Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in What’s your best travel tip?

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Shannon Fitzgerald — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:54:56 -0000

Airborne. Take it before, during and after. A neck pillow. Ear plugs. Any kind of holistic sleeping aid.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Angela — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:41:06 -0000

As a traveler with a toddler, I've got to be able to keep one hand relatively free at all times. I cannot be rummaging through things with 2 hands, since one hand needs to be reserved for holding on to my child. This means:

-slip on shoes for getting through airport security easily.
-carry-on bag that has (minimum) 2 outer slip pockets for easy access to: a) boarding pass/ticket/ID, and b) petty cash in an envelope for any airport purchases (food, etc).

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Angela — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:32:16 -0000

Great tips, I will have to pass on that tip about adjusting to new time zones to my parents, who travel between US and Asia somewhat frequently (and always suffer terribly from the change).

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

MarieLeona — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:37:52 -0000

I usually a good book, an open mind, ipod for music, and a portable traveling pillow and a pashima shawl that can be used as an accessory to my oufits on cooler nights, as a wrap when I did to sleep on the plane, or as a scarf with a light wool cardigan for weekend get-a-aways.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Chuck — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:30:39 -0000

Some other suggestions from my 10 years of business travel:

- start adjusting to your destination time zone well in advance. They say it takes a day per hour of change to completely adjust, so if you are heading east, start getting up/go to bed 3 hours earlier, 3 days ahead for a 3 time zone change. Even if you are going to further, this partial change can make a big difference, especially if you are doing any work when you get there.
- similarly, think in the new time zone...set your watch as soon as you get on the plane, eat (if possible) at proper times for your destination and never think about how tired you are because the time at home is "x" o'clock. And, above all, don't go to bed at an odd time the day you arrive just because you are too tired/not tired enough.
- compile hardcopies of all your confirmation numbers, photocopy of your passport (in Europe, you are required to have your passport with you at all times in many places), maps of where your destination hotels are (taxi drivers may mistake your pronunciation, even in english speaking countries)...better to show them the name and location.
- ask others for recommended hotels, restaurants and unique destinations
- enter all of your hotel, restaurant and any other phone numbers you can think of for your destination into your cell phone before you leave home so you have them handy. Also, enter your credit card company, bank, doctor, travel agent phone numbers in case of emergencies. Keep your credit card number stored somewhere other than your wallet in case you lose it.
- if you go to certain foreign destinations on a regular basis, don't always exchange your currency back when you return. You can spend a lot of money changing currencies. Also, keep enough to at least get you from the airport to the hotel, especially if you tend to arrive at odd hours when an instant teller machine isn't handy and currency exchange booths are closed.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Lisa M. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:50:55 -0000

That's a story I need to hear.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Chuck — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:53:19 -0000

That looks like a great product!! Thanks!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Lee-Anne — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:39:18 -0000

As an avid international, adventure traveler with our kids (now 6 & 11, they've been traveling since they were babies), here's what's worked for us:

Pepto bismol pills; amazing what stomach ailments those little suckers will cure. I never travel overseas without them.

Chocolate sauce or some other sweet sauce; to hide the taste of malaria pills for the kids

Ipod; loaded with not yet seen videos & stories, for those long layovers. It's a guaranteed magnet for other kid travelers too.

Glow sticks. They're a fun, cheap, kid friendly night light. We used ours lately while camping in the Sahara desert.

My doctor & dentist's emergency phone numbers. This came in handy while in Morocco. I carry antibiotics with me but couldn't figure out the dosage for the tooth problem my son had. One quick call, got the ratio & all was well.

A sense of adventure; expect it. From camel wrestling and mystic dancing to chasing an ostrich on safari (kids got 'tired' looking at lions, the bird was more interesting) and watching momma hippos play with their babies in the ocean in the wild, it's a whole new perspective on how we are as a family.

#1 tip: just do it. There's so many excuses not to & so many reasons to.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Danielle LaPorte — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:17:57 -0000

pineapple aids digestion (because it's so acidic) and it's an amazing anti-inflammatory, which is good for just about everything.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Ngonzi Truth Crushshon — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:25:59 -0000

TRAVEL OFTEN! PACK LIGHT! VISIT OTHER COUNTRIES! Everyday should be like a vacation-enjoy the sunrise/sunset, laugh, play and take life slow/stress-free!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

marissabracke — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:01:14 -0000

I second that; I would love to read about your adventures with your family! That's a relatively untapped market in the book world... RTW with kids!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Guylaine — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:22:44 -0000

You are both welcome !

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Luciaf — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:44:56 -0000

Pineapple? What is it good for? Much more elegant than prunes...!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Hilma — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:22:23 -0000

Be safe. Not everyone can be trusted. Use "common sense" about walking and moving about new places. As a woman, you must think of your own safety.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Beth C. — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:44:34 -0000

I am a fearful flier too. As a result, my best tip is to take valium 30 minutes before the flight. Unfortunately, I can barely make it on the plane without it and then it makes it just bearable for me. I love traveling once I get to my destination though. :-) My best tip is to attempt to speak the native language of the place to which you are traveling.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Beth C. — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:38:42 -0000

Beaune is lovely. I hope you are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed our visit. There is a wonderful winery called Clos St Louis. Mutual friends of our families took my in-laws to their winery and our in-laws took us in turn. We brought home lots of wonderful bottles from them and they are delightful people.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Beth C. — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:15:30 -0000

Oh my gosh, I love Trip Advisor too! I'm very particular about the cleanliness of hotel bathrooms and it allows me to check things out before we go stay anywhere.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Krysta — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:53:40 -0000

Leave the kids behind...????

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Carrie McCarthy — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:48:44 -0000

you and me both. I am always looking for the perfect travel bag!
all the above requirements and not black!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Tamara — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:20:24 -0000

Keep a toiletry kit packed at all times--and restock it as soon as you get home. You'll always be ready to go at a moment's notice. And you'll always have the things you need.

And I read a travel memoir or novel set in the place I'm traveling--just for inspiration.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Kristin (The Goat) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:39:57 -0000

I have a sweater/jacket that I take with me onto airplanes. It is large so I can literally hide under it LOL I love to take my own pillow. I put it in one of those giant ziploc bags (to keep it clean as I drag it through the airports) and I pack 2 extra pillow cases. I bring at least two books - one educational or motivational and the other a beach read. My favorites are the books in the Full Series from Janet Evanovich and Charlotte Hughes.

I avoid caffeine at all costs when I am flying or driving long distances. My feet swell but add in caffeine and I can hardly walk after a two hour flight.

I usually have a million tips but can't think of them after reading all of yours!! This was fun!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

lyda — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:11:25 -0000

Eagle Creek Pack-it folders - keeps shirts, pants, etc. wrinkle-free and compacted into a tight bundle. http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/packing_f...
Available in Vancouver at the Travel Bug.
Silk underwear - it dries overnight, even in humid climates - http://www.kimallansilk.com/
Ear plugs - for filtering out unfamiliar sounds, helps with sleep.

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

chantal — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:22:53 -0000

You are most welcome!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Danielle — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:22:02 -0000

My brother and I recently found out that we each ALWAYS order tomato juice when we travel (and only drink it when flying). I thought we were the only ones!

Re: What’s your best travel tip?

Kristin (The Goat) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:15:56 -0000

Noise is tiring - it just sucks the life out of me. Those noise canceling headphones are amazing!! Great tip.