The best way to divide and conquer a hotel is to over-tip the bellmen, then pepper them with questions.
In my experience, the bellmen are the eyes and ears of a hotel: they have access to the premium deals and insights that make a hotel run. Furthermore, the average bellman is a male aged 18 to 25; they can suggest the best places in town for partying or point you to their city’s secret dives.
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.
If you’re anything like me, unpacking once you get home often takes as long (if not longer) than actually packing for the trip.
If you can, do your laundry the day before you leave your vacation spot (this works especially well when you’re visiting relatives).
Not only will you have clean clothes once you return, but it’s a way to make sure you actually come home with everything you either packed for the trip or purchased while on vacation. Once you’re home, unpacking isn’t so tough because alI you have to do is bring the bag in, put your clothes where they belong, and put the suitcase back in the attic.
Everyone knows about taking traveler’s checks when they travel, but what about taking prepaid travel cards? They’re easy and convenient to use, and many major credit card companies offer them now, like Visa and MasterCard.
They work just like debit cards, and you can use them the same way you use an ATM card. They also offer the same security as traveler’s checks without having to exchange them every time you go out.
Bonus: you can easily keep your expenses in check by putting a predetermined amount on the cards.
If you love gardening, it’s fun to purchase seeds of flowering plants from distant lands to add uncommon beauty and interest to your landscape. If the plant blooms, you’ll get loads of compliments or questions, and that allows you to share the memories of your travels.
Try to purchase seeds that closely match your climate or gardening zone, but many times plants will flower in your area during a different season that closely matches their native land.
Pro tip: You can also grow them indoors or in your greenhouse. Harvest seeds from plants for the following year and to share with friends.
[Ed’s note: be sure to avoid introducing invasive species into your region!]