Keep a “forever-packed bag” – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

One way to never forget the essentials is to maintain a “forever-packed travel bag.”

Find a small travel case and put travel sizes of all the basics — a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, styling products, comb or brush, contact lens solution, soap, razor, shaving cream and lotion — inside. Other items to consider adding include safety pins, nail clippers, emery boards, shower cap and shoe shine cloth.

Each time you return from a trip, replenish what you used out of the bag before you put it away. Then, the next time you need to pack, you’ll save yourself time (no need to repack) and worry (“What did I forget?!”).

Rock like Romeo for Valentine’s Day

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Want to become Romeo? Ladies, want to turn your husband or boyfriend into the most romantic character who never lived (and didn’t even do that long)? Check out the latest deal from the Romeo Hotel in Naples, Italy; it’s designed to turn even a guy like me into a real romantic. For a rate starting at 625 euro, you’ll be able to spend two nights in a Deluxe Harbor View Room, enjoy champagne and roses upon arrival and wander the city with a personalized Romeo Hotel City Guide to help you uncover the hidden secrets in the cradle of western civilization. The guide was put together by the hotel staff, so you’ll get the insider’s view, not what you’d normally find in a guidebook.

The package also includes a gourmet dinner at the hotel‘s fine dining establishment, Il Commandante, including wine, but you’ll have to choose from a collection with more than 1,000 labels. Top your trip off with a complimentary trip to Romeo Wellness, the hotel’s spa.

Gadlinks for Thursday, 1.28.2010

by Katie Hammel on

The weekend is almost here! Are you headed anywhere fun? I’m off to sunny Puerto Rico to escape Chicago’s latest cold snap. Here are a few bonus travel stories to keep you dreaming of warmer days.

  • Winter in the northern hemisphere means summer in Buenos Aires. If you’re headed down south, here are a few places to gorge yourself silly, courtesy of Matador writer Tom Gates. [via Matador Nights]
  • Nothing says summer like the sight of tan surfers catching some waves. How does a pro surfer globe-trot? Find out with BootsnAll’s How I Travel profile of surfer Holly Beck. [via BootsnAll]

More Gadlinks HERE.

Bring home dirt – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

The expression “dirt cheap” applies to my keepsake hunting.

I like to collect soil from different historical locations. I then take said dirt home and mix it into my garden. My garden has soil from Normandy, Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Kitty Hawk, Jerusalem, Fenway Park, Sarajevo, Kuwait, Mogadishu (my husband was in the military), and dozens of other spots.

My sister thinks that it’s sort of ghastly that I steal soil from what is essentially, in places like Antietam, a mass grave. I point out that over 22,000 people died to help grow my Shasta daisies.

To each, their own.

Seven new hotels around the world from Fairmont in 2010

by Tom Johansmeyer on

This year promises to be exciting for fans of the Fairmont. New properties are set to open in London, China and many other cities, each with a distinct style. There’s no question that the Fairmont has the art and science of hospitality mastered, so these new properties are going to be exciting to watch.

1. The Savoy
With a design nodding toward Edwardian and Art Deco, the hotel reopens after a restoration program costing more than GBP100 million. The property has 268 guestrooms and a new luxurious Royal Suite. The Savoy Grill is going to come back … under the management of Gordon Ramsay Holdings. Look for the doors to swing open in the second or third quarter of this year.

2. Fairmont Peace Hotel
This Shanghai landmark will reopen in the second quarter of this year, with 269 guestrooms over 12 floors. The hotel faces the Pudong area over the Hangpu River, making it a great spot.

3. Makkah Clock Royal Tower
The Makkah will open in Saudia Arabia in the third quarter, where it will be the focal point of the Abraj Al Bait Complex. With 858 rooms, there will be plenty of space near Masjid al Haram, the Islamic holy site. The hotel stretches 76 stories high and will be the world’s tallest upon completion. The Makkah opens in the third quarter.4. Fairmont Pacific Rim
The 377-room luxury property will open this quarter in Vancouver and will include 175 residential condos. The property will be near the ocean, with great views, and the Willow Stream Spa and Fitness Center will make a commitment wellness easy to maintain. The Pacific Rim is scheduled for a first quarter opening.

5. Fairmont Pittsburgh
The new hotel, with 185 rooms, is intended for LEED certification, demonstrating Fairmont’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. Look for a mix of environmental concern and palpable luxury … and easy access to theater, entertainment and financial districts. Look for this property to open in the first quarter of this year.

6. Fairmont Beijing
Located close to The Forbidden City, the 222-room Fairmont Beijing is a solid location for visitors who worry about being intimidated by the scope of the city. After you’ve experienced the excitement of China’s capital, head back to the Willow Stream spa to have your muscles rubbed back to normal. The Fairmont Beijing is going through a soft opening already.

7. Fairmont Zimbali Resort
Enjoy views of the Indian Ocean from this South African resort, which is tucked between a forest reserve and the sea. The 154-room hotel is intimate and infused with luxury. Look for it to open in the first quarter. This property is scheduled to open in the second quarter.

[Photo courtesy of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts]