Going Places is a new series from TripIt highlights frequent travelers to showcase their unique travel styles and insider tips. Mother. Content Creator. Extraordinary travel planner. Meet Ashley Torres: Creator of the lifestyle blog Everyday Pursuits – and wears many hats. Ashley started her blog with the mission of helping others live their lives to the fullest. The know-how in travel planning is a big part of that. “Especially when you have a young family, you might think: I can’t travel now. But you can!” She said. “I want to help other parents do this. Showing the world to your children is very important.” Ashley, her husband, and their recently two-year-old daughter spent three months in Europe; One of them is in a long-term rental in Italy. “When it comes to trips with my daughter, a vacation rental like Airbnb is the way to go. We have our own kitchen, our own bedrooms; it makes the experience more enjoyable for all of us.” Three months later? Keep in mind that she’s been treated to (at TripIt) Ashley details the details and exits of planning her trips in the travel section of her blog. Travel guides share to the latest destinations you’ve visited; Tips for family travel. And much more. Her secret weapon for staying organized? “I swear by TripIt. I transmit all booking confirmations — planes, trains, Airbnbs! — and it creates a seamless itinerary,” she said. “Believe me, during a three-month trip to Europe, you will have a lot of reservations. TripIt has handled everything.” After creating her itineraries, Ashley relies on TripIt to keep her on time: “When you’re traveling, there’s not much room for error, so automatically syncing all time zones in TripIt is very helpful” — and knowing: “In the long run, multi-country trips, TripIt’s COVID-19 travel advisory feature has been indispensable.” Another safety feature you love? Share her travel plans. “I always share my plans with Inner Circle, so my loved ones know where I am. It’s a great tool that gives everyone peace of mind.” A Growing Family and a Bucket List When it comes to Ashley’s travel style, it has evolved as her family has grown. “Before I had my daughter, I loved traveling on my own. If you can do it, do it!” she advised. “You learn a lot about yourself. From navigating public transportation to knowing how to communicate despite the language barrier, I will always remember the pride you felt in those little accomplishments.” And now? “Now, I’m all about family travel – which comes with its own challenges and accomplishments!” Like the challenges, going from being a carry-only traveler to packing — and checking bags — for a family of three. Traveling light with a toddler? Almost impossible,” she joked. However, Ashley learned what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to planning family trips. Like her favorite places to travel with a toddler: “Europe in general; Lisbon and Paris in particular. Cities in Europe are very community oriented and family friendly. They have beautiful public parks and museums. They can walk a lot. It makes the trip there so easy and fun.” No matter how you travel — alone, with friends, with a toddler, or something else — Ashley had a few extra tips to share.” For starters, packing cubes are life. And get the Mobile Passport Control app. “There is something so satisfying about waving to your friends who are waiting in long lines at customs and border patrols,” she said with a laugh. And for the trip planning process: “Pinterest! Once I know our next destination, I delve into — I mean, 2 a.m. down the rabbit hole — into my Pinterest boards.” With a trip to Hawaii this month, a return trip to Europe planned for the spring, and an African safari on the bucket list, Ashley and her family aren’t planning on staying for long. But when she takes time out, she shares it all with her followers, including on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stay tuned for all the Going Places features to learn about new travel tips, discover underappreciated destinations, and more. About the author Amanda Wowk is a freelance writer, founder of Amanda Wowk Creative – a content writing services company – and an avid traveler. Her experience spans the travel industry, supporting clients in travel technologies, luxury travel and consumer brands. When she’s not helping clients tell their stories, Amanda writes about her own experiences to inspire others to travel as far as possible, as widely and frequently as possible.
