I take my laptop everywhere with me. It allows me to download photos, keep in touch with friends and family and to update my websites.
So I study the places I stay very closely and look for free Wi-Fi or internet connections.
Marriott recently announced that they will have free Wi-Fi in lobbies and public areas at all Spring Hill Suites, Fairfield Inn and Courtyard by Marriott properties.
Knowing what to pack is key to any trip- whether it's a long weekend or a month long getaway. Budget Travel recently had an article featuring Clinton Kelly of What Not To Wear with some great packing tips.
Note: this article was written with a 3-day-weekend in mind but you can easily use these tips for any trip. Any wording in green I have added.
The big rule "Nothing gets packed unless it goes with at least two other pieces. In fact, be careful whenever you buy something that only goes with one thing. You get stuck."
Commit to neutrals on half the body "Let's do neutral bottoms. (ie: jeans, khakis, black, brown) "Gray is the easiest neutral to make work for day and evening. Brown is OK, but it can end up being too casual, especially for men."
Darker jeans are better He chooses darker jeans because they can be dressed up for dinner. "Straight-leg jeans are preferable to wide-leg ones, for the same reason."
The other half gets patterns "A shirt with a pattern goes well with a neutral bottom. I'm no big fan of jeans and a solid--even though I'm wearing it now." You can mix prints if they're in the same color family and you vary the patterns' sizes.
Keep secondary colors consistent. He throws in an extra knit (a pink top), because it'll go with the jeans and the trousers. "The fewer colors you have, the more likely it is that different pairings will work."
Accessorize strategically "The right shoes and jewelry can take an outfit up or down." It's fine to mix gold and silver, but when you're traveling, it's easier to stick to one. "Dramatic earrings like these will make this outfit dressier."
On the actual packing "Wear bulkier items on the plane, so you have more space inside the bag." He puts the jewelry in Ziploc bags to protect it, then stuffs the bags inside the shoes. Next he packs the shoes, in shoe bags, in the bottom of the suitcase. Think about layers. Always.
An excuse to go shopping "A cotton or poly jersey dress, like a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, is great for traveling. You just roll it up in a ball." Finally, Clinton says V-necks are better than crewnecks. "They elongate the neckline, which makes you look taller. And that makes you look thinner. I've never met a woman who didn't want to look thinner!"
Of course these tips are catered towards women, but you can easily use them to dress anyone. Think Garanimals- coordination is the key.
Don't forget to track the weather before your vacation. The Weather Channel is great for this. You can get averages as well as weekly and monthly outlooks.
And don't forget to ship items ahead (as mentioned here and here).
I was flipping through channels last night and happened to catch this program of travel tips on Fine Living.
It's a great list- some of the ideas you may have even seen here before! I have copied the info from Fine Living's website and have added my 2 cents worth in green...
Planning, Packing, and Vacation Rentals
Travel Tips #20 through #17 feature being skeptical of hotel brochures and websites, not packing what you can buy at your destination, booking a vacation rental for your family trips, and taking extra items in your carry-on bag.
Tip # 20: Research Your Destination
*Call and ask specific questions. I always do this, especially with places we will be spending the night. Use direct numbers when possible and try to speak with a manager.
*Consult a travel guidebook. Make sure your guidebook is recent. There is nothing worse than an old guidebook steering you wrong.
*Read online feedback from actual travelers. Trip Advisor is good for this. So is Googling the location. That's how many of you found me.
Tip # 19: Pack Lightly
*Purchase beach and rain gear as needed. Or bring multi-use items.
*Purchase toiletries after arriving at your destination. This only works if your destination is domestic. Often foreign locations will have the same items but different brands. If you are picky take travel sizes.
Tip # 18: Vacation Rental Benefits
*Significant cost saving measure Usually best for a large group.
*Everyone under one roof with common area and kitchen Great money savings to buy food and prepare it yourself!
Tip # 17: The "3-1-1" Rule For air travel
*liquids and gels in a 3 oz. (or less) container
*stored in a 1 quart sealable clear bag
*one bag per passenger
Preparation, Car-Rental Insurance And Fine Dining For Less
Travel Tips #16 through #14 cover what information you should have in the event of a travel crisis, how much rental car insurance is necessary, and how to enjoy the best restaurants without breaking your budget.
Tip # 16: Emergency List Contents
*credit card and bank phone numbers Keep a copy of this with your passport. And keep your passport away from your wallet or purse.
*health insurance and personal physician contacts Ditto. Also email a copy to yourself and someone at home.
*airline and hotel info Ditto and ditto.
Tip # 15: Ask Your Insurance Agent
*Do I have complete policy coverage?
*Am I covered for luxury and SUV rentals?
Tip # 14: Cut Meal Expenses
*eat a price fixed three course lunch for $20-30 at a fine restaurant
*make lunch the large meal of your day
* If you have a kitchen available eat in. The food is often better and you'll save money. Save the extra cash for one really great meal.
