Still, the prospect of traveling light across national borders can be daunting when you’re in the packing phase. Here are some pointers to minimize the luggage you have to haul around the globe.

• Choose the right fabric. Lightweight, synthetic fabrics that don’t wrinkle and dry quickly are a traveler’s best friend. These days, it’s easier than ever to find reasonably fashionable clothes in these types of fabrics. Opt for clothing made with synthetic fibers, and you’ll be able to easily wash and quickly dry everything you pack.

• Pack in combination. Lay out your clothes during the packing process to ensure that you can combine tops and bottoms to maximize the number of outfits you can get from the pieces you bring. This doesn’t mean you have to settle for drab or boring outfits, either. Accessories (such as scarves, hats, and jewelry) transform an outfit quickly.

• Plan for laundry. Rather than packing enough clean gear for your entire trip, stay somewhere that has laundry facilities. If you wash your clothes every night, you can use even a regular sink to keep things fresh.

• Pack only essentials. Medications and passports aren’t negotiable, but unless you’re traveling to the wilderness, you’ll probably be able to find shampoo and toothpaste wherever you land. Be realistic about what you can pick up once you arrive. Bonus: shopping for essentials lets you immediately immerse yourself in the local culture of your destination.

• Maximize your space. Get crafty during the packing process. Underwear and socks can be packed inside shoes, breakables can be insulated with shirts, and wrinkle-proof fabrics can be rolled and squeezed into small spaces.

• Choose items with multiple functions. Rather than packing an entire toiletry cabinet, opt for multi-purpose gadgets that save space. Camping and outdoor supply stores offer an array of compact, highly functional gadgets ideally suited for travelers with limited space.

If you purchase souvenirs or gifts that don’t fit in your luggage for the return trip, you can always ship them—or buy a new bag! The beauty of traveling light is that you can always add to your burden if you find something worth weighing you down.

See below for our interview (**NOTE: All images in this post were taken by and are provided by Amanda Williams):

You’ve traveled all over the world! Tell us about your favorite destination and what makes it so wonderful.

I haven’t been to nearly as many places as I would have liked to yet, but, so far, New Zealand is definitely my favorite destination! I’ve been there 3 times now (including studying abroad there for a semester during undergrad), and I can never get enough.

What makes New Zealand so wonderful? I think it’s the combination of its gorgeous natural scenery, its friendly people, its laid-back attitude, and how easy it is to travel there. New Zealand’s small population and eco-friendly outlook make being a tourist there a dream. That, and it’s one of the most peaceful countries you’ll ever visit!

What your favorite spot in New Zealand and why?

It has to be Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Yes, there are plenty of amazing scenic places that I love, too, but it’s Wellington that will always have my heart. The capital is compact and super walkable, but is not your average stuffy seat of government. The city is vibrant, colorful, and full of culture. And the fact that it’s situated right on the Pacific doesn’t hurt, either.

What advice would you offer someone who has never traveled to New Zealand to help them experience the local culture?  

Modern New Zealand culture basically consists of one thing: a “no worries” attitude. Don’t go here expecting the same pace of life you’d find in big cities in America or the UK – life moves a bit slower in New Zealand. To fully experience this, just allow yourself to relax and go with the flow wherever you are.

If it’s native Maori culture you’re looking for, definitely don’t miss Rotorua. This geothermal town on the North Island is the best place in the country to attend a Maori hangi dinner and concert, where you’ll be introduced to traditional New Zealand food, song, and dance.

What is your favorite type of travel (wine tasting trips, adventure travel, foodie tours etc) and why?

Is “landscape travel” a thing? If so, I would say that. I love seeing the natural beauty of a country, whether that means mountains and glaciers or lava fields and jungles. I don’t necessarily mean “nature travel,” though, which I associate more with wildlife viewing and hiking… I’m not much of a hiker.

New Zealand also turned me into a bit of an adrenaline junkie (after all, they did invent bungy jumping!), so I also enjoy some good adventure travel every now and then to really get the blood flowing.

New Zealand is quite a long flight for anyone traveling form the U.S., what kinds of tips/ recommendations do you have to make the flight more enjoyable? 

Long-haul flights can be miserable, I’m not going to lie. But I’ve been on enough of them by now to have figured out how to survive them. My tips include trying to get on the sleep schedule of your destination beforehand in order to avoid jetlag, bringing ear plugs/noise-canceling headphones to drown out the noise, taking advantage of in-flight entertainment systems, and chatting up your neighbor if you’re a bit more outgoing.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Just that, if travel is something you really want to pursue, don’t let anything hold you back. Forget the excuses, and make travel a priority in your life. Once you do, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can make your travel dreams come true!

About Amanda

Amanda is just a small-town Ohio girl trying to balance a “normal” life of school, friends and family with an unquenchable lust for travel. She’s always looking for that next chance to get swept away in adventure, be it on the other side of the globe or just around the corner. Follows her travels on her blog, A Dangerous Business, on Twitter @DangerousBiz, or on Facebook.

The Experience

Unlike most of the world’s glaciers, Franz Josef continues to grow, thanks to heavy snowfall during much of the year. Visitors have the option of exploring the glacier independently or as part of guided tours. Because specific equipment is recommended for many glacial climbs, inexperienced visitors are generally better off visiting with an experienced guide.

You can explore the glacier along a variety of trails, including those that lead through forests, along gorges, to the glacier’s face, and through old water tunnels. The various routes are designed for different levels of fitness and reward the traveler with various striking views of the glacier.

