All content (c) Abbey Sy, 2019.

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in writing from Abbey Sy.
WALT WHITMAN
Introduction  5
Getting Started 6
Making an Itinerary 8
Who Should You Travel With? 10
How I Travel 12
Packing List: Backpack + Carry-on 14
Packing List: Art Materials +
Journaling Supplies 16
About18
 Berlin, Fall 2018.

This zine has been a loooong time coming (a year, to be specific). But
at some point, I knew it would end up like this—I just didn’t know how
to get here. The best part is, now I am.

I started writing about my travels in transit when I was in Paris, in

2015. I felt an instant connection with words as I took on train rides,
bus rides, and flights that led me from point A to point B.

Years later, I went to New York for an Editorial Design class, and we
were tasked to create a magazine of our own. That’s where the first
version of En Route was born. I had no clue on how to get it going; the
momentum faded when I returned home.

But this has always been at the back of my mind. The thrill of being
able to share my experiences and stories with you excites me. I
believe that through travel, we find ourselves, and through stories, we
are inspired to keep exploring what is out there.

This first issue is all about the basics—beginning to travel, getting

all the logistics together. May it kickstart your drive to book the next
flight and head out to your next adventure. And most of all, enjoy the
journey that awaits on the other side.

<3 ABBEY

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 Ready to pack your bags and start your adventure? Make sure these things
are covered at least six months before your trip.

PASSPORT
Make sure you have your passport with you at all times—this is your ticket to
the world and proof of identification for immigration officers to verify. Don’t
forget to renew your passport1 before your next trip to ensure its eligibility.

VISA
Specific countries2 require a visa to get in. Visa requirements vary for each
country and purpose (holiday, business, etc.)—so you need to prepare these
documents accordingly.

Some documents that will be required for your visa application are the
following:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if married)
- Bank statement
- Certificate of Employment (for employees) or Certificate of Registration
(for freelance/entrepreneurs)

Depending on where you’re traveling to, your visa duration will determine
how long you can stay in the country. For example, Japan usually issues a
single-entry visa on your first application, while USA visas can issue as long
as 5-10 years for your first application. For EU/Schengen visas3, over time,
the duration gets longer.

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Also take note that an issuing visa does not mean you can stay in a country
infinitely. There is only a limit4 (usually minimum days you are traveling) for
every visit and this varies.

There may be chances that your application may be rejected. Please don’t
take it personally. Maybe you lack a few requirements or you need to re-
apply. This is why it’s crucial to first apply for a visa before booking your
flight tickets.

INSURANCE
To ensure that any damages are covered during your trip (especially if it’s a
long one), it’s best to apply for insurance to keep yourself safe.

FLIGHT TICKET/S
Depending on your budget, flight costs can range from affordable to
expensive. Make sure to book at least 3 months in advance for flights, as the
prices may increase during peak season (i.e. holidays). Also, watch out for
promo fares as you can save a lot by booking discounted flights.

ACCOMMODATION
Booking the accommodation should ideally be done simultaneously with
your flight. My preference for lodging is Airbnb—as this is the most affordable
option, and is suitable for families or groups especially if you’re on a budget.
If you’re traveling solo, hostels are recommended as well. If you prefer having
the 5-star treatment and easy transfer from airport to city, hotels are your
best option as most are linked to buses and train stations in the vicinity.

TRANSPORTATION
From traveling within the city to traveling from city to city, it’s important
to book your tickets in advance (if possible) and know your way around the
different transportation options in your destination. Most countries have
trains or subways, and sometimes, buses or trams. Other cities are only
accessible via car rental or taxi, so do your research accordingly.

INTERNET CONNECTION
Whether you’re getting a local sim or a pocket wi-fi, it’s important to acquire
either in order stay connected and to navigate where you’re going.

1
For Philippine passports: you must be able to renew your passport six months before your next trip
2
I own a Philippine passport, so I need a visa for most countries. If you are from the USA or Europe,
it’s relatively easier to travel to other contients without a visa.
3
EU/Schengen visa is very specific. You have to apply for the country you are spending most time
in, so be particular with that.
4
Limit for visa varies. For example, I am allowed a maximum of 6 months for my USA visa and 30
days for my Japan visa.

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 Now that you’ve laid down the groundwork, it’s time to plan the trip itself.
Here are things to consider while preparing your itinerary.

ESTABLISH YOUR TRIP’S GOAL/S

Is it for work? For leisure? Visiting for the first time?
Seeing a specific exhibition, or trying out local fare?
Determining your goals for a trip is important to narrow
down what you should include in your itinerary.

CONSIDER YOUR INTERESTS

Art? Books? Coffee? Food? Shopping? Tourist spots? List
them all down, and reconnect them with your goals. Do
they match?

CALCULATE YOUR BUDGET

Now, this depends highly on you and your companions.
A trip budget can range from backpack-friendly to peak
expensive, so take this into calculation.

RESEARCH ON YOUR DESTINATION

Get to know the cities you are planning to visit. What
are they known for? What is the weather when you
visit? What are the ideal accommodations available
for your budget? Do you have to book specific ticket/s
in advance? Take all these into consideration based on
your notes from the previous steps

PLOT AND SCHEDULE IT OUT

Here goes the fun part—plotting it all out. I use Microsoft
Excel to do my itineraries, but you can use any software
you prefer.

