Although packing can sometimes be a challenge for those with a large closet (don't you just want to take everything!?), packing light doesn't have to mean walking around in jeans and a tee. When I'm headed to a new destination I still want to be stylish, but don't want to tote my entire closet with me, especially if I'll be moving around from location to location and backpacking through multiple countries.
My next trip is taking me to Japan this month, and September in Tokyo generally means wet and humid weather. I'm only taking a single backpack (more on which one I settled on, and my itinerary later), so a light and packable trench is just the thing I need to keep me dry and fashionable in every weather situation. Now comes the hard part — picking just one. Check out a few of my favorite trenches in the widget below.
Travel Tips
Pack Light: Functional and Fab Raincoats
08Sep09Although packing can sometimes be a challenge for those with a large closet (don't you just want to take everything!?), packing light doesn't have to mean walking around in jeans and a tee. When I'm headed to a new destination I still want to be stylish, but don't want to tote my entire closet with me, especially if I'll be moving around from location to location and backpacking through multiple countries.
My next trip is taking me to Japan this month, and September in Tokyo generally means wet and humid weather. I'm only taking a single backpack (more on which one I settled on, and my itinerary later), so a light and packable trench is just the thing I need to keep me dry and fashionable in every weather situation. Now comes the hard part — picking just one. Check out a few of my favorite trenches in the widget below.
SF Wants You To Stay Away over Labor Day Weekend . . Well, Sort Of
28Aug09In case you're planning a trip to Pier 39, Coit Tower, or even a ball game at Pac Bell Park over Labor Day weekend, change your plans. Like now. Effective 8:00pm Thursday, September 3rd and running through 5:00am Tuesday, September 8th, the Bay Bridge, which connects the East Bay towns of Berkeley, Oakland and Richmond (among others) will be closed. Construction on the bridge has been in play for over three years, and CalTrans is making a big move over the three day weekend to connect parts of the bridge to the new structure.
New Travel Books Help You Get Your Budget On
24Aug09Just because we're in the middle of an "economic downturn" doesn't mean you have to stop doing what you love — just tighten the belt and learn how to hop continents with a more conservative budget. If you're needing some ideas on how to travel on the cheap, there's a slew of new and soon-to-be-released titles over at Amazon (one of my favorite places to shop online) that cover the gauntlet on budget travel. Learn how to keep your family trip to Disneyland from breaking the bank, and tips on making your trip to South America spiritually, mentally, and financially fulfilling. Check out some of the best sellers and newest titles to hit the shelves in the widget below.
See one you like? Just click on the cover and you'll head right to the product page!
Satisfy Your Organization OCD With Tripit
10Jul09
I have a trip quickly approaching in September, and although I'm not obsessive about organization, I do like to have an itinerary that's easy to see at a glance. Usually for me that includes all my deets scrawled out on a piece of easily misplaced paper, or lists typed up in an email that quickly ends up three pages back in my stream.
Lucky for me, neither of these will be an issue for me on this journey, since I've discovered and have fell in love with Tripit.
Tripit makes it easy to organize your flight info, train schedules, sightseeing tours and whatever else you're into in one place, either online or via their iPhone App (which by the way is awesome and free). Not only can you log in some data entry time to input your activities, but if you email your conformation emails to plans@tripit.com and Tripit will organize your plans for you, and add it into your master itinerary.
Seriously, there's so much to this site/app that you really can't go wrong. Oh, and it's all free. Holla!
How Google Can Help Back-Up Your (Travel) Data
29Jun09I'm all about Google — using Gmail, Docs, Reader and Analytics daily — but haven't really dug my claws into Google Sites, which lets you create your own web page, and gives you the option to keep it private. But a tech savvy reader in this month's edition of Budget Travel came up with a great way to utilize the technology to back up their travel documents while globetrotting:
Source
My wife and I create a private web page for each trip we take. We post everything we need: confirmation numbers, scanned copies of passports and drivers' licenses, phone numbers and maps. It's comforting to know that in case we lose our wallets, all of our info is just a Google password awayGenius! This just goes to show you that backing up your data isn't just a term reserved for tech geeks, it's for travel geeks too! It's always good to have a back up set of documents on hand, and I can't imagine a better (or safer) place to keep them than in the cloud.
Source
App You Need: Near+Now
28Jun09
Even in my own city, I sometimes have a hard time figuring out what to do on a Saturday night. So when I discovered Near+Now, it was kinda like I suddenly had my own personal concierge stuffed into my iPhone. But not just any concierge, one that knows what I like, and what is happening right now within walking distance to where I am.
Getting set up with Near+Now takes a few minutes