Tips PDF

2010
88 Essential Travel Secrets

From the Top Travel Bloggers on the Internet Today
Featuring Peter Greenberg, Rolf Potts, Harriet Baskas and Jonny Jet
www.tripbase.com
Front Cover Main Index
Foreword
Congratulations on downloading your Best Kept Travel Secrets
eBook. You're now part of a unique collaborative charity project,
the first of its kind to take place on the Internet!
The Best Kept Travel Secrets project was initiated with just one
blog post back in November 2009. Since then, over 200 of the
most talented travel bloggers and writers across the globe have
contributed more than 500 inspirational travel secrets.
These phenomenal travel gems have now been compiled into a

series of travel eBooks. Awe-inspiring places, insider info and
expert tips... you'll find 88 amazing travel secrets within this
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About Tripbase
Founded in May 2007, Tripbase pioneered the Internet's first "destination discovery engine".
Tripbase saves you from the time-consuming and frustrating online travel search by
matching you up with your ideal vacation destination.
Tripbase was named Top Travel Website for Destination Ideas by Travel and Leisure
magazine in November 2008.
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Best Kept Travel Secrets 2010

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These Secrets Make Dirty Water Clean
Right now, almost one billion people in the world don't have
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Main Index
General 5 42 Gear
Accommodation 22 46 Health
Budget 28 49 Packing
Camping 31 53 Sightseeing
Contributing
Driving 33 59 Authors
Flying 35

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Spend more time embracing the kinds of activities that make you feel
alive and part of the world
Main Index
General
Time = Wealth
By far the most important lesson travel teaches you is that your time is all you really own in life. And the
more you travel, the more you realize that your most extravagant possessions can't match the
satisfaction you get from finding new experiences, meeting new people, and learning new things about
yourself. "Value" is a word we often hear in day-to-day life, but travel has a way of teaching us that value
is not pegged to a cash amount, that the best experiences in life can be had for the price of showing up
(be it to a festival in Rajasthan, a village in the Italian countryside, or a sunrise ten minutes from your
home).
Photo by: Rolf
Scientific studies have shown that new experiences (and the memories they produce) are more likely to
produce long-term happiness than new things. Since new experiences aren't exclusive to travel, consider ways to become time-rich at home.
Spend less time working on things you don't enjoy and buying things you don't need; spend more time embracing the kinds of activities (learning
new skills, meeting new people, spending time with friends and family) that make you feel alive and part of the world.
. Rolf, Rolf Potts' Vagabonding
Know a travel secret?

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Embrace the privilege of witnessing life as it happens before your
eyes
Main Index
General
Be Where You Are

A great thing about travel is that it forces you into the moment. When you're celebrating carnival in Rio,
riding a horse on the Mongolian steppe, or exploring a souk in Damascus, there's a giddy thrill in being
exactly where you are and allowing things to happen. In an age when electronic communications enable
us to be permanently connected to (and distracted by) the virtual world, there's a narcotic thrill in
throwing yourself into a single place, a single moment.
Would you want to check your bank-account statement while exploring Machu Picchu in Peru? Are you
going to interrupt an experience of the Russian White Nights in St. Petersburg to check your Facebook
Photo by: Rolf
feed? Of course not - when you travel, you get to embrace the privilege of witnessing life as it happens
before your eyes. This attitude need not be confined to travel.
At home, how often do you really need to check your email or your Twitter feed? When you get online, are you there for a reason, or are you
simply killing time? For all the pleasures and entertainments of the virtual-electronic world, there is no substitute for real-life conversation and
connection, for getting ideas and entertainment from the people and places around you. Even at home, there are sublime rewards to be had for
unplugging from online distractions and embracing the world before your eyes.

Become an Author

Unless you learn to pace and savor your daily experiences you'll be
cheating your days out of small moments of leisure, discovery and joy
Main Index
General
Slow Down
One of the advantages of long-term travel (as opposed to a short vacation) is that it allows you to slow
down and let things happen. Freed from tight itineraries, you begin to see the kinds of things (and meet
the kinds of people) that most tourists overlook in their haste to tick attractions off a list. A host of
multi-million-dollar enterprises have been created to cater to our concept of "leisure," both at home and
on the road - but all too often this definition of leisure is as rushed and rigidly confined as our work life.
Which is more emblematic of leisure - a three-hour spa session in an Ubud hotel, or the freedom to
wander Bali at will for a month?
Photo by: Rolf
All too often, life at home is predicated on an irrational compulsion for speed - we rush to work, we rush
through meals, we "multi-task" when we're hanging out with friends. This might make our lives feel more streamlined in a certain abstracted sense,
but it doesn't make our lives happier or more fulfilling. Unless you learn to pace and savor your daily experiences (even your work-commutes and
your noontime meals) you'll be cheating your days out of small moments of leisure, discovery and joy.

Become an Author

Incorporate your notebook/journal into daily activities like you do
with taking photos
Main Index
General
Don't Separate the Telling of the Tale from the Experience

Don't leave the recounting of your travelling tales to an evening homework exercise! Incorporate your
notebook/journal into daily activities like you do with taking photos. Keep it handy (i.e. with your wallet
and camera).
So when asking the concierge for directions, give them your small notebook to draw a mud map of how
to find where you're going, and note the name of your accommodation (partly so you can find your way
Photo by: Linda
back!) When asking a local to take your photo, get them to also jot down the name of the location you're
in (You'll be amazed how handwriting styles vary across the world). And when getting your wallet out at a
restaurant, get your notebook/journal out too and ask the waiter to write the name of where you have just dined. (different scripts all add to the
flavour)!
With the outline of your day now recorded for you by other people, avoid filling in the gaps with wordy compositions of woolly fluff! Keep it simple
and quick (there's travelling to be done!). You're only after memory triggers that will later help you recall the whole story. So... jot down the 'where'
you are, or 'what' you're doing, and then checklist each of your five senses with a word or two that expresses how they are responding to the
place/experience. For example: 'rainforest': epiphytes (what you see), whip-birds (what you can hear), composting leaf litter & humidity (what you
can smell), soft-moss (touchy feely), rich leafy lushness (a taste that is in the air). I find the last one, what you can 'taste', often the most revealing!
Incredible how atmospheres taste so different and are such brilliant scene-setters.
. Linda, Jouney Jottings

Become an Author

With time, I learned to enjoy my moments on the road the way I like
them, not the way some perfect traveler archetype does
Main Index
General
Feel Free to Move at Your Own Pace

Sometimes, you feel that you aren't holding up to some standards of travel. You don't see enough
must-sees, you kick yourself for lazing around, you don't engage with stangers as much as you wish you
did, you move on faster than the guidebook says you should. Let go of the remorse. There's no point in
trying to keep up with the backpacking Joneses. They're imaginary. And they're not you.
A few years ago when I first went to Bali on a tight schedule, I got a lot of slack from my travel buddies
for deciding to stay put one morning. They were going hiking in the rice paddies and checking out a batik
studio. I stayed on the rooftop terrace of our guesthouse, drank some coffee and read a novel, while
Photo by: ?eagan
listening to the streets of Ubud waking up. But I felt bad. My two roommates made their opinion clear that
travelers should be getting the most out of their limited time, that you have your whole life to read novels; don't do it when rice paddies are waiting.
But you know what? I've never been a girl scout, I like my hikes in small doses. And as much as I like crafts, and you know I like them a lot, I'd
rather read about batik making than attend a workshop for tourists. I absolutely understand that people have different tastes, and I now know that
-of course- it applies to travel as well.
With time, I learned to enjoy my moments on the road the way I like them, not the way some perfect traveler archetype does. What I like is to sit at
terraces (and in bars and restaurants, and in trains, and in public gardens), to eat the local food, read and enjoy the world around me, slowly. I may
not be able to tick most or even many items off the Lonely Planet, but I actually enjoy myself. It does not make me any less of a traveller.
. Aelle , Aelle Around the World

Become an Author

Postmarked envelopes are like passport stamps in that they mark
where you were and when
Main Index
General
Buy a Local Journal and Send it Home

Don't take a generic tome type travel journal with you - they're heavy, they have no connection with the
place you are travelling, and they are often hard to start writing in due to a fear of messing up that first
pristine page and spoiling what is to follow!
Do buy small thin notebooks (I like the A6 size) made in the area you are travelling -- or at the very least
the country you are in! You'll have the associated story of its purchase from a local newsstand owner,
stationery vendor or artisan at a market. Its cover and paper will also ooze with the local culture,
language, design and unique feel.
Photo by: Linda
Being small, it will quickly fill, which is just what you want, as it's now ready for popping in an envelope with a beautiful local stamp (or two), and
posting home to yourself. Postmarked envelopes are like passport stamps in that they mark where you were and when. When you finally return
home, each envelope will reveal a neatly parcelled chapter of your journey.
Google Maps
Google Maps. I'm not kidding. Some of the best surprises are waiting right there in plain view. It works
like this: I pick a small nearby town and zoom in. Then I take note of the tiny symbols (typically a square
or fork & knife) and click on those to get the info. Last month, one such "play the map game" honed in on
Bigio L'Oster in the town of Albino (Bergamo) and netted us a great catch. It led us to a dinner club in an
isolated spot up in the mountains, listening to the smooth tunes of guest musician Bobby Watson! It was
fantastic -- especially since it's not very often that I get the chance to listen to an American jazz musician
in Italy.
Photo by: Rowena
. Rowena, Rubber Slippers in Italy

Traveling on local transport is the best way to meet, converse and
mingle with the local population
Main Index
General
Take Local Transport

