Bringing the pooches along for the December holidays? It’s going to require some extra planning, but it is worth seeing their tails wag on the beach! Here are some important tips to consider when hitting the road with your beloved four-leggeds.

Sort your pet-friendly accommodation first

December is peak travel season, so book your pet-friendly accommodation well in advance. If you are travelling for the holidays, trying to find suitable accommodation a month before your vacation might be a tad too late.

When you do find a digs, remember to check their policies on size, breed restrictions, and any extra fees you may need to cover.

Doggy documents

Make sure to bring your pet’s vaccination records, microchip info, and any other relevant health certificates, especially if you are going to be crossing borders. You’ll need this information on hand in case of any emergencies.

Pack the essentials

If you are travelling long distances with your pooch, it is crucial to bring plenty of food, a water bowl (and sufficient water), a leash, waste bags, and any medications. Adding a favourite toy or blanket can help the four leggeds feel more comfortable in new environments.

Update tags and chips

Make sure your pet’s tags are current with your contact details. Having an updated microchip helps reunite you with your pet if they get lost.

Make it comfortable for them

The journey needs to be comfortable for pets, too. Invest in a quality travel carrier and harness, and ensure that they are both completely safe and comfortable. For anxious pets, using a familiar-smelling blanket inside can ease nerves a bit.

Ease them in

If your pet isn’t used to travelling in a carrier, introduce it a few weeks before travelling. Being familiar with the crate reduces stress they might experience during the journey. Try make it ‘feel like home’ in any way possible.

Know the local vets

It is crucial to look up nearby veterinary clinics at your destination, so you’re prepared in case of emergencies. If you are visiting a remote area, it may be worth contacting nearby farms for their vet details, in case of emergencies.

Stop for stretchies

For longer road trips, make sure to schedule regular stops so pets can stretch, hydrate, and relieve themselves. Plan your route in advance with this in consideration. Pets need breaks to feel calm and reduce anxiety.

Travel experts offer proactive tips to help reduce your anxiety and avoid tense situations, including flight delays and overbooked itineraries.

Modern travel is relentlessly growing–and the industry is struggling to keep up. International tourism reached pre-pandemic rates by the first half of 2024, and the TSA fielded a record-setting number of flyers in the United States this summer. Yet the airline industry’s problems in the last five years––staffing shortages and “unrealistic scheduling expectations”––continue to wreak havoc with delays. An increase in erratic and volatile weather patterns, especially near key airports, can cause the grid to fall like dominos and in flight. And it’s not just air travel that has caused headaches for globetrotters. Over the last two summers, many travelers have contended with local backlash around overtourism.

Maintaining your sense of joy and wonder in the face of these travails of travel can be hard to do. Well, these seasoned travelers offer hope that, with savvy planning and intentional mindset, there are ways to dial down the stress and enjoy the ride.

Plan ahead to avoid flight mishaps

Gone are the days when a 40-minute layover didn’t include a mad dash to the gate. To decrease stress and delays, travelers should catch the earliest flights out of the airport and choose connecting flights that allow extra time to get to their next gate, grab a bite to eat, and more. Choose itineraries with longer layovers, and if those aren’t available online, call the airline for options. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, on-air travel expert, recommends allowing for at least a three-hour layover before a limited overseas connection and taking the first flight in the morning to decrease the chances of delays.

“People in general are more optimistic about how much time their trip will take than is realistic,” says Greaves-Gabbadon. “My attitude is that I imagine there will be at least one delay and when there isn’t, I’m delighted.”

Stay relaxed before your trip

Clinical psychologist and founder of The Travel Psychologist, Dr. Charlotte Russell discourages people from trying to fit too much in before a vacation. “It just results in people getting very wound up and spending the first few days of their trip undoing this,” explains Russell. “We can deal with stress and disruption much more effectively when we look after ourselves in before our trip.”

Decrease your anxiety about what needs to be accomplished. Create a list of tasks to determine what really should be completed before you leave on vacation. If you weren’t going to tackle something on your to-do list even if you stayed at home—it can probably wait until after your trip.

