Buy clothes there – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Depending on where you’re headed, it may be cheaper to pack fewer clothes and purchase new outfits upon arrival.

Destinations such as Bangkok, Thailand, for example, sell quality, fashionable clothes for low prices. For destinations such as these, pack about three outfits and plan to shop soon after you get there. This may not be advisable, however, for travel destinations such as London or Tokyo. In order to make the right decision, research your destination’s clothes prices before departure.

Further, shopping abroad gives you the opportunity to explore local cultures — and maybe even purchase some cool, wearable souvenirs.

Bonus: Saving space in your luggage may, in turn, result in less luggage — and fewer baggage charges!

One outfit, two days – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Pack one outfit for every two days of travel.

For instance, if you’re traveling for seven days, you only need to pack three outfits; you’ll actually be wearing a fourth outfit … that can be worn again.

You may also want to consider choosing to wear (or pack) a jacket that you can use with some of your other outfits, to help give them a “fresh” look.

10 travel resolutions for 2010

by Katie Hammel on

As 2009 draws to a close and we look back on the last 365 days of travel, it’s time to make some resolutions for the coming year. Here are ten travel resolutions that will help you be a happier, more fulfilled traveler in 2010.

Pack lighter
Nearly every domestic carrier now charges for the first checked bag. The fees are increasing as airlines are relying on the fees to supplement revenue and they show no signs of stopping. If you haven’t yet mastered the art of packing for a domestic trip with just a carry-on, now is the time to do so. Limit yourself to one pair of shoes in your bag, bring clothes that mix and match, plan to wash and re-wear your clothes if they get dirty, and wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Resist the urge to pack for every contingency, learn the 3-1-1 rules, and know that any minor inconvenience you suffer from packing light may be worth the money saved. Plus, there’s no waiting around for your luggage to be unloaded and no danger of it getting lost en route.

Remember to unplug

Many people are afraid to truly take a vacation from work. They worry about how it will affect their career or stress about the amount of work they’ll come back to. If they do manage to make it out of the office, they often spend their whole trip checking email and fielding work calls and texts. Step away from the Blackberry! Sign out of Twitter, shut down Facebook, and put your “out of office” notification on your email. You’ve worked hard for this vacation so unplug and actually enjoy it.Explore your own backyard
Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest you plan a “staycation” this year. But I will point out that exploring a new place doesn’t have to mean jetting off to a destination halfway around the world. If finances are tight but you still want to take use some vacation time and broaden your horizons, spend your days discovering a place you haven’t been within the US, within your own state, or even within a few hours drive of your own home. In between trips, find ways to do some virtual traveling by learning about your dream destinations or celebrating other cultures.

Slow down
There’s so much to see in this great big world, and so little time to see it in, that it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to squeeze in as much as possible on each trip. But when you do that, you’re just ticking things off a list and experiencing nothing. Slow down and take your time exploring a few places rather than trying to skim the surface of many. You many not be able to say you’ve seen every country in the world, but you can say you’ve understood a few.

Think outside the box for destinations
Resolve to shake up your travel m.o. in 2010 If you always opt for a European getaway, head to Asia this year. If most of your trips are to big cities where you can wine, dine, shop and visit museums, try a trip to a quiet beach or a countryside setting instead. Consider what you want to get out of a trip and look for other destinations that fit the bill. Dive enthusiasts who’ve explored most of the Caribbean’s depths can try the waters of the Mediterranean. Traveling foodies who’ve eaten their way around Europe can sample the tastes of India or learn the traditions of Mexican cooking. Reconsider places you might have dismissed before, especially those that are emerging as new destinations so that you can beat the crowds.

Try an alternative form of lodging
Who says you always have to stay in a hotel? This year, try a different kind of lodging. Sleep in a bed and breakfast, rent an apartment, CouchSurf or sign up for a home-swap. You may find that it’s not for you, or you may find your new favorite way to stay. As a bonus, alternative forms of lodging are often cheaper than traditional hotels.

Travel green
Help protect the places you love so that future generations can enjoy them. Resolve to cut back on your carbon footprint and do what you can to travel green. Try to stay in eco-friendly accommodations, take public transportation when you can, reduce your energy use at home, and invest in carbon offsets to help mitigate the damage caused by air travel.

Try one new thing on every trip
Travel is about experiencing new things, so why bother going to a new destination if you are just going to do the same activities, eat the same food, and explore the same interests? This year, challenge yourself to try at least one new thing on every trip. Sample a food you’ve never eaten, sip a local drink, learn a native skill, and engage in an activity you’ve never done before. It’s easy to fall into the routine of seeking out the same experiences in different places so challenge yourself to try something new.

Get out of your comfort zone
We travel to discover, not only new people and places, but also new things about ourselves. Push yourself out of your comfort zone in 2010. Try not only new things that you’re eager to experience, but also new things that scare you just a little. Eat that slimy, still-squirming mystery dish in China or face your fear of heights climbing the Sydney Bridge. You’ll learn a little about the world around you, and maybe even more about yourself.

