Nic Ihnat

I have two ways that I love to travel and they depend on if I'm traveling with another person or group, as opposed to solo.

When I'm with a friend or a group, I'm all about building an itinerary for about 50% of the time we are there. Researching and finding all of our accommodations ahead of time, I tend to travel with people that are more budget conscious. So, finding group suites at hotels that we can share is a nice option, or even a cool all ages hostel for a night or two can be a lot of fun depending on where we are going. Then, leaving the other half of time open is always nice so you don't feel overwhelmed with activities. You can take naps, lounge or go off and explore. It gives the group a nice break to able to independently do things that others might want to skip out on.

For solo travel? It's my favorite. While I do love my friends and family, the freedom and the open road are a great combination. They're also the best way to explore, network, meet new people and to find yourself somewhere you'd never expect. You can have some once in s lifetime experiences all at your own pace with no one to ask or answer to. When traveling solo, I find that less is more when it comes to what you bring with you. It's nice if you have a vehicle because you can easily confine everything you have into what fits. Yet, for those backpacking trips (whether it's across state lines or abroad) I've found that the less I carry with me the more opportunities I have to be spontaneous with less stress. Having too many things makes getting from point a to point b a hassle and a priority.