Note that schedules are editable enable flexibility for

your trip (in case unforeseen events happen: such as
weather conditions or an establishment is closed).

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Below is an example of my Excel spreadsheet containing information about
my trip. Usually, a sheet is assigned for travel logistics (flight, lodging,
budget) and another for daily scheduling.

KEY THINGS ON MY ITINERARY SPREADSHEET

1. All transportation details. Flights, bus rides, trains, etc.

2. All lodging details. Name of hotel or apartment, address, contact number.
3. A separate sheet containing all the places targeted to visit
4. A daily itinerary (usually based on specific areas in the city for easier
transportation options)
5. Budget breakdown for pre-trip purchases (such as pocket wi-fi), expenses
during the trip (booked tours, restaurant reservations, park tickets), and
miscellaneous costs.
6. If traveling with friends or family: split of costs accordingly to whoever is
assigned (I find this the easiest way to do accounting).

Note: all fees have been removed for privacy purposes.

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 This is a big factor when it comes to traveling. If you’re used to being alone, or
being a social butterfly, you can decide who to travel with for your trip.

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TRAVELING WITH FAMILY

My family and I travel every year and it’s important

to address everyone’s concerns and make sure all
members agree to the itinerary in order to make
the trip successful. (Also, expect more restaurants,
lots of shopping, and theme park visits when you’re
with family!)

TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS

A disclaimer: not all friends are great travel

buddies. So it’s important that you find people
who have the same interests and budget as you,
and is as well-traveled as you are. This is the best
way to gauge the dynamics between you and your
potential travel companions..

TRAVELING WITH YOURSELF

My default favorite, because I’m an introvert.

Traveling alone is fun—but I highly recommend
traveling with companions first before trying
this out as there are a lot of risks involved. The
most fulfilling part though is having all the time
and decision-making for yourself. Also: a great
opportunity to meet new friends!

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Click here to watch my Achi Advice video!

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12
NON-NEGOTIABLES

Every time I travel, I make sure these are part of my itinerary:

→ Visiting art museums 
→ Checking out the local bookstores and stationery stores
→ Trying out local fare (and coffee!)
→ Sending postcards 
→ Spending an afternoon at the park 

LOGISTICS PREFERENCES

→ For long haul flights, I book night flights with only 1 stopover maximum,
so I can sleep while onboard the aircraft. For short flights (less than 5
hours), I fly in the morning so the first day of arrival can be an adjustment
or rest day, depending on the time and schedule.
→ I travel on a weekday or weeknight for less traffic going to the airport
→ I prefer taking the bus or train to save on pocket money. If it’s really late
at night, that’s when I get a cab.
→ My schedule for (self-planned) trips is leaving the apartment at
9:30/10AM for brunch, then going back either at 6 (if I’m staying in /
cooking for dinner) or at 9PM at the latest (especially when I travel alone, it
goes as early as 7 or 8PM).
→ I prefer walking a lot (apart from local commuting), so I keep myself
alert at all times.

A TYPICAL DAY OF EXPLORING

→ Brunch (I usually skip lunch)

→ Explore in the afternoon (usually in a museum or walking around a
specific neighborhood)
→ Sundown at the park and/or meet a friend in the area
→ A trip to the grocery store before it closes (I buy breakfast for the next
day and water, usually)
→ Dinner, back at hotel, face mask + Netflix (me-time!)

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 What’s a trip without a list of things
to bring? Here are my go-to essentials
for my backpack + carry-on.

BACKPACK

→ laptop
→ mirrorless camera
→ pocket notebook
→ pen
→ passport
→ earphones
→ phone
→ wallet

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CARRY-ON LUGGAGE

→ jacket
→ snacks
→ a book or magazine
→ batteries and chargers
→ medicine
→ hand cream (less than 100ml)
→ face mask

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 → travel journal → brush pen
→ pocket notebook → eraser
→ lengthwise notebook → washi tape samplers
→ watercolor set → glue stick
→ water brush → scissors*
→ 4H pencil
*bring this in your luggage, not carry-on

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 FUN FACT
I usually bring only a few
items and check out the
local art store—gives me
more reason to explore
more materials and
experiment on new tools.

at Artland—Hong Kong, 2015.

MORE TIPS + IDEAS

DIY: Washi Tape Samplers

→ CLICK TO WATCH

My Favorite Travel Art Supplies

→ CLICK TO WATCH

DIY: Watercolor Box

→ CLICK TO WATCH

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 Thanks for reading En Route’s first issue. Did you enjoy it?
Let me know by saying hi over at hello@abbey-sy.com.

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Hi, I’m Abbey, an artist and author from Manila. I grew
up with a penchant for drawing and documenting, and
later on, developed a love for travel and adventure. I have
written books on hand lettering and journaling, and have
kept my life revolved around two things: art and travel. I
only look for three things every time I travel: art, books,
and coffee. My guilty pleasure while traveling is sketching
on my journal inside a moving train during golden hour.

Follow my work online at abbey-sy.com, and @abbeysy on

Instagram. My travels are filed under #ABCEnRoute.

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