Be inefficient – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Look, I know everyone tells you how efficiently they can pack, rolling their clothes, tucking socks into shoes, squeezing every inch of space out of their suitcase, but you’re going on vacation. The last thing you want to do is spend the last few hours of your vacation cramming everything back into a tightly packed suitcase and then figuring out that the three souvenirs you bought don’t fit.

Save yourself the trouble and pack loosely for your outbound trip so that packing for home is quick and easy.

Use the time you save on one last margarita instead.

Pack a highlighter – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

My husband and I recently took our first cruise, and one thing he was smart enough to bring along was a bright yellow highlighter. I had no idea why he would bring it along, but apparently his frequent-cruiser relatives gave him this tip.

The first day of our cruise, we sat on our balcony sipping champagne reading the daily newsletter. My husband breaks out the highlighter and goes to town, highlighting all the activities that captured his interest.

I have to admit, it was a brilliant tip. There are so many activities onboard any cruise ship, and this is a simple, practical way to organize your time.

Use a prepaid travel card – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Everyone knows about taking traveler’s checks when they travel, but what about taking prepaid travel cards? They’re easy and convenient to use, and many major credit card companies offer them now, like Visa and MasterCard.

They work just like debit cards, and you can use them the same way you use an ATM card. They also offer the same security as traveler’s checks without having to exchange them every time you go out.

Bonus: you can easily keep your expenses in check by putting a predetermined amount on the cards.

Buy a calendar – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

A calendar will remind you of a cherished vacation for an entire year. Whether it’s Rome or Maui, you can usually find a calendar in a gift shop or general store for the following year.

Pro tip: use the photos you took of your vacation to create your own calendar online and display your calendar proudly! Mark the days off until your next exciting adventure!

Buy seeds during your travels – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you love gardening, it’s fun to purchase seeds of flowering plants from distant lands to add uncommon beauty and interest to your landscape. If the plant blooms, you’ll get loads of compliments or questions, and that allows you to share the memories of your travels.

Try to purchase seeds that closely match your climate or gardening zone, but many times plants will flower in your area during a different season that closely matches their native land.

Pro tip: You can also grow them indoors or in your greenhouse. Harvest seeds from plants for the following year and to share with friends.

[Ed’s note: be sure to avoid introducing invasive species into your region!]