Practice ‘calm’ techniques for tense moments

While most people want to avoid thinking about stress, Russell urges travelers to consider how to manage disappointment and create trip intentions. “Focus on things that are going to help you through stressful moments rather than focusing on what went wrong and allowing the physical and emotional effects of stress to take over.”

If distress takes over, breathing techniques, guided meditation, positive imagery, and mindfulness activate the parasympathetic nervous system that relaxes us. “There is a reason why these [methods] are at the top of every therapist’s recommendation list–they work,” encourages Russell. Trying these before you travel makes them more effective in the moment when needed—such as ways a traveler can deal with anxiety during turbulence on an airplane or a flight cancellation. Practice makes perfect.

Pack light, pack smart

To pack a carry-on or to check your luggage? It’s an age-old dilemma for frequent flyers. However, you can reduce your stress level if your flight is delayed. A carry-on gives you more flexibility to change planes and still arrive with your belongings. Plan your daily attire to avoid the urge to pack extras. If you can’t get everything you need into a carry-on, pack your essentials into backpack or small duffel bag to keep with you in case your luggage ends up in a different location.

Take action before things go wrong

Pay attention and be ready to act, particularly when flying. “You have to be really playing offense if you’re flying nowadays,” advises Meena Thiruvengadam, founder of Travel with Meena. “You can’t wait for someone to help guide you.”

Airline apps are the first step. While your flight might appear on-time, you can always follow your flight’s status and trace its flight plan via the airline’s app or other flight tracker apps. For instance, your flight from Chicago to Seattle via Denver may be listed as ‘on time.’ However, if your originating flight is coming from Newark and departing an hour late hour late—delays are imminent for your connection. Mobile apps can provide advance notice, allowing you to pivot and book a different flight or make other travel arrangements if necessary.

When customer service lines are long, an app can connect you to an agent faster, even if you are in-flight. Having the info at your fingertips to make intelligent decisions and potentially change your travel plans due to stormy weather or other unexpected outliers is empowering. “If there is something happening, be on your toes and willing to spend more money if you need to,” suggests Thiruvengadam.

Make your journey more comfortable

Much like children cling to their favorite stuffed animals while traveling, adult can also bring soothing essentials to help them get through stressful travel situations. Be sure to pack positive mood-enhancers like snacks, a reusable water bottle, neck pillow, toiletries to freshen up, and charged devices for your trip. Pack them in an easily accessible bag to avoid unpacking all of your belongings en route, increasing the chance of losing personal items during your journey to your desired destination

Also, take advantage of airport lounges when you can. Travelers with status or airline-branded credit cards often have access, but many cards allow access to other lounges. Check your credit card or frequent flyer benefits and day pass options. Relaxing in a lounge that provides amenities such as showers, food, and private rooms can be a game changer especially after a long-haul flight or during a long layover.

Choose less-crowded destinations

Everyone wants to experience their dream vacation without the crowds. One remedy is to travel during a destinations’ shoulder season; however, savvy travelers have already picked up on this trip planning method. Now, travelers are looking for alternate destinations that offer the same allure––like go here, not there. For instance, Greaves-Gabbadon recommends Saba over the busy St. Martin in the Caribbean and Greenland as an alternative to popular Iceland.

Travelers, who want to visit popular destinations and iconic sites, should look for tour packages and timed tickets to famous sites that shave hours off waiting. Or step off of the “must-see” track and join culinary, historical, or architectural tours through city tourism offices or sites like WithLocals. These experiences are full of memorable, intimate moments without the crowds.

Thiruvengadam also advises travel during the school year, if possible, to avoid summer vacationers. “I think it’s really a matter of can you travel when everyone else isn’t, for whatever reason,” she says. “That’s when you’re going to get great experiences, surprises that you weren’t expecting during the off time when everyone in hospitality relaxes.”

