Use a pocket-sized notebook for maps & notes – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Don’t want to look like a lost tourist, consulting a giant map in a public place?

Before you leave home, buy a small pocket- or purse-sized notebook. Copy maps of each destination (break a city into smaller areas) and reduce them down to notebook size; glue them into your notebook, folding out if needed. Highlight important places, like your hotel, and include directions to/from airports or train stations.

It can also be used to write down anything you want/need to remember like addresses and memorable experiences. It keeps all your important information in one place and is small enough to carry everywhere.

Related: 5 tips for spicing up your travel journals, or how to get beyond “Today I ate breakfast at…”

Laminate maps and printed directions – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Passengers eat, drink, and frequently move in and out of the car during a road trip. A paper map or set of printed directions easily gets shoved into a seat during a stop, or worse yet, ruined if food or drink is spilled on it. Upon arrival, directions and maps are even more likely to get misplaced or damaged. To keep maps and directions safe during the trip, laminate them.

For around $30, a home laminating machine will seal standard letter size pages. Copy and print stores have the capability to laminate larger maps for a minimal fee. Alternatively, you can use contact paper to cover paper maps.

Pro tip: you can draw your route on a laminated map and easily wipe the mark off, if you change your mind.

Ask for a map of the ship – Cruise tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most cruise ships have several floors with long hallways, multiple restaurants and rooms that look alike from the outside. Multiple levels and a variety of things to do means there’s more to remember, including where your room is located. Ask for a map and mark the room’s location as well as other areas you will be frequenting, such as the dining hall.

Make sure that everyone in your party has a copy of the map and never leaves the room without it. This way, if anyone gets lost it will be easier to stop and ask for help.

Know your destination – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Planning is half the fun of any trip, and the more you know about where you’re going, the more flexible you can be with your plans.

Study local maps, get familiar with the main roads and how they intersect, and learn where your areas of interest can be found. Moreover, find out what public transportation is available and, if possible, download their routes and schedules. It’s also helpful to know something about food and shopping options for the areas in which you plan to spend time, especially if you have dietary or other concerns.

Bottom line: knowing your way around helps decreases travel stress and increase the chance for spontaneity!

International travel tip: get your hotel’s phone number

by Gadling Staff on

To make the most out of your international trip, whether business or pleasure, skip the bus and taxi. Sure, they make getting around easier, but you’ll miss the flavor and excitement of your destination. Instead, ask your hotel concierge or front-desk clerk for a map and directions. Review them a few times to be sure you’re clear, and highlight your route — then hoof it.

But the most important tip: Write your hotel’s name and phone number on the map, just in case you get lost.

Even in large capital cities, walking brings you closer to the local culture, providing pleasures you might otherwise miss.