Buy local music – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Most vacation spots sport all kinds of souvenirs at shops aimed at tourists. Many of these items were manufactured in other countries and have nothing to do with the location you came to visit. Take home a memory and support local creativity everywhere you go. Visit a club or an area with street performers and buy a CD from a musician.

Choose someone whose music you enjoy and strike up a conversation. Get the CD signed, and you’ve succeeded at supporting someone’s music and acquiring a personalized souvenir and a story to go with it.

Keep important items accessible – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Before you go on your road trip, make sure to pack your car so the most important items are easily accessible.

Many people make the mistake of packing their essential items first — so as not to forget them — but this means those essential items wind up underneath multiple bags and other supplies. In case of an emergency, you need to be able to find your important items quickly and easily.

If you’re bringing food and water, place them in a position that is accessible by the driver and the front passengers seat. This will help you refrain from having to crawl to the back of the car or take your eyes off the road.

Bring games – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

Entertaining kids — or adults! — on a road trip is all about what’s in the bag. Bring along an eco-friendly grocery tote stuffed with some of your favorite items that aren’t heavy or messy. Some key items to pack include:

  • write on/wipe off boards with appropriate markers
  • an Etch-a-Sketch
  • a Rubik’s Cube
  • trivia cards
  • books and/or magazines with entertaining or funny questions or quizzes
  • a book of Mad Libs

New state, new map – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

When road-tripping, pick up a fresh map every time you enter a new state.

In the United Sates, there are often welcome centers or rest stations that provide free state maps. When on the interstate, take the time to stretch your legs and pick up an official state map.

A state map from the state’s Department of Transportation provides information and details not normally found on your national atlas. State maps can offer facts about driving laws, attractions, and locations — as well as invaluable, detailed city maps (usually on the reverse side). State maps also serve as excellent (free) mementos of your trip.

So remember, new state, new map.

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.