Bring a collapsible cooler for easy dining out – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

An investment of a few dollars saves countless travel bucks!

A collapsible fabric cooler takes basically no room in your luggage, since it flattens when packed. Easy-to-carry coolers have shoulder straps, and some may even double as backpacks. Many coolers store wine upright; half of the top flips up to accommodate the taller bottle. Expensive snack items and beverages bite into travel funds, but one trip to the hotel ice machine and one stop at the local convenience store add up to extra cash. These coolers can turn an ordinary picnic lunch into a wonderful travel memory.

Bonus: you can use it as a dirty clothes hamper at the end of your trip!

Take a “surprise yourself” road trip – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Want to take a road trip to no where in particular that’s different and exciting for the adventurer in you? Here’s how to organize a “surprise yourself” road trip.

  1. Decide on the number of miles you will drive farthest.
  2. Collect two small bags and some post-it notes.
  3. On some of the post-it notes, write one direction on each note (i.e., north, south, east, west) and place notes in one of the bags.
  4. On some other post-it notes, write one length of journey for each note (i.e., 5 miles; 10 miles; 18 miles) and place notes in the other bag.
  5. Draw a post-it note for the first driving direction.
  6. Draw a post-it note for the first length of journey.
  7. Drive.
  8. When you reach the terminus of this leg, draw another direction and length of journey, and at the first safe road, turn in that direction and drive for the number of miles indicated.
  9. Continue on your journey to the outer radius.
  10. Explore. Don’t forget your camera, and perhaps a small packed snack.

Remember to enjoy the places, people, scenery and adventures along the way.

Buy stamps – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re traveling abroad on a tight budget with absolutely no extra room in your suitcase for a souvenir, then buy a stamp. Even the lowest denomination stamp of any country is colorful, cheap, and easy to find.

When you get home, mount the stamp in the middle of a piece of poster board, write the details of your trip on the back of the poster board, and put in an inexpensive frame. You’ll have a decorator look on a backpacker’s budget.

Don’t forget the toilet paper – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Although Americans are accustomed to sit down toilets and a full roll of toilet paper within arm’s reach, not all countries provide the same luxuries.

South Korea, for example, is infamous for its hole-in-the-ground toilets, with complimentary toilet paper rarely seen in bathroom stalls.

To avoid a potentially messy situation, always carry a travel-sized roll of toilet paper with you. A pocket-sized box of baby wipes also offers gentle soothing support if the country’s local cuisine doesn’t agree with you.