Category

Shop

Category

Thanksgiving can be one of the most fun times of year. It’s a chance to gather with family and friends and share some home cooked food. For many, this will be one of the first times seeing some family since the quarantine of 2020, so be sure to plan ahead and getting all your travel elements booked ahead of time. Below are some Thanksgiving travel tips on booking hotels, flights, and cars, as well as some links to view my 4 hand-selected Thanksgiving themed shopping lists.

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. For more info, please see my affiliate disclaimer.

What to Pack
What to Bring
Hosting Dinner
Kids

When to Book Hotels

Book hotels as early as possible. With everyone eager to get out of the house during their holiday time off, hotels are booking up quick. I recommend using Expedia or Hotels.com to find the best available pricing. Most hotels these days have an expedited contactless check in. Be sure to check and see if your hotel has an app to streamline the check in and out process.

Expedia.com

How to Book Your Flights

Check and double airline details. If looking to purchase airfare, be sure to check the airline’s change options should you need to change your travel plans. Airlines with flexible offers are best in today’s world where covid restrictions and travel guidelines change frequently. Prepay your luggage fees ahead of time and be sure to do the online check-in 24 hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth airport experience. Stick to a carry-on sized bag to avoid having to check in larger luggage. This will reduce time spent waiting in airport lines and eliminate any risk of an airline losing your bag. Check my inflight travel essentials for carry-on packing tips. 

Rental Car Tips

Plan ahead and book car rentals ahead of time. Car rental prices are skyrocketing these days due to car rental shortages all around the US caused by the pandemic. Be sure to book in advance while there are still cars available. Check the rental’s change policies to ensure flexibility in your travel plans. 

Why You Should Book Travel Insurance

I always recommended travel insurance, even before the pandemic. These days you just can’t be too careful. Depending on where you’re traveling and what you’ll be doing, be sure to check your insurance options. Also always be sure to read the terms and conditions and FAQ’s to make sure you’re covered for all the right reasons.

What to Bring on Your Trip

  • Traveling for Thanksgiving? Check out my hand-selected items that I recommend Packing for Thanksgiving Travel. Browse my shopping list of things like back-up power banks, vaccine card holders, and packing cubes.
  • Wondering what to bring to your dinner event this year? Browse my shopping list of What to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner to get tips on gifts, game ideas, and useful containers for transporting those precious deserts and appetizers.
  • Are you the host of Thanksgiving dinner this year? Lucky you. Check out my shopping list for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner to get some fresh decor and table setting ideas to your delight your dinner guests.
  • Planning to have kids around this Thanksgiving? Check out my shopping list for Thanksgiving With Kids to browse Thanksgiving games, activities, and other items to keep them busy while you enjoy your dinner and adult time.

Pin for Later: Thanksgiving Travel Tips

Pinterest Pin: Thanksgiving Travel Tips
Save to Pinterest: Thanksgiving Travel Tips

Going on a summer vacation is the perfect excuse for buying a new and fabulous sun hat. Whether you’re heading out to the beach, lounging by the pool, or taking a city tour, it’s important to protect your skin and keep the sun out of your eyes. Having a cute hat is also an awesome bonus for your vacation photos. Below you’ll find my top picks and styles for summer vacation hats.

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. For more info, please see my affiliate disclaimer.

Summer Straw Hat with Ribbon

Perfect hat for a beach day on a summer vacation. Something about a giant floppy hat can make anyone feel fabulous. Straw sun hats are perfect for hot days because they are lightweight and breathable. Tip: Switch out the ribbon with different colors to match your outfit.


Black Summer Straw Hat

Whenever I go on a summer vacation, I am sure to pack at least one light hat and one dark hat. The dark shade will catch more sun, but the straw material makes it breathable.


Embroidered Summer Straw Hat

What better than a statement hat than one with a statement literally on it? These are perfect for photo opps by the pool or beach. There are other options like “Just Chillin,” “Always on Vacay,” or “Just Married.”