Travel stressors can come in many forms, but preparation––for everything from delays to crowds is always the best solution––increases comfort and confidence. “You want the fun to start the second the travel begins,” acknowledges Greaves-Gabbadon. “If you put in the [planning] time on the front end of the trip, you can relax with more seamless travel.”

With its advanced camera features and ease of use, the iPhone has become a go-to device for capturing travel memories.

Whether you’re hiking in the mountains, exploring city streets, or relaxing on a beach, your iPhone has the power to take stunning photos that rival even professional cameras.

However, great photography doesn’t just rely on good equipment—it requires a blend of creativity, technique, and attention to detail.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10 essential tips to improve your iPhone travel photos, helping you master everything from camera settings and lighting to composition and editing.

Each tip is designed to take your mobile photography to the next level, ensuring that your travel photos are not only beautiful but also memorable.

1. Get to Know Your iPhone’s Camera Features

Your iPhone’s camera is packed with powerful features, but many users only scratch the surface of its capabilities.

From different shooting modes to hidden settings, understanding how to use your iPhone’s camera features is the first step in improving your travel photography.

How to implement:
Start by exploring the camera app. Swipe through the different modes, such as Photo, Portrait, Panorama, Time-Lapse, and Slo-Mo.

Each mode is designed for specific situations: panorama for wide landscapes, portrait for capturing subjects with a blurred background, and time-lapse for dynamic scenes like a busy market or a sunset.

Additionally, make sure to toggle on HDR (High Dynamic Range) to balance the light and dark areas in high-contrast scenes.

Don’t forget about Night Mode, which can dramatically improve low-light photos without using a flash.

Why it’s important:
Understanding how to use your iPhone’s camera features allows you to take photos tailored to the environment and scene.

Whether you’re capturing a bustling city street or a peaceful sunset, choosing the right mode can make all the difference in achieving professional-quality results.

2. Master Composition with the Rule of Thirds

Good composition is the foundation of compelling photography.

By applying composition techniques like the Rule of Thirds, you can elevate your iPhone travel photos from ordinary to extraordinary.

The Rule of Thirds helps you frame your subject in a way that is visually appealing and balanced.

How to implement:
Turn on the grid feature in your iPhone’s camera settings to display the Rule of Thirds grid lines.

The idea is to place the key elements of your photo—such as a horizon, a building, or a person—along the grid lines or at their intersections.

For example, if you’re photographing a beach sunset, place the horizon along the lower third of the frame while positioning the sun where the lines intersect.

This technique adds balance and directs the viewer’s attention to the most important part of your image.

Why it’s important:
Using the Rule of Thirds makes your photos more dynamic and visually pleasing.

It helps prevent your subjects from appearing too centered, creating a more natural and balanced composition that engages the viewer.

3. Maximize Natural Light for Stunning Photos

Lighting is one of the most critical elements in photography, and natural light is often the best source of illumination.

The right lighting can transform a simple shot into a stunning image, while poor lighting can make even the most beautiful scenery appear dull or flat.

How to implement:
For the best results, aim to shoot during the Golden Hour—the time shortly after sunrise and just before sunset.

The soft, warm light during these times enhances colors and textures, giving your photos a magical quality.

Avoid shooting in the harsh midday sun, as it can create unwanted shadows and overexposed highlights.

If you must shoot in bright sunlight, look for shade to soften the light or position yourself so that the light hits your subject from the side, rather than from above.

If you’re shooting indoors or in low-light conditions, use Night Mode to capture more detail without relying on a flash, which can make photos look harsh and unnatural.

Why it’s important:
Mastering natural light ensures your photos have the right balance of brightness and contrast.

Soft, natural lighting brings out the colors, textures, and details of your subject, creating a more visually appealing image.

4. Experiment with Angles and Perspectives

One of the simplest ways to improve your iPhone travel photos is to change your perspective.

Most people take photos from eye level, but experimenting with different angles can make your images stand out.

By shooting from a low or high angle, you can add drama, depth, and a fresh perspective to your travel shots.