For us, the traveling itself is just as important as the destination. Traveling on local transport is the best
way to meet, converse and mingle with the local population. Some of my favorite moments have come
from a 10-hour chicken bus ride or hitchhiking in the back of a truck bed. Don't miss these moments!
Sure, it's not always fun. In fact, most of the time it's hot, sweaty, smells bad, and you are pretty sure you
will die at any moment, not to mention the allure of the nice air conditioned Volvo bus or the AC3 train.
But when you take that kind of transport you are cheating yourself out of the very things you came to
see. You did not travel to a faraway land to sit in a nice air conditioned bus with a gaggle of your fellow
Photo by: Saben and Lindsey countrymen. You came to see, feel, experience and live in another land. I'm not saying boycott the nice
transport - we upgrade all the time, but don't make a habit of it. Take the good with the bad and ride that chicken bus or horse cart or general class
train. Good or bad, it's always a good story in the end.
. Saben and Lindsey, Saben and Lin

Become an Author

I love how super confidential places make their way into the
community through word of mouth
Main Index
General
Learn from Locals

Sometimes it's fun to go somewhere free of all preconceptions and completely wing it. But when you
decide to get some groundwork done beforehand, the first source you should hit, after the unavoidable
guidebook, are those who have walked the road before you. You will get so much useful information
from fellow travelers. Better than travelers are the local expat' crowd, and even better than the expats
are the country's nationals. When you strike up a conversations on how to plan your next month or what
to do tonight, the great thing is the personal connection you get that doesn't happen with a guidebook.
Depending on the gut feeling that person gives you, you will choose to follow their advice blindly, or do
Photo by: Matt Murf the exact opposite. It will put into perspective what you may have read until then. Also, unlike
publications, people don't prioritize or edit their favourite memories, so you may end up discovering a great little gem that couldn't make it to the
current edition of the Lonely Planet.
I love how super confidential places make their way into the community through word of mouth. Sometimes you can almost trace back their
progression -- especially if you stay in the same place for a while.
Don't Throw Away Used Tickets and Receipts

It is the day-to-day by-products, integral to the journey, that can provide your best recall associations and
be your most treasured mementos. Save ephemera such as headed paperwork, ticket stubs, local food
wrappings and coasters and keep in a Ziploc bag to be posted home every week or so, just as when
your small notebook journal is filled. There is something about holding a handwritten notebook and
mementos that you once held and used when away in far flung lands that seems to magically bridge the
gap across time. Something a blog, in its virtual reality, can never do.
Photo by: Linda


Most banks offer lower exchange rates than you'll find at the airport
Main Index
General
Rip up Those Traveler's Checks

When traveling overseas do away with archaic traveler's checks and skip exchanging cash at the hotel,
airport and exchange shops. Instead use your debit card at a bank's ATM machine to get quick cash.
Sometimes not only is this a safer way to carry money with you on your travels, but it can actually be
less expensive as most banks offer lower exchange rates than you'll find at the airport. Just be careful of
extra fees that come with certain ATMs and always call your bank before traveling to make sure they do
not charge a fee for taking out cash from a foreign bank.
Photo by: billadler

. Andrew , The Brooklyn Nomad
Use the Online Travel Network

There are plenty of ways to get travel information besides trusty guidebooks.
I follow a number of bloggers who either have traveled, or are currently traveling where I am going. I
read their stories and make notes of where they went, what they liked or didn't like and how they got
there - not to replicate their trip of course, but to use what they have learned to help me. Sometimes, if
I'm nervous about a place or can't find enough information, I will email a blogger 'friend' and ask them
directly. Without fail, they are always willing to help and provide encouragement...as am I when I receive
emails - it's nice to help out.
Photo by: Gillian and Jason
Many travelers use Twitter, not only to stay in touch back home, but also to reach out to other travelers to get tips and information.
It turns out that many of my friends from home have done plenty of traveling and many of them have traveled to places we're now visiting. They
told us of their favorites, their 'hits' and 'misses' and their do's and don'ts. Some of them have even taken the time to send us emails on the road as
we near their travel niche - thanks guys!!
. Gillian and Jason, One Giant Step

I find that shopkeepers give me better service and are more willing to
negotiate with me when they see that I'm making an effort
Main Index
General
Learn a Few Foreign Words for Your Trip

Most locals do not expect us to speak their language fluently, but when I use a few simple words in their
native tongue here and there, I am rewarded with a smile. Of course, I will never know whether the smile
is due to appreciation or glee caused by my mispronunciation, but either way they're amused. Maybe it's
my imagination, but I find that I am more apt to get the directions I request and that shopkeepers give me
better service and are more willing to negotiate with me when they see that I'm making an effort. My
husband and I once witnessed a street vendor in southern France charge a brash Australian man 25%
more for the ham and cheese sandwich we helped him order. This man's reverse discount can be
Photo by: Talekinker attributed to his bold assumption that he does not need to try to speak one word of French in order to get
service. It goes without saying that these words -- hello, please and thank you -- are the rock-bottom minimum words you should know. Your
experience in a new country improves with each word or phrase you learn.
. Diana, Dutch Baby
Go Against the Guidebooks

The mainstream guidebooks focus their energy on places that tourists will enjoy, which typically means
tourist facilities, some local nightlife, and minimal sightseeing. If you visit a place with none of these,
what you'll discover is a place where people will be genuinely curious to engage you in conversation and
where you'll see very little of the typical harassment associated with tourist centers. I've gone against the
recommendations of Lonely Planet and Rough Guides several times. Every time, I found a charming,
unpretentious place where we were able to relate to the locals as human beings instead of peddlers, and
where we could enjoy a slice of local life.
Photo by: Daniel
. Daniel, Backpack Foodie

Too many people overlook the simple things while traveling, and
through simple things, much can be learned
Main Index
General
Take Time to People Watch

I have the luxury of living in a foreign country so I get to see how people live on a daily basis. However,
for my first few weeks here I didn't notice many things because I didn't take the time to just look around. I
found if you just take some time to look around, you can learn a lot. My tip is to take a few minutes, grab
a coffee, tea, or your beverage of choice, and find a place to sit and relax to just people watch. I have
found a corner Starbucks at a busy intersection where I can watch people not only walk down the street
but, I can also see them crossing the street. I think you can learn a lot by simply watching how people
cross the street. Do they wait for the light to go? Do they run or walk slowly? Do they drag their children
Photo by: db*Photography behind them? Do they bump into each other, or do they show some courtesy? This does not even take
into account how they drive where you are. So take some time, chill out, relax, and learn a little. Too many people overlook the simple things while
traveling, and through simple things, much can be learned.
. Eric, A Man Nowhere

Become an Author

If you are traveling alone and you get grilled with personal questions,
you DON'T HAVE to answer these questions
Main Index
General
Don't Answer Every Question

As a solo female traveler, safety is always a concern for me. So when I was in Bali and a local guy asked
me where I was staying, my 'safety radar' immediately switched on and I said "I'm not going to tell you
that!" As I continued to travel, I realized that being questioned is part of being a traveler. I was constantly
being asked very personal questions: How old are you? Where are you from? Where are you staying?
Are you traveling alone? Are you married? Are you with friends?
These questions tend to happen more frequently in developing countries for some reason. I think the cul
ture and personal space issues tend to be quite different than our western culture. Plus, many of these
Photo by: Sherry
locals don't know much English and these types of sentences tend to be the first and only thing they
learn so that's why they ask them. I can remember teaching all of my ESL students the phrases "Are you married?" and "How old are you?" Yet
these are things I generally don't ask people! Regardless, if you are traveling alone and you get grilled with personal questions, you DON'T HAVE
to answer these questions. In fact, assess the situation and use your head. If you don't want people to know where you are staying then don't
answer the questions. Instead, start asking the person other things about their country or area. They are normally happy to share information about
their country and culture, and you've changed the subject.
. Sherry, Ottsworld
Social Media - a Traveler's Best Friend?

We all look online when we are planning a trip. You wouldn't be reading these secrets if you weren't
web-savvy. Once you have narrowed down your destination, let's say a visit to San Francisco, do a
search to find the CVB (Convention & Visitors Bureau.) Once you've found them,
http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/ look to see if they have a FB page and are on Twitter,
http://twitter.com/onlyinsf. Follow them, become a fan. Ask direct questions about where to find lodging
discounts or where to go for the best tacos in the Mission District. CVB's exist to serve you, the traveler -
use them and save money while you're at it.
Photo by: julian-
. Nancy, What a Trip

Knowing 'hello', 'thank you' and 'this is delicious' go a long way
towards endearing you to the people you meet
Main Index
General
You Can Communicate Without a Common Language

Don't let the lack of a common language prevent you from engaging the people you meet! A smile and a
nod go a long way. With a lot of patience and the ability to laugh at yourself, you can force your way
through the language barrier.
That's not to say it's not a good idea to pick up a few words of the local language. As a matter of fact,
knowing 'hello', 'thank you' and 'this is delicious' go a long way towards endearing you to the people you
meet. In a country where the local dialect differs from the official language (say, in Shanghai, where
Mandarin is the official language but Shanghainese is the local dialect,) you'll entice a few belly laughs
Photo by: pulguita
and big grins by saying 'thank you' in the local lingo rather than the official language.
Seventy percent of communication is non-verbal, as the saying goes. You may not be able to hold deep philosophical conversations this way, but
you can still connect with your fellow humans on a personal, fundamental level. Try it!
. Daniel, Backpack Foodie

Become an Author

Even better, and absolutely foolproof so far, is to call the place on
your cellphone and put your driver on the line
Main Index
General
Don't Assume Taxi Drivers Ever Know Where They're Going

Even if they use navigation system, taxi drivers may not know where they're going. Through work and
even voluntarily, I go to weird places. Really weird places. The last one I went to, off the industrial
harbour of Incheon, I'd have benefitted from using a 4-wheel drive vehicle - quite the achievement in
over-urbanized Korea. A few things will help you reach your destination. Try writing down (or better,
print, as penmanships are quite culture-dependent and could confuse your driver) the name and address
of your destination. Better yet, bring a map, either from the internet or from whoever is meeting you at
your arrival point. Even better, and absolutely foolproof so far, is to call the place on your cellphone and
Photo by: kevindooley put your driver on the line. This method has been a lifesaver many times when the taxi and I did not
share a common language and they could not read the latin alphabet.

