Lose the luggage, get a ruck sack – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Now that most airlines charge to check your bags, more people are opting to carry their luggage onto planes. However, not much fits in your typical carry-on. To maximize your carry-on capacity and still fit your bag in the overhead compartment, take a tip from the U.S. Army. Trade your rolling luggage for an army surplus Ruck Sack.

A Ruck Sack offers plenty of pockets and lots of room for your belongings. They’re also durable and easy to sling across your shoulders. Look for a pack with an internal back frame to better support the load.

Buy quality items to decorate your home – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Don’t be tempted by cute, cheap, useless kitsch that will clutter your house. Find out what products, colors, or fabrics make your travel destination famous, and spend your money on one or two quality items that you will keep and use for years.

Decide on an item you will actually use, such as a table cloth or beautiful platter, or think about an item that will add to your home’s decor, such as a decorative bowl or painting.

Remember to consider your home’s existing color palette and style and chose something that will fit in.

Create a travel drawer – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Find yourself spending hours searching around the house for your voltage converter, mosquito net, and travel hairdryer before you leave for a trip? Consider emptying a drawer in your bureau or buying a plastic under-the-bed bin to store all these must-pack travel items.

You can also keep your drawer or bin stocked with travel-sized shampoos, first-aid kits, maps, spare earbuds, and photocopies of important documents like your driver’s license and passport.

Never again will you waste time digging through closets and suitcases looking for your adapter plug kit.

Bring an ethernet cable – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If packing your laptop, be sure to include an ethernet cable. A section five to ten feet long should be plenty, as most hotels are nice enough to put the ethernet port close to the bed and the desk (but not so nice that they provide the cable).

Keep in mind that no internet connection is 100% secure, but a direct connection is more secure than a wireless one.

How to hold a cruise ship scavenger hunt – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re cruising as part of a big group of family and friends, it’s a lot of fun to divide into teams for a scavenger hunt. Items for the hunt can be dares, found objects, and fact-finding missions.

For example, have the groups try to find the ship’s largest suite, or ask each team to shake the captain’s hand. It’s a great way to pass those days at sea — and you can learn a lot about the ship you’re enjoying!

Pro tip: If you require there to be photographic evidence of each completed scavenger hunt item, then everyone goes home with great scrapbook photos.