Remember that travel is a state of mind
It’s easy to approach exotic cultures with respect and curiosity. It’s a lot harder to look at different cultures in our country and accept that just because they do things differently, it doesn’t mean they are wrong. Bring the acceptance you learn on the road home with you. Don’t lose your sense of wonder and curiosity once you are back on familiar ground. Remember that travel is a state of mind and you may be just as surprised to discover the world around you as you are destinations farther away.

Packing light for a cold trip

by Catherine Bodry on

I’m a proud packer, but until now my longer trips have either been in warm places, or to countries where I planned to be very stationary (and didn’t care if I looked like a 20-something grungy backpacker, because that’s what I was). Flimsy skirts and tank tops were the norm. My task this time around, however, is to maintain my packing pride while making sure I stay warm and manage to look somewhat professional.

I’m heading out for a three-month trip to China, where I probably won’t wear my swimsuit or flip-flops one time. I’m going to use Kunming as my base, and that city is at 6000 feet elevation. I hope to do a some trekking while I’m there, so a bit of gear will be necessary.

First, I need to choose my luggage. Instead of my fabulous Eagle Creek Switchback, I’ll cram my Marmot Diva 36L with all my stuff. It’s not as convenient for travel, but it’s a great pack for trekking. Next, I decided to bring my light down sleeping bag (rather than my thick synthetic bag, or nothing at all). It should be sufficient for sleeping in huts and will also be my bedding when I get an apartment.

Finally, the hard part: shoes and clothes. My running shoes will double as trekking shoes and, well, running shoes, while a pair of red Keen Mary Janes will fill in all the other shoe duties. Hopefully I won’t have to get fancy. As for clothes, I’m bringing stuff I would normally never dream of packing: jeans, cords, long underwear. No light cotton pants and only one strappy tank top (a girl needs to go out every now and then). One fleece pullover, several long sleeve shirts and a few t-shirts. My packing pile is growing, but overflow will get discarded and my Eagle Creek packing cubes will tidy the rest.

Top ten things not to forget on a trip

by Annie Scott on

We all usually try to travel light, but when you succeed, do you feel a little nervous? I do. If I can lift my suitcase without grunting, I’m fairly certain I’ve forgotten something. Here’s a list of the Top ten things not to forget on a trip — hopefully both you and I can remember to check it next time we’re about to head out of town!

1. Cell Phone Charger. They’ve started carrying universal chargers (with multiple heads) at places like Walgreens, but that’s $15 to $20 you really shouldn’t have to spend.

2. Program Your Phone. Do you have the airline and hotel phone numbers in your phone? You should. It’s also a good idea to list your destination’s number for taxis, and someone with ICE (In Case of Emergency) before their name.

3. Passport and Tickets or Itinerary. You need some form of photo ID to travel even domestically, so don’t forget it. The passport is obviously important for foreign travel, but make sure it isn’t about to expire; many countries won’t let you in with under six months left. Also, even if you booked all your travel online, customs will sometimes ask to see your full itinerary, so bring tickets or print it all out.
4. Socks and Accessories. We can usually remember our socks and underwear, but when you’re heading somewhere warm, you probably throw your athletic shoes in the bag for touristy hikes and/or exercising; don’t forget the socks — or face the stinky consequences. There are other unisex items we often miss: belts, hats and scarves, and a good pair of walking or evening shoes. Men, did you remember your tie? Your cufflinks? Women, your jewelry? Hairbands? Bobby pins? Small purse?

5. A Book. Heaven forbid you should be trapped on a long flight with nothing to read but SkyMall or the newspaper. Don’t forget your book, or at least bring a laptop and a dvd.

6. Meds and Potions. Now that you have to pack your lotions and creams and such separately from the rest of your carry-on, it’s easy to forget them altogether. Also, don’t forget your medications — not just prescription. I never go anywhere without Advil, just in case. For your handy reference, TSA guidelines are here.

7. Pajamas. Once you painstakingly pick out clothes for every occasion, remember that you have to sleep in something, too.

8. Converters. Going somewhere foreign? Guess where you can use your electronics: Nowhere! Most good hotels will provide you with at least one power adapter, but I like to have more than that; otherwise I’m constantly switching from charging my phone to charging my computer, and once the razor or curling/straightening iron comes into play, it just gets messy.

9. Gifts. This is a big one for the holidays. Don’t forget the presents! Also, if you’re heading somewhere far away, it’s easy to pack a couple simple things from home to give as thank yous, just in case.

10. Camera and Accessories. Forgetting your camera can all-out ruin your fun. What good is taking a vacation without the means to document it? All right, probably some good, but don’t forget your camera. Disposables aren’t the same and you probably don’t want to buy a whole new one out of town. What’s more, don’t forget the battery charger and the memory card. It can be an expensive mistake!