How to implement:
For landscapes, try getting low to the ground to create a sense of depth and emphasize the foreground.

This technique works especially well for beaches, fields of flowers, or urban environments with interesting textures like cobblestone streets.

For cityscapes or architectural shots, capture the scene from a higher vantage point—perhaps from a balcony or hilltop—to showcase the scope and scale of the area.

Don’t be afraid to tilt your camera slightly to create diagonal lines, which can add a dynamic, modern feel to your images.

Why it’s important:
Changing your angle can transform an ordinary photo into something special.

By breaking away from the typical eye-level perspective, you can highlight different aspects of your environment and bring a sense of creativity and originality to your travel photos.

5. Take Advantage of Portrait Mode for Beautiful Depth

One of the standout features of the iPhone camera is Portrait Mode, which allows you to take photos with a blurred background, also known as the bokeh effect.

This feature is perfect for capturing portraits or close-ups with a professional, DSLR-like quality.

How to implement:
Switch to Portrait Mode when photographing people, animals, or objects where you want the focus to be on the subject.

Position your subject at the appropriate distance (typically within 2–8 feet), and let the camera automatically blur the background while keeping the subject sharp.

You can also use the Depth Control slider to adjust the level of background blur, making it more or less pronounced based on your preference.

While Portrait Mode is often used for people, don’t limit it to just portraits.

Try using it to photograph food, flowers, or other detailed objects during your travels for a crisp, focused shot with a soft, dreamy background.

Why it’s important:
Portrait Mode adds depth and emphasis to your subject, making your travel photos look more polished and professional.

It’s an easy way to elevate everyday shots and create striking images with minimal effort.

6. Use HDR Mode for Perfect Exposure in High-Contrast Scenes

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a powerful tool for photographing scenes with both very bright and very dark areas, such as a sunset over the ocean or a city skyline at dusk.

HDR combines multiple exposures into one balanced image, ensuring that details in both the highlights and shadows are preserved.

How to implement:
Enable HDR by tapping the HDR icon in your iPhone’s camera app or let your iPhone automatically choose when to use it.

When photographing high-contrast scenes—such as a brightly lit sky with a darker foreground—HDR will take multiple shots at different exposures and merge them into one photo.

This results in a well-balanced image with detail in both the lightest and darkest parts of the scene.

Why it’s important:
HDR allows you to capture scenes with challenging lighting conditions that would otherwise result in blown-out highlights or lost shadows.

By using HDR, you can ensure your travel photos have the right exposure balance, making them more visually striking and detailed.

7. Clean Your Lens for Crystal-Clear Photos

It may sound basic, but one of the easiest ways to improve your iPhone travel photos is to ensure that your lens is clean.

Dirt, dust, and smudges can cause your photos to appear hazy or blurry, reducing their overall quality.

How to implement:
Before you start taking photos, use a soft, microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens of your iPhone.

Avoid using rough materials or your shirt sleeve, as these can scratch the lens.

If you’re traveling in dusty or sandy environments, consider carrying a lens cleaning cloth with you to ensure your lens stays clean throughout the day.

Why it’s important:
A clean lens guarantees that your photos will be sharp and clear.

Even the most advanced camera settings won’t help if your lens is dirty, so this simple step can make a big difference in the quality of your images.

8. Edit Your Photos for a Professional Finish

Editing is the final step in transforming a good photo into a great one.

By adjusting elements like brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness, you can enhance the overall look of your travel photos and bring out their best qualities.

How to implement:
Start with the Photos app on your iPhone, which offers basic editing tools such as exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and saturation.

For more advanced editing, apps like Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom provide additional features such as selective adjustments, curves, and filters.

Don’t over-edit your photos—aim for subtle enhancements that maintain the natural look and feel of the scene.

Adjust the white balance to correct any color casts, sharpen the image for clarity, and enhance the colors to make them pop.

Why it’s important:
Editing allows you to correct imperfections and enhance the visual appeal of your photos.

