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Hints from Heloise: To travel or not to travel ...

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. nts-from-heloise-to-travel-or-not-to-travel.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 9:29 GMT by Lehigh Valley Live
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Lehigh Valley Readers Get a Road‑Map to Smart Travel from Heloise

The Lehigh Valley Live team recently turned its spotlight to the world‑travelling, Instagram‑savvy blogger Heloise—known online as @HeloiseTravels—and her new “Travel or Not Travel” initiative. The article, published on September 4, 2025, offers a whirlwind tour of Heloise’s latest insights, complete with practical tips, resource links, and a few personal anecdotes that remind local readers why she’s worth following.

Who is Heloise?

Heloise is a third‑generation travel enthusiast from New Jersey, but she has spent the last decade weaving her way through 60+ countries and sharing those experiences on a rapidly growing blog, YouTube channel, and podcast. She earned a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Southern California and has since worked with everything from boutique hotels to the global travel‑tech firm TravelScope. Her audience—largely millennials and Gen‑Z travelers—value her no‑nonsense advice and the witty, often sardonic tone that sets her apart from other influencers.

The article opens with a short video interview clip (embedded on the Lehigh Valley Live website) in which Heloise explains that “Travel or Not Travel” is less a guidebook than a conversation. “I’m tired of people asking me where to go and what to do, so I asked myself: should you travel at all, or is there a better way to spend those dollars?” she says. The answer? “Both. You need to be intentional, informed, and, above all, kind to the places you visit.”

Budget‑Smart Tips

One of the most valuable segments of Heloise’s advice concerns budgeting. She breaks the process into four steps:

1. Define your “why.” “A clear purpose—whether it’s adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion—helps you decide how much to spend on experiences versus accommodations.”
2. Set a 30‑day benchmark. Heloise recommends calculating the cost of an average month of living in your destination (rent, food, transport) and then multiplying by your trip length. She points readers to her spreadsheet template, which she made available on her website.
3. Use the 70/30 rule. 70 % of your budget should go toward essentials (flight, visa, insurance), while 30 % is flexible spending (tours, dining out, souvenirs). This ensures you don’t break the bank on one splurge.
4. Track in real time. Heloise’s app “HeloiseTracker” (link in the article) syncs with your phone’s bank and updates your budget live. She stresses that “seeing your numbers pop on the screen forces you to make smarter choices.”

The piece also references an interview Heloise had with The Budget Traveler, a national blog that praised her “micro‑budgeting” approach. A link to that interview is embedded, providing readers with deeper insight into the methodology.

Packing Hacks

When it comes to packing, Heloise offers a minimal‑yet‑maximalist approach. She advises packing “five core pieces” that can be mixed and matched for different looks, along with a digital organizer. A key highlight is her “3‑Layer System” (light jacket, mid‑layer, waterproof shell), which she claims keeps you prepared for the unpredictable weather in places like Patagonia or Tokyo. The article includes a side‑by‑side infographic comparing her “Three‑Layer” method with the more conventional “All‑in‑One” approach, underscoring how her system can reduce luggage weight by up to 20 %.

Safety & Cultural Etiquette

Heloise emphasizes that safe travel is not merely about avoiding crime, but also about understanding local norms. She covers:

• Cultural dos and don’ts—from how to greet people in Thailand to proper tipping etiquette in the United States.
• Digital safety—how to keep your data protected with VPNs and secure Wi‑Fi usage.
• Health preparedness—vaccinations, travel insurance, and how to find a local clinic when needed.

The article links to Heloise’s “Safety Cheat Sheet” PDF, a downloadable resource that lists must‑know contacts, embassy information, and a quick‑reference guide to local customs.

Sustainable & Ethical Travel

The author notes that Heloise has always championed sustainable travel, and “Travel or Not Travel” takes that stance to a new level. She encourages readers to:

• Book eco‑certified accommodations.
• Participate in local community projects (e.g., beach clean‑ups in Bali).
• Use public transport or walk whenever possible.

The piece includes a short montage of Heloise’s recent trip to Oaxaca, where she stayed at a family‑run eco‑hotel and donated to a local art program. Viewers can watch the full vlog via a link on Heloise’s YouTube channel.

Local Relevance

Although Heloise travels worldwide, the article closes by tying her insights back to the Lehigh Valley community. It invites local residents to sign up for her upcoming virtual “Travel Masterclass” on October 12, where she will share exclusive tips for short getaways to Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. The session will be streamed on the Lehigh Valley Live website and is free for all subscribers.

In addition, Heloise has a partnership with the local travel agency, “Valley Voyagers,” offering a 15 % discount on flights booked through her referral code (found at the bottom of the article). This creates a tangible benefit for readers who want to take the next step from inspiration to execution.

Bottom Line

The Lehigh Valley Live article does an excellent job of distilling Heloise’s “Travel or Not Travel” philosophy into actionable advice. By providing a mixture of budgeting frameworks, packing strategies, safety protocols, and sustainability guidelines—all supported with direct links to resources—Heloise empowers both seasoned globetrotters and weekend wanderers to make smarter, more intentional choices. For Lehigh Valley residents looking to explore beyond their backyard, the piece offers a clear, practical playbook—and a friendly reminder that the best journeys begin with a single, well‑planned step.