Photos above were taken in Death Valley National Park. Left photo is from Badwater Basin Salt Flats and right photo is from Artist’s Palette.

Wide Brim Sun Hat with Lanyard

For the adventurer. Some occasions call for a hat strap, whether it’s hiking, kayaking, or exploring a new city. This one also comes in many colors.


Flat, Wide Brim Hat

By Gigi Pip. These flat, wide brim hats are my go to. They go with just about any outfit. This option comes in multiple colors. Gigi Pip is a solid brand with good quality that will last.


Wool Felt Cap

By Gigi Pip. These fabulous felt caps are super cute dressed up or down. The wool is a thick material, which will keep the sun out of your eyes on your summer vacation, and the light color helps keep things cool.

Summer Vacation: The Perfect Time for a Fabulous Sun Hat

I always recommend packing at least one dark hat and one light hat to match your outfit. Foldable hats are great to make your packing easy. Or you can always just wear the hat or clip it onto your luggage. Happy shopping!

Pin it For Later:

Fabulous Sun Hats for a Summer Vacation
Save to Pinterest: Fabulous Sun Hats for a Summer Vacation

Shopping for Your Upcoming Trip?

Want to know what’s in my camera bag? Here are the details on what equipment I pack for my trips. When choosing travel blogging photography gear, I tend to choose things that are practical and lightweight, designed perfectly for tossing into your bag and moving on to find that next perfect shot.

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. For more info, please see my affiliate disclaimer.

My Favorite Photography Items

Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with SELP1650 Lens (Top Choice for Travel Blogging Photography Gear)

This is my go to camera. It weighs only about one pound. It has customizable settings as well as automatic features. There is a bluetooth option to share to your phone, perfect for social media posting on the go.

This option comes with an awesome lens, and, in my experience, it is the only lens I’ve really needed when photographing for my travel blog. Definitely my top recommendation when shopping photography gear.


Camera Strap with Neoprene Strap, Accessory Pockets, and Quick Release Buckles

This camera strap is comfortable on your neck, and comes in a variety of patterns and colors. I love the two little pockets on the strap for my extra batteries and SD cards, and I find the quick release buckles very handy for when I want to quickly switch to the tripod.


SanDisk 128GB Extreme SD Card (Essential Choice for Travel Blogging Photography Gear)

I use this SD card with my Sony A6000 camera, and always keep a back up on hand in case I need extra space. These come in various memory capacity options, ranging from 16 GB to 256 GB. I personally find the 128 GB size to be big enough to hold hundreds of high quality photos. To me, packing plenty of photo space is essential in my travel blogging photography gear.

Using my Sony A6000 camera, essential in my travel blogging photography gear
Using my Sony Alpha A6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera

Lightweight Camera Mount Tripod Stand With Bag

I chose this tripod because it is lightweight. It is the Amazon Basics brand and is relatively inexpensive. It is easy to use, and I love that it folds down and comes with a carrying case. I’ve found that a tripod is an essential piece of travel blogging photography gear because it allows you to set up those perfect shots, and also is key when traveling solo.


Camera Battery Charger Set, 2-Pack

This camera battery charger works perfectly with my Sony Alpha A6000 Camera, and comes with 2 extra batteries. I always charge all 3 of my batteries the night before a shoot, and it gives me more than enough charge to last all day. I like that this charger is USB powered, perfect for plugging in anywhere, or using with a back up power bank.


Portable Power Bank & Back Up Charger (Smartest Choice for Travel Blogging Photography Gear)

This is always in my camera bag when packing up my travel blogging photography gear. This helps me charge my camera batteries when needed, and also is helpful if my phone or other electronics need a back up charge.


Snaptain SP500 Foldable Drone with GPS

This is my newest addition to my travel blogging photography gear. I did a lot of research and chose this drone as having the best value. I am a beginner drone user, so I wanted one with great options and quality video but that wasn’t too expensive (just in case I accidentally fly it into a tree).

