5 Travel Hacks to Relieve Stress, Optimize Your Time and Save Cash

I know I’m not alone when I say that I can’t stand when it’s time to travel any other way than driving. I would rather drive 500 miles than fly or even take a train. The train isn’t that bad, but it’s the lack of control that’s stressful and annoying. The possibility of a rail or flight cancellation is stressful in and of itself.

So, we can all agree that traveling is stressful. The fact is, according to Expedia, Americans suffer the most stress when they need to fly. The research dictates that more than half or 55%  of us say it creates more stress than when we file our taxes or have to visit the dentist.

The holiday travel season is inching closer so Expedia’s report may be helpful to ease the stress. Just in time comes their 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report.

Here are some of the things they recommend for a smoother and less nail-biting experience.

Sunday is the best and cheapest day of the week to book flights. They claim that it will save you an average of 13% on international flights. You’ll also save on domestic travel with an average of 6% savings. Never book a flight on a Friday. While Friday is the best day of the work week for many things, it’s the most expensive day to book a flight.

If you book about a month in advance you can save as much as 24%. That’s compared to travelers who booked last minute. They got their ticket for three-quarters of the price of those who waited. It’s always best to book your flight as far out as possible to get the best deal possible.

The same goes when you want to have less of a chance of being canceled. It’s recommended that you book far in advance, but the time of day is also relevant. If you want to decrease the chance of cancellation or delay fly before 3 pm. The study shows that there’s a 50% higher probability of cancellation of earlier departures.

If you want to save about 16%, the best day to leave the ground is Thursday. Conversely, do not leave on a Sunday if you can avoid it. Sunday was found to be the travel day that cost more than any other.

Book on a Sunday.

Fly on a Thursday.

Fly before 3 p.m.

Don’t book on a Friday.

Don’t fly on a Sunday.

Have a great trip.

The fall season is a glorious time in America. From coast to coast, many different areas off beautiful fall colors in radiant reds, oranges and yellows. So, what are the most beautiful spots in America for fall colors?

Peak fall foliage season is different based on where you are located. Some areas of the U.S. see fall colors as early as September, while others peak later on, such as in October or even November. Generally speaking, areas with longer winters will have earlies fall colors, and areas with longer summers will have later fall colors. Most of America hits peak fall foliage season in the month of October. Of course, areas bordering Canada will be the first to see those colors.

If you're wondering the science behind the fall colors, the color that the leaves become depends on a few factors. Those include the chlorophyll and weather conditions during the summer or fall. Chlorophyll is a pigment that aids in giving leaves their color. In general, big changes from the norm in precipitation, whether it's getting way too much rain or not enough, can really impact the fall foliage season.

Also, I remember last year, the radiant colors in my area fell off the trees early. The reason was that we had a wind storm come through, so the leaves fell prematurely. I was pretty upset about it, because not only do I like to see beautiful fall colors, I also like to paint fall colors. So, my muse was gone.

That said, if you are in the mood to view fall colors this year, here are some great places to do it. Read on for 10 Beautiful spots in America for fall colors. What are your favorite areas to see fall foliage? Reach out to me on social media here and let me know.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is stunning any time of the year, but especially in the fall. The trees on this 469-mile Appalachian attraction turn beautiful shades in the fall, so it's a splendor for the senses. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina and is divided into four districts: the Ridge region, the Plateau region, the Highlands region, and the Pisgah region.

If you're looking for a late spot to view vibrant fall colors, then we have just the area for you. Vogel State Park, located around the Chattahoochee National Forest in Blairsville, Georgia, is a great area to see fall foliage going into the first half of November. It's a great late-season trip.

https://gastateparks.org/Vogel

Cape May in New Jersey is a delightful area to see autumn colors later in the season. From mid-October and through November, the colors here are bright. Don't miss the views of the historic lighthouses in the area, too, plus all the area parks.

https://www.capemay.com/

The north parts of Michigan are glorious in the fall months. Traverse City is located on Lake Michigan, and in the fall, the trees turn bright orange and yellow. This area gets really cold in the winter, so the summer and fall months are the best time to travel there. Spring is nice, too.

https://www.michigan.org/city/traverse-city

Lamoille Canyon in Nevada offers some stunning looks in the autumn months. The area is located in the Ruby Mountains and offers a wide array of fall colors with plenty of different kinds of trees. You can drive on the 12-mile Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway for a prime view.

https://travelnevada.com/outdoor-recreation/lamoille-canyon-ruby-mountains/

I know what you're thinking. Fall colors in Florida? The Sunshine State isn't known for their fall colors, but Torreya State Park offers some great, late-season views. The area has quite a few varieties of trees that show their colors in early November. It's worth the road trip, if you live south of there.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park

Waterfalls and fall colors? That sounds great to me. The Tahquamenon Falls State Park has one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. This state park is huge, too, offering 50,000 acres of forest. It's beautiful in the fall.

https://www.michigan.org/property/tahquamenon-falls-state-park

The Washington Crossing Historic Park is a special, historical area, because it's the spot where George Washington crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey in 1776. Aside from its history, this Pennsylvania landmark is beautiful in the fall. It offers plenty of bright trees, as well as a colonial reenactment event.

https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org/

The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee has some of the greatest fall foliage in America. It also has one of the longest fall foliage seasons, so you get plenty of time to take it in. The colors can arrive as early as the middle of September and go all the way through the middle of November. Take it in.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers a great spot for a hike in the middle part of October, because the colors are so vivid. Expect a delightful view of the vibrant colors. It's a nice area if you don't want to travel to New Hampshire or Burlington, Vermont, and it's a bit more off the radar.