BlissDom is less than two months away! Are you busy preparing? While you’re planning your wardrobe, ordering new business cards and searching for the perfect bag to carry your camera, laptop or tablet and other essential,s it’s time to get your travel plans in order.

Tips for Buying Your Plane Ticket to BlissDom

Compare Flights- Consider times, layovers and weather

If you’re planning to hop a plane to BlissDom now is the time to buy your ticket!

• Remember, Nashville is a secondary airport so airfare deals don’t happen very often- if you see one jump on it!
• If you’re searching for the best fare try Kayak; it allows you to search a few different travel sites at one time.
• Travel agents are also handy- especially since they can hold a seat for 24 hours, no payment necessary.
• Southwest Airlines also serves BNA; don’t forget to check their website as you won’t find their fares on an aggregator.
• Of the major airlines, Delta has the most flights in and out of BNA. Unless you are flying from a hub, expect to have at least one layover. Because you will be flying in February try not to connect in Chicago or Denver, due to possible weather delays.
• While the conference officially begins Thursday evening, pre-event fun starts at noon. Be sure to check your flight times, allow for travel from the airport and a bit of rest. Better yet, come in on Wednesday evening, acquaint yourself the the fabulous Opryland Hotel and share a meal with friends in one of the fabulous on-site restaurants.

BlissDom Packing Tips

Pack Smart...

Your list of things to bring fills two notebook pages. How do you bring it all along?

• First, pare it down. Yes, those are fabulous shoes. But the Opryland is huge and you’ll want comfortable shoes (trust me). Stick to one basic base color to match one pair of daily shoes and one pair of fancy shoes.  Bring bright accents and fun accessories to add color.
• Pack clothing you feel good in. If you feel good you’ll look great!
• “Girls Night Out” is usually a dressy affair. My advice? Find a great LBD (little black dress) and add fab accessories. If the dress is made of non-wrinkling materials, all the better.
• Remember that most airlines (except Southwest) charge for checked bags. Try to get all your clothing and accessories into one carry-on size bag. Invest in Space Bags- they are amazing.
• Pack all your electronics in a bag that will fit under the airplane seat. You’ll learn why in a minute.
• Bring along an empty duffel bag- you’ll probably need it for the flight home.

Tips for Your Flight to Nashville

My Flight to Nashville, January 2011

Yea! Soon you’ll be en route to Nashville! Just a few tips as you depart.

• Don’t forget the 3-1-1. Liquids and gels must be smaller than 3oz and fit in a single one quart baggie.
• Check in for your flight online, up to 24 hours before.  You can print your ticket and just breeze on to security if you aren’t checking a bag.
• Check in on Foursquare at the gate; chances are you’ll find at least one blogger on your flight.
• Unless you’re on Southwest, don’t crowd the gate area. Your seat is reserved, it’s not going to disappear.
• If your plane is small you will be asked to gate check your larger bag (free). Make sure you have your electronics in a bag that will fit under the seat in front of you.
• You have to turn off all electronics (including your Kindle) when the entry door closes. Make sure everything is turned to “airplane mode” before you turn it off.
• Try to rest. BlissDom is a high energy conference- you’ll put in some long hours of fun and education while you’re there.

When You Arrive in Nashville

A Quick Ride to Opryland

Nashville International is a relatively small airport. It won’t take long to get your checked bag and be ready to catch a ride to the Opryland.

• Opryland has a shuttle from the airport from 5am-11pm. Cost is $40 round trip. You can book online or pay at the airport kiosk.
• Sharing a cab will cost less ($25 trip + $1 per additional passenger) and be just a bit faster. Both cabs and shuttle are found at the lower transportation level of the airport.

Heading Home from BlissDom

Packing the BlissDom Swag Bags

All good things must come to an end and, sad as it is to leave friends new and old, you have to head back to a reality of no room service, making your own meals and caring for your family.

• If you’ve accumulated too much swag to fit in your suitcase visit the Business Center to purchase packing materials and arrange shipping with FedEx.
• Otherwise, just reverse these tips and have a safe journey home!

I can’t wait to meet you at BlissDom! I’ll be leading the Travel Community so be sure to connect with me! You’ll find me on Twitter @iatraveler  and the Family Rambling Facebook page!