Become an Author

Learn to appreciate your mate's travel style
Main Index
General
Learn to Appreciate Your Partner's Travel Style

Learn to appreciate your mate's travel style. No, I don't mean his crazy Hawaiian shirts. I mean the way
he likes to travel. For instance, my partner is a planner and I'm more of the spontaneous type. If we
didn't give each other a little leeway on this, we'd be fighting even if we were in paradise (in fact, we
have fought about this in both Paris and Maui). When you both adapt a little, you'll both have a great time
- whether you are in Topeka or Timbuktu.
Photo by: law_keven

. Betsy, Married with Luggage
Places That Aren't Secret (Locally) Make Great Destinations

Most of the great secret destinations you read about by travelers and writers aren't secret to the locals.
In fact, if the locals are flocking there, it's usually a good sign. Generally, most of the secret destinations
for frequent travelers are near home - an area of exploration many frequent travelers neglect.
Photo by: Aguapfel

. Anil, Fox Nomad
Don't Follow Everyone Else's Path, Make Your Own

Don't follow everyone else's path, make your own. Do what you want, and don't listen to anyone else. If I
always listened to other people telling me where I shouldn't go and what I shouldn't do, I would have
missed out on some really great experiences.
Photo by: joiseyshowaa

. Danielle, My Rose Colored View of This World

All my hospital bills were reimbursed in full because I listened to my
mother and got travel MEDICAL insurance
Main Index
General
Get Travel Medical Insurance

Assume everything will go wrong. Assume you will lose your passport. Assume you might need
emergency surgery that will end up costing you $35,000. I haven't lost my passport yet, but I did need
emergency surgery in Switzerland. As a foreigner, they estimated the cost of my surgery just before they
wheeled me into the operating room and made me pay up front. So I charged it on my credit card.
Thanking my lucky stars, all my hospital bills were reimbursed in full because I listened to my mother and
got travel MEDICAL insurance. Read the fine print too -- just travel insurance probably won't cover
medical expenses, and make sure you get comprehensive coverage if you are doing sporting activities.
Photo by: tm-tm
A few other bits of advice: 1. Learn how to drive stick shift. Automatic is a very American thing. 2. I fear
motorcycles, but being familiar with motorbikes comes in handy in many cases, especially when visiting islands. 3. Bring earplugs for the plane and
train (it seems like I'm always sitting next to the screaming baby).
. Adrienne, Gastroanthropology
We Keep Our Real Travel Secrets to Ourselves

You can be certain that many travelers keep some of their favorite destinations within destinations to
themselves. As someone commented recently, it's good to keep some destinations under the radar.
Frequent travelers also don't typically like to admit their mistakes or mishaps on the road.
Photo by: (cup)cake_eater

. Anil, Fox Nomad
There Are No Secrets

Everybody knows a little about something, and in the world of travel there are no secrets. That's part of
what makes reading about travel so much fun, there is always something new to learn and a little
something of your own to add.
Photo by: ilsignoirinocravan

. Anil, Fox Nomad

. Take a map, but never look at it in public
Main Index
General
Try Not to Look Like a Tourist

Try not to look like a tourist. Take a map, but never look at it in public. This will automatically mark you
as a tourist, therefore leaving you open to harassment by vendors, drivers, and anyone else. Don't EVER
wear the typical American tourist outfit - hat, polo shirt (tucked in), khakis/jeans, sneakers, and a fanny
pack of some sort. Or any kind of shirt with one of the other places you've visited on it, much less the
location you are currently visiting. Again, it will automatically mark you as a tourist.
Photo by: Abbie

. Abbie, Miles of Abbie
Make a Travel Plan, But Don't Stick to it

Make a travel plan, but don't stick to it. If you don't have any idea what to do in your destination, then you
might end up with some boring moments. Sometimes things just fall into place, but if they don't, I'm sure
you don't want to waste your travel time trying to figure things out. A few times I've kicked myself in the
bum for not being more informed about my destination.
Photo by: *_Abhi_*


I've scored $200 a night four star hotels for under $75
Photo by: (Bill and Mavis)
Main Index
Accommodation
Use Priceline to Find the Cheapest Deals

When I shop around for hotels/car rentals, I don't think there is any better place than Priceline to find the
cheapest deal. Before I make a blind bid I log on to BiddingForTravel.com to see what other people's
luck was with their bids. Their message boards shows how much people paid, for which date and will
give you a pretty good idea which hotel you will end up with. I've scored $200 a night four star hotels for
under $75. Keep in mind that if you cancel you won't get a refund.
Photo by: antwerpenR

. Johnny, Johnny Jet's Travel Blog
The Caretaker Gazette

The Caretaker Gazette has been instrumental in helping us find places to stay around the world where
we can work in trade for our accommodation. The tasks required could be anything from gardening to
maintenance to cleaning to elder care to house/pet sitting or even to painting murals (as I did in Hawaii)!
With hundreds of opportunities available in the quarterly issues and new ones hitting my inbox regularly,
it serves as not only a portal for finding opportunity, but also inspiration and travel ideas.
Photo by: Nora

. Nora, Professional Hobo

In many places of interest in Europe and further afield, you'll find
convents and monasteries that provide excellent accommodation at
budget prices
Main Index
Accommodation
Stay in a Monastery, Convent or Religious Guest House

In many places of interest in Europe and further afield, you'll find convents and monasteries that provide
excellent accommodation at budget prices. This is not a secret amongst those with religious affiliations
who are visiting as part of a pilgrimage, but others may not realise they can stay in accommodation that
is so central, well priced and often in beautiful. historic buildings.
Two examples of this are the Residenza Madri Pie where I stayed in Rome, which is a stone's throw
Photo by: Heather
from St Peter's Square, and professionally run, with excellent facilities such as a lovely garden and
parking. You can find other religious accommodation in Rome and other Italian cities listed on the Santa
Susanna website. Another was the Monastery of St Anthony of Qozhaya where I stayed for a night in June, while touring Lebanon with a friend.
The Monastery is one of the places of interest in the UNESCO World Heritage Quadisha Valley, a rocky gorge with rock hewn churches, and
grottos. This is a most beautiful place to stay and one that wasn't featured in my guidebook, but you can easily contact the monastery directly to
book into their guest house.
Of course, as a Catholic I feel at home staying in this kind of accommodation, and if you're looking for a party time on that backpacking round the
world trip, then this won't be for you, but otherwise if you want simple, homely and moderately priced accommodation then give it a try. I've just
ordered the Good Night, God Bless book with details of this kind of accommodation throughout Europe where I hope to find a few more hidden
gems like these.
. Heather, Heather on her Travels
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As well as using Hospitality Club to meet the locals, when you've
hosted a few people, you'll have a long list of invites from friends you've
made who can't wait to show you their city
Main Index
Accommodation
Use Social Networking Sites to Meet Locals

For over a year I've been a member of Hospitality Club, a network of travellers who enjoy meeting other
travellers and can offer free accommodation or advice. There are other well known sites like
Couchsurfing that offer a similar service. It's no secret really that using these websites is a great way to
find free accommodation when you're travelling on a budget. But the thing I believe is less well known is
that you can join Hospitality Club, even if you don't plan to use it to find accommodation but just as a
means of meeting the locals.
I'm happy to have people to stay for a couple of days in my spare room, but to be honest, I'd rather find a
Photo by: Heather
nice hotel or pension to stay in comfort. But what I love is to be able to e-mail someone and say - "Hey
I'll be in your city next weekend, can we meet up for drinks or dinner". That's how I met up with Sergio and Marco on our recent weekend in Lisbon
- we'd visited the Castelo of São Jorge and then went for tea at their appartment nearby and talked about the things they love to do in Lisbon, how
the city is changing and even got a tour of a little flat above theirs that we could rent if we wanted to come again.
And as well as using Hospitality Club to meet the locals, when you've hosted a few people, you'll have a long list of invites from friends you've
made, who can't wait to show you their city. I now have to find ways to visit Cologne, Malaga and Cagliari next year, and that's just from the folks
I've met in the last couple of months.
. Heather, Heather on her Travels

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There is something comforting and grounding about having an
apartment in a strange city
Main Index
Accommodation
Rent Serviced Apartments

Rent serviced apartments when staying for longer periods in a location. This is the one tip that I can't
stress enough. Traveling is hard work, and there are times when sleeping in one more dorm or mediocre
guesthouse may cause you to attempt chewing your arm off. There is something comforting and
grounding about having an apartment in a strange city. You get to know the neighbourhood and markets.
Eating at restaurants and hawker stalls can get old, so to be able to make a home-cooked meal with
fabulous local ingredients is like chicken soup to the soul. We rented apartments in Italy, Turkey, and
Spain. All were stylish, comfortable and fully stocked. They all had a washing machine (Hallelujah!!) and
Photo by: sashafatcat *gasp* one even had a dryer! And the best part, if you take for a week or more you can negotiate for a
price and we have gotten some amazing deals. These are some sites we used to find apartments: www.homeaway.com and
www.homelidays.com.
. Lisa, Project Runaway
Last Minute Hotel Bookings

In the U.S. I use two online services. The first, HotelPal, is an iPhone application. The second is
HotelsCombined.com who I use regularly to find great last minute hotel reservations at affordable prices.
I've tested them against the bigger and better-known Hotels.com and much prefer the results I get on
HotelsCombined. In Europe, I use Venere.com; in SEAsia and Indonesia I have the best luck with
AsiaRooms.com; and in Australia and New Zealand, it's Wotif.com.
Photo by: Wolfgang Staudt