A few simple adjustments can make colors more vibrant, increase clarity, and bring out the details that were lost in the original image.

9. Use Burst Mode for Action Shots

When photographing action scenes or fast-moving subjects, it can be difficult to capture the perfect moment.

That’s where Burst Mode comes in handy. Burst Mode allows you to take a rapid series of photos, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment.

How to implement:
To activate burst mode, hold down the shutter button in the camera app, and your iPhone will take multiple photos in quick succession.

This feature is particularly useful for photographing moving subjects such as wildlife, sporting events, or children playing.

After capturing a burst, you can select the best photo from the series or keep several to capture different stages of the action.

Why it’s important:
Burst Mode increases your chances of capturing the perfect shot in fast-paced environments.

Whether you’re photographing wildlife on a safari or waves crashing on the shore, Burst Mode ensures you get the best possible image from the scene.

10. Capture Authentic Moments to Tell a Story

Travel photography is about more than just taking pretty pictures—it’s about capturing the essence of the place and telling a story.

Focus on capturing authentic moments that reflect the culture, people, and experiences of your travels.

These are the photos that will hold the most meaning and resonate with your audience.

How to implement:

Look for candid moments that reflect the local culture, whether it’s a street vendor selling food, children playing in a park, or locals going about their daily routines.

Don’t be afraid to interact with people—sometimes a friendly conversation can lead to the perfect shot.

Focus on capturing the small details that make a place unique, such as local art, food, or architecture.

These authentic moments will help tell the story of your journey and make your travel photos more personal and engaging.

Why it’s important:
Telling a story through your travel photos adds depth and meaning to your images.

By focusing on authentic, candid moments, you’ll capture the true essence of your travels and create photos that go beyond surface-level beauty.

Final Thoughts

With these 10 essential tips to improve your iPhone travel photos, you’ll be well on your way to capturing stunning, professional-quality images during your next adventure.

From mastering natural light to experimenting with angles and editing your shots, these techniques will help you make the most of your iPhone’s camera and take travel photos that truly stand out.

Whether you’re exploring new cities, hiking through nature, or documenting everyday moments, your iPhone can be your most powerful photography tool—just remember to practice, be patient, and have fun with it!

Extreme weather conditions can easily dampen your travel plans. However, delays and disruptions that may come with unfavorable weather do not have to put an end to all the fun.

Whether you are navigating a heat wave or freezing temperatures, there are a number of ways to ensure your safety and enjoyment as you make the best of bad weather.

Over and above keeping track of weather updates to remain safe, here are just a few tips to make the best of extremely hot and extremely cold weather conditions.

EXTREME HEAT: 

Hydrate

Drinking plenty of water is important, especially during the heat of the day. If you are out and about in hot weather, ensure that you stay hydrated. >Moreover, stay away from caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as they contribute to dehydration.

Find cool places

Spend time in places where the temperatures are normally kept cool. These include museums, libraries and shopping malls.
You can also make use of a portable fan to cool down.

Wear appropriate clothing

Ensure that you are dressed in appropriate clothing. Loose-fitting items that are lightweight and made of breathable materials usually work best in helping you to stay cool.

Don’t forget sun protection

Protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is of utmost importance. Make sure that you stay hydrated and protected from sunburn by remembering your sunscreen and sunglasses.

EXTREME COLD: 

Dress in layers

Dressing in layers is helpful and highly recommended. Multiple layers of clothes trap heat and keep you warmer. Ensure that your base layer is moisture-wicking in order to keep your skin dry. You can then add an insulating middle layer, as well as a waterproof and wind-resistant outer layer such as a windbreaker.

Avoid alcohol

Although drinking alcohol may bring on a feeling of warmth while drinking, it also causes your body to lose heat faster. When navigating extremely cold weather conditions, it is best to avoid alcoholic beverages.

Consume warm food and beverages

Eating delicious, warm meals will help your body to generate heat. Hot beverages also play a crucial role in keeping you warm.