Create a travel drawer – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Find yourself spending hours searching around the house for your voltage converter, mosquito net, and travel hairdryer before you leave for a trip? Consider emptying a drawer in your bureau or buying a plastic under-the-bed bin to store all these must-pack travel items.

You can also keep your drawer or bin stocked with travel-sized shampoos, first-aid kits, maps, spare earbuds, and photocopies of important documents like your driver’s license and passport.

Never again will you waste time digging through closets and suitcases looking for your adapter plug kit.

Bring an ethernet cable – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

If packing your laptop, be sure to include an ethernet cable. A section five to ten feet long should be plenty, as most hotels are nice enough to put the ethernet port close to the bed and the desk (but not so nice that they provide the cable).

Keep in mind that no internet connection is 100% secure, but a direct connection is more secure than a wireless one.

How to hold a cruise ship scavenger hunt – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re cruising as part of a big group of family and friends, it’s a lot of fun to divide into teams for a scavenger hunt. Items for the hunt can be dares, found objects, and fact-finding missions.

For example, have the groups try to find the ship’s largest suite, or ask each team to shake the captain’s hand. It’s a great way to pass those days at sea — and you can learn a lot about the ship you’re enjoying!

Pro tip: If you require there to be photographic evidence of each completed scavenger hunt item, then everyone goes home with great scrapbook photos.

Meet your mom’s hairdresser’s nephew (or whoever) – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Maybe it’s your mom’s hairdresser’s nephew, and chances are you’ll have nothing in common. But you never know…

It’s worth grabbing a coffee with an acquaintance (however many times removed), if you don’t know a new city or country. It makes a completely different kind of trip when someone takes you to their favorite cafe or recommends an obscure nearby venue when you mention you like folk music.

Bonus: because you’ll meet someone a friend or family member knows, you’re strengthening your relationships at home!

Make a ‘souvenirs to buy’ list – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

A lot of folks make a list of what to bring before they go on a trip.

Personally, I prefer to make a list of what I plan to buy while I’m away. This way, I know how much room to leave in my bag for souvenirs.

Also? A list ensures I won’t forget anyone on my list.