Eat at the public market – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Public markets are great places to find fresh, local food. From farmer’s markets in California to public markets in Chile, you can find food booths dishing up vibrant local fare. It’s one of the best ways to soak up the culture and tradition of any city or town while traveling.

It also gives you the opportunity to indulge in unusual local dishes that you may not find in restaurants. Eating at the public market is a good way to stretch your food budget, as booth food is usually extremely cheap.

Bonus: it’s usually prepared on the spot, so you’re bound to get something super-fresh!

Check into a suite – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When booking accommodations, travelers should compare the price of a suite to the price of adjoining rooms. Suites are larger than standard rooms, often accommodate six or more people, and are frequently the same price — if not less than — two side-by-side rooms.

Larger families and small groups often find suites more spacious, more comfortable, and easier on the budget.

Keep your wallet in your front pocket – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Time and again, tourists come home from vacation having had their wallet stolen. In many countries, the locals have certain tricks to distract you so they can steal your wallet. Keeping it in your back pocket is potentially a bad idea, because you can’t see it or feel it if someone moves it.

Be smart while traveling in unfamiliar places: transfer your wallet to your front pocket. Consider attaching a clip to it to tie it to your belt loop. This should prevent any petty theft from happening, and you will always know where your wallet is.

If the shower cap fits, use it (for your shoes) – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Unless you’re my grandmother (Hi, Grandma!!), you probably don’t use the shower cap provided at some hotels for anything whatsoever. But, that little plastic cap with the elastic ring can be very useful when packing your bags.

Shoes are often cumbersome and tend to get in the way when trying to maximize your luggage. Take the shower cap from your hotel room (or one you’ve previously stolen from a hotel room) and open it up. Put your shoes inside it and the elastic will hold them together, making them much easier to handle and pack/unpack.

How to get a little more room – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Want a little extra room when traveling with a spouse or friend? Book the window and aisle seats of the same row.

Since the middle seats are the last seats on the plane to be chosen, there’s a good chance that the seat between you will be vacant if the flight isn’t fully-booked.

If someone does sit between you, just offer them the window or the aisle seat. Who wouldn’t exchange a middle seat for a window or aisle?