How to Plan the best Vaca... EVER!

So, its almost the amazingly dreadful time of year. You know, the time when your super happy but really sad and nervous. When you want to be flawless but look effortless. It's the infamous "back to school" conundrum. 

You may be just starting college or getting ready to send the children off to school as they begin their journey into adulthood. Wherever you fall on this scale you have time. Time for what you ask, oh just to book the most amazing vacation ever!!! 

While most people are getting ready for back to school, I am getting ready for vacations. That's right I'm in travel planning mode and you can be as well. It's not too hard or overly complicated. In fact most websites or apps make it quite easy to book. 

Here is a quick and carefree guide to booking an amazing vacation. 

1. Pick your travel date/s 
You have to decide if you wan thanksgiving with the parents or Christmas in Cannes. Maybe you want to be close for the holdays so spring break is more ideal. Once you have your dates you can move to step 2. 

2. Pick a location 
In my opinion this is by far the hardest step. There are so many places in the world to explore how can you just pick one? Ummm easy, don't! You can book more than one vacation, or extend your vacation by having multiple destinations (it's not as expensive as the 'cha-ching' sound in your head is implying)

Looking for winter wonders check out this cool link 
Looking for Summer in the winter like me? Heat it up here

3. Book the flight/s
Now, this can be a bit overwhelming but I'll share my personal tricks for success. 


 I use hopper, this phone application is absolutely amazing. I select my dates and location/s and it notifies me when the flights are at their lowest and/or the highest. I fly to Japan round trip for less than $800!!!! Yea, you read that correctly. This application is my travel friend! Well, if apps had the capacity to maintain friendships (shrugs). 

I also LOVE LOVE LOVE JetBlue! They ALWAYS have travel deals on flights. Now, is the perfect time to take advantage. There's one way flights to Aruba from New York for less than $200 p/p! Don't believe me? Check it out below.

These are my two faves but there's more especially if you choose all-inclusive. Speaking of that let's detour..

3a. If you choose all inclusive cause you want tropical/carribean vibes. Here are some great websites to help with that. 

Cheap Carribean- it's the first site I used to book an all-inclusive vacation. They have an abundance of options, pick the country, pick the hotels and you can choose the amenities you want. It's AWESOOMMMEE! (and my personal go to when lookin for a quick getaway) 

Bookit- is also another great website. There are all sorts of great ways to save on this site. There are several ways to refine your search and get that perfect vacation!

4. Pick a hotel/Bed and breakfast or Air BNB: because Europe doesn't offer all-inclusive 

This step is usually the easiest for me. I know what my comforts are and what I like to have when I travel. Therefore, hotels are easier for me but, like most things this comes with time and learning through mistakes. 

Here's some options to help with those mistakes:

cheaphotels.org has super inexpensive deals for local and international destinations. The best part is, its NOT just hotels! Yes, that's right, there are apartments, rooms and homes for rent. So you can really pick what you like and not break the bank. 

TripAdvisor.com- is a great place to start if you are not sure what kind of hotel you are looking for. Once you find the hotel, you can check out other sites to see which one has the best rates for the dates of your choice. 

Often, times it might be best to book directly with the hotel. As they ay have special rates and offers not advertised on third party websites. 

Hey! Guess what? Once you finish those simple steps you've done it! That's right you booked your perfect vacation. 

Now, the only thing left to do is save the date and get ready to lice your best life. 

Let me know what places you use to book your vacations in the comments. 

Thanks for stopping by and Traveling with May

Passport... How do I get it?

I'm often asked about my travels. Where do I go? How do I decide, but most frequently is, where to begin?

There's a great big world out there and how are you supposed to know where to start your journey. It's simple, GET A PASSPORT! I'm sure some may be wondering why a passport is needed if they only want to stay local or they don't plan on flying because they prefer cruises.  FYI: you still need a passport for cruises depending on the destination(s).

Passport applications seem overwhelming and unnecessary but, they are an added layer of trip security when traveling and a one stop guarantee to any destination.

Let's make this as simple as possible:

Simply search "passport application" in your preferred search engine and click the link for "How to apply for a passport". The main page shows it's 5 simple steps!

1. Go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html
2. You'll see this image 

The step by step directions are right below:

How to Apply for a Passport

Need an overview of how to apply for a passport? Start here!

Getting a Passport

1. Fill out your form

2. Collect your supporting documents

3. Get your photo

4. Calculate your fees

5. Submit!

It's not a scary process... and for the first time applicants you have to appear  in person (I know, I know, sad face) but when you renew, it can be done online.

So, here is the run down for requirements for in person applications:
1. Fill out your form:

• Applying for the first time 
• Children under 16 applying or renewing 
• Applicants 16-17 
• Anyone not eligible for Form DS-82

You can complete the application online and print it out (that is what I did). Not too bad so far, right? 

2. Make sure you have all the ORIGINAL documents needed (call/visit mom/dad to let them know you need them)

• Fully-valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
• U.S. birth certificate that meets the following requirements: 
• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
• Lists your full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Lists your parent(s)' full names
• Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
• Has the registrar's signature
• Has the seal of the issuing authority
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship

If you cannot submit one of the above acceptable documents. or for more information please see Citizenship Evidence.

Next we are taking a trip to the United States Postal Service. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure this is a USPS that processes passport applications before you get on the line. Simply do another search or go to https://www.usps.com/international/passports.htm. One great benefit to applying at a USPS is you can have your photo taken there too! Remember, no hats, smiles or sunglasses. Do you feel overwhelmed? I hope not, because once you hand in all your documents... you are finished.

Oh, one more thing, they keep the original birth certificate. Don't panic! They return it with the passport in the mail. Just make sure you have copies for the interim. 

Lastly, you must wait a few (4-6) weeks before that beautiful blue book arrives in the mail.

There, you did it! Now you can begin Traveling with May