. Barbara, Hole in the Donut

If you have the option abroad to stay with locals, do it
Main Index
Accommodation
Live with Host Families

While many do stay with locals when they travel, study or work abroad, the most I ever learned about
travel came while living under the roofs of the people who call those destinations home. When I was 18, I
lived with four Italian women in Sorrento, the Santostasi family. My Italian quickly improved, but not fully.
I still remember one of the Santostasi's friends making fun of my pronunciation of uscire, Italian for "to go
out." I mastered the verb and returned to live with an elderly Florentine couple in Florence for a
semester. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners turned into Italian conversation classes. I learned more about
Italy, the Italians and their culture in those two settings than I ever did in a classroom. If you have the
Photo by: Suzy option abroad to stay with locals, do it. Put your privacy concerns aside. These locals will introduce you
to travel secrets about their part of the world, while giving you family outside of your home. This can be the perfect cure for homesickness on the
road.
. Suzy, Suzy Guese
Touts Are Not All Bad

I used to think that touts were all about tricking me into spending more money than I needed to, but I
have learned that they can actually save me money and get me what I need. We often land in a place
and have not yet found a place to stay. It can be difficult to trek around, with our packs on, to place after
place to find a bed. Touts solve this problem by surrounding me with pictures of their hotel, offers of
discounted rooms and transport too. They answer all our questions and, if they can't give us what we're
looking for, they usually know someone who can. This approach has worked for us countless times and
is how we currently find ourselves in a beautiful resort on a white sand beach on Koh Pha-Ngan,
Photo by: Gillian and Jason Thailand for a price we thought we'd have to pay for a hut within walking distance from the beach.

Consider hostels if you are taking a week-long trip to Europe. Or even
to a big city in the United States
Main Index
Accommodation
Hostel Accommodation
The world is in a recession. Folks are being laid off or worried about hanging on to what they have. Does
that mean that you don't travel for the next year? Two years? Five years? Whenever the global recession
ends? What happens if it takes ten years? Can't wait forever...
Which brings me to HOSTELS. Longtime loyal readers know this is how I traveled around the world. But
consider hostels if you are taking a week-long trip to Europe. Or to a big city in the United States. Why
are you paying $200 for a hotel room when the majority of your time in the room will be spent sleeping,
showering or brushing your teeth? Remember the last time you were in a hotel? What did you do there?
Photo by: Brian
Not much, I'm betting.
My favorite hostel when I traveled: Lub'd (means 'sleep well' in Thai) in Bangkok. Great modern look, fantastic location that is close to everything
(but not so close that it keeps you up at night), bar on the ground floor, A/C in every room and a friendly staff.
. Brian, No Debt World Travel

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Before making your final purchase, google the hotel/airline name with
the words "discount coupon code
Photo by: SqueakyMarmot
Main Index
Budget
Secret Travel Discounts

Once you've determined which hotel or airline you wish to book through, before making your final
purchase, google the hotel/airline name with the words "discount coupon code." You will often discover
an additional discount that can be applied at the time of making the online reservation. For example, I
just googled "discount coupon code hotels" and found RetailMeNot.com, which provided codes for 15%
off Hilton Hotels and 20% off the lowest rates at Best Westerns, among other deals. (TIP: this works well
for all online shopping, from Amazon.com to individual stores like Crabtree & Evelyn, and there are
numerous sites that search the Internet and display all these discounts on a single site.)
Photo by: Bramus!
The Art of Cheap Accommodation

Everyone has their own travel style, but all I really need is a bed with no bed bugs and a bathroom that
flushes. Here are my best tips for finding good, cheap lodging.
Arrive in person. Tell the hotel/hostel half the number of days you're actually staying. If you're traveling
for ten days, tell them five. When a daily quote is given, ask for lower rates for an extended stay. After
they give you a quote for the extended stay, offer to pay in cash if the rates can be lowered even more.
Show your student ID and ask if they have student discounts. (This works better in youth hostels than in
hotels.)
Photo by: Monica
. Monica, A Pair of Panties and Boxers
Travel Credit Card

Most credit cards (including highly publicized 'travel' cards and American Express) charge you a fee if
you charge something in a different currency. I use Capitol One which (at the time of this writing) does
NOT charge a fee or percentage. What's in your wallet?!
Photo by: The Consumerist

. Lisa, LL World Tour

Make sure when planning your budget that you leave flexibility
Main Index
Budget
Don't Be a Budget Slave

It's no secret that I have had trouble with our budget, but I have realized that letting it rule our travel
would be a mistake. Certainly there is always a budget, but there is usually a little flex room - we're just
using that flex room. Make sure when planning your budget that you leave this flex - it can make the
difference between being a budget slave and a happy traveler!
Photo by: Gillian and Jason

Pay for Your Trip When You're on it

I know it isn't sexy, but when you come back home you can think of all the great times you had and start
saving for your next trip instead of paying off the one you just had. Nothing sours a trip as much as the
regret of a hefty credit card bill you can't pay when you return. We've done it both ways and believe me,
pay as you go is better.
Photo by: Photos8.com


Many organizations know their raffle prizes ahead of time and will
happily tell you to pique your interest
Main Index
Budget
Enter a Charity Travel Raffle and Be Creative

For years we've attended the summer food-and-wine fundraiser for a wonderful organization: the Los
Angeles Free Clinic. (We think it's a great idea to provide free - or at least affordable - health care to the
working poor.) Their summer fundraiser, a literal extravaganza of food and wine excess, generally costs
about $150 for both of us.
One year, I saw that the big raffle prize was a trip to Paris (Air France flights and a stay at the Four
Seasons Hotel George V) and decided to enter us into the big prize raffle for an additional $100, paying
by credit card via fax.
Photo by: Roadside Pictures
I took a few extra minutes to doodle all over said fax page, scribbling cartoon renderings of Parisian monuments on every bit of white space. I also
wrote "Oooh la la!" and "Oui, sil vous plait!" and, well, there was more, but you get it - I'm a dork. My reasoning was this: Whoever was on the other
side of that fax machine was sitting in a busy, humorless office piled high with pieces of white paper. And who doesn't love a little funny in their
day?
Flash forward several weeks, and we were declared the winners! For $250, we had just nabbed that warm feeling you get from doing good, a
fabulous horde of treats and the means to a kick-ass vacation.
Surely there's an organization in your town that you admire? Do a little web research, make a call, see what events are out there. Many
organizations know their raffle prizes ahead of time and will happily tell you to pique your interest. Who knows how far this could take you?
. Melanie, Travels With Two
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A bare-bones camping set-up can really enhance your journey and
take some stress off your pocketbook
Photo by: boltron-
Main Index
Camping
Camping May Be an Option

Now, this really depends on the length of your trip and the destinations you have in mind, but a
bare-bones camping set-up can really enhance your journey and take some stress off your pocketbook.
For my upcoming RTW trip, I'm bringing a light one-man tent, an ultralight sleeping bag, and a slim
Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad. By lurking around eBay and such, I paid a total of $350 for all of it, and it
weighs less than seven pounds together. I will certainly be lugging all of this unused through many
countries, but at other times I think it will come in quite handy.
During an earlier trip through Italy, I camped one kilometer from the heart of Sienna for $12 a night and
Photo by: wili_hybrid
then spent a week at the water's edge on the coast of Sicily, drinking red wine and skinny-dipping at
night while Mt. Etna glowed and rumbled in the distance. I spent two weeks camping one kilometer from Central Station in Amsterdam for less than
the price of a hostel. All of these campsites had showers, laundry, and snack bars. On my next trip, I hope to spend a week camping on the Lido
near Venice for about $15 a night and taking the vaperetto into the city in the morning. Other camping possibilities for this trip: Greece, trekking in
Nepal, National Parks in any country, the Andes in South America, Central America, and the occasional "oh shit, I'm stuck in the middle of
nowhere" moment.
. Wes, Johnny Vagabond
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This book is genius...it provides detailed maps and descriptions of
campgrounds in a super easy-to-use format
Photo by: boltron-
Main Index
Camping
Ask Tom
Tom is my new very favorite best travel secret -- or not so secret. Some of my friends have their
Tom-Toms, I have my Tom, or so I affectionately refer to my Moon Outdoors California Camping Guide:
The Complete Guide to More Than 1,400 Tent and RV Campgrounds. It's written by Tom Stienstra,
which is the whole reason I know about it (and, coincidentally, the reason I call it Tom). At a seminar last
year Tom said, "Here's the situation. You're planning on going to a campground. You show up, it's full.
What do you do? If you have this guide, you look up the area and find dozens of others nearby." At the
time I thought, "Self promotion." I knew it was a necessary tool, but it wasn't going to get me to buy the
Photo by: Carina book. Then I happened upon it in a bookstore and bought it on a whim. The next road trip I thanked Tom
about a million times. This book is genius. It provides detailed maps and descriptions of campgrounds in a super easy-to-use format so you end up
somewhere at 4 pm and go, "Where should we stay tonight?" Look at the book and you've got ten options! It gave my road trip an entirely different
feel than any other I'd been on. And the best part, there are more of them! I'm not sure just how many, but I know he covers at least the West
Coast with these awesome guides. Buy one for yourself or for a travelling, camping buddy. You won't regret it.
. Carina, My Miss Adventures
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Spend the money for a GPS or any device that will allow you to leave
a breadcrumb trail (so you can confidently return to where you began)
Photo by: Nicholas_T
Main Index
Driving
Spend the Money on a GPS

Spend the money for a GPS or any device that will allow you to leave a breadcrumb trail (so you can
confidently return to where you began). For one day of your trip, take your wallet/purse, the GPS and a
camera, leave your maps and guidebooks in the hotel room, and hit the streets. For an even more
intense rush, leave your camera behind as well. Leaving the camera behind takes the most guts. No
guts, no travel glories.
Photo by: Tammie

. Tammie, Solo Road Trip
Don't Be Afraid to Rent a Car

Don't be afraid to rent a car -- even in Italy. The process is easy, and believe it or not, most countries
have better drivers than in North America. Yes, they do drive fast, but as it was pointed out to me, drivers
in many countries drive cooperatively whereas in North America, it appears to be competitively. Often,
the usual train, taxi, bus, mini-bus, or tuk tuk is just not an option for some areas you may want to
explore. We have driven in Italy and Asia, and what I learned was to keep a steady pace and not to
panic. Italy has many roundabouts, which I am comfortable with and I had no problems driving from
Lucca to the beach one day and another day up into the mountains.
Photo by: stevoarnold
Often the cost is much cheaper than public transportation. For example, for four us to take the train from
Lucca to Rome, then from Rome->Naples->Sorrento, then Sorrento->Naples->Bari worked out to over $900 cdn. The car rental, with one-way
drop-off and unlimited mileage, was under $600 cdn. It was a no-brainer. Here is the company I used exclusively in Europe:
www.vroomvroomvroom.com.
Exit the Interstate

Speaking of guts, exit the Interstate if you're interested in seeing anything other than the sterile, stamped
out cities they connect.


