’ve given this gift to my parents and they’ve really […]

October 21, 2018

How to Save Money on Accommodation

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

Source: Pixabay This year, the world’s third-largest airline in terms of revenue, United Airlines, added more low-cost options for their flights. Good news like this is always welcome for travelers, although that’s just a small part of a bigger picture. Traveling in general still has a long way to go in terms of being an affordable hobby. Like airfare, accommodation can still be financially draining. You need to time things right as well as other variables to help you prepare to make the most out of your budget. By Travel and Error previously shared some tips on how to save money on airfare. This time, let’s look at how to do the same on accommodation. Location is key According to research by the National Academy of Sciences, the locations of medium and large hotels are mainly related to land prices and their proximity to local attractions. These factors affect their rates, so look for accommodation in less crowded areas, especially if your destination has good public transport systems. Adding a few more minutes of travel time and small transit fees may be worth trading for big savings on hotel expenses. Travel during the shoulder season The shoulder season refers to […]

July 19, 2018

Travel Tips For Sports Fans In Ohio

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

Sports can offer some of the best reasons to travel in the United States. That’s not to say you need to be obsessed with sports to get the most out of your travel experiences. But the U.S., broadly speaking, cares so much about different sports at all different levels that there are truly incredible experiences all across the country. Whether it’s because you’ll be witnessing an enthusiastic crowd, seeing a great team, or even enjoying a pretty stadium, there are lots of reasons to include sports as a consideration in your travel planning. And in line with that reasoning, I’ve put together a list of the best sporting experiences you can have while traveling to (or through) Ohio. MLS at MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus The MLS may not be considered among the “major” sports leagues of the United States. But soccer is getting more popular, and should continue to do so with the U.S. now slated to host the 2026 World Cup. As it happens, the Columbus Crew has become one of the more well-known franchises in American soccer, and plays its matches at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus. It’s noteworthy in that it was one of America’s first soccer-specific stadiums, […]

May 23, 2018

Seven Healthy & Convenient Foods to Pack For Airline Travel

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

It happens to everyone. You tell yourself, “I will NOT buy Cinnabon, Starbucks, McDonalds (insert your favorite fast food here), etc. at the airport. I’ll wait to eat something when I get to my final destination.” What actually happens? You get stressed out via TSA and airport security, the person next to you is munching on french fries, and when the smells of a bold roast and cinnamon-y, frosted goodness greets your nose, you drop $20 and buy that treat. I’ve found that a good way to combat this bad habit is to pack healthy, convenient and delicious snacks in your carry on. Below are seven foods to pack for airline travel that you will almost always find in my purse. Seven Healthy & Convenient Foods to Pack For Airline Travel Nuts: I tend to buy the pre-packaged snack size packs so that I don’t overeat. This is a great source of protein! Energy bars: My friend Jenna introduced me to RXBars and I love the berry flavor. They are a bit pricey, but with 12 grams of protein in each bar, I’m okay with the extra $$ spent. Cheese sticks: Cheese is actually supposed to be served at room […]

July 6, 2017

My (Almost) 2 Week Europe Trip Itinerary & Planning Tips

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists/Trip Itineraries

Happy summer, friends! After almost a 2 month hiatus from writing blog posts, I’m back! 🙂 Life gets busy and unfortunately blogging is one of the first things to go when that happens to me. I’m sure many of you can relate. Anyways, quite a lot has happened since the last time I wrote a post. More specifically, I went to Europe and back! About two years ago, my good friends Rachel & Jared up and moved their lives to the UK. I asked Rachel before she left, “If I come visit you in London, can we take a trip to Greece too?” Her answer was yes, of course. How do you say no to Greece!? Well yes, it is expensive, and yes, I did use up almost all my vacation time for this trip…but it was worth it! When else will I have good friends living abroad? I kept telling myself this and decided that yes, I needed to go and it needed to happen this summer. With that being said, I wanted to share my trip itinerary with you, as well as a few planning tips. In upcoming posts, I’ll share more specifics (and pictures!) about each city […]

March 27, 2017

Adulting 101: What To Pack In Your Carry On

Adulting 101 Series/Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

If you’ve never lost your luggage, you don’t know the anxiety that one feels while waiting around the baggage carousel and not seeing your belongings appear. The first time I lost my suitcase I was at the Fayetteville/Bentonville airport in Arkansas on a business trip. As I stood impatiently at carousel 4, I noticed that bags were dwindling and mine was nowhere to be seen. That’s when it hit me that I hadn’t packed an extra set of clothes OR my makeup OR my toiletries in my carry on. Then a wave of panic rolled over me as I spoke to the airport attendant and realized I wouldn’t be getting my bags until tomorrow afternoon…AFTER my presentation. Did I mention I was wearing athletic clothes? Granted, they were my “nice athletic clothes”, but definitely not appropriate for the conference I was presenting at early the next morning. After that trip, I realized what was essential to pack in my carry on (and wear on a business trip flight). If you don’t want to learn this lesson a hard way, I suggest you read part IV of my Adulting 101 series on what to pack in your carry on! P.S. An awesome giveaway is detailed at […]

February 20, 2017

10 Tips on How To Plan the Perfect Girls Getaway Weekend

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

Two weeks ago I spent my Saturday afternoon strolling around JCPenney’s and ended the evening sitting around a high top table at Outback Steakhouse in Charleston, West Virginia. Yep, I was enjoying one of the best weekends I can remember in a long time because I was on a quick girls getaway with four of the greatest gals I know. You’re probably thinking, “Why Charleston, WV?” Don’t worry, I asked myself the same question :). The answer is that this city is smack dab in the middle of Charlotte, NC and Cleveland, OH which is where my friends and I call home. While Charleston, WV is not the trendiest option for a girls getaway weekend (neither is dining at Outback Steakhouse), I was reminded of the fact that it really doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing, it matters who you are with. Regardless of where you are going to explore, I’ve come up with the below ten tips on how to plan the perfect girls getaway weekend. I hope that you send this post to a group of your best friends and use the below ideas to plan your next reunion! Treat yo’self, ladies! 10 Tips on How […]

January 9, 2017

Five Tips on How to Maximize Your Limited Vacation Time

Travel/Travel Tips + Packing Lists

An article recently popped up in my inbox entitled, “How To Work Only 40 Hours A Week This Year” and it made me want to scream. Why are we so zeroed in on work? Why is there such pressure to work > 40 hours per week?! Your life, identity and purpose should not be solely focused on your career…even if you love what you are doing! You are not 100% defined by your job. Period. The funny thing is though, a majority of us will spend most of our waking hours at our jobs. {Insert sigh} One of the benefits that most full-time employees enjoy is paid time off. If you’re like me (and millions of others), that time is short but sweet. I get two weeks of paid vacation. While I’m grateful for that time off, I’ll be the first one to tell you that between weddings/bachelorette parties/showers, sickness, and a myriad of other “life” reasons, two weeks off really turns into one week off. I’m sure many of you can relate! In order to actually take a vacation, I have learned to be crafty…and very organized. Below are five tips on how to maximize your limited vacation time. Five Tips on […]

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