🧭Travel tips From Dave

👋 Who Am I to Give You Travel Tips?

I’m not a travel pro. I’m just Dave. A 62-year-old American guy who’s picked up a few lumps, bumps, and tricks from years of getting out there and figuring things out the hard way.

I’ve been living in the Netherlands for about five years now, and before that, I covered 48 of the 50 U.S. states — and no, airports don’t count. That’s boots on the ground in 96% of America.

I’ve also hit 20+ countries in Europe (some more than once), plus a little business travel in Asia — mostly Hong Kong.

And yes, I have a deep, psychological wound related to Hawaii. Growing up in Southern California, that was the family vacation spot… except we didn’t take vacations. As soon as I left for college, it somehow became an annual “rest of family” thing. Still working through that one.

Anyway, I’m just sharing what’s worked for me — stuff I’d tell a buddy over a beer. 🍺

🏨 Hotel Choice: Don’t Cheap Out on Sleep

Here’s a truth I’ve learned the hard way: cheap hotels ruin trips.
A hard bed, a moldy shower, or rude service will dominate your memory of a place faster than the best sunset ever could.

Now, I’m not throwing money around. I hunt for deals, but I don’t stay in dumps. My hotels usually rate 8.5+ on Booking.com and cost around $200 a night. That’s not the Ritz, but it’s not sketchy either.

Here’s what I look for:

• Great location — walkable or close to public transport.

• Clean rooms and solid reviews.

• A good breakfast AT the hotel (more on that below).

It’s worth it. At the end of a trip, I’d rather talk about what I saw — not the mildew in the shower.

🎒 Pack Light. Really Light.

This isn’t new advice, but it’s advice most people ignore. I used to overpack like a man on the run — until I finally did the math.

Here’s my formula:
👉 Days × (Underwear + Socks + Shirts) + Pants(-1) + Warm Top

Example:
For a 3-day trip → 3 pairs underwear/socks/shirts, 2 pairs of pants (wear one while traveling), and one warm pullover or hoodie.

Add your toothbrush and meds, and boom — done.

Pro tip: Always pack your medicine in your carry-on.
I didn’t once. Spent half a day trying to replace it in a foreign pharmacy. Don’t be me.

If you forget something, buy it there. Bonus: clothes make great souvenirs that actually fit the weather.

🗺 Plan… But Not Too Much

When I started traveling, I was all about spontaneity. “Let’s just go!” I said.
That worked… about twice.

My first spontaneous trip was a half-locked-down Paris adventure during COVID. The city was mostly closed, but I had one “anchor” — a timed ticket for the Louvre. It saved the trip.

That’s when I realized planning doesn’t kill spontaneity — it frees it up.

Now I plan one anchor per day — something like:

• A museum ticket

• A reservation at a great local restaurant

• A walking or bike tour

It gives structure, but still leaves room to explore or nap or find that hidden café you’ll talk about for years.

📅 What to Plan (and What to Skip)

🍽 Food

Book your dinners ahead. If you find an amazing breakfast or lunch spot in your research, snag that too. Doing it on the fly wastes time — and time is the trip.

These days, I always look for hotels with an excellent breakfast.
It’s low stress and starts your day right. But not all hotel breakfasts are created equal. Check the reviews — some are worth it, some aren’t. You’ve got lots of culinary decisions to make- hit the easy button here. It works for me.

If you ever wondered whether that’s an overstatement — trust me, it’s not. This is a learned behavior, and it makes a big difference.

🚲 Do a Tour on Day One

Whether it’s walking or biking, get a lay of the land early.
You’ll spot things you want to come back to later. I prefer bike tours (especially e-bikes) because you cover more ground and see more neighborhoods.

Check Viator — it’s full of great options for most cities.

🏛 Book the Big Stuff

Some attractions book up weeks in advance.
Case in point: Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. If you don’t book a month ahead, you don’t get in. It’s small, tickets go fast, and I can’t count how many visiting friends have asked me to “pull strings.”

Lesson: just book it early.

🕰 But Leave Room to Breathe

Don’t overplan. Some of the best travel moments happen when you stumble into them.
One or two anchors per day is plenty. The rest? Let the day take you where it wants.

Too much scheduling can turn a trip into a job. I already had one of those.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Traveling in your 60s is different — and better, if you do it right. You appreciate comfort, good food, and a little extra legroom. You stop worrying about doing it all and start enjoying what you do.

So pack light, plan smart, and don’t cheap out on sleep.
If you do that, every trip gets easier — and better.