What’s your best travel tip?
Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 at 12:01 am by Danielle LaPorte
Roadtrippin’, weekend getaways or international adventures, we’ve all got some tourist tips to trade.
Carrie says: Wear comfortable shoes (I like Birkenstocks or ballet flats,) and carry a bag of almonds for protein.
Danielle says: I always travel with a shawl and Emergen C — 1000 mgs of Vitamin kicks the bugs and fatigue.
My flights are usually 12+ hours long, so my tips don’t really apply for shorter ones.
I load my iPod with relaxing music (think no lyrics, natural sounds and some of Aphex Twin) and a few audiobooks (the Harry Potter series read by Jim Dale is one of the best). That takes care of the background noise and gives me a chance to sleep.
I also carry some individually packed moisturizer (ie. Urban Therapy by comodynes.com - popular here in Spain).
When I’m flying out, I don’t put make up on in the morning, so my skin can breath a little better during the flight, and I apply it 1 hour before landing. Airport security made this a little harder, but I bought some small containers and made my own tiny make-up kit.
I hate hate hate airplane food, so I eat a meal before boarding and I bring my own snacks. Nothing salty or greasy, as that would make you more dehydrated. They’ll give you some water in-flight (2-3 glasses), but not nearly enough. Carry a small bottle of water.
An empty bottle to fill with water after security. Small blanket or pashmina for freezing planes - amazing how many have eliminated blankets recently. BeneFit’s ‘realness of concealness’ kit. Time Out city guides, especially for Europe. An open, flexible mind. A bit of local knowledge - be it food, how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, the religion, the customs. A willingness to get lost and enjoy the buzz of the discomfort of finding the self in a new place, or rediscovering the self in a familiar place that may have changed - and seeing these changes.
Oh yes the willingness to get lost, you never know what treasures you may find! That and I have a terrible sense of direction.
Carrie
I always wear a panty shield during travel days to save on undies. After the plane lands, it’s a great feeling to discard the panty shield and have a fresh pair of undies underneath without having to use another pair.
I check out Journey Woman for the best travel tips. Here you go:
http://www.journeywoman.com/
If I’m visiting a place for the first time, I surf the net for tips — best hotels, best restaurants, shopping, local crafts to take home.
No matter what happens, just chew the end off your tongue and try to live with it. I always carry my own pillow and log the dreams I have at the motel/hotel(s).
is the quality of your dreams different when you travel…physically travel, that is? I always feels like hotel rooms are filled with a lot of old noise…
Yes, when I physically travel and stay in hotels I find that I sometimes pick up either the dreams or history of those that stayed in the room before me. It can make for a very active night with very little sleep sometimes.
Take some postcards from where you live to your travel destinations. You’ll meet people who will want a souvenir of you! You can write contact information on the back, so new friends can stay in touch.
I do the same thing! On ice with lemon if they have it.
I’m not sure if this is a travel tip. It’s just my own personal tradition. I always drink tomato juice in flight. I always feel like there’s something about traveling, and flying in particular, that just leeches the nutrients out of my body, so the tomato juice replenishes them. Happy trails everybody!
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!
My best traveling tip? Stay home. All kidding aside:
1. Pick the right carry-on bag.
2. Color coordinate. On my last trip, I packed one pair of white jeans, one pair of white dress shorts, three different tees, a little black dress, skorts and tee for working out, athletic shoes, a pair of flat sandals, and a pair of dress sandals. That’s it. Yes, I forgot my undies.
3. Wear layers on the plane, such as two shirts, and your heaviest pair of shoes. Years ago, it was fun to dress up for travel by plane. With the current climate, I wear my athletic shoes on the plane. Not only does it allow for more room in my suitcase, but it also allows me to sprint through the airport like OJ.
4. Opt for wrinkle-free fabrics. I guess I’m picky-picky. For the life of me, I have never been able to find wrinkle-free clothing that fits or suits me. For you picky-picky fashionistas, try Lewis N. Clark Wrinkle Free Spray (2 for $11.99).
5. Roll your clothing instead of folding it.
6. Pack heavier items on the bottom, fill in the nooks and crannies with accessories, socks, and underwear. Oh, right, don’t forget to pack the undies.
7. Pack a multi-purpose soap: 2-ounce bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Magic 18-in-1 Peppermint Pure Castle Soap ($2.49). I have never tried this, but I am ordering it today. It doubles as shampoo, hand soap, toothpaste, and laundry soap.
8. Use travel-size sundries. Cargo eyeshadow cards ($24).
Cargo Daily Gloss ($12).
