Do your homework before leaving – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Fish tacos in San Diego, deep dish pizza in Chicago, crab cakes in Maryland: anywhere you travel, there’s likely a specialty food to go along with it.

Thanks to the Internet and sites like Yelp, researching has never been easier when it comes to finding the best food and restaurants in a particular locale. Don’t forget to check the web for local tips — and be sure to consider sourcing information on Facebook and Twitter.

Before your next trip be sure to do your homework and it will pay off when you arrive and are ready to experience the local cuisine.

One last tip: try to find the places locals prefer … and avoid restaurants who thrive on the business of tourists.

Pack a bathroom “supply kit” – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

A small toiletries bag with “Bathroom Break” supplies is a must.

Even the nicest and most well-kept rest stops, restaurants, and cafes along a busy road don’t sanitize bathrooms after every wave of visitors. That’s why a “supply kit” comes in handy. The “supply kit” should include:

  1. a travel-size package of Clorox wipes;
  2. mini Lysol or generic disinfectant spray;
  3. toilet seat covers;
  4. travel-size toilet paper roll (or pocket facial tissues);
  5. and of course, hand sanitizer.

Hefty also makes a small package of disposable plastic bags (found in Travel aisle) that’s great for gathering up trash at every stop for a clean getaway!

Join a community of travelers – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Travel communities such as Couchsurfing exist to connect travelers with locals.

By joining communities like these, meeting new people, and making new friends, you can experience each destination a little more personally, participate in more “insider” or “locals only” activities — and even save money. After all, locals know all the best places to eat, see, and visit — and they should know how to do it affordably.

Bonus: when you get home, you’ll have made new friends with whom you can correspond and visit again in the future.

Book early – Cruise trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Cruisers who purchase their cruise packages at least three months in advance may receive deep discounts to the tune of 50% — or more.

Cruise lines often reward early bookers handsomely, because the sooner a particular cruise is booked to capacity, the sooner they can begin ramping-up efforts to book other cruises on the same ship.

Booking early is also a wise step for those eager to snag a particular room or deck before the thousands of late-booking passengers get their chance.

Ship, don’t check – Airline tip

by Gadling Staff on

Planning on shopping ’til you drop on your vacation? Consider shipping your purchases home via UPS, FedEx, or USPS.

With most airlines charging fees for checked bags and overweight luggage, in many cases shipping your goods home is cheaper than paying the airline’s fees.

Pay special attention to USPS, which offers several sizes of Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes — anything that fits in the box can be shipped anywhere in the United States for one flat rate.