Buy special music – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on


If you use an MP3 player, purchase new music expressly for your road trip!

Ever listened to Bob Seger’s “Roll Me Away” while actually standing on the Great Divide? Have you ever danced on a mountain in Vermont while Frank Sinatra croons “Moonlight In Vermont?” I’ve experienced these moments, and more.

So pick some special music and bring it out at just the right moment to create magical roadtrip memories. Bonus: every time you hear these songs in the future, you’ll remember these amazing moments.

Say you’re allergic – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

If your hosts offers you something you really don’t want to taste and you don’t want to be rude, say you are allergic to an important ingredient of that dish.

For example, if your hosts offer you some balut (fertilized duck egg), gently tell them that you are allergic to duck or amniotic fluid. And make sure you don’t eat roasted duck in front of your hosts later!

In many poor countries, offering a visitor meat is among the most flattering and respectful things a host can do. As such, claiming to be a vegetarian — even if it’s true — can be very insulting and confusing to your host.

Visitor centers rule! – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

For travelers who value spontaneity but want to avoid the mishaps inherent to unplanned trips, I can’t recommend visitor centers or tourism offices enough.

Several years ago, a friendly visitor center associate rescued me from a dodgy room in a dodgier neighborhood by booking a suite for the same price in an elegant condo building that had not entered my radar screen when I was researching hotels.

Since then, when traveling on the road, I always make a stop at the state Visitor Center for maps, brochures, hotel recommendations and clean restrooms (I can’t stress that last one enough).

Therefore, please let me say it again: clean restrooms.

Layer, from the bottom up – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Start at the bottom of your suitcase and place all clothes you will need for your last day there; pants, tops, socks, undies. Next layer, next to last day there… and so on, and so on.

You will end up with the top layer being the first pair of clothes you’ll need on your arrival.

I used to tend to over pack, so this helps to organize each day. I also try to rely on very few changes of shoes… and those go around the side. A small jewelry bag with multiple compartments and a small bag for toiletries and make-up.

Three important questions to ask when booking a hotel room for a person with a disability – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re booking a room for a person with a disability, be sure to ask about the following:

  1. Does your wheelchair accessible room have a roll-in shower? Many just have grab bars over a tub.
  2. Does your hotel supply a shower chair? If it does not, plan to bring one with you. We tend to have poorer balance away from home.
  3. Is there an accessible exposed outlet by the bed? Power wheelchairs should be charged at bedside, and CPAP machines should be plugged in by the night stand.

If your hotel has an ADA coordinator, use him. The service is free and will guarantee that your needs are met.