Travel with clothespins – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

When traveling anywhere, a few clothespins with springs are a “must have!”

Clothespins will secure your damp towels or clothing to the back of a balcony chair, without offending the hotel management who ban draping towels, bathing suits and articles of clothing from balcony rails. They can be used in the bathroom, as well, to secure articles while drying.

Clothespins can be used to clip a curtain off to the side of a window with an otherwise great view, as well as to keep tight partially eaten snacks.

Expert clothespinners can also sleep in longer.

[Photo: Flickr | melloveschallah]

Bring an A/V cable for your laptop – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Many hotels offer high-speed wireless from the room, and the more upscale rooms will provide a decent-sized HDTV, as well. By bringing an audio/visual cord compatible with your laptop, you can plug right into most TVs, giving you instant access to all your online content on that beautiful in-room screen.

In addition to making use of a Netflix instant viewing account or Hulu, you’ll be able to bypass overpriced in-room movies (costing $12 or more) in lieu of a $4 new release at the Amazon On Demand Store!

Pro tip: Overcome bandwidth issues by downloading your flick before you arrive.

[Photo: Flickr | wlodi]

Arrive a day early – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

It only takes a single episode of almost not making it to the port on time — or missing the ship altogether! — to make getting in town the day before… very much worth it.

Flight delays are more common these days with unpredictable weather and tighter security. One missed connection could be catastrophic if you’re flying the same day as cruising. Running through airports creates the kind of stress you do not want on the first day of your vacation!

Pro tip: choose a hotel that offers transfers from the airport and to the pier.

[Photo: Flickr | Buck Forester]

Germans give Iceland a reason to brag, Italians not so much

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The past few years haven’t been all that kind to Iceland. After practicing a uniquely aggressive form of finance – maybe it should have been called “Viking derivatives” – the country felt massively the effects of the global financial crisis, screwing things up for British depositors who were parking their cash in these arctic savings accounts to score double-digit interest rates for (supposedly) no risk. Then, the country had to deal with the implications of a volcanic eruption this past spring. It’s hard to find a silver lining in that volcanic cloud.

Nonetheless, the tourist season is being declared a success. Spinning adversity into triumph, Icelandair CEO Birkir Hólm Gudnason believes the volcano‘s blast could have a long-term upside for the country’s tourism business.

Meanwhile, the hoteliers are finding ways to be bullish in the near term. Laufey Helgadóttir claims to be happy with the summer, saying it could be better than last year, thanks in large parts to German tourists who are sticking to their travel plans. Italians, unfortunately, seem to be canceling. Notes Helgadóttir: “[W]e won’t complain after this tourist summer.”

[photo by Deivis via Flickr]

Inspect your passport carefully – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Before you start planning your next dream vacation, make sure your passport is up to snuff. Check the expiration date carefully. Many countries do not allow you to visit with a passport that expires within six months of your trip.

For example, Brazil requires your passport to be valid for six months after your tip. For Switzerland, it’s three months.

Plus each country has its own rules for whether they calculate that expiration date from the day you enter the country or from the day you leave, so double check with the local embassy or consulate for the current requirements.

[Photo: Flickr | hjl]