I’ve just returned home from the South of France, where I celebrated my 35th birthday a bit early, but in style. My best friend and I spent several nights in Paris, before heading to visit my friend Chelsea’s new home in Arles. Despite the heatwave, we spent the days walking around historic tiny towns, stopping into antique stores, and toasting to new friendships over luxuriously long and delicious dinners. (Of course, I will share all recs in an upcoming guide.)
In honor of my 35th, I’m sharing 35 lessons I’ve learned over the years: Some are standard hacks, while others serve as reminders to both you and me of how powerful travel can be.
In addition, through the end of August, annual subscriptions are on sale for $35—a 30% discount. I only do this sale twice a year, so if you’ve been considering upgrading, now’s the time to do so! To celebrate, all paid subscribers will be entered to win a $50 gift card to the vendor of your choice. Winner to be announced next Thursday.
Thank you for supporting Departure—which now reaches 4,000+ readers across 80+ countries—and for allowing me into your inbox every Thursday. I often am in disbelief that this is the life I get to lead, and am grateful for every second. Cheers to a new year of adventures. 🥂
Travel isn’t the same as a vacation, and vice versa. Expect to feel uncomfortable, spread thin, or exhausted—it’s not always meant to be convenient. But take it as an opportunity for new perspectives, challenges, and experiences, too.
Get familiar with your credit card benefits like car rental insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and emergency evacuations, and read the fine print. For all other coverage: Never skip travel insurance. Know the difference between the two…before you need it.
Be open to ideas that otherwise aren’t on your bucket list, like when a flight deal pops up that’s too good to pass up, or an invitation to a new-to-you destination. Many years ago, I hopped on the $179 flight deal from New York City to Milan, Prague, and Amsterdam, and it remains one of my most beloved memories.
You almost never need cash nowadays, but it never hurts to keep an ATM card on you (the Schwab card is my go-to—free and no ATM fees worldwide). Sarah forgot her wallet for France, and, with the exception of one gas station, used Tap to Pay the entire time. So, generally no need to panic as long as you have your IDs and a smartphone.
Carry a collapsible bag in your luggage, so you always have a back-up carry on if you need it. Read: When you’re shopping for souvenirs or home goods, and run out of room in your baggage. I recommend a duffle bag like this one.
spain, 2019 Know who you can travel with, whether that means going by yourself, joining a group trip as a solo attendee, planning with friends and family, or with your partner. Understanding how you travel best—and with whom—can change everything. More on this to come!
Research the communities you’re visiting, and understand what it means to be a respectful visitor. Follow local customs, dress appropriately, and so on. Learn the most ethical, sustainable, and impactful way to visit a destination, and be as mindful as possible.
Prepare a digital “security list” in case of emergencies: A private Google Drive folder with copies of your passport, visas, birth certificate, marriage certificates, trip insurance, your itinerary, your Known Traveler Number, and so on. Related: Be safe and prepared, but don’t lead with fear.
Trips can carry different meaning: Some are designed for healing, others are to push you. Know that they can dynamically change over time, too. Don’t expect one trip to check off every box of a fulfilling travel experience.
Follow best practices if you’re solo-traveling: Share your location with a loved one ahead of time, aim to land during daylight, prioritize convenience and safety over expenses. (You can find more here.)
india, 2025 Understand your limitations, and don’t feel guilty about them. While my travel partners would often prefer leisurely walking into town and ambling around for hours, I know my plantar fasciitis makes that near-impossible, so I no longer feel bad about opting for a rental car, needing frequent breaks, or limiting my plans for a day.
If you have a hard time with thermoregulation (for example, you sleep hot, or overheat easily in the sun), always pack layers, a cooling towel, and a portable fan. (See also, this meme.)
It might be against your nature—or even outside of your comfort zone—to take photos of yourself while away. Take them anyway. They are invaluable memories you’ll refer back to.
Pack as little as possible and go to a local laundromat. You’ll make new connections, understand a different culture a little better, and not worry about lugging around bags through airports, cobblestone streets, or up flights of stairs.
Don’t overthink your points strategy. Pick one airline, hotel, or loyalty program, and stick with it. Spending months optimizing doesn’t always pay off and it can detract from the actual joy of planning.
colombia, 2025 A trip can paradoxically be a great time to catch up on media. While I’m not home for the latest Netflix releases and often too busy elsewhere to catch the newest movie premiere like The Odyssey, I have time in transit to listen to podcasts, catch up on my email newsletter subscriptions during jet lag, or read a book while lounging poolside. Plan ahead accordingly.
Traveling with a partner teaches you more about a relationship than months at home: My now-husband and I ended up on a six-day trip together very early on in our relationship (a story for another day), but it gave us invaluable insights. How do you handle a missed train? How do they act in unfamiliar places with a language they may not know? What stresses them out?
