Don’t let your pet over drink – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Boarding pets while you’re on vacation can be costly. So why not take them? After all… they love a change of scenery, too!

If you can take your pet with you, avoid letting him or her “over drink” on the trip, as a result of stress. This can lead to vomit spells. (Of course, be sure to let your pet get enough liquids during the ride!)

One way to prevent your pet from over drinking is to get a kid’s sand pail; fill it with ice; and let the ice melt. As it melts, the pet can drink from the pail — but because the ice melts slowly, your pet can’t over drink!

Rent an RV – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

For a longer road trip, renting an RV can be a great way to make your experience memorable. These homes-on-wheels come in a wide range of sizes and prices, so there’s something for just about everyone.

The big advantage of traveling in an RV is the flexibility it offers. With a kitchen, bathroom and beds in the vehicle, you can decide where and when you stop — which means you won’t be tied to an itinerary. And when you’re in an RV, the road can be just as fun as the places it takes you.

Bonus: the money you save on lodging and food should cover most or all of the cost of the rental and fuel.

Paint on the fun – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Looking for a way to add a little more fun to your next road trip? The answer is simple: paint for your car’s windows!

Buying a few sticks of car paint, which can be found at most large retailers, and filling the windows of the car with scandalous sayings and quotes can attract a lot of attention.

In the past, people’s reactions to things like “Blonde Brigade” and “Whore Wheelin'” have allowed us to make life long memories.

Daily Pampering: The Mercedes-Benz AIRCAP

by Annie Scott on


Having a gorgeous convertible is certainly a blessing, but owners know that it’s sometimes a curse. You can’t ride with the top down all the time — it will mess up your hair on the way to work or a party, and if you’re traveling fast, the rushing air gets so loud it’s hard to have a conversation.

I know, I know, these are problems we’d all be lucky to have, especially with a car like the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (pictured). I had the pleasure of climbing into this car in the tents at Bryant Park yesterday (it’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) to check out the new AIRCAP Technology, which actually solves all the problems I mentioned. You could take a road trip in this car with the top down and your hair would never know it.

Look closely at the top photo — the AIRCAP is raised. Just a couple inches of mesh atop the windshield and a correlated panel at the back actually keep the car quiet and your hair unfettered at up to 125 mph. It’s controlled by a button hidden in the center console; totally unobtrusive.

AIRCAP is the first technology of its kind in the industry, but copycats will surely follow soon. I would say that AIRCAP Technology alone makes this the ultimate road trip car — but it doesn’t hurt that the top only takes 20 seconds to raise and can be activated while the car is moving up to 25 mph, the seats can actually cool as well as heat, and see the vents by the neck? That’s Mercedes AIRSCARF; it actually blows warm air on your neck, with the fan speed controlled by the vehicle speed. Saucy car gets fresh with you. The results: sexy.

AIRCAP comes standard on the entire E-Class Cabriolet line, which is expected to be priced in the mid 50s.

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

How to Stay Healthy on a Road Trip

by Katie Hammel on

Finding the willpower to eat healthy while traveling is hard enough when you have access to fresh markets and cooking utensils. It becomes even more of a challenge when you’re on a road trip, trapped in a car for hours on end, with nothing but fast food restaurants and greasy spoon diners for roadside dining options. But with a little planning, a little extra time, and a lot of self-control, you can eat healthy while on a road trip. Here are few tips.

Start your day off right.
Begin your day with a carbohydrate feast and you’ll be craving carbs again in a few hours. Put down the donut and instead, take the time to have a healthy breakfast at your hotel. Eat a good mix of whole grains and protein and you’ll ingest fewer calories while staying full later into the afternoon.

Get some exercise.
Spending eight hours or more being sedentary in the car means that your body may be burning a lot fewer calories than normal. Reduce your intake accordingly and try to get a nominal amount of exercise. Even if all you do is take a 15-minute walk in the morning and then do a few bonus laps every time you stop along your route, you’ll feel good having stretched your legs. Even better: plan your stops around scenic walks or hikes so you can do a little sightseeing while you get moving.Pack healthy snacks.
It’s easy and tempting to swing through the drive-thru or grab some chips from the gas station, but that won’t do your waistline any favors. Pack healthy snacks like almonds, granola or trail mix (choose low fat, low sodium, high fiber varieties), fruit and peanut butter, or power bars. Depending on the length of your drive, you can pack a cooler with items like string cheese sticks or hummus and pita. Just refill the ice each day at your hotel. And don’t forget to drink lots of water throughout the day and avoid coffee and soda.

Choose your meal stops wisely.
It’s harder to make healthy choices at a place where the daily special is a triple cheeseburger or a chicken-fried steak. If you can, take an hour to stop and have a proper meal once a day. Sit down, eat slowly, and follow the same healthy rules you normal use for eating out – choose grilled or broiled over fried, get dressings on the side, opt for tomato-based instead of creamy sauce. If you don’t feel like dining out, try to seek out a grocery store where you can pick up healthy prepared foods to go. Most Whole Foods locations have extensive salad bars and cut fruit available to go.