If you’re a night owl, and have a lot of questions about your upcoming hotel stay, the best time to call the hotel for details is around midnight. Because the hotel is likely to be less busy during these times, you will likely receive more focused service.
This may also a great time to ask questions about the surrounding city.
[Photo: Flickr | StephenMitchell]
When your airline trip involves multiple stops, a little research before you leave will reduce frustration during the time you switch from one plane to the next.
Visit the website of the airport you will be changing planes at and print out a map of the terminal. When faced with a short time to get from one concourse to the next you will find a map to be very helpful.
In addition to your investigation of the airport layout, you should also identify shops and restaurants that interest you in the event that your layover time becomes lengthy.
Pro tip: add the Gate Guru app to your smart phone.
[Photo: Flickr | James Cridland]
When you pull into a rest stop to refresh, include a 3-5 minute jog or brisk walk.
It helps relieve the stiffness from sitting in the car and gets the blood pumping. It also provides children an opportunity to run and scream.
When you finish, do a quick stretch. Now you can be awake and alert for the road.
[Photo: Flickr | MikeBaird]
One of our favorite aspects of road tripping is building in time to go “off route” to small town bars.
No matter how small, most towns have a townie bar. Walk in, count the number of heads that swivel around and stare until you pick a seat. Choose a seat at the bar and let the heads turn back to their normal position while conversation returns to local gossip.
Your benefit from a trip to a small town bar: a cold brew break and a slice of Americana right before your eyes.
[Photo: Flickr | Darwin Bell]
Being without internet access makes a road trip seem desolate. Here are two simple tips for getting online for free:
1.) Wifinder is a good site to find public wi-fi hotspots, and people can submit them as they find them during their road trips.
2.) Getting a wi-fi detector is an easy way to find a hotspot, because not everyone posts a sign that says that free wi-fi is available. There are a lot of companies that offer signal detectors. For example, the Mobile Edge MEASL1 is on a keychain, which is a good way to find a hotspot and measure signal strength when stopping in new towns along the way.
[Photo: Flickr | Florian]