If you find the idea of travel daunting, focus on a destination that interests you, and gather information that focuses on that place specifically. There are so many places to see, that one can get lost in the sea of information. Once you decide on a target destination, limit your research and lower your stress.

Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. If traveling to cold weather, bring smaller clothes to create layers rather than big, space-consuming coats and sweaters. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags.

In countries that you travel to, be aware of the cultural view of how questions are answered. In some places, especially India and Asia, …