Bliss travel-size and trial-size skincare essentials ($45). You can also check Sally Beauty Supply for travel-size sundries.
9. Know the rules. TSA requires that all carry-on liquids be in 3-ounce bottles and stowed in a 1-quart clear plastic bag. For a sturdier bag, Sephora has clear makeup bags ($4). These work great for everyday use in your handbag, too.
10. Less is more. The last trip I went on, I carried two book , five magazines, and my Nikon D50. The next trip, I am taking one magazine and my small Canon camera that fits in the palm of your hand.
Buy an airline company. lol.
Here’s how I color-coordinate. Start with the three shoes: dress, casual, athletic. By necessity, the pants and skirts have to go with the shoes. Then you have lots of room to be creative in tops and accessories.
I LOVE dr. bronners!
You are a true pro Girl W! another make up tip - skip the liquid tinted moisturizer or foundation and go with a self dispensing mineral powder wand such as Susan Posnick, Color Science or Emminence.
Go off the beaten track - you experience places from a much more intersting perspective than by staying at generic tourist resorts although they can be wonderful if all you want to do is relax by the pool with a book.
Be certain to pack an open mind!
Dena ~ so true
Just finished a year long RTW hosteling trip with three kids (5, 11, and 14) Black yoga pants(can be dressed up AND you can sleep in them),”no wrinkle” long sleeve blouses(culturally appropriate,sink washable and with a nice necklace, can look elegant if an occassion arises)and Patagonia “puff” jackets (very warm and pack down to absolutely nothing) Oh yeah, the old adage is true…pack half the clothes and twice the money.
a year hosteling with 3 kids? You’re writing a book about it, right? You must…
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!
I never leave home without my CHIonizer.
http://icdst.com/GRAPHICS/WEBSITES/CHI_EXPLORER/cat36.html
helps reduce my fear of flying by creating a very relaxing whole body feeling, so it’s easy to sleep AND no more colds!
My husband is immune-suppressed & I’ve been looking for one of those! Thanks so much for the link.
You are most welcome!
Good music. I’m currently listening to the music from the musical ‘Wicked’ when I’m in the car. I love it.
I spent an blissful hour dancing like crazy with my nieces to the soundtrack of “Wicked” thanks for the reminder to buy.
Carrie
I always pack enough essentials in my carry-on bag to get me through a day or two if the luggage gets lost or delayed. A change of clothes, a swimsuit and cover up, basic cosmetics/toiletries, a book.
On a recent trip I forgot to take extra medication and my flight was cancelled. My tip? Take extra medication! Also weigh your luggage before you get to the airport to ensure you’re within the pound limit.
yes, and i always pack an extra vinyl handled bag in the outside pocket of my suitcase in case i am overweight and need to take out a couple things. this way i can carry them onboard.
Bring Emergen-C. And instant oatmeal.
If I can drive it with int 24 hours, I drive. I joke with my uncle who is a truck driver that we have diesel fuel in our blood. If you are going to take a road trip…. Books on CD and music cd’s are a must whether you are solo or surrounded. Have three containers, I use one sturdy box for dry goods and two insulated containers, for food and beverages. Keep food in one and water bottles in the other. Soda water is your enemy on the road, along with any other sodium containing food. I take yogurt, hard boiled eggs, celery and carrot sticks, dried fruit and nuts. I have two pair of shoes, flip flops for getting out at gas stations and a pair of old running shoes in case of emergency. I ditch the bra and wear very loose clothing with no elastic waist band. I am adventurous and like to go “the back way” and have studied intently the road atlas I take with me when driving. Know how far you can drive on a full tank and never ever ever be able to drive less than 100 miles with what gas is in your tank. Do not rely on your cell phone. I repeat, do not rely on your cell phone. Have a prepaid calling card. Stop for a break every two to three hours at least. Take pillows and blankets - even when it is scorching hot. Know first aid and have a first aid kit - or take me with you when you go!
I always bring along my QuikPod (www.quikpod.com) to ensure EVERYONE gets in the photographs. I found that I missed an entire trip in photographs because I was the one taking them. This handy (and hilarious) camera (or camcorder) extension screws to the bottom of any camera and extends so everyone is caught smiling. It’s so revolutionary (and funny) that we’re all usually laughing so the photos are even better….not to mention the perfect birds-eye angle allowing us to extend our necks and open our eyes (always much more flattering).
That looks like a great product!! Thanks!
I find that flying to Europe always makes me constipated. Fortunately, French prunes (just the ordinary kind in the grocery store) are FABULOUS. They make North American prunes taste like hockey pucks. I always make sure to visit a grocery store on my first day. Oh, and check out http://www.onebag.com.
