Ivana De Domenico

Dr. Ivana De Domenico and Her Featured Writings

Rockin’ Road Trip Guide

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Ivana De Domenico- Rockin' road trip guide

In an accompanying blog post, I offered a guide of some of the most scenic drives in America. There are gorgeous views all over the country, and all it takes to experience them is the will, a car, and enough gasoline to make the journey. However, I’d be lying if I were to gloss over the fact that travel can be stressful, especially when you’re trapped in close quarters with people for long periods of time; it’s easy to grow irritable and people who started out as friends could turn into nuisances by the end of the trip.

Whether you’re traveling with friends or family this summer, and whether your road trip is the star attraction or merely the path to your vacation spot, follow these tips for a fun, stress-less road trip!

1. Research the route- Make sure you’re prepared before heading out by mapping your route. Know which roads you want to take to avoid running into boring or high-traffic areas, know which attractions you want to hit up, and know where you can stop for gas. Luckily, paper maps are a thing of the past and there are a plethora of travel apps available to help you map out your route.

2. Clean out your car- No one wants to ride for hours on end in a dirty car. Spare yourself the embarrassment and clear your car of the all the gum wrappers, fast food bags, and pet hair that accumulate over time.

3. Pack plenty of snacks- Stopping to eat every few hours can really take a toll on your wallet and also cuts into time you could devote to other activities. Make the most out of your time and money, and pack snacks that everyone enjoys so that when hunger hits, you’re covered. Some easy snacks that can be eaten in the car include bottled water, chips/nuts, cheese sticks, granola bars, and cut veggies.

4. Bring a camera- Just about everyone owns a smartphone, so it’s probably a given that you have a camera on hand. Be sure to put it to use and capture priceless memories along the way.

5. Don’t overpack- no one wants to be stuck in an overstuffed car for hours. Have everyone in your travel party limit themselves to one bag so that everything fits in the car neatly and no one feels cramped and uncomfortable.

6. Have some go-to games and music- It is especially important, if you’re traveling with children, to keep them entertained. Avoid the notorious “Are we there yet?” with an arsenal of classic travel games such as a scavenger hunt or license plate-spotting game. You can’t go wrong with a mix of your favorite tunes either- crank up the volume and have a sing-along!

7. Get your vehicle inspected before the trip- The most important item on your road trip checklist should be to get your vehicle inspected, as failing to do so could be dangerous. Take your car to a mechanic to make sure its brakes, fluid levels, wiper blades, and tires are in top shape and make sure that your vehicle is equipped with emergency supplies such as a spare tire and jumper cables.

Tips to Avoid Overpacking

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Ivana de Domenico- Tips to Avoid Overpacking

As a woman who travels a lot, I’ve had to learn how to cut back on what I bring. With airlines such as United Airlines getting stricter about their carry-on regulations and airports in general enforcing tighter security, it is especially important that you know how to avoid overpacking. There are certain essentials for any trip that you’ll want to make sure you include, but if you follow these tips, I think you’ll find that there are many items you can afford to leave behind.

If you’re traveling on a plane you should, of course, be aware of the carry-on limitations, such as the maximum dimensions for carry-on bags (9”x 14”x 22”), prohibited items, and the liquids rule established by the TSA. Nevertheless, whether you’re escaping for a week-long getaway to an exotic destination or just an overnight trip, there are some general guidelines you can follow for a smarter, less-stress packing experience. Why lug a giant suitcase around and practically throw your back out hoisting it into your trunk or onto the baggage check conveyor belt when you end up using only half of what you brought? Follow these simple tips and you’ll be an expert packer in no time!

 

  • Tip 1: Plan your outfits ahead of time for every day of your vacation and pack one extra. Instead of aimlessly throwing shirts and pants into your suitcase, actually put pieces together and pack one extra outfit just in case of an emergency (spills, rips, etc.). Certain pieces of clothing, such as jeans, can be worn more than once. You will save yourself a lot of space and also a lot of anxiety over whether or not you’ve remembered everything if you plan ahead.

 

  • Tip 2: Make a list. Again, to save yourself from unnecessary stress, make a checklist of everything you absolutely need for your trip. If you’re unsure about something, then you probably don’t need it, but if it helps, you can divide your list into sections- definitely and maybe, for instance- and cross off items as you go.

 

  • Tip 3: Check the weather before you go. There’s no sense in taking up extra space and weight in your suitcase with heavy, bulky clothing if it’s going to be 80 degrees and sunny wherever you’re going. There’s a glorious invention called the internet that allows you to check the day-to-day weather predictions several months into the future.

 

  • Tip 4: Use organizers. Organizers are your travel buddy when it comes to efficient packing- this is what they were made for! Use a separate pouch for your toiletries, makeup, and jewelry to save space and keep your things organized.

 

  • Tip 5: Give yourself plenty of time. Trust me, you do NOT want to make the mistake of scrambling to pack your bags an hour before you have to leave to catch your flight. That just creates unnecessary stress! Have your bag completely packed (zipped and ready to go) at least the night before you leave so you won’t impulsively toss in excessive items in your haste to leave on time.

 

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