Dec 5, 2025 Written By Lance Parcell
Years of travel — military, personal, and professional — have taught me one thing: the little things make or break a trip. It’s not the big plans or the fancy luggage that keep you sane, it’s the small habits and practical prep that help when everything else goes sideways.
Here are a few small things I’ve learned to do that make every trip just a little smoother.
1. Keep Documents Close and Current
I always make sure our passports and travel documents are packed in a carry-on bag, never checked. It sounds simple, but it’s the one thing that can derail a trip before it starts. And yes, always check the expiration dates before you leave — not the night before.
2. Pack Smart (and Pack for Reality)
My backpack is my survival kit. It always includes extra charging cables, battery banks (for those airports with two working outlets for 300 people), and a few basics: small flashlight, earplugs, Clorox wipes, Tylenol, antacids, and bandages. Oh, and a toothbrush and toothpaste — because nothing feels worse than stale airport breath at hour twelve.
The one thing I never forget: prescription meds. Always double-check them. Forget a shirt, you can buy one. Forget your medication, and the trip changes fast.
3. Respect the Travel Process
I always check in the moment it opens. It can make the difference between being seated and being bumped. It’s also the best time to see if upgrades are available before everyone else catches on.
I plan for delays and build extra time into my connections. Sometimes things just happen — like my recent missed connection. The trick is to stay calm. It’s not the gate agent’s fault, and frustration won’t get you home faster. Most of the time, they’re doing their best to fix it.
4. Know Your Limits on Arrival
Landing after a red-eye and then driving for hours? Not smart. If we arrive tired, we head to the hotel, find food, and get rest. Fatigue is one of the fastest ways to ruin a vacation.
If you’re traveling far or internationally, it’s worth flying in a day or two early — especially for cruises. That buffer gives your body time to recover and your mind time to reset.
5. Learn Through Local Eyes
When visiting a new port or destination, we always look for local guides. They bring history and culture to life in ways you won’t find online.
Ask questions — good ones — but keep it respectful. Avoid politics, religion, or anything too personal, especially in mixed groups. Curiosity is great; intrusion isn’t.
6. Manage Airport Stress Before It Manages You
Let’s be honest: airports are pressure cookers. Nobody loves them. I’ve learned to mentally prepare for the waiting, the noise, and the crowd. I assume I’ll be tired when I arrive, and I plan around that.
A calm traveler is a smart traveler. Or, as we used to say in the Marines: improvise, adapt, and overcome.
7. Don’t Over-Plan
It’s fine to research a destination, but don’t script every minute of your trip. Things will change — weather, delays, local schedules. Leave room to explore and to rest.
8. Flexibility Beats Perfection
Every trip goes off-plan somehow. A missed tour, a canceled flight, a sudden storm. When it happens, adapt. That’s part of the adventure. Sometimes the best memories are made on the unplanned days.
9. Respect the Moment
When you finally arrive — whether it’s a beach, a historic site, or the deck of a ship — take a second to breathe. All the travel hassle, all the lines and delays, were worth it to stand right there.
10. Remember Why You’re There
Don’t let logistics steal the joy. The goal isn’t to move perfectly through the world; it’s to experience it. Be aware, be respectful, and remember that every trip is a chance to see life from another angle.