It is also possible to climb on the glacier itself. Even beginners can do so by taking advantage of helicopter tours that deposit visitors on the glacier’s face for guided hikes.

The Preparation

To ensure a rewarding visit to Franz Josef Glacier, be sure to make the following preparations:

• Choose the right trail. With 11 unique paths to explore in and around the glacier, there is something for every fitness level (and interest). Be sure to find trails that suit your endurance so you don’t risk fatigue on your vacation.

• Dress for the weather. Experts recommend at least two non-cotton upper body layers, fast-drying pants or shorts, and sturdy footwear. Before departing for your adventure, be sure to check weather conditions and ask about water levels so you know what to bring.

• Bring supplies. The glacier offers beautiful scenery and little else. Visitors should bring food and water, sunscreen, a backpack, a camera, and anything else they expect to need for the duration of the trip. It’s also important to note that the glacier offers no trash receptacles, so visitors need to carry out what they carry in.

• Leave your valuables behind. Music players, car keys, wallets, and passports won’t be needed on the glacier, and could easily end up lost or destroyed by the elements. Leave yours behind for a worry-free trip.

Yosemite Valley, California

Situated on the Sierra Nevada mountain range’s western slopes, Yosemite Valley is often considered the centerpiece of Yosemite National Park. Carved by glaciers, Yosemite Valley spans roughly eight miles, with depths of up to one mile. Visitors can enjoy views of the thick pine forests, streams, rivers, and jutting peaks on the valley’s hiking trails.

When you visit, be sure to bring your camera to capture images of the many waterfalls that flow from the creeks and rivers throughout Yosemite Valley.

Yellowstone, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Generally considered the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone earned its title in 1872. Since then, it has delighted visitors with its mountains, waterfalls, lakes, plateaus, and geothermal features (including the geyser known as Old Faithful).

Among the other wonders visible here is the Yellowstone Caldera, which is considered an active volcano. Thanks to dedicated preservation efforts, Yellowstone is home to a diverse ecosystem that includes hundreds of unique species of animals as well as plants that aren’t found anywhere else in the world, meaning that photographers and sightseers alike will find much to surprise and inspire.

You can see Yellowstone on foot, in a boat, from a car, or on a snowmobile (during certain seasons).

Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

Located at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, the Great Sand Dunes were declared a national park in 2004, making them the country’s newest. The dunes are a relatively new geological feature (i.e., they started forming within the last 500,000 years), and are still growing as sand is carried to them by the Rio Grande and prevailing winds.

Hikers can get perhaps the best view of the largest sand peaks in North America, but don’t expect an easy day of walking. The windy atmosphere means that sand particles and even pebbles are constantly blowing around.

Grand Teton, Wyoming

Because the Teton Mountain range has no foothills, views of it are dramatic, especially from the east. Most of the range lies within Grand Teton National Park, where visitors can enjoy the mountains’ beauty while camping, hiking, fishing, boating, floating on the Snake River, and even skiing and snowshoeing when weather permits.

Thanks to rigorous preservation efforts, the ecosystem found in Grand Teton includes many plants that existed in prehistoric times, making it an excellent destination for photographers and amateur botanists as well as outdoor adventurers.

Kings Canyon, California

Kings Canyon lies just north of Sequoia National Park—in fact, the two touch and are considered a joint park venture. In addition to the world’s tallest trees, these parks boast striking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Visitors can take in views of caves, rivers, streams, peaks, plants, and animals during all seasons. Be sure, though, to check for weather advisories before you plan your trip. The park has vastly different elevations and weather throughout the seasons, so it’s important to pack and plan accordingly.

Jaguar

The magnificently-colored jaguar is an endangered species that roams the jungles of South America. They are large cats, with males weighing up to 250 pounds and females weighing up to 200 pounds. The jaguar is a fierce predator that will eat rodents, fish, and large game and can hunt on the ground, in water, or from trees. While it is fast over a short distance, it is not built to chase prey for long distances.

Anaconda

The anaconda is found near the Amazon River because it typically prefers to hunt and live near water. The snake can grow to lengths over 30 feet and weigh over 500 pounds. The anaconda hunts at night, and it will patiently wait just under the surface of the water for its next meal. Often the anaconda grabs its prey, drags it under the water, and kills it by drowning it or wrapping its body around it. Its favorite food includes rodents, deer, and caiman.

Southern Right Whale

The southern right whale is a species of whale found in South America. Legend says they are called “right whales” because they are very friendly and not afraid to swim near people—therefore, they were the “right whale” to hunt. These whales are distinguished from other whales by the large gray or white callous-like growths on their heads. Adults grow to be over 50 feet long and can weigh 50 tons.

Piranha

One of the most frightening animals in South America is the piranha. These small fish are ferocious, lightning-quick predators with tremendous appetites. Piranha are sensitive to movement and smell, and any motion in the water or scent of blood, no matter how subtle, will create a feeding frenzy that can kill even larger mammals.

Giant Tortoise

The giant tortoise is found in many countries in South America, including Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru. It has spectacular markings of yellow, red, or orange on its head and legs, as well as a black shell with light square-shaped shell scales. They eat all types of plants and grasses, as well as slow-moving animals such as snails. This tortoise can grow to over a foot in length and live over 50 years.

If you’re ready to see some of these amazing animals, contact Well Designed Journeys today, and we’ll set up a custom tour just for you.