Hand-drawn directions – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

It’s been said that hand-drawn directions can be a window into the soul of a culture.

When you find yourself not knowing exactly where you’re going, ask a local to draw directions for you. Keep a store of interesting napkins or papers and a pen on hand to take advantage of the opportunity of being lost.

Asking for directions might also lead you to start some great conversations and to gain a deeper insight into the locale you’re visiting. Even if you have an excellent sense of direction, it never hurts to ask for clarification!

Stop getting sick when you fly – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Forget buying expensive products that promise to keep you healthy when you fly. This simple, but unglamorous trick, prevents me from getting sick every time.

Before I head to the airport, I put a generous amount of antibiotic ointment on a cotton swab and then coat the inside of my nose. It creates a barrier for the germs and keeps my nose from becoming dry and irritated while breathing the recycled air in the plane.

(Of course, I have no medical proof, but I never get sick after flying when I remember to do this.)

Use a t-shirt as a pillow case – Hotel tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve already gotten the benefit of wearing your t-shirt. Now, make that shirt work just a little harder.

If you’re concerned about the cleanliness of your pillow, the inside of your shirt is probably cleaner (or at least more acceptable) to lie on than a suspect pillowcase. Simply turn the shirt inside-out, slide it over your pillow, and you’re good to go… to sleep.

[Photo: Flickr | bandita]

Go on a “Food Scavenger Hunt” – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Guidebooks are all well and good, but they rarely take you off the beaten path. Before arriving in an unfamiliar place, pick an unusual food to track down in your destination; it’s even better if you can find the same food in multiple countries.

Finding specific foods is a particularly great way to pound the local pavement. Look for an egg salad sandwich, rhubarb pie, or a Bud Light. If you find it easily, come up with something else to hunt down. You never know what else you’ll discover in the process — and it can help give aimless days some form.

Pro tip: do some research before arriving and select a food item unique to the local culture.

[Photo: Flickr | david55king]

Use return address labels when traveling – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Who mails letters anymore? With the ease of email, social networking and banking, I had a drawer full of return address labels that were not being used. For a quick way to personalize my travel gear I put the time-saving stickers on everything from my camera, iPod, reading materials, umbrella, inside my jackets and nearly everything I pack.

It’s easy to think you won’t lose anything or leave an item behind, but oh-so-hard to replace them when you do!