Expect delays. They will happen so try not to get worked up and just go with the flow.
Homeopathic treatment for jet-lag… can’t remember the exact name… but it really helps… a travel scented candle to remove odors in hotel rooms and a plastic or wooden door-stopper which is a very easy way to make a hotel room more secure for women traveling alone (nobody will be able to come in while you’re sleeping)…
Talking about travel… I just finally got C & D’s book (Style Statements)… it travelled all the way from Quebec to Morocco in a collegue’s suitcase… Can’t wait to get into it….
Love knowing our book is being read globally, warms our hearts. And Morocco is on both Danielle and my travel list!
Carrie
You are both welcome !
My tip to anyone traveling is to STAY CALM. It’s very easy to loose patience in airports. Make sure you are not rushing to the airport so get up in plenty of time. Eat breakfast. I take along your favorite music on the Ipod, and a great book.
I bought a little plastic bag from the drug store that is the size of a ziploc and in the little bag there is a small lotion bottle body spray bottle and a toothbrush container. i manage to get through security everytime with all my needs and this bag is not a disposable bag. Any additonal liquids i fit it in the little bag and as long as it is the size of the zip loc i have not problems.
If you need some alone time, make sure you get it.
always wear slip-on shoes + socks for getting through airport security. you never need as many clothes as you think you do (except underwear, which you usually need more of). unless you are going somewhere really cold, try to take dresses, they make getting dressed effortless and you can always add a cardigan, etc. load some new tunes and relaxation/meditation tracks on the mp3 player. and i still get very anxious when i fly, so Xanax is a MUST.
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.
Try everything!…whether it be skydiving or eating raw sea urchins at a market in Provence, an open mind will lead to the highlights of your trip!
I’m with Carrie on this one - Wear Comfortable Shoes. I was in the travel business for 18+ years and can’t stress this one enough. I would also add: don’t drink alcohol on airplanes (the dehydration will make you feel bad), read up on any destination before you go…especially social customs if going to a different culture, and Be Flexible….you are traveling to see things that are different, not just the same as home.
always bring bottled water and snacks, rescue remedy, and my knitting!
I’m a big fan of Rescue Remedy.
yes, and now it comes in this cool container with little tid-bit sized suckies. like em.
Pack as little as possible in as small a bag as possible.
comfy pants like yoga or dance pants. for me jeans are the worst on a plane!
Always take a pashmina since these days your airline blanket is more like a J-Cloth (and pillow like a Chicklet). If you are planning a trip with the whole family reading my friend Claire Newell’s new book “Travel Best Bets: An Insider’’s Guide to Taking the Best Trips Ever” is a must.
One tip that i wish i could follow myself is get to the airport early..im never early for anything. I was early for my midwives appt. last week and they ended up being 30mins behind!! and always bring water.. i cant leave home without water!
“If you have to travel alone, travel in style.” Bridget Jones’s Diary
Love this! Travelling alone for work this week…will take Bridget’s advice…
I will only change my watch when standing firmly on the ground, facing a responsible clock. Too many friends of mine have changed their watches mid-flight to only miss their connection b/c they did the math wrong. That is too many variables for me.
Wherever you are traveling to, make sure you have a small amount of change and cash in the appropriate currency. You never know if you will need to use the phone or pay for a cart or pay to enter the “loo” (which is common in some European countries) once you arrive at your destination airport.
Best Tip Ever. Trust us - nothing else matters when ya gotta go.
I clean the house before I go, leaving a bottle of Perrier (and nothing else that could rot!) in the fridge for my return. I travel with prunes, darling. Prunes.
To come home to a clean house what a great idea! And traveling with prunes are definitely going on my list!
Carrie
Lucia…yes and yes. Coming home to a tidy temple is one of my favourite accomplishments. And good digestion is KEY to travel. I should have put that at the top of my list: pineapple every morning and stay away from bread while on the road.
Pineapple? What is it good for? Much more elegant than prunes…!
pineapple aids digestion (because it’s so acidic) and it’s an amazing anti-inflammatory, which is good for just about everything.
Bring a laptop and the means to connect it. I am writing this while sitting in a laundromat in Beaune, France so you can see I practice what I preach. If you need to change travel plans on the fly, look up hotels, b&bs, etc it’s invaluable.
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.
My best travel tip is to keep this in mind at all times: When you travel (alone), the strangest creature you will encounter will be…yourself - if you are brave enough to look and wise enough to recognize her.
