Planning: Trip Planning Template (Basic + Realistic to Use)

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we share a trip planning template that has been a key resource for planning Engaged Abroad’s travel.

This itinerary planner has proven itself as a useful for all types of travel – from solo trips to large groups meeting up from all reaches of the world.

Though there are travel planning apps and options for preparing for a trip (TripIt and the likes), we have yet to come across a planner that highlights travel details and also provides space for long-form reading.

That’s why we use this custom-made document. Engaged Abroad relies on Google Documents as the primary tool to create, edit and store itineraries. The benefit of this approach is that this itinerary can be accessed by all travelers in the group, can be made available offline for access anytime, anywhere, and makes it easy to collaborate and share ideas to build a great trip.

This version is a basic form and is meant for travelers who would like an “at-a-glance” itinerary.

Engaged Abroad hopes to one day make available an Advanced Version for those who are interested in a more comprehensive trip outline.

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Americas Travel: A Photo Journal from Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto, California, United States of America

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we share photos from Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, Palo Alto, California, United States of America.

This interactive museum is a space where children participate in hands-on learning activities to explore natural phenomena like gravity, inertia, force, motion, balance, energy, states of matter, electricity, and magnetism.

The attached zoo & netted aviary has a peacock roaming about, a climbable treehouse that overlooks the animals, an underwater tunnel and nooks to hide, and close-proximity to flamingos, macaws, meerkats and other animals. This whimsical setting makes for a wonder-filled experience.

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Americas Travel: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 3 Days + 2 Days in Whistler — An Outdoor Itinerary for a First Time Visitor

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Reading Time: < 1 minute This is a recommended itinerary for a first time visit to Vancouver & Whistler, British Columbia for someone interested in natural scapes.

The trips begins in Vancouver, a city that offers a harmonious blend of urban sophistication and breathtaking natural surrounds. After a few days visitors head north to Whistler, a special destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. From towering mountains to pristine lakes and dense forests, the natural beauty of the area is truly awe-inspiring.

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Books & Media: Notes from Project 333

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In this post we share our notes about Courtney Carver’s “Project 333”, a fashion challenge designed to force us to reexamine our relationship with stuff.

In the process, travelers readying themselves to live out of a backpack/carry-on for long-term travel can experiment with living with less.

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Packing: Preparing for a Semester Abroad – What Should I Bring?

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Reading Time: 5 minutes In this post we discuss what items you may consider packing when preparing for a (university) semester abroad program.

We recommend bringing the essentials and other items that may drastically alter the experience without them (i.e. medicine, electronics etc.). By starting with a less-is-more approach, you’ll have a chance to spend some time in-country and assess what additional items you may need to purchase based upon your schedule, activities, weather etc.

Note that most of these recommendations assume you are based in a place with moderate-to-high accessibility to goods. For those studying in the bush, rural areas, or an atypical setup, this post may need to be adjusted to suit your specific circumstance.

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Packing: A Travel Uniform – An Easier Approach to Packing?

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Reading Time: 3 minutes This post explores the idea of a travel uniform, or clothing that we already turn on a daily basis at home that transitions nicely into our travel plans.

Instead of purchasing new outfits for a trip, select the pieces you already know, love and wear eases decision-making when on the road.

Read more to learn about the numerous benefits and examples of how a travel uniform might come together for a 10-day summer trip.

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Family Travel: Why We Now (Mostly) Travel with Our UppaBaby Vista

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Reading Time: 4 minutes In this post we share the reasons for our transition from a compact travel stroller to a full-sized UppaBaby Vista when on the road.

While there are a few exceptions and places where smaller & compact almost always wins out for the majority of use cases (thinking of Southeast Asia), we’ve generally found that our UppaBaby is a preferred stroller for most types of trips and terrain.

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Packing: Our Gear for 3 Weeks in SE Asia with a Toddler

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Reading Time: 4 minutes In this post we share the gear we brought with us to Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia) on a three-week trip. We are believers in the power of less-is-more when packing, even with a little one in tow.

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Family Travel: Our Routine(ish) When Traveling with a Toddler

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Reading Time: < 1 minute In this post we share a rough outline of how we organize our time day-over-day when we travel with a toddler.

As children thrive on routine and structure, this overall plan allows us to be adventurous but also be mindful that we are with a little one whose moods, behaviors and energy can change on a whim, and very much depend on a nap.

Note that we are morning-oriented and the schedule reflects this.

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Planning for a Trip: Getting Organized the Week Before A Trip

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post we share our approach to getting ourselves, our families, and our homes organized ahead of a trip.

Juggling the hum of normal life with travel-related preparation with all of the errands, tasks and to-dos before departure can easily become overwhelming.

To set you up for success ahead of travel day, we recommend creating a list of everything you need to do to prepare, and then sort the items on a day-by-day basis, starting 1-2 weeks before departure. We have found that taking this approach allows us to feel stress-free, giving us the a a positive start to a trip.

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