Going Places: A Conversation with Jennifer Batten

Going Places is a series from TripIt that highlights frequent travelers to showcase their unique travel styles and insider tips.

Professional guitarist Jennifer Battenknows a thing or two about world travel. In the 1980s and 90s, she was the lead guitarist on Michael Jackson's three world tours. Soon after, she toured with British guitar icon Jeff Beck. These tours were next level: often on the road for over a year at a time, Jennifer and her bandmates discovered new cultures and experiences that left a lasting impression.

"With Michael, we were performing two to three times a week, so we had plenty of time to explore the cities we were in," Jennifer said. "I saw the Colosseum in Rome. I bought my first cowboy boots in Dallas. I tried new foods in India and Thailand. But the most memorable stop was Tokyo. I'll never forget the level of honor and respect I felt in Japan."

Fast-forward to today, Jennifer is still touring and still on the road for months at a time. I caught up with her during a rare respite at home, and she shared with me her top tips from life on tour, the destinations she plans to visit next, and the travel app she's been a fan of since 2009: TripIt.

On packing, preparation, and playing it safe

It's one thing to pack for a week-long trip. Another to embark on a four-month tour through Europe and South America-like the one Jennifer's on now. Different climates, different gigs. Dozens of flights, hotels, and bus journeys. How do you even begin to prepare?

"When it comes to packing, I'm a big fan of checklists," Jennifer said. "Of course, I need my guitar. I pack it in a rugged, hardshell case to help protect it-though that's not always foolproof. I pack all of my electronic gear for shows in my carry-on so the airlines can't lose it. Then, I pack outfits for the next four months. Compression packing cubes are a must!"

Checklists help when it comes to packing, but Jennifer relies on TripIt to handle the rest of the details.

"I have a memory of traveling with my father as a young kid, and watching him rifle through paper documents to find the right reservation. He was so stressed! Thanks to TripIt, that's never been my travel experience."

Jennifer simply forwards all of her flight, hotel, and other travel bookings to create a seamless itinerary for every trip-and yes, every tour. She especially appreciates the airport mapsand gate-to-gate directions on layovers.

"When it comes to connecting flights, I try not to book anything with less than a two-hour window, but that's not always possible. With TripIt's airport maps, I know when to sweat (AKA, run)-and when to chill. Either way, the app gets me to my next gate without any issues."

Speaking of knowing your next move, Jennifer also emphasized the importance of staying safewhile traveling.

"Some destinations are known for pickpocketing or scams, like fake ATMs. Being informed helps you be more aware and better prepared for potential incidents," she shared.

TripIt's Neighborhood Safety Scoreshelp you understand the level of safety in the neighborhoods you're visiting, allowing you to set a thresholdfor safety. Plus, Nearby Placescan help identify legitimate businesses, such as ATMs, so you can protect your personal belongings and avoid scams.

Related reading: 8 Expert Tips for Staying Safe While Traveling

Over one million miles traveled with TripIt-and counting

Whether it's gigs, festivals, or workshops, Jennifer is usually-"99% of the time!"-traveling for work. But earlier in the year she took some time off to explore more of Italy.

"This past June, I took my first vacation in years. I met up with friends and we visited Naples, Capri, Sorrento, and Sardinia. If you haven't been to Pompeii, you should go!"

Several world tours-and more than one-and-a-half million miles traveled with TripIt-have yielded some valuable lessons that she applies to her personal travel, too.

"I am constantly checking TripIt to make sure I know where I'm going-whether it's a connecting gate or where to pick up my luggage at baggage claim. TripIt makes transiting as easy as possible."

What else makes for an easy journey? "A window seat-unless it's a quick connection. I often deprive myself of sleep ahead of an international flight so I can actually get some rest on the plane. I bring eye shades, noise-canceling ear buds, and a supportive neck pillow."

As for where she's headed next: "I'd love to visit more of Africa soon. I'm also looking forward to spending more time in Lake Chapala, Mexico. It's one of my favorite places to travel to in the world. I plan to retire there-one day."

Until then, you can see Jennifer and her band Full Steam in the Pacific Northwest, catch her performing around the globe at Michael Jackson tribute concerts, or chat with her in person at a meet and greet. Head to her websitefor tour dates, and follow her on Instagramfor tour moments and iconic throwbacks.

Want even more travel inspo? Catch up on all Going Placesfeatures to learn new travel tips, discover underrated destinations, and more.