There are non-negotiables you should always pack: a first aid kit, your wallet and IDs, chargers. But always bring snacks, hydration packs, or other necessities you require to feel “human” in case of delays, cancellations, or a lack of stores nearby. Maybe also some fiber and protein snacks, speaking from experience…
If you see someone being mistreated or unable to access a place, speak up and demand better. We all benefit when accessibility and service improve.
Day trips count as travel. Full stop. You don’t have to stay overnight somewhere, spend tons of money, or explore non-stop to enjoy the benefits of expanding your perspective.
kenya, 2021 Be a tourist in your own city or town. We tend to see our surroundings as routine, but there are plenty of spots we haven’t checked out before, or places we can look to with a new eye. Fall in love with where you live again and again.
Don’t take it personally if others don’t want to join you somewhere—there could be myriad reasons it’s not feasible. Don’t let it stop you, either; here are tips to ease into your first solo trip.
Most people are inherently good, kind, and want to be of assistance. Ask for help when you need it, despite anxiety, fear, or pride. This will often lead to even deeper connections to a place or to a community.
Expensive fine dining is rarely worth it. Hole-in-the-wall restaurants, pop-up booths, and home-cooked meals are the way to go, even if it means waiting longer or trusting a space that has limited presence online.
Build in solo time, especially if you’re an introvert like me. That could be a morning walk, a midday nap, or just staying in your room alone for 20 minutes before dinner. Decompression and space to recharge are, frankly, requirements, not “nice to haves.”
china, 2026 Remember you have free will. You can do what no one else wants to do, or might judge you for. I’m having my 35th birthday party at Medieval Times, because why not? Life is far too short to pass up on the things you actually want to enjoy.
Make the effort to learn more than “hello,” “please,” and “thank you.” Even a paltry attempt goes a long way with most communities. It’s worth downloading Google Translate to your phone, just in case.
You’ve earned the right to book the more convenient time or the better seat. You don’t have to book Basic Economy anymore, or take the 4AM flight to save $40. Your body, sanity, and schedule will thank you. (This one’s mostly a note to myself, if that’s not clear.)
Sometimes, the destination you dreamed of your whole life is a disappointment. See also: Greece in 2018. On the flip side, travels you enjoyed with minimal planning might have the best memories. Don’t over-plan, consider spontaneous ideas, and stick to just a few bookings a day—leave room for wonder.
Depth always beats breadth. Go back to the place you love, even if it means skipping a new country. You may be inspired by how much you’ve grown in the time since your last visit, and maybe how the destination has, too. It’s not always about racking up passport stamps.
kingston, ny, 2018 Deal with hormonal fluctuations? Plan around your cycle when possible, particularly if you’re flying across time zones. You may have a hard time adjusting or staying high-energy during your luteal phase.
Try public transit whenever possible. Stop by local markets. Pop into a nearby bodega. Ask a barista or bartender for one recommendation, go to that place and enjoy, then ask their team for your next recommendation. Embrace slow, deep travel.
Always set aside a “fun fund” aside from your overall budget: A guilt-free amount you can tap for last-minute expenses you want to splurge on. A festival ticket, reads at a bookstore, the cab instead of a 40-minute walk home.
Build in recovery time once you’re home. Take an extra day of PTO or fly home a day early overa weekend to catch up on rest, logistics, and errands, before going back to your everyday life. See rest as part of the itinerary.
Travel may offer you perspective, adventure, and expansion—but coming home also brings joy, comfort, and reflection. (And it’s where your dog is, too.)
📖 I finally finished Kin while in the south of France, after purposely reading it as slowly as I could to savor every moment. Please do yourself a favor and read this incredible work of fiction by Tayari Jones, especially if you enjoyed The Vanishing Half.
📚 On a related note, the New York Times released the best thrillers of the 21st Century. I’ve read 30% of the list, and can attest to most of them: #1 feels like an obvious choice given its influence in popular culture, but I was thrilled to see I Am Pilgrim, Magpie Murders, and The God of the Woods somewhat unexpectedly on here.
🙏 In addition to the safety tips I shared above, here are some others to consider (and that I hope you never need!). (@travelreddi)
💄 This foundation was the only makeup I brought with me to Europe, after being influenced by Grace Atwood, and it really is A+. Easy to apply, buildable coverage, and a subtle blurring effect. You can use code HENAH20 for 20% off.
😬 Yikes. Emily Sundberg shared travel journalist Ryan Walker’s latest experience at the Aman hotel at Amanvari and it was…concerning, to say the least. Aman hasn’t responded to him either, though they turned off comments on their recent Instagram post. Luxury travel doesn’t always equal a positive experience.
🎶 Love music? These eight experiences were made with you in mind. In my opinion, it’s only missing a New Orleans tour. (National Geographic)
See you next week! —Henah x
That first point is so true. Travel and vacation aren’t always the same thing. Leaving a little buffer around flights, connections, and arrival days can make a huge difference between being pleasantly tired and completely exhausted.
Henah! This is so good!! Thank you for the tips and Happy Birthday!!