Take a weekend road trip
Main Index
Driving
Take a Weekend Road Trip Within Your Home Country

Take a weekend road trip and stay within your county of residence.
Photo by: joiseyshowaa

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The best way to save on costs is to ship your bags ahead of time with
FedEx, UPS, or a dedicated luggage-shipping company
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
The Truth About Checked Bags

I have always said there are two kinds of luggage: carry-on and lost. But today, we're in even deeper
trouble when we have to pay the airlines just so they can lose our luggage!
There is a way around it. I haven't checked a bag on a domestic flight in more than ten years. Instead, I
courier them. Before you start complaining about the costs, consider how much your time is worth. I save
an average of two-and-a-half hours on every domestic flight: no schlepping bags to the airport, no
waiting in line to check my bags, and certainly no waiting around the conveyer belt to see if they made it
through. Instead, my bags are shipped door-to-door.
Photo by: malias
The best way to save on costs is to ship your bags ahead of time with FedEx, UPS, or a dedicated luggage-shipping company. A 40-pound bag
shipped cross country with FedEx Ground's four-business-day service costs about $45. With UPS, it's about $50.
Dedicated luggage shipping companies such as Luggage Forward and Luggage Concierge can be a little pricier, but they take the guesswork out
of it and offer shipping guarantees and insurance policies.
Shipping abroad can be prohibitively expensive, but for domestic travel, it's the only way I fly.
. Peter, Peter Greenberg Worldwide
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The best time to buy airline tickets is Wednesday morning at 12:01
a.m. (i.e. late Tuesday night), in the time zone where the airline's main
base is located
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Best Day and Time to Book Airline Tickets

The best time to buy airline tickets is Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m. (i.e. late Tuesday night), in the
time zone where the airline's main base is located. Sound crazy? Here's how it works:
Airlines are still in the business of matching the fare discounts of their competitors, so if one airline starts
a fare war, the others usually follow suit, and almost immediately. That usually begins on Friday, when
an airline announces it's lowering fares on specific routes. Then competitors match it. That starts the
undercutting, the matching and more undercutting. By Sunday night, the fares will probably bottom out.
Photo by: When you book a fare, you're given until 11:59 the next night to the purchase it, and that's where 12:01
am Wednesday comes in. All the folks who booked discount tickets on Monday have until 11:59pm on Tuesday night to purchase them. And at
one minute after midnight on Wednesday morning, all the fares that were not purchased come flooding back into the airline's computers.
In the next two hours, that's when you strike -- NOT on the Internet, but by calling the airline directly. The notion that ALL discount fares are on the
Internet is a myth. It's only the fares the airlines want to put in the web. And at one minute after midnight, a human being on the other end of the
phone is your best bet.

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You will be surprised how incredible your service will be and your
seatmate will think you are a rock star
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Be Nice to Everyone
My best advice is to always be nice to everyone: reservation agents, gate agents, flight attendants, hotel
clerks, etc. These people have the power to make or break your trip and a genuine smile goes a long
way. To go one step beyond a smile, always carry a box of chocolates in your carry-on. I usually have
two: one for the gate agent and the other for the flight crew. It doesn't have to be a bulky or expensive
gift; lately I've been bringing an easy to pack bag of Hershey Kisses or mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
(who doesn't love them?). The moment I step on board I say, "I got you guys a present!" Then I tell them
I know how hard they work and how demanding some passengers can be so here's a little treat. You will
Photo by: Richard.Asia be surprised how incredible your service will be and your seatmate will think you are a rock star. NOTE:
If you aren't sincere or high maintenance, don't even bother - people can see right through you.
Be Flexible with Airports and Dates

To get the cheapest deal you have to be flexible. Keep in mind generally the most expensive days to fly
are Friday and Sunday. Cheapest days tend to be Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Don't put in a
specific time if you want a deal and make sure to check alternate airports. For example, rather than flying
into Miami, fly into Fort Lauderdale. It's 25 miles away and is usually much cheaper. Instead of San
Francisco, check Oakland or San Jose. For specific driving distances I created a Web site called
AlternateAirports.com that lists all major U.S. airports with the surrounding airports that just might save
you a lot of money by flying into or out of.
Photo by: trekkyandy

Why go to a museum when you can see great art at the airport?
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Hidden Artwork at Airports

Why go to a museum when you can see great art at the airport? Many airports have great collections
and some of that art gets put in unusual places.
In the baggage claim at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, the ladies room has several styles of "big
hair" etched onto the mirror. In the men's room, it's hats. Try 'em on by standing in different spots in front
of the mirror. The artwork is by Jill Bedgood.
Two giant murals by Brazilian artist Carybé that had been in the old American Airlines terminal at JFK
Photo by: albany_tim since 1960 were scheduled to be destroyed along with the building. A chance conversation between a
Brazil-bound passenger and a skycap saved the murals, which can now be seen at Miami International Airport.
At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ross Palmer Beecher's pop-can quilts hang in several concourse restrooms. There are also six "Talking
Fountains" by Jim Green scattered throughout the airport.
. Harriet , Stuck at the Airport

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I splurged on a Priority Pass before I left for my travels, and it gives
me access to over 600 first-class lounges worldwide
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Get a Priority Pass Card

I am currently writing this post from the first-class lounge in Qatar, even though I only fly economy. Why?
Because I splurged on a Priority Pass before I left for my travels, and it gives me access to over 600
first-class lounges worldwide. I do not always make use of the card. When travelling with others, when I
don't have much time before boarding or when I want to sit back and people watch, I keep it in my wallet.
However, these lounges translate into an endless supply of free food, magazines, newspapers, coffee,
WiFi, spotless bathrooms and sometimes even a shower. And when you have eight hours to kill in an
airport with few amenities, all of the aforementioned will be extremely exciting to you.
Photo by: JAGwired
At $99-$350 per year (depending on the membership you choose) the card is certainly not cheap.
However, everyone has a splurge -- be it a night in a fancy hotel after months of hostels, expensive dinners or drinks, or clothes -- and this one is
mine. I've found that it has more than paid its way over the course of my long-haul flights, and it has provided an oasis of calm and quiet during
those times where I was too exhausted to think straight. An extra bonus: being the small, trailrunner-clad backpacker in a sea of business suits.
Please let the record reflect that the hummus and lentil soup at Qatar's lounge are delicious.
. Jodi, Legal Nomads
Last Minute Flight Bookings

In the U.S. I never use the big online booking agents like Expedia or Travelocity because they do not
search all discount carriers. It takes a bit more time, but I go to the AIRPORT websites that I want to fly
between, search to see which of the discount airlines serve those airports, then book directly on the
airline's web site. Discount or affordably priced airlines in the U.S. include Southwest, AirTran, Spirit
Airlines, and jetBlue; in Europe they include Ryanair, easy Jet, and airberlin; in SE Asia try Air Asia,
Asiana Airlines, Nok Air (Thailand only), and Tiger Airways (also Australia); and in Australia check into
JetStar, Regional Express (REX), and Virgin Blue.
Photo by: kevindooley

What makes Kayak different from other sites is that instead of being a
booking engine it's a crawling engine, searching hundreds of different
airlines and booking pages to find the absolute best itinerary and deal for
your flight choices
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Kayak Search Engine

Kayak is the only website out there that I use to purchase plane tickets. What makes Kayak different
from other sites is that instead of being a booking engine it's a crawling engine, searching hundreds of
different airlines and booking pages to find the absolute best itinerary and deal for your flight choices.
Kayak also has features that tell you if the same itinerary has been searched for in your specific month
(round-trip only) and what prices were found most recently. They also have a feature to find the cheapest
destinations per continent from your home location on your chosen travel date. These are great tools,
but what gets me going back to Kayak time and time again is the fact that I have never seen a price
Photo by: (nutmeg) cheaper for international flights on any booking engine, anywhere, ever. Most of my friends don't believe
me when I quote round-trip prices to Europe for $700 when they spent over $1200, and I have also converted my brother, who is an avid traveler
to be and now a Kayak believer. Check them out. I guarantee they'll save you some money on your next plane ticket.
. Jeremy, Living the Dream
Take a Picture of Your Luggage

Have you ever had your luggage lost on an airline flight? I had my luggage lost on a non-stop flight. I
decided to ask fellow travel writers for their lost luggage tips and share the secrets with you. My favorite
tip comes from Wendy Perrin of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, "take a picture of your luggage from
your mobile phone. This way you can show the airline EXACTLY what it looks like."
Photo by: Shermeee


