| Last Updated: May 24, 2008 - 12:16:29 PM |
Used to be, travel was fun. But with increasingly overcrowded flights, Post-9-11 security challenges, and fading perks amongst rising prices for anything travel-related, it’s no wonder travelers are disgruntled. If you wanna survive, and THRIVE, in the fast-paced travel world of the new millennium, you need to move beyond a 20th-Century mindset. Here’s my top ten tips for traveling today:
1. USE THE INTERNET: Forget the travel agent, guidebook, and postcards. If you want to book a reservation, research a destination, and keep in touch with folks back home, you’ve gotta get online. Here’s some of the hottest new travel-help websites to:
• Check Flights:
Yapta.com
• Connect With Other Travelers:
Dopplr.com
• Call Long-Distance:
Skype.com
• Research Destinations:
Yelp.com
2. PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION:
• Protect your passport and wallet contents from identity thieves with an
RFID wallet.
• Back-up and password-protect your computer and cell phone before departure, and label them with your contact information…just in case they disappear.
3. PROTECT YOUR STUFF:
• Forget the money belt. Hide personal items on your body with
Zip-It Socks
PacSafe or
Travelon anti-theft bag.
• Use
Travelon’s Garment Hideaway faux-vest to hide things in your room.
4. PROTECT YOURSELF:
• Americans are targets overseas, so stick a
Canadian flag on your bag and scale back the American attitude when abroad.
• Carry
pepper spray, and double-lock your room at night with a
portable door lock from
Zelco.
5. LIGHTEN THE LIQUID LOAD:
• Use non-liquid toiletries, such as
toothpaste powder or
soap, shampoo, and detergent sheets from
Travelon.
• Use a pre-packed, security-line-safe
toiletry set from
mysmartpac.
• Pack other security-prohibited loose items in a
heavy-duty, quart-sized clear case.
6. GREEN POWER: Instead of packing multiple power cords, bring one universal
Solio solar charger (with multiple tips) to charge all your electronics via sun.
7. FORGET TRAVELER’S CHECKS: Traveler’s checks aren’t so widely accepted anymore, so consider the modern plastic version instead: a
cash passport from
Travelex…if you don’t feel secure enough with ATM & credit cards alone.
8. PACK EDIBLES: With airlines axing free meals and delaying flights, plan ahead for hunger or an empty wallet by packing
snacks like nuts, fruit, and Lärabars.
9. UPDATE YOUR TRAVEL GEAR: If you haven’t updated your luggage, travel clothing, or camera in years, it’s time to get:
• A
digital camera
•
Wrinkle-resistant clothes, like cargo pants.
• A
new suitcase, with added pockets, better wheels, easier expansion, and/or more style. If you can’t afford one, at least add a
luggage identifier (handle wrap, luggage tag, patch, etc.) to your black one.
10. BE CLEAN AND KIND: Dreaming of a flight upgrade? Frustrated with hotel staff? Wary of germs? Some modern issues are best addressed with old-school tactics:
•
Dress and be nice--service personnel will be nice back.
•
Wear decent socks--or risk embarrassment in the security line.
•
Wash and use Purell--because filth attracts germs and repels people.
About the Author
: A former
Hollywood
producer and now 2nd-generation travel professional, Susan Michelle travels the planet as the “face” of the fashion-forward Compass travel lifestyle brand.
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