A Complete Guide to Summer 2023 Travel

With nearly 85 percent of Americans planning to travel this summer, it’s important to be prepared for whatever the season may bring. Here are some tips and tricks from travel professionals to help summer travel be less stressful:

How to Properly Leave Your Room Before Checking Out

Once a hotel stay comes to an end, guests often rush to pack and get on the road or head to the airport. The frantic rush often means we accidentally leave things behind. In order to avoid that, Jean Paul Jules, executive housekeeper, Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, recommends guests pull the sheets evenly on the bed and look inside the garbage can to check for personal items. To make it easier for you and the staff once you check out, leave all the drawers open to make sure you’ve got everything.

How to Travel with Kids

Travel with kids can be hard, but booking a trip to a family-friendly destination like Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, can help. Parents even have the chance to talk with a local mom to gather insight and suggestions before or during their trip. Destin local Rob Hansill, captain, L4K Charters and dad of two, suggests setting up activities around a kid’s nap schedule, especially if they’re staying active on the water. “When getting on out on the water on vacation, a tip for families is to work with a charter that is flexible with your departure times. A captain that is willing to coordinate with nap times and what works best for the family will make for a fun and enjoyable trip. This allows for an experience perfect for each individual family,” advised Captain Hansill.

How to Save Your Budget from Unexpected Travel Delay Expenses

This year may be the summer of travel delays thanks to higher demand, unpredictable weather and a shortage of air traffic controllers. Daniel Durazo, director of external communications, Allianz Travel Insurance, shares the best way to prepare for a potential delay is to pack entertainment options and snacks, as well as consider purchasing travel insurance with delayed coverage. Feeding the family in airport terminals can get expensive, but travel delay coverage may help cover these costs and offset unexpected charges for taxi rides or hotel rooms. Travel delay coverage comes with terms and conditions on how long travelers need to be delayed before it kicks in.

How to Prepare for Unexpected Weather

Sensible Weather offers Weather Guarantees, which fully reimburses guests when inclement weather gets in the way of booked experiences. While weather isn’t guaranteed, Sensible Weather can help make the best of a bad situation by effectively making a ruined vacation free, so travelers can take a rain check for travel without losing money. Founder Nick Cavanaugh, PHD, firmly believes optimism is the only way to adapt and deal with challenges in life. “All we can do is solve problems as they pop up, so that’s kind of the ethos to the business – remain positive and optimistic,” said Cavanaugh. “With our Weather Guarantees, instead of consumers being bummed that the thing they had planned got rained out, they can shift their mindset and do something else and they’re happy – or if it wasn’t as good as it could have been, at least free.”

How to Save Money While Traveling

For travelers looking for ways to experience the best of Europe, a&o Hostels offers a way to help travelers spend their money on experiences rather than costly accommodations. Hostels are great for travelers trying to make the most out of summer plans because they offer affordable, accessible and central accommodations throughout Europe. A&o Hostels offer single and family rooms, providing more privacy and room.