Send your hotel the link or the PDF file of your e-ticket via email and
ask them to print it for you
Photo by: caribb
Main Index
Flying
Print Your Boarding Pass

Here's one of my favourite tips. E-tickets are the norm nowadays so it's easy to check in online before
heading to the airport and it saves you quite a bit of time, especially without luggage to check in. If you've
checked in using your laptop or mobile phone at your hotel and you have no access to a printer, save the
link or the PDF file of your boarding pass. Then check out the hotel stationery for their email address.
Send them the link or the PDF file via email and ask them to print it for you. Call the reception to let them
know and ask to have your boarding pass ready when you check out. Works like a charm!
Photo by: alex-s

. Keith, Velvetescape
Order a Special Meal on International Flights

Order a special meal on international flights. Vegetarian, kosher, low-calorie, any special meal that
strikes your fancy, go for it. Here's why - you get your meal first. The flight attendants will bring you your
special meal and you can practically finish before your neighbor even catches a whiff of his meal.
Photo by: AaronC

. Abbie, Miles of Abbie
Hydrate Yourself
Long haul flights are not always the most comfortable if you're not flying Business or First Class. What
I've found most useful is to have my own bottled water with me so that I have instant access to water
without having to call for it. I even tend to drink more than necessary when on long flights because of the
dehydrating cabin air.
Photo by: Photo for CMC

. Cheryl Marie , Cheryl Marie Cordeiro

With its waterproof properties, a dry bag is essential
Photo by: TheGiantVermin
Main Index
Gear
Bring a Dry Bag

If we were to provide one recommended piece of gear that might not be so obvious for long-term travel
,we would say to be sure to bring a dry bag. With its waterproof properties, a dry bag is essential. Its
uses go well beyond keeping important stuff like laptops and cameras dry. We carry three dry bags with
us. The two smaller ones are great for protecting our laptop and camera while traveling between
destinations and also work great as beach and day bags. The larger, 20-liter bag is the most versatile. Its
primary function is as a way to pack all of our liquids in our packs to ensure that if the bottles open they
do not create a mess. One of the best uses for this large dry bag, however, is for laundry. When traveling
Photo by: Keith and Amy for extended periods, it's often necessary to do your laundry by hand. Several attempts at doing laundry
in our washroom sinks resulted in clothing that was only sort of clean and in a very messy and wet washroom. So we took to using the waterproof
properties of the dry bag to do laundry. Simply add dirty clothes, laundry soap, and hot water. Seal up the bag and shake vigorously for 10-15
minutes. After a good agitation, drain the dirty water and refill the bag with clean hot water for a rinse "cycle." Not only do your clothes get much,
much cleaner than hand washing in the sink, your washroom will not be a sopping wet mess.
. Keith and Amy, Green Around the Globe
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You get my point: duct tape is important
Main Index
Gear
Duct Tape is Your Best Friend

Oh, the many uses of duct tape. I've taped up the rips in my pack cover, incurred when my bag fell out of
a bus and was dragged quite a ways before the bus driver heard me yelling at him to stop. I've taped up
holes in the window screens in just about every country in Asia (mosquitos: 0; Jodi: 1). I've taped up the
leaks in my tents on a variety of camping trips. I've taped up the hole that something chewed in my
sleeping bag while I slept -- a hole that I discovered in the morning when I woke up awash in a synthetic,
white fuzz. And finally, I taped up the cord to this very computer when rats chewed through it in several
places in El Nido, The Philippines -- a cord that took a whole town to help me repair. You get my point:
Photo by: Jodi duct tape is important. To bring it with me, I wind it around itself until I get a decent sized roll. That way I
don't have to lug the whole large roll with cardboard centre around. When trekking with poles, I wrap the duct tape around the poles instead. You
can also use a pencil. Bottom line: don't leave home without it.

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Galabayas are incredibly comfortable, the ultimate lounging attire
Main Index
Gear
The Wonderful Versatility of the Galabaya

The galabaya is the traditional Arab dress. It comes in different styles and goes by different names, but
essentially it's a loose, flowing robe. A man-dress, if you will. Or if you are a woman, just a dress. Now,
many people think galabayas are only for Ray Ban-sporting oil sheikhs and peasant farmers. Not true.
The secret is, they're great for travelling. It all comes down to comfort, dignity and style.
Galabayas are incredibly comfortable, and the ultimate lounging attire. If you don't fancy getting dressed
up to mooch around your hotel or hostel, you don't have to. You can sleep in it (and won't have to worry
about your modesty if you need to leg it to the toilet in the middle of the night). If it's cold, you can put
Photo by: Nick
one on over your other clothes as an extra, efficient layer of insulation. If it's hot and sweaty, and you've
been slapped on the inner thigh with a bout of prickly heat, the last thing you want is clothing that's going to chafe you raw. Slip on your galabaya,
and let it all hang loose.
Galabayas are also great for helping to preserve your dignity. You can use it as a top layer that allows you to get dressed or undressed in public,
without flashing your privates everywhere. If you are in the great outdoors and need the toilet, you can squat down and do your business without
anyone copping an eyeful. (Note, remove your underwear first!) If you are at the beach, or by or on a river or lake, you can stick your swimming
stuff on underneath. Whip your galabaya off when you want to jump in the water, and put it on again when you get out and want to cover up. Note,
a sarong is emphatically not as good as a galabaya for this. Sarongs - take it from me - fall down. Galabayas don't.
Finally, how many times have you been on the road, and ended up getting dragged along to some impromptu fancy dress party? Come on, we all
know it happens. Well, with a galabaya, you'll never be stuck for a costume again. The Moroccan style ones with a hood are best. Monk, wizard,
Jedi knight, ghost... the sky's the limit!
. Nick , Delicious Chaos

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I've used them a coffee filter, as a doo-rag to protect my bald head
from the sun, as a mask in dust storms, and as a tourniquet when my arm
was bitten off by a shark
Main Index
Gear
The Ultimate Travel Accessory, the Bandana

This is a simple one. Bring several of these bad boys - they can really save your butt at times. I've used
them a coffee filter, as a doo-rag to protect my bald head from the sun (or hold in heat when it's chilly),
as a mask in dust storms, and as a tourniquet when my arm was bitten off by a shark. True story -
google it (please don't).
Run out of toilet paper? You'll be glad you brought extras.
Photo by: Will Foster Photography

Never Go Anywhere Without a Handkerchief

Never go anywhere without a handkerchief. These babies are multi-functional. They can sop up snot or
sweat or blood or pee, they can stop a bloody nose, they make a stellar sling, and they make a perfect
"I'm outdoorsy but I'm cute" fashion statement. You can bet that if I'm more than 15 miles from home, I've
got a handkerchief.
Photo by: ms.lume

. Carina, My Miss Adventures
Don't Wear Leather Sandals. Ever.

There are few things more embarrassing than walking into your hostel room to discover your gorgeous
Australian male roommates are discussing the rancid odour emanating from your sandals in the corner. I
swear it was only because a day earlier we had trekked through the marshlands of Old Harlow and I
hadn't been able to cleanse my footwear.
Photo by: jonathunder

. Candice, Candice Does the World

I love having a reason to go into a local, non-touristy drugstore to buy
toothpaste or mouthwash
Photo by: christian.plochack i
Main Index
Health
Buy Local Toiletries

Even before we were restricted to only one zip-lock bag of liquids, I never tried to pack all my toiletries
for extended trips. I love having a reason to go into a local, non-touristy drugstore to buy toothpaste or
mouthwash. I enjoy entertaining the local shopkeepers when I try to converse with my hands and feet
while pointing to my spent toothpaste tube. When I get home, my Swiss dental floss sends me back to
our memorable ride on the Golden Panorama train, and I have a good time trying to decipher the words
on my Italian toothpaste tube.
Photo by: ellenm1

. Diana, Dutch Baby
Tea Tree Oil

The most multi-purpose little bottle of natural disinfecting liquid you will ever pack. Ideal for: scrapes,
cuts, pimples and insect bites. If you are, like me, a walking mosquito and fly buffet, you'll appreciate tea
tree oil's ability to stop the itch, disinfect the bite and reduce swelling. Dealing with a sudden, and
embarrassing case of dandruff on the road? Add a drop of tea tree oil to your dollop of shampoo. A small
30ml (1oz) bottle was perfect size for a 5 month trip where I had to deal with insect bites almost daily. It's
highly concentrated, so use it sparingly.
*like all remedies, even natural ones, do consult your doctor before using tea tree oil.
Photo by: Francoise
. Francoise, Cult of Travel

When you are traveling for a great length of time you are bound to get
sick or hurt, it's just the law of averages
Main Index
Health
Be Prepared in Body and Mind

The Boy Scout motto is "Be Prepared." For the Scouts, this means in body and in mind. "In body" means
to make yourself strong and active. For traveling that also includes staying healthy. "In mind" means
thinking about potential situations and being prepared for them. When you are traveling for a great length
of time you are bound to get sick or hurt, it's just the law of averages. We tend to like adventure and
adventurous food so this is the contents of our emergency supply kit:
Charcoal tablets to relieve flatulence, gassy bloating, heartburn and upset stomachs. Buscopan to relax
the cramped muscles of the digestive tract, and therefore relieve the spasms that cause abdominal pain.
Photo by: iStock
Dramamine to prevent nausea and motion sickness. Claritin for allergies. Electrolyte drink powder.
Penicillin. Throat Lozenges. Ibuprofen. Baby Wipes - the bathrooms in Asia can be shocking so these are always handy to have. Toilet Paper - see
above! Hand Sanitizer - also part of above! Most importantly - a bottle of spirits 'XXX', research shows that it helps fight food poisoning and
boredom.
Tiger Balm
I do not joke. At my.. ahem.. place in life, muscle pulls and neck kinks occur rapidly, taking time to heal.
Long days on the road punctuated by grueling walks in search of shelter and sustenance can aggravate
physical ailments. This miracle in a jar can fit in a pocket, and only a dab is needed to alleviate aches or
pains. Have a relaxing shower, and massage in this soothing, mint infused liniment before bedtime. I
guarantee, you'll sleep like a baby does with thumb tucked in your mouth, soundly and deeply.
Photo by: Jeannie

