Going on vacation this summer? You lucky, lucky duck.
Whether you're going to Seattle, South Africa, or Italy, there are some things you should keep in mind on your summertime vacay.
Like, if you do go to Seattle, people walk way slower there than they do in New York City, so be prepared to get annoyed-- or if you can, at least try not to feel so rushed.
Bring your sunscreen, your sneakers (you never know if you'll decide you want to exercise), and your iPod. Prepare to relax.
Need some more tips? You're in luck.
We've compiled 7 essential travel tips for every New Yorker below. (Now don't forget to thank us once you return from your lil' getaway, alright?)
1. Take the AirTrain to JFK Airport
The AirTrain is lovely. It carries you high in the air, whisks you past the highway where you can gape at all the cars sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and brings you right to the terminal where you need to be.
In our very humble opinion, anyone who decides to spend $60 on a cab to JFK just so they can sit in traffic and worry about whether or not the cab driver is bringing them to the right terminal, is sort of insane.
[anad]
The AirTrain costs $5, is a pleasant, fast, enjoyable experience and is much more fiscally responsible than paying an arm and a leg for a cab.
Are you wondering how to get to the AirTrain? That's easy.
Just take a Queens-bound E train to Sutphin Boulevard Archer Avenue/JFK. Take the elevator up to the second floor, and begin your wonderfully pleasant AirTrain experience.
2. Fly out of JFK. Always
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On that note, flying out of JFK is just way better than LaGuardia Airport. It just is.
Sure, LaGuardia has plans for renovation that will bump it up to rival airport status, but for now, there’s just absolutely no contest.
If you don’t want to be breathing the armpit odor of strangers while you’re shoved into an outdated airport, then don’t fly out of LaGuardia.
If you want to fly in a sleek, state-of-the-art, huge airport with lots of food and shopping options, then fly out of JFK.
It’s really that simple.
3. Pack light
It’s tempting to bring every single dress, pair of jeans, and pair of sweatpants you own with you on your trip.
I know the pre-trip anxiety of, “What if I don’t bring this dress and then I bitterly want to wear it out one night?”
The fact of the matter is, when you’re on your vacation, it’s very possible you’ll wish you brought that dress. But when you’re on vacation, away from the comfort of all your stuff, you have to make do.
If you only have one dress to wear, you wear that dress. And while you’re traversing the airport terminal or the sidewalk of a new city, you’ll be grateful you packed light.
4. Bring books
janiemaia26 Escolhendo qual próxima leitura! #travelbooks #lovebooks #nextlevel #summerandpeace #travel
It breaks our heart to say it, but the simple truth is that books are heavy. So, perhaps bringing a Kindle on your vacation is a good option.
Actually, we take that back.
Nothing beats opening up a physical book, smelling the pages, and getting immersed in the experience of reading it. Plus, the Kindle and other eBook readers are doing well enough in snuffing out the remnants of the traditional publishing industry as it is.
[anad]
Anyway, bring a book. Even if it is a Kindle. When you’re in a new place and you don’t know anyone, there’s never been a better excuse to chill out in public alone than the fact that you’re reading your book. And if your book is good enough, you won’t feel lonely at all.
If you vacation to a country that doesn’t speak your native language, it’ll be refreshing to immerse yourself in that language while reading your book.
,5. Make friends with locals
grez Good last night in Düsseldorf with these peeps. I've come to the conclusion that this city just drinks beer and hangs out in the streets together...it's awesome. Thanks for the love Germany. Next stop: London. #dasoloadventure #düsseldorfgermany #beerofgermans #friendsabroad #solotraveling
This is the most imperative tip for your vacation.
If you’re going to go to all the trouble to travel to a place you’ve never been before, don’t spend your time holed up in a hotel or resort only communicating with other New Yorkers.
[anad]
I mean, do this if you want, but making friends with locals is essential for having an immersive experience in whatever place you’re visiting.
Even if that place is as close as Florida or as far as Australia, this advice still rings true.
If you want to know where the party is, where the party favors are, and where all the people who live there eat, you need to ask someone who lives there. Maybe they’ll even invite you to a party with them, which is the best-case scenario in our opinion.
6. Be in the place you’re visiting
g_delcampo Stunning View from Monastero Santa Rosa - Costa Amalfitana, Italia - #italy #travel #leisuretime #amalfi #monasterosantarosa #ocean #infinitypool
Don’t spend your vacation time stressing over work emails or the drama of your clique back home. Seriously.
The whole point of going on vacation is to offer yourself a gasp of fresh air from the stifling pressures of living in NYC. (And don’t deny it, living in this city is chock full of stifling pressures.)
When you’re on vacation, you don’t have to worry about whether someone at your company remembered to call that client, or whether one of your friends made out with your other friend’s boyfriend. What you need to worry about is simply relaxing.
[anad2]
Compartmentalize all the things that stress you out about home, and sequester them to actually being home. Then relax.
This may sound hard to do, but once you do accomplish this feat, the amount of relief you’ll feel is unreal.
7. Be polite
lonegoosemedia All we're missing is a Fanny Pack...shame - - - On a boat to see some really old trees. - - - - Canon 7D Tokina 11-16mm #canon #canon7d #7d #selfie #travel #tourists #stupidtourists #boat #excursion #foto #Fotografie #nature #alerces #patagonia #lightroom #instagood #nature #macro #photography #photographer #selfie #selfiesunday #superselfie #ihateselfies #map #camera #lost #alerces #losalerces #backpack #argentina #south #cameraporn
Here's the bottom line: saying a harsh "excuse me," to a family blocking your path in an ice cream store is not nearly as appropriate anywhere else as it is in New York City...
(Well, some Europeans might give us a run for our money, but that's a discussion for another time.)
In the end, it's really all that simple.
Not traveling abroad? Check out 7 Most Stunningly Gorgeous Waterfront Hangouts in NYC.