The abject terror I felt at being young, alone and lost in a foreign country ultimately melted into a peaceful observation. And I loved it. Throwing myself out there was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
If you are travelling with someone else, each person should pack an outfit in the other’s suitcase, in case one bag is lost or delayed.
That is brilliant!
I have been traveling alot since I started my online store and here are my best tips. #1 Bring a book, I never get to read anymore (always in front of a computer) and it really relaxes me. #2 Always bring music, it makes the soul sing. #3 Limit your carry on’s, not too big, not too heavy, it will make you grumpy! #4 Make sure your hotel has decent beds, Ugh! #5 Like Dena said “Bring an open mind”.
Leave a copy of your itinerary/flight plans with someone at home.
Bring your own chop sticks and/or cutlery if you are backpacking…and hand sanitizer! Don’t over pack because you know you are going to need room for all the crap you are going to buy! Always have your Lonely Planet/Let’s Go book at your side. Sport the Canadian Flag…even if you are not Canadian! Bring your wits so you can make the best of it!
These are great tips, but I say don’t fake your nationality. If someone is going to treat me badly because of where I’m from, doesn’t that say more about them than it does about me? And isn’t one of our common themes of this site to live a more authentic life? My take is that lying about my nationality isn’t the right way to go….behaving abroad in a way that does my nationality proud is the way to go, I think…if only to help break down stereotypes…isn’t that one reason why we travel in the first place?
I buy all my young friends a Canadian flag patch when they graduate to stitch on to their back packs. Mine has literally opened doors for me in India and Romania.
1. definitely slip-on shoes for going through airport security.
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2. http://www.flycheapo.com for finding amazing fares on intra-europe trips, on little airlines you have never heard of, and that never come up on the US-based aggregator sites.
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3. http://www.tripadvisor.com! love this site for great organization and user reviews. this site was crucial when planning our trip to japan.
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4. one unusual resource i use when planning a trip is http://www.flickr.com . this photosharing site is fun for browsing anytime, but great for trip planning. if you are trying to decide what sites to visit at a new destination, having a look at other people’s travel photos from that place can inspire you, or may give you an idea of where you DON’T want to go. they will even sometimes have photos of hotels you are considering. also, photography is my big hobby, so reviewing other people’s photos also gives me ideas for shots i want to take when i get there (i.e. not the same as everyone else’s!)
YES! YES! Flickr for trip planning is an amazing resource. You get the real story and tried and true recommendations.
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.
Take a little sketchbook with you. I find I remember so much more if I stop and make sketches and notes than if I take a picture. My travel sketch kit is tiny, but still holds watercolours, brushes and a little bottle of water for painting (and the finished books make great souvenirs!)
Bring your best self when you travel-whether for business or pleasure-and bring what you need to make this happen. For me that would be book(s) and my journal. For a friend of mine, it would be an iPod full of her music.
What will help you bring out your best?
Don’t chase a monkey…even if he just made off with your favourite Gucci shades.
laughed very loudly. Thank you for this. Reminds me of equally profound and pithy wisdom from a friend, with an equally great story behind it: Don’t take shit from men in dresses.
That’s a story I need to hear.
When my husband asked for Bose Noise Cancelling headphones for his b/day one year i thought a rather extravagant gift until i used them on a long flight. WOW! i slept like a baby, wasn’t fatigued by engine noise and enjoyed the blissful womb-like sound. That and a tubular shaped bucky pillow and i can make it to Hong Kong and back with minor complaints.
Noise is tiring - it just sucks the life out of me. Those noise canceling headphones are amazing!! Great tip.
Hmm - not a tip but a question. After my latest trip, I’m in the market for a new carryon bag. Requirements;
-well-organized and can take at least 5 days worth of clothes
-must be stylish but also secure (no crushables please)
-easy to roll
-meets the airline requirements for carry-on luggage
Suggestions???
I’ve been coveting this one… http://www.flight001.com/store/trip.htm?itemid=1844&view=all&sid=201
this site has loads of great options
you and me both. I am always looking for the perfect travel bag!
all the above requirements and not black!
Eagle Creek Pack-it folders - keeps shirts, pants, etc. wrinkle-free and compacted into a tight bundle. http://www.eaglecreek.com/accessories/packing_folders/
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.
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!
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.
Leave the kids behind…????
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.
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!
[...] Best Travel Tips 5. Take ear plugs - for filtering out unfamiliar sounds, helps with sleep. - Lyda [...]
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.
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.
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).
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.
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).
Airborne. Take it before, during and after. A neck pillow. Ear plugs. Any kind of holistic sleeping aid.