. Jeannie, Nomadic Chick

I've always found it useful to get enough sleep -- whether on the flight
or at the destination
Main Index
Health
Wake up Feeling Rested

While travelling is of course exciting and most want to cover as many places of interest as possible in the
time they have, I've always found it useful to get enough sleep -- whether on the flight or at the
destination. I get so much more out of the visit if I wake up fully rested and raring to go rather than
completely jet lagged with my system out of sync. If I'm tired it dampens the senses and the information
they receive when experiencing something new.
Photo by: Cheryl Marie

. Cheryl Marie , Cheryl Marie Cordeiro
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Those Ziploc bags for your 3.4 oz liquids are fantastic and for
virtually anything the travel gods might throw at you
Photo by: Dr John2005
Main Index
Packing
Ziploc Bags Are My Holy Grail

Ziploc bags are my Holy Grail. I knew one day I'd turn into my mother. Because I lack an appreciable
degree of organizational skills, I had to learn how to keep my shit together as a traveling mom. Winging it
is fine when you're flying solo. But there's something about maternal instinct (and fear of arrest) that
makes you straighten up mighty quick for your child's well-being. Enter TSA and their anti-terrorism
measures.
Those Ziploc bags for your 3.4 oz liquids are fantastic and for virtually anything the travel gods might
throw at you. I use them to group: first-aid items, lip balm and sunscreen, barrettes or scrunchies, pens,
Photo by: alibaba.com
business cards or notes, remnant soap pieces (because there are always soapless bathrooms on the
road), important papers, sugar or lemon packets, loose napkins and electronic devices.
I've used the smaller ones to separate shampoo and body wash when I didn't want to take any bottles at all on a day trip.I've even seen them used
as drinking containers when cups or bottles weren't available. Sure, that sounds like a third-world Camelpack, but at the end of the day it's all
about survival of the fittest.Yes, this means I have dozens of Ziploc bags on me during travel, but I don't care. The ease gained when rummaging
through a stuffed backpack is so worth it. I suppose there might be a way to color-code the bags in order to speed up retrieval, but really, I'm not
that OCD...
. Catherine , Mischief and Impermanent Bliss
Pack Your Clothes in Compression Sacks

I cannot emphasize this enough. Not only will your clothes remain dry in these lightweight siliconized
nylon bags, but they will take up almost no room in your pack. To the right? My entire wardrobe for my
travels, minus a hoodie sweatshirt and my windbreaker. For short people like me, being able to cinch
your bag down tightly to the frame of the pack is indispensible in making it lie more comfortably on your
back. I also use the siliconized nylon version of dry bags, stuff sacks (for laundry) and as a pack cover
for my bags.
Photo by: Jodi


I know it's easy for me to say to not pack your hair straightener or
makeup or five pairs of shoes...but trust me, you will be happier without
these things if you are doing long-term travel
Main Index
Packing
Leave Your Vanity Behind

Since I've been back in NYC after being on the road for 15 months, I've been reflecting a lot on how I've
evolved. More than three years ago, I was a hip business professional working for international retailers.
I had more shoes, clothes, and handbags than there were days of the year to wear them; my life was
about vanity. When I started traveling, I had a hard time accepting my new backpacker style. I tried to
hang on to my vanity; I had a hair dryer and make-up in my backpack for the first few months...then I just
let it go...and it felt great. I know it's easy for me to say to not pack your hair straightener or makeup or
five pairs of shoes...but trust me, you will be happier without these things if you are doing long-term
Photo by: Sherry travel. You may find yourself feeling more free than ever - I did. I got comfortable seeing my face without
make-up, my hair without hair products, and flat shoes instead of heels. If you feel like you still want a bit of 'flash' when you travel, then I suggest
that you add flash to an average outfit by accessorizing - jewelry is small and can be the focal point of an outfit. So are pashminas. Both of these
things are plentiful in many developing countries for cheap...so just buy them there and don't carry them in your bag! Plus, it supports the locals -
win/win for everyone!
. Sherry, Ottsworld
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I travel with one backpack no matter how long I'm going to be gone,
and it has saved my skin more than once
Main Index
Packing
Pack Light
Pack light. We probably won't be the only people to say this. I used to be the one at the airport with the
big roller bag, more clothes than I could possibly wear ("but I need options!"), and
books/iPod/magazines/food for the flight. Jeesh! Now I travel with one backpack no matter how long I'm
going to be gone, and it has saved my skin more than once. Flight delayed or connection canceled? No
problem; my bags aren't on the plane. I'm the easiest one to rebook.
Tired after a long day of flying? I can bypass baggage claim and go straight for ground transportation.
Photo by: Stacy Bass Feeling the need to overpack or overbuy once I get there? Hard to do with the limited space. It forces me
to only buy the stuff I really want instead of everything that catches my eye.
Use Eagle-Creek Pack-it Folders

My favorite travel accessory is the Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder. These folders keep my clothes organized
throughout the trip and because I can sinch it tight with the velcro flaps, the resulting compression uses
less space in the suitcase. I use the small size for shirts and the large size for jackets and pants.
Photo by: Eagle Creek

. Diana, Dutch Baby

I suggest stashing a few in every size (they take up next to no space)
and keeping them handy while you're on the road
Main Index
Packing
Travel the World with Ziplocs

I never travel without Ziploc bags anymore. I suggest stashing a few in every size (they take up next to
no space) and keeping them handy while you're on the road. I tend to pack smaller clothing items, like
socks and bandannas, together in one, then suck out all of the excess air to keep them packed tightly
together. I also frequently pack my shirts in a large Ziploc bag, just to reduce the amount of space they
take up.
Smaller baggies are helpful for keeping loose items - batteries, chargers, extra pens, jump drives -
contained and in one place. I always carry a few extra to separate items that might spill (like all those
Photo by: JoAnna
3-ounce liquids that are allowed through security in the airport), and they also come in handy to bag
items that are wet or particularly stinky (let's just say I was eternally thankful to have packed a few large bags on the Inca Trail when my t-shirts
started to ripen on their own).
. JoAnna, Kaleidoscopic Wandering
You Can Buy Tampons in Foreign Countries

This tip comes from a recent conversation I had with fellow female travel bloggers. We were chatting
about common questions that we get asked and talk turned to tampons. I'm here to tell you that you can
find tampons in other parts of the world - so you don't have to take a year's supply. Sure, some places
are harder than others...so check out your itinerary and have some extras available (but not a whole
year's worth!). I lived in southeast Asia for a year and you could find tampons in grocery stores for
expats. You may need to ask someone where the expats shop, but that will get you pointed in the right
direction. For travel, you can't beat OB tampons - they are super small and barely take up any space.
Photo by: Wiccked Yeah - some people aren't comfortable with the lack of applicator - but the compact size it worth it!
. Sherry, Ottsworld

If you've ever thought about cruising, now is the time to do it
Photo by: Ian....See
Main Index
Sightseeing
Independent Shore Excursions

If you've ever thought about cruising, now is the time to do it. Cruise line prices are still bordering on
suicidal discounts. But cruiser beware -- cruise lines make their real money once you leave the dock. it's
called onboard revenue, and it's substantial. The spa, the casino, the bar, the rock climbing wall, the
onboard shopping, the art gallery. And last, but definitely not least, shore excursions are among the
largest profit generators on any cruise line.
But if you plan correctly, you can -- and you should -- do many of your shore excursions on your own.
First, you won't be trapped on a bus being driven to ugly trinket stores. You can see a port at your own
Photo by: Bruce Tuten
pace, and go where you want to go. And you'll save money. Lots of it, especially if you share costs with
another couple.
Take the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska for example. Cruise lines charge at least $40 to tour the glacier. But guess what? The city bus will also take
you there! The big drawback is you have to walk a flat 1.5 mile road to the visitor's center. Otherwise, look for local shuttle buses that take you
directly from the port to the glacier for about $10.
If you're interested in taking a city tour, see if you can get into town on your own. Even in cities like Rome and Athens, where the cruise dock is a
good distance from the city center, there is usually a subway or a train. On a Caribbean cruise, the docks are often close to the city center, but find
out ahead of time if passengers have to be tendered to and from the ship, which can take about 20 minutes.
If you're traveling with a group, you can often save by renting a private car or driver and splitting the costs.
Of course, not all experiences are do it yourself. But you also have the option of booking directly with the local operator, or third-party resources
like Viator and ShoreTrips.com, which often have more competitive prices.
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If you are traveling to meet the local population, eat local food, and
live in a different culture, then leave your guidebook at home
Main Index
Sightseeing
You Don't Need a Guidebook

You do not need a guidebook: Oh yes, you heard me right. You do not need a guidebook. On this trip
and previous ones, across 27 countries, spanning 13 months of combined travel, we have not carried a
single guidebook. Guidebooks are great tools for reference but that is all they are: tools. They are not to
be used as a step-by-step itinerary. There is no need to carry it, literally, in your hand everyday all day.
For every hotel or restaurant that is in the book, there are thousands that are not. And I can guarantee
you that nine times out of ten, they will be cheaper, cleaner, and nicer than the ones that are "in the
book." Countless times we have seen tourists walking kilometer after kilometer past dozens of
Photo by: Saben and Lindsey restaurants, guidebook in hand, trying to find that one restaurant that's "in the book." But you know who
eats at the restaurants that are "in the book"? Tourists and only tourists. You know what (most of) the restaurants "in the book" serve: western
food. If you want to eat bad spaghetti with a bunch of other foreigners, that's fine. But if you are traveling to meet the local population, eat local
food, and live in a different culture, then leave your guidebook at home.
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Nothing ruins a moment more for me than trying to sit and
people-watch or enjoy a monolithic piece of architecture while someone
is rambling random facts in my ear
Main Index
Sightseeing
You Do Not Need a Guide

