Play the roadside attraction game – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

We live in Alaska, but half our family lives in Montana, so visiting means one long road trip. To keep ourselves entertained, we play a road-side attraction game. Here’s how it works:

  1. plan each day’s drive to allow for at least one long break;
  2. assign each member of the family a day during which they get to pick the roadside attraction we stop at during the break;
  3. at the end of the trip the family member that chose the best attraction, as voted on by everybody, get’s a prize!

This is a fun way to explore your surroundings and play a game at the same time.

Long time in port? Rent a Car! – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

When you’re in a port for an extended period of time, rent a car.

When you have a car of your own, you can not only see the port of call at your own pace, but you can experience the local culture as well.

Additionally, this a less expensive way for everyone in your party to be together. Even the smallest island in the Caribbean has a rental car agency. If you can’t find an car rental agency on the Internet, contact the port of call’s Chamber of Commerce.

Bring a tire repair kit – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

A nighttime flat tire miles from the nearest town might make a good story later, but in the middle of a road trip, it spells stress. Be prepared with everything you need to fix a flat.

Auto supply retailers carry kits with patches, plugs, adhesive and a file to roughen the tire rubber to help the patch adhere. Bring along two cans of a flat-repair product to fill the tire.

In case of a flat: examine the tire and patch any injury. Use your trip-saving flat-repair can to inflate and seal the tire so you can drive to a safer location to change it.

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Pack dryer sheets – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

I always pack dryer sheets when I travel, for several reasons:

  1. By rubbing them on my clothes and hair, they help with static cling in dryer climates.
  2. Putting them in shoes helps keep my shoes (and luggage) smelling fresh.
  3. If a dryer is available, I can throw a sheet in with clothes to freshen them up and help get out the wrinkles.
  4. Dryer sheets can help repel mosquitoes and other bugs. Did you know you can rub dryer sheets on your skin to help prevent mosquito bites?

Avoid the mini-bar scam – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

If your hotel room has a mini-bar, check to make sure that all the bottles are sealed as soon as you arrive.

Some guests drink the beverages and refill the bottles with water or tea to avoid the high charges. If this goes undetected by hotel staff until after your stay (they do check for it, but aren’t necessarily always diligent about it), the items will be charged to your credit card.

If you find unsealed bottles, report it to the front desk right away.