How to Survive a Long Trip

I’m currently in the middle of a long trip in Europe, planning wonderful culinary journeys in beautiful places (Piedmont, Italy, and Croatia), meeting amazing people, and enjoying spectacular meals and great wines. What is there to worry about? How could I possibly complain? Even though as I write this I’m exhausted and a little lonely, there are a few tips and tricks to make my journeys more enjoyable. 

Find a quiet restaurant to rest between flights. I’ve already been on four flights through five airports (one of them twice), and have five more airports to go. On this trip, most of the airports are places where I don’t have access to an airline lounge to rest, hydrate and wait for the next flight. However, it’s been a blessing in a way. These days, the lounges are super crowded and not the respite that they used to be. Instead, on this trip, I’ve found restaurants and bars that aren’t crowded, and I’ve settled into cozy booths to relax and work, all while enjoying coffee, water, wine (depending upon the time of day), and an easy meal. It’s been really nice.

Do something that makes you feel good. Everyone’s different, but we all have something that makes us feel good. For me, it’s having my hair washed and blown dry. Often, I arrange the appointment in advance, so I’m not searching for an available appointment at the last moment.  I always learn from the person doing my hair -- something about the place, the food, things to do – and also, I’m good for another week on the road. 

Move. I’m not a runner, and I don’t use the gym, but I make sure that I walk at least 10,000 steps a day when I’m traveling. It’s often part of what I need to do, but just the same, it makes all the difference in the world. Although I’d love to be a runner, I do relish the long walks in beautiful places, discovering new spots to visit and feeling the buzz all around. Whatever your most pleasurable activity is, just be sure to make the time to move.

 Puzzles, cards, reading. The New York Times puzzles are a godsend. They’re perfect for airport waiting, or when I just need to rest my brain or slow down for a bit. I also always travel with cards and often buy a new deck as a souvenir in a new city. Reading a book or a magazine, or reading on a device, is equally relaxing and is more than necessary on the road. 

Eat local. Local food is the best food. It’s not only delicious, but it informs about the place where we’re traveling. It’s always a mistake to order something American, not just because it’s American but because it’s usually not delicious, and why bother when there’s a wonderful world of local food around? (The cheeseburger at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton’s pool may be the exception to the rule.) Several years ago -- quarantined in a very nice Istanbul hotel for a week -- I ordered a pizza when I had more than once run through all the great Turkish soups on the room service menu. Predictably, the pizza was awful, and I went right back to ordering the same comforting and delicious red lentil soup I’d been eating for a week.

 Be good to yourself – sleep and appreciate friends. Not necessarily easy or possible, but getting enough sleep is key, whether on a plane or train, or in a hotel or apartment. Also, making new friends and reconnecting with long-time friends is a great benefit of traveling. Be good to yourself and make it happen. I’ve finished my work, and tomorrow I’m on my way to Madrid to see some very special friends. It is always reviving.

Traveling is many things – exciting, exhausting, excruciating, and an excellent way to add warmth and pleasure to your life. Here’s hoping these tips can help make your travels fall more on the excellent and exciting side of the coin!