Whether by air, land or sea, learn how to travel like a pro. 

I see them every time I fly. Fierce femmes gliding through the airport as though they were walking the Parisian runway on their way to meet up with glamorous girlfriends for a champagne brunch. Long scarves dance weightlessly behind them in the wake of their long-legged strut and their perfectly-packed leather tote swings ever so slightly. They look like art. Meanwhile, you can find me on my knees digging through the bottom of my backpack looking for my wallet where my passport hopefully resides. Disheveled hair is everywhere; as are old crumpled receipts, makeup, gum wrappers that I am chaotically pulling out of my bag and piling up on the ground.

Cut to a gas station in the middle of nowhere. We are filling up the tank en route to Austin and it’s hotter than a camel’s hoof on fire. Sweat beads drip down my sunburned face and my legs stick to the leather seats. I spill water from a one-gallon jug down the front of my stained shirt when a couple pulls up beside us. Man, I hope they didn’t see that. From the driver’s side, a rad babe steps out and says hello. Her hair is pulled back in a bun, and she has a scarf in her hair. She slips on some sandals, as she’s been driving barefoot, and sashays into the minimart. Sheesh, what a bada** I think.

Let’s be real: traveling is hard. It takes a physical, emotional and spiritual toll on a person and, if you do not have experience, travel can be extremely stressful and frustrating. It has taken me years and hundreds of thousands of miles to feel comfortable on the move, and I am still learning new tricks with each new adventure. Below we have compiled a list of some of the best tips from traveling bada** ladies. Have a look.

Pack light. Yes, I know you want to pack everything you own for everything that might happen, but being prepared does not mean you need to bring your entire closet. Pack easy outfitting options that can mix and match with each other — wrinkle-free is even better. Trust me, no one will notice you wore the same jeans twice.

Accessorize. Accessories are easy to pack and can punch up any outfit. Think statement necklaces, dangly earrings and head and neck scarves.

Prepare for flights. Bypass crazy lines and wait times by checking in online before a flight. Cut down on paper use and handbag clutter by opting for an electronic boarding pass sent to your cell phone.

Prepare for road trips. Know your route before you head out. Cell service can be inconsistent, so take screen shots of the map or scribble down your directions.

Be comfortable. You do not need to sacrifice comfort for style whilst traveling. If you are going to be sitting for awhile, I might suggest staying away from high-waisted skinny jeans or belted dresses. If walking is in the plan, be sure your footwear feels like heaven, because anything less will feel like hell. Personally, I love wearing linens, shapeless dresses, cotton tees layered with boyfriend jeans and Converse.

Don’t forget about snacks. Throw a couple of energy bars or pieces of fruit and an empty (reusable) water bottle into your bag before your flight or train ride. For those road tripping, I recommend a cooler with drinks and stopping at a grocery store for healthy snacks before hitting the road.

Download entertainment. Before your flight or road trip, download music, movies and podcasts that will keep you entertained when cell service is a no-go.

Bring a necessities bag. Digging through heavy bags slung across your shoulders for a debit card or Chap Stick is no fun. Pack a small necessities bag within reach for easy finds. My essentials include my wallet, iPhone, earbuds, chap stick, moisturizer, baby wipes, and a book or notepad.

Be cool. Be nice. Be patient. Remember, everyone else is traveling, too, so the more you can be open and friendly, the better. Know that things will go awry at some point, so stay cool. All bada** ladies do.

+What do you want to add to this list? Let me know!

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