Use social media to plan your trip – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Social media provides the easiest channel to prepare for a trip and gather information from friends — or from individuals you don’t even know. Let’s face it, people are willing to share their personal information.

On Facebook, update your status and ask friends for advice on places to see, food to eat, and more. Return the favor, and let everyone know how about your experience by posting updates via comments. Don’t forget to share pictures, too.

Another popular site, Twitter, can be used to perform keyword searches from the homepage. You won’t even need to build a network to find the most current information on any destination.

Hint: Be sure to follow Gadling for travel tips on Facebook and on Twitter.

Host foreign exchange students – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

This may not help with your trip next month, but think about it for the future. When my husband and I traveled to Europe, we had a home away from home (not to mention local tour guides) in France, Germany, and Denmark.

Hosting foreign exchange students gives a family the opportunity to learn about other cultures and the possibility of visiting them in the future. Just think, when your French sister gets married one day, guess who will be on the guest list?

Bonus: you’ll already have some experience with French culture from living with her for 6 months.

Play sports with the locals – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When you travel abroad, it can be hard to meet locals, especially if you don’t know the language. But if you play a sport — soccer, swimming, football, even ultimate frisbee — then you have a head start.

Before you go, search the internet for a tournament or scheduled practice. Chances are you’ll find a welcoming crowd, whether you’re traveling to Bogata, Prague, or Morocco. Join a friendly game of soccer. Show up for a master’s swim practice. Find a frisbee tournament in the town you’re visiting. Almost every large city internationally has a Hash House Harriers club. Jumping in will give you a workout — and an instant link to local culture.

RELATED: Road trip tip: “Frolf” away the fidgets

Take your shoes off, but keep your feet clean – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Removing your shoes to pass through security doesn’t mean you have to pick up dirt, germs, and everything else left behind by fellow travelers. In a plastic baggie in an exterior pocket of your carry-on, store a bag of hand wipes along with an old pair of socks, or disposable slip-on booties like hospital workers wear.

Slide those on when you slip your shoes off, and after passing through security, peel off those germy socks or booties and return them to their resealable bag for your return trip, while putting clean feet in your shoes.

Use the hand wipes and you’re good to go — germ-free!

Dine OUT! – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve spent so much money on just getting to Hawaii, why pay more to sit inside a restaurant? Weather permitting, you should be outside on the grass! Or on the sand. Or at a picnic table.

Borrow a sheet from your hotel to sit on or use as a table cloth, as well as glasses and silverware. Chose the most appropriate place from your “sights to see” list and make a lunch or dinner out of it by ordering take-out from one of the local eateries.

Having a picnic outside near a fun destination will give you an “insider’s view” of both that sight and the local culture.