Travellious.com

On Being A Good Visitor

austin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:18:12 +0000

After a recent long-ish trip to Italy, we've learned a few more tricks and tips about being a good, non-annoying, helpful, and grateful houseguest. Of course, it helps to have awesome people to stay with, but we've got some great tips that will help you no matter who you're crashing with. -Austin
You've probably had one or two in your life, we all have. Who, you might ask? Clueless out of town friends, that's who. Odds are you've been that unprepared friend more than once yourself. I've got a few tips to help you be a better visitor the next time you head off to see far-away friends.

Travellious in the News

austin — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:14:21 +0000

Image: kelly.

We've been blessed with some press coverage this summer. From being listed as a blog to follow in The Guardian in May to Kelly's article on "Six Good Habits for Saving Money When You Travel" being featured in the USAirways Magazine this month. Check it out if you're flying this month.

Staying Sane When You Travel in a Group

kelly — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:04:36 +0000

When I sat down to write this post, I wasn't thinking about the roadtrip I was about to embark on in less than two weeks. But, it couldn't have been more timely, and I will definitely be putting my advice to the test in a real life test lab.

Image: Jen and Mutley.

The true test of a friendship is whether or not it can survive a trip. What happens when you throw a few more into the mix? Complete chaos or a rockin' good time? I've hit the road with a car full of misfits, trekked around Venice with a gaggle of new friends and been victim to the overzealous notion of "hey, why don't you come with us this weekend." Time and again, dominant personalities emerge, start calling all the shots, and I often leave a trip wondering, what the hell was I thinking? I like to decide where I'm heading next, where I might linger a bit too long and what I want to skip all together. I'm stubborn like that. But that doesn't mean I don't like traveling with a group, I just needed to learn how to adjust.

Don't get me wrong, traveling in a group has it's advantages. You've got new buddies to pair off with, ideas you would have never thought to try, new experiences, and an instant party. Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you head out on a group adventure.

Uncommon Goods: Handmade Travel Gear (July 6, 2009)

kelly — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:01:43 +0000

Who says your gear has to look like everyone else? I've dug up some great handmade goods for the traveler from Etsy.

Carry on bags inspired from a bygone era, Acme Baggage ($100-$165)

Inspiration: Kenny Random

kelly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:43:49 +0000

Image: austin.

The next time you head to Padova, someone might suggest for you to see the Scrovegni Chapel to see the frescos of the 14th century master, Giotto. But don't overlook the works of a modern day master, Kenny Random, whose art can be found throughout the streets of Padova. Here's one we spotted while wandering through town one day.

Travellious Test Lab: On The Road With The Blackhawk 3-Day Assault Pack

austin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:29:45 +0000

Image: austin.

Backpacks. If they do a good job, you won't even know they're there.
When we started planning our most recent trip to Italy, we decided that this time, we were going to go as light as humanly possible. Our ultimate goal: to get away with only carry-on bags, despite the fact that we were traveling for 3 weeks, packing electronics, and taking goodies for our Italian friends. With the luggage we owned, it seemed like a tough task. But, through some research, a few good blogs, and some luck, we were fortunate to stumble on the Blackhawk 3-Day Assault Pack. It seemed to be an enigma of a bag: it's easily smaller than most carry-on size limits, yet people reported that they'd been able to carry enough for almost any trip. To top it off, it's the standard issue pack for the US Army. It's got to be good, right?
Want to know how it held up on our trip? Keep reading to find out our thoughts on how well the Assault Pack performed.

Five Ways a Local Newspaper Helps a Last Minute Planner

kelly — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:22:34 +0000

Image: dsevilla.

Headed on a trip and don't have much time to plan? Why not skip the guidebook in favor of a local paper? Many cities, big and small, feature an alternative paper that really gives you the flavor of the city. Written by passionate, interesting and offbeat locals, they are the easiest way to get up to date, and peek into the arts, culture, food and music scene. Best of all, they're free. Still not convinced? Check out our five ways that a local paper can help you plan your next trip.

Gnocchi in Garbatella

ontheroad — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:07:14 +0000

Travel Chatter: What's Hot On The Net (June 22, 2009)

austin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:08:51 +0000

The blogosphere is full of travel inspiration and ideas... here's our favorite finds from the past week.

Image: Elephi Pelephi.

TBEX Road Trip: No McDonalds On This Trip
Have you checked out the TBEX Road Trip blog yet? Kelly just wrote a little article on it about a great site that she's using to find local food options while on the road to TBEX.

Shadows of Plitvice, Croatia

ontheroad — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:01:21 +0000

Image: Aghman.

This photo comes from the beautiful lakes of Plitvice, Croatia. I've never seen waters with such vibrant colors, anywhere.

We've got more photos of Plitvice, coming up soon. Despite the fact that we've been home for the past few weeks, we're still wading through our photos and other media so that we can present them to you in all their shining glory. Soon, I promise.