Here you are walking into the Taj Mahal or Tikal or The Great Wall and there they are -- an army of
guides waiting to fill your head with non-stop useless facts and information for the low low price of $9.95.
Sometimes a guide is great and we have had a few fantastic guides (on this trip and others), but we only
get a guide when it is required (Tibet, for instance). Some people love going with a guide. They get tons
of info and feel like they are learning something about the culture and there is absolutely nothing wrong
with that. But I argue the opposite. We hate having a guide. Nothing ruins a moment more for me than
trying to sit and people-watch or enjoy a monolithic piece of architecture while someone is rambling
Photo by: Saben and Lindsey random facts in my ear that I don't care about or will forget in ten minutes anyway. If I am further
interested in a place I visit, I will do a little reading about it before or after my visit, but while I am there I just want to be there and soak up the
history and presence without the constant interruption. Secondly, going without a guide gives you such freedom. The guides all have a schedule
and they all run the same route but what about all the other stuff not on your guide's itinerary? There are always hidden corners and alleyways, tiny
back exhibits and small gardens. These are the beautiful places, not the bare meeting room that you and the 5,000 other tourists are climbing on
top of each other to see. Sometimes a guide is a great idea but do take the time, even if it is after your guided tour, to see a place for yourself. I
guarantee you will find something special.
Take a Random Bus

Take a random bus. Just get on a bus and see where it goes. I can't tell you how many cool things I've
found by doing this. I watch out the window, enjoy the view, and if something really catches my eye -- I
get off the bus and explore. If there isn't a bus, go for a walk or a drive and take a random road. More
often than not, you'll find something worth seeing.
Photo by: Secret Tenerife


Not only is it a money saver, but you wind up spending less time on
long lines
Main Index
Sightseeing
A City Pass Can Save You Time and Money

While traveling in Rome a few years back with my wife, we decided to purchase a city pass to check out
the top attractions. Now while I did feel a bit touristy at first for buying a pass, that soon went away once I
realized how much I could see for less. Not only is it a money saver, but you wind up spending less time
on long lines. For example, the Colosseum had a line wrapped around it with tourists, but I was able to
skip it and enter in the VIP lane due to the pass. What would have been a 40-60 minute wait turned into
a manageable 10 minute one instead.
Photo by: Torcello Trio

. Andrew , The Brooklyn Nomad
Camels Are Evil

OK, you weren't expecting this one - I understand. In many parts of the world, it is considered de rigeur
to go on a camel trek into the desert or pose for a photo atop one of these disgusting beasts. Do not fall
for this. Camels are foul, hateful, nasty creatures. If embarking on a trek, you will sit in a 'saddle' that is
essentially a couple of 2×4's covered with a napkin for padding. Within 30 minutes you will not be able to
feel your legs. This is actually a blessing, as the crazy riding angle and the constant see-saw,
back-and-forth motion will be slowly grinding away at the skin and muscle of your inner thighs. You are
not going to walk right for a week.
Photo by: Wes
When you've had enough of this, your guide will pull hard on the reins (attached to the camel's nostrils)
to stop your mount, thoroughly pissing him off. An unhappy camel is not something to be trifled with. We've all heard the stories of camels spitting -
this is not exactly accurate. Like cows, camels have multiple stomachs (approximately 34 of them - I'm not exactly sure on the number) and when
they spit, they basically puke the partially-digested contents of their uppermost stomachs at you. The smell is truly indescribable - imagine that you
stuffed lawn clippings, goat cheese, and Satan's spleen into a Tupperware container and stored it in the direct sun for three months. That would be
almost as bad. A camel can 'spit' that concoction about 50 feet in any direction with pinpoint accuracy. Don't say I didn't warn you.

By leaving the guide book behind, you can make it a truly unique and
personal experience
Main Index
Sightseeing
Leave the Guide Book Behind

Do your research and plan your trip well, but leave your travel books behind. Every time I see a traveller
visit a landmark or a museum, open guide book in hand, I cringe at the thought of what they're missing.
On a recent visit to the Musée de Cluny in Paris, where medieval tapestries are beautifully displayed in a
dimly-lit gallery and a stunning display of ancient stained glass windows fills a darkened room, a tourist
walked around carrying a guide book, reading every passage aloud to her friend. When I visit a site, I
want to be immersed in the experience. I like to go with the flow of emotions that are stirred within me
when I see something new or re-visit a place that I've enjoyed in the past. I like to observe, touch (where
Photo by: Ms. Gourmantic
possible) and feel. I don't need to be lead on situ by published text. By leaving the guide book behind,
you can make it a truly unique and personal experience.
. Ms. Gourmantic, Gourmantic
Visit Your Destination on Horseback

Get off the beaten path during your travels. Visit your destination from the back of a horse. Unless you
are touring a major city, most places offer horseback riding to the general public. From beginner to
advanced rider, there are many types of horseback riding vacations available across the globe.
Visiting Kauai? Go horseback riding on one of the oldest working cattle ranches in Hawaii at Princeville
Ranch. What better way to learn about California's Los Padres National Forest than from a local who
rides the horseback riding trails on a daily basis? Have you considered horseback riding to Iceland's
Blue Lagoon? There are special tours offered for the horse lovers amongst us.
Photo by:

Images help to conjure memories, but I've learned that our senses
capture the best memories
Main Index
Sightseeing
Put Your Camera Down

I am sometimes so enthralled by a place that I take snapshots from every angle imaginable. Usually it's
for my blog, but sometimes it's fear that I'll forget its magic. Images help to conjure memories, but I've
learned that our senses capture the best memories. Now I put down my camera and use my five senses
to experience. I find a place to sit, take a deep breath and close my eyes. What do I hear and smell?
What does the ground under my feet feel like? Give it a try. Trust me, you'll remember the experience a
lot better. Then, when you look at the photos later, you'll be reminded of the scents, sounds and feel of
the place.
Photo by: Miles
. Keith, Velvetescape
Make a Realistic Plan

It's fine to be flexible but without at least a loose plan I guarantee you will end up frittering away precious
moments of your vacation trying to figure out what to do, or getting somewhere and finding a two-hour
line, or walking very very very very far only to discover the restaurant, museum, or store you want to visit
is closed.
Photo by: Michel Filion

. Mara, The Mother of All Trips

Contributing Authors
This Travel Secrets eBook is the result of a unique collaborative project, the first of its kind to take place on the Internet. It would
not have been possible without the amazing community spirit and unrivalled travel knowledge of the talented writers and bloggers
listed below. Take a virtual world tour around their inspiring travel blogs.
What are your Best Kept Travel Secrets? Join our team of travel writers and become a Travel Secrets Author.
Eric A Man Nowhere Monica A Pair of Panties and Boxers

Aelle Aelle Around the World Daniel Backpack Foodie
Candice Candice Does the World Cheryl Marie Cheryl Marie Cordeiro
Francoise Cult of Travel Nick Delicious Chaos
Diana Dutch Baby Anil Fox Nomad
Adrienne Gastroanthropology Ms. Gourmantic Gourmantic
Keith and Amy Green Around the Globe Heather Heather on her Travels
Barbara Hole in the Donut Johnny Johnny Jet's Travel Blog
Wes Johnny Vagabond Linda Jouney Jottings
JoAnna Kaleidoscopic Wandering Jodi Legal Nomads
Jeremy Living the Dream Lisa LL World Tour
Betsy Married with Luggage Abbie Miles of Abbie
Catherine Mischief and Impermanent Bliss Carina My Miss Adventures
Danielle My Rose Colored View of This Brian No Debt World Travel
World
Jeannie Nomadic Chick Gillian and Jason One Giant Step
Sherry Ottsworld Peter Peter Greenberg Worldwide
Nora Professional Hobo Lisa Project Runaway
Rolf Rolf Potts' Vagabonding Rowena Rubber Slippers in Italy
Saben and Saben and Lin Tammie Solo Road Trip
Lindsey
Harriet Stuck at the Airport Suzy Suzy Guese
Andrew The Brooklyn Nomad Mara The Mother of All Trips
Melanie Travels With Two Keith Velvetescape
Nancy What a Trip

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Be Where You Are

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Don't Separate the Telling of the Tale from the Experience

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Feel Free to Move at Your Own Pace

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Buy a Local Journal and Send it Home

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Take Local Transport

. Saben and Lindsey, Saben and Lin

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Learn from Locals

Don't Throw Away Used Tickets and Receipts

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Rip up Those Traveler's Checks

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Use the Online Travel Network

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Learn a Few Foreign Words for Your Trip

. Diana, Dutch Baby

Go Against the Guidebooks

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Take Time to People Watch

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Don't Answer Every Question

Social Media - a Traveler's Best Friend?

Best Kept Travel Secrets 2010 Want to contribute?

You Can Communicate Without a Common Language

Know a travel secret?

Best Kept Travel Secrets 2010 Want to contribute?

Don't Assume Taxi Drivers Ever Know Where They're Going

Know a travel secret?

Best Kept Travel Secrets 2010 Want to contribute?

Learn to Appreciate Your Partner's Travel Style

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Places That Aren't Secret (Locally) Make Great Destinations

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Don't Follow Everyone Else's Path, Make Your Own

Photo by: _Abhi_