Tagging Your Luggage, Buying Travel Insurance, And Joining A Loyalty Club
Travel Tips #13 through #11 include the importance of tagging your luggage, knowing when you'll need travel insurance, and the benefits of joining a loyalty club.
Tip # 13: Identify Your Bags
*Attach a permanent label with your name and phone number.
*Include a label inside your luggage.
*Consider an additional colorful tag, label or ribbon. We tape our bags with blue painter's tape. It comes off easily and we can also tell if the bags have been searched.
Tip # 12: When You Need Insurance
*trips with large deposits
*fixed-date bookings
*adventure activities planned
Insider Tip: A typical travel insurance policy is priced between 3 and 8 percent of the total cost of your trip.
More information:
www.insuremytrip.com
www.travelguard.com
www.travelinsure.com
Tip # 11: Loyalty-Club Membership Benefits
*usually free to join We are members of every loyalty club of every airline, hotel and car rental agency we have ever used. It doesn't cost us anything and the benefits outweigh the annoyance of signing up.
*improve chance for an upgrade
*coupons amd last-minute deal emails
Home Swaps, Traveling In The Off-Season, And Mailing Your Luggage
Travel Tips #10 through #8 look at the rising popularity and advantages of home swaps, why people should consider traveling in the off-season, and why you might want to consider mailing your luggage to your destination in advance.
Tip # 10: House-Swap Benefits
*no lodging costs
*the comforts of a real home
*like a local, not a tourist I would love to do this but until Des Moines becomes a tourist destination I think I may be out of luck.
More information on house-swapping:
www.homelink.org
www.houseswap.com
sabbaticalhomes.com
www.1sthomeexchange.com
Tip # 9: Shoulder and Off-Season Upside
*sizable cost savings We always travel in the "shoulder season" and have had great trips
*no crowds The downside is that some restaurants and attractions may be closed
*authentic environment
Tip # 8: Why Ship Luggage?*
*Not checking bags saves time.
*no chance of delayed or lost baggage I also suggest this when you have children. There is so much stuff you need and much of it you may not be able to find. This is probably my favorite tip ever.
*no physical pain from lugging bags
*if you have large, heavy, or fragile items
Insider Tip: Shipping estimates: 30 lb. bag = $40; 100 lb. bag = $75
*rates determined by weight and size.
Sanitize Your Hotel Room, Book A Room In A Sold Out Hotel and Get The Best Seat On The Flight
Travel Tips #7 through #5 discuss sanitizing your hotel room, ways to book a room in a sold hotel, and how passengers can get the best seats on airplanes.
Tip # 7: Sanitizing Measures
*Remove bedspread. Immediately. Put it in the closet.
*Use wipes. And wipe off everything.
*Use sealable bags for "icky" items. Put the tv remote in a clear zip bag and use it that way.
Tip # 6: Booking Strategy When Sold Out
*Reserve second choice hotel.
*Call sales manager at first choice hotel .
*Keep calling up to last days. Call, call & call again. Try to develop a relationship with the sales manager. Be polite, suck up a bit.
*When a room frees up, cancel second choice. Make sure you know the cancellation policy.
Tip # 5: Secure The Best Seat
*Book early and get assignment. Make sure you have it in writing. Many times airlines will try to switch you.
*Call airline often for a better seat.
*Ask again at check-in & the gate. Be sure to arrive early if you want to do this.
More information: www.seatguru.com
Avoid Toll-Free Hotel Numbers and Learn The Local Language
Travel Tips #4 through #3 detail why toll-free hotel numbers should be avoided, and why it's important to learn at least some key words and phrases of the local language when traveling to a foreign destination.
Tip # 4: Get A Free Upgrade
*Speak to the sales manager. Use direct numbers, not toll-free.
*Make them care about you.
*Ask them in person upon arrival. Greet them like a friend, let them know you have arrived and are looking forward to your stay.
Tip # 3: Phrases To Learn
*"Hello" and "Goodbye"
*"Please" and "Thank you"
*"My name is?"
*"Where is the bathroom?"
*"How much does it cost?"
*"Cheers!"
More information: www.bbc.co.uk/languages
Know Your Rights And Avoid Getting Lost
Travel Tips #2 through #1 reveal the two most important tips all travelers should know. #2 reveals the rule that airlines don't want you to know, and #1 tells you what you can do to avoid getting lost on your next trip.
Tip # 2: Legacy Airlines Honoring 240
What is rule 240?
*American Airlines
*Continental Airlines
*Delta Airlines
*Northwest Airlines
*United Airlines
*US Airways
*Be polite. Use a phone to call the airline while everyone else is rushing the gate.
* Not valid if weather is at fault.
* May not be valid on some of the newer airlines.
Tip # 1: GPS Facts
*price range: $200 to $900
*Travel kiosks offer day rentals.
*Telephone providers offer GPS service.
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