Are you planning travel in 2026? Perhaps some of Vera Koo’s travel tips – based on her extensive world wanderings – may help. Be sure to read this post, written by Michelle Cerino and originally published at Women’s Outdoor News, to learn more!
If you’ve read Vera Koo’s books, her previous articles at Women’s Outdoor News and follow her social media, you know she is an avid world traveler. Knowing about her numerous trips, both alone, with a travel companion and in large groups, I decided to reach out to her and find out how she does it and if she has any travel tips. After a lengthy, quite entertaining conversation (which will lead to more stories from Vera), I am excited to share her travel tips learned from experience with you.
Before I get into the travel tips, for those who don’t know, Vera just celebrated her 79th birthday in December. She openly admits she’s not computer-savvy and that she often obsesses over details, something I’ve learned over the past five years working with her. Accepting and acknowledging these facts is the key to Vera’s successful vacations and entertaining vacations.
Vera’s Travel Tips
Travel Agents
As I mentioned above, Vera is not computer savvy, so she depends on travel agents, also known as Carlos (her husband), Christina (her daughter and sometimes travel companion) and occasionally a travel group.
Carlos has always booked Vera’s flights and hotels for her shooting matches and training. This means she creates her shooting schedule at least six months in advance.
When Christina plans a trip, she goes so far as to plan their rides and dining reservations in advance.
Vera is most interested in history, culture, and art, so she often relies on group travel for her trips. Especially her Broadway Tours and some outside of the country. She trusts that they will take her to safe places and restaurants where she can dine safely.
Travel Companion
For Vera, having her daughter as a travel companion not only eases her mind about safety, but also provides someone to share experiences along the way – this includes handling her luggage to making sure they get from point A to point B, and discussing everything they experienced over meals.
Food and Water Safety
Before Vera’s first trip to India, she was a little nervous because a friend had gotten ill (apparently from ingesting the water) while traveling to the same area. To prepare for that trip, she packed her tea kettle to boil water if needed and numerous prepackaged power and snack bars. Luckily, the food and water were not an issue because the hotels and restaurants on this trip were first class, thanks to her extremely detailed friend’s planning. However, she doesn’t regret being prepared in case it wasn’t.
Know Your Surroundings
A few years ago, Vera traveled to England to spend time with her sister-in-law and visit the Chelsea Garden Show. Carlos booked the trip, which included a stay at the Central Station hotel. When Vera arrived, she spent the first two hours walking around the area and the train station to get to know her surroundings. She wanted to find out where she could have her meals, see their menus and check their hours. She also wanted to see where she could purchase water and other necessities.
Vera admits to being very confused and lost when she started, but then she had a plan. She walked around and met different people who work in the area. She asked each of them similar questions to gather different perspectives on dining and shopping.
Read, Research and Plan
As I mentioned at the beginning, Vera admits to becoming obsessed, well, let’s call it “immersed” in whatever she is doing. Once she knows where she is going, she reads, researches and plans. When it’s with a group with an itinerary, she begins studying the booklet from the moment it arrives. Thankfully, it lists everything she may need, from hiking boots to hats.
Vera’s quest for travel continues, and she even has stories of past travel to still share with you. We hope you are as excited as we are to travel along in 2026 on her other adventures.
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