It is lightweight and folds down. It has awesome features like drawing its flight path, having it return to home, and the ability send content straight to your phone. I also love the follow me option, which is perfect if you’re traveling solo.

Yosemite Tunnel View while carrying a backpack full of travel blogging photography gear
Always carrying a backpack of photography gear.

Camera Backpack (To Hold all Your Travel Blogging Photography Gear)

This camera backpack has quality fabric with a rain cover for keeping your valuables safe. It has a dedicated camera zone, space for a laptop, and room for other items as well. I like that it even has a tripod holder. It comes in a variety of colors.

Camera Wrist Strap

I like using this little wrist strap when I am traveling solo and don’t have too much other stuff in my hands to juggle. When carrying a lot of other travel blogging photography gear, like the tripod or the drone, I use the camera neck strap. But for simple photography sessions, I use this smaller wrist strap.


Lens Cleaning Wipes

I always try my best to protect my camera lens, but these definitely come in handy every once in awhile. They are individually wrapped, so it’s very easy to just toss a few into your camera bag.


Micro USB Cords

I always have one or two extra USB cords in my camera bag. I feel like these are so easy to misplace, and I never want to be caught without one when my camera needs a charge.

Pin it for Later: Travel Blogging Photography Gear

Save to Pinterest: Travel Blogging Photography Gear
Save to Pinterest: Travel Blogging Photography Gear

Looking for Great Photo Spots?

Planning a weekend getaway? Shop some of my top duffle bag choices below. I’ve included size, unique features, and price range. Also read below on some key factors to consider when choosing the perfect weekend duffle bag.

Choosing a Duffle Bag: Key Factors

Destination

Destination was a big factor when putting together my top duffle bag choices. Are you staying in a place where it might get dirty? For example, if camping, glamping, or overnighting on a train, I would chose a duffle bag that is durable, easy to clean, and possibly dark colored so it won’t show dirt as easily. If staying in a clean hotel, perhaps splurging on the white luxury duffle bag is in order.

Length of Stay

For how many nights are you packing? The longer the trip, the bigger the bag. Also with multiple days usually comes multiple outfits. Will you be re-wearing outfits to save packing space? Or are you going big and bringing something new for each day?

Activities

Accounting for various types of vacation activities was also a main factor in putting together my list of top duffle bag choices. Are you taking a summer camping trip, necessitating athletic clothes and swimming gear? Or is it a winter trip that will require heavy jackets and boots? All great factors to consider when choosing the size and style of your duffle bag.

Top Duffle Bag Choices

Browse the chart below to look through my top duffle bag choices. Clicking the product links or images will take you to the brand page where you can check pricing and color options. Happy shopping!

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. For more info, please see my affiliate disclaimer.

Duffle BagImageFeaturesPrice Range
Paravel:
Mini Main Line Duffle
Paravel Mini Black and BeigeSmall.
Classic look.
Perfect for a weekend.
$$$
BEIS:
Mini Duffle
BEIS Mini in BlackSmall.
Tons of pockets.
Won’t get dirty.
$$
Herschel:
Novel Duffle
Hershel Duffle in GrayMedium.
Chic look.
Side shoe pocket.
$$
Madden Girl:
Nylon Weekender
Steve Madden Girl Tie Dye DuffleMedium.
Tie Dye.
Hard to lose.
$
Paravel:
Grand Tour Duffle
Paravel Grand Tour Duffle Bag Beige and TanLarge.
Vintage look.
Lots of room.
$$$
Topo:
Mountain Duffle
Freepeople Topo Mountain Duffle Bag Black Grey YellowLarge.
Sporty look.
Also a backpack.
$$
North Face:
Base Camp Duffel
North Face Duffle Bag Black and WhiteLarge.
Camp Vibes.
Also a backpack.
$$

Summary: Top Duffle Bag Choices

There are many weekend bag options out there in world, but I’ve posted my top duffle bag choices here for you to enjoy. I’ve listed the key factors in choosing a bag, and have sorted out my top choices in a list including size, unique features, and price range.