If I could give women one piece of advice for planning the perfect vacation abroad, it would be to pack the best travel shoes!
A few years ago, nine girlfriends and I vacationed in Paris together, including my Aunt Beth. She previously had never traveled abroad. She was extra excited to join in on the fun. In the months leading up to the trip, we spent hours on the phone excitedly discussing every detail of the trip including what to wear. Shopping and planning photo-worthy outfits are typically on every woman’s vacation “to-do” list. The one tip I gave her and would give any first-timer traveling abroad, is to pack several pairs of good shoes. In fact, I even sent her links to the shoes I recommend. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t listen. Unfortunately, she paid the price.
As we toured the French champagne houses of Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot, Beth hobbled and winced. She was repeatedly telling me that her shoes were creating painful blisters on her feet. Poor Beth! All I could do was hand her a couple of Band-Aids and tell her to drink more champagne. Champagne helps everything!
The difficult thing about finding comfortable travel shoes is that they’re often flat, wide, and look like orthopedics. For this reason, I’ve spent hours scouring the internet for cute and comfortable shoes with good reviews. I now have several stylish pairs that can get me painlessly through a day of climbing medieval towers and walking cobblestone streets.
So, without further ado, here are my best travel shoe recommendations:
Gisele Platform Wedge Sandal by Gentle Souls Kenneth Cole.
I always try to pack something with a bit of a heel to throw on with a cute sundress for an evening out. These super comfortable wedges, with a very conservative heel, are able to dress up an outfit without the risk of getting your heel caught on a cobblestone walkway. They come in black, natural beige, and brown leather, as well as suede versions in navy and taupe.
Dina Sandal by Steve Madden
A classic throwback similar to the saltwater sandals many of us wore as kids. While they don’t provide a whole lot of arch support, the soles are very flexible and soft. These vintage-looking cuties are not only comfy but very affordable as well.
Minnie Tra
A little slice of heaven for your tootsies. Trust me, I own several pairs and I really can’t say enough good things about them. They have a cushioned footbed, are crafted from buttery soft leather, and can be worn for hours of walking without a blister in sight! The Minnie comes in a ton of colors, including many prints like leopard and polka-dot.
I l-o-v-e me a comfy espadrille and many of my travel friends say the same. The espadrille is a great “go-to” travel shoe because it’s very versatile and comes in an endless array of colors and styles. There are quite a few brands out there, but Toms and Soludos are tried and true.
These cute Soludos are my faves!
Looking for a shoe that is wearable right out of the box? Well, look no further.
Walking on a cloud is how I’d describe the Eileen Fisher Sport Platform Sandals.
This sporty platform sandal with a sneaker-style sole comes in a variety of colors and is made with the softest leather you will ever feel! Your tootsies will thank you!
Sanuk Yoga Sling
A really comfortable, very casual sandal. My feet sometimes swell a bit while traveling, so these slings are great to have along on the trip. The flexible soles are made from actual yoga mats and the fabric (that comes in a ton of colors) is super soft like a well-worn t-shirt! I’m definitely packing these for my trip to Croatia next month, where they’ll be the perfect shoe to get a little wet during our canoe safari.
The best travel shoe recommendations would not be complete without something a bit more fancy.
If you’re looking for something more elegant or structured, you might give the Everlane Modern Loafer a try.
This shoe practically has a cult following and has thousands of rave reviews. It’s a favorite of Angelina Jolie who you’ll often see sporting this style while making her way through an airport. It’s a classic shoe that could be worn on vacation and to work.
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