Garage sales and flea markets for travel bargains

by Jamie Rhein on

Garage and yard sales are on the rise as the stock market falls. The picking through what people don’t want to find the items that you must have–even if you never thought you might want one until it was in front of you– has never been better.

Instead of donating items to charity, these days more people are selling them to make some extra cash. Unfortunately, forclosures are also adding to the bounty.

Reading this article in the New York Times about the proliferation of garage sales reminded me of the used items I’ve purchased in my travels and why garage sales are worth putting on your itinerary. Going to a garage sale (or a flea market or thift store) is one way to find items for a lot less than they would cost new, and often reflect the place where you are traveling. You may not be able to find the items back home.

This summer, for example, I bought a brown chips and salsa bowl shaped like a cowboy hat from the thrift store in Philipsburg, Montana. The indentation at the top of the hat is where the salsa goes–the brim is for the chips. It was in mint condition and something I would never buy back home. Because I was in out West, and it looked western, I had to have it. I gave to friends of mine who appreciate kitsch.

When we were in England, I headed to a “boot sale,” the British version of a flea market. There, displayed on a blanket stretched out on the ground, I found a Wedgewood child’s mug with a Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit design. What could be more British or more perfect than that? I bought it for my son who I pushed in his stroller up and down the rows of goods.

If you end up at a destination and discover you’re missing items that you ought to have with you, a garage sale may come to the rescue. A few years ago, we arrived at an A-frame cabin near Mohican State Park in Ohio for a weekend get-a-way with my husband’s brother and his family. We knew the cabin had beds, and for some reason, we thought there would be bedding. There wasn’t and we were so unprepared.

Off we headed to find a store to buy sleeping bags, but with no luck. Instead, we came upon a garage sale at a motel of all places. There on a table were sheets, pillow cases, pillows, one sleeping bag and a full-size comforter. All were clean, in great condition, and ours for $20.

Keep your eyes open. Maybe there’s a deal just around the corner waiting for you in someones yard.

Civil War driving tours in Southeast Tennessee

by Jamie Rhein on

Here is a part of the U.S. that makes travel to it easy–and inexpensive with planning.

Southeast Tennessee tourism has handily divided aspects of travel to this region of the U.S. into various themes. There’s the Music Trail, the Farm Trail, the Artists and Fine Crafters Trail, the Religious Trail, and the Civil War Trail.

Each theme highlights a unique aspect of Southeast Tennessee culture, traditions and history. Click on the Music Trail link and there you are in a history lesson from Blues to Bluegrass. A calendar provides info about where you can hear the area’s music and purchase music-related items.

The Civil War Trail is a do-it-yourself driving tour that takes travelers past the places where soldiers traveled. There is a mix of museums, battlefields, railroad beds and historic houses that span 10 counties. (Click here to order a brochure.)

Even if you don’t have the chance to head here any time soon, the Web site offers a fascinating trip into the past.

For example, did you know there was a group of female rebels who made up an all female unit? Click here to find out more.

Hotel pays your baggage fees

by Annie Scott on

Kimpton Group, a company with hotels and restaurants all over the United States and in British Columbia, is totally paying your baggage fees through December 31st, 2008.

The promotion, called “We Got Your Bag,” is simple: Due to airlines now charging you to check a second bag (which is totally ludicrous), people are unable to bring all the things they need to make themselves comfortable without paying an irritating little fee. Kimpton has the calamine for your woes. Show a receipt for your fee at the hotel desk when you check in, and they will match it with a room credit (up to $25.00), no questions asked.

So go ahead and pack that dead body in a second suitcase.

No really, this will definitely help out for holiday travelers with suitcases full of gifts. Says Michael Depatie, CEO and president of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants: “Giving our guests relief from these new fees is how we hope to make the holidays a little happier.”

Thanks, Kimpton!

How to pack for a 5-day trip in a carry-on bag (laptop and video camera included)

by Jamie Rhein on


How to take as much as you like in your hand luggage from Matador Network on Vimeo.

Packing is a one of the subjects we watch closely here at Gadling. This time last year we posted a series “What’s in Your Pack?” dedicated to the art of carrying belongings from the people who know a thing or two about schlepping goods.

Every once in awhile, someone drops us a comment about a packing tip we haven’t thought of before. That’s what happened when Benny Lewis’s video “How to Get as Much as You Want into Your Carry-on Bag” posted at Traveler’s Notebook captured our attention–at least it did mine.

Lewis, “an Irish polygot and a freelance translator” demonstrates his packing techniques, a couple that I’ve used to keep down luggage weight. Wear your heavier clothing, for example. Heck, wear most of your clothing. As he points out, body weight does not count as extra weight, so go for it.

My most favorite tip is the one Lewis presents at the end of his video. He has a creative, although a kind of weird way to bring your towel along. It has something to do with superheroes.

On second thought, Lewis’s method could come in handy for doubling up as a blanket since it’s becoming harder to find one of those on an airplane.

Four good reasons to visit Central America this fall

by Grant Martin on

With many of our travel budgets shrinking this season, now is a great time to consider the halfway point between that costly trip to Europe and the staycation that you’ve been dreading. Oh yes, I’m talking about Central America.

Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua have a lot to offer and are a great alternative to sinking a large chunk of cash into a heavy vacation. They’re close enough so that you can get away for a long weekend, not stuffed with tourists like many of the Mexican port towns and warm enough to cure those chilly fall hangovers.

Why else would we move our Thanksgiving family dinner from Providence down to Panama City? Check out four good reasons below.
The (relative) strength of the dollar: Sure the American dollar has made up some ground against the Euro in the last two months, but hotels in London and Paris are still going to cost you dearly per night. Compare that with some of the four star hotels that go for a third of the price in Panama City then factor in the price of food and entertainment, and you’re saving a ton of money over Europe

Plane tickets are inexpensive: Partially motivated by a slew of fare sales from Continental Airlines, destinations across the entire isthmus are dirt cheap right now. Many fares out of the country this fall are less expensive than domestic tickets across the US.

Diversity of activities: While the region may not have the cliche anglocentric activities you’re used to on vacation, the natural beauty alone is enough to keep vacationers busy ziplining through the forest canopy, sea kayaking or loafing on the beach. Mix in a heaping scoop of American history, keen architecture and an emerging nightlife and you’ve got a winning combination.

Tourism is booming: San Jose, Costa Rica is the perfect model that shows why tourism has worked excellently in Central America. Labor is inexpensive and resources are rich, so tour companies and travel agents will be competing to book your snorkeling trip and give you the best price on your jungle adventure. Furthermore, with the tourism base growing in each respective country, more and more content is now available by word of mouth, through tripadvisor or on gather.com for you to do more organic research.

Piqued your interest? A great place to start your research on a trip to Central America is right here on Gadling. Take a look around our articles on Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala and Nicaragua and check your sock drawer — you’ve got enough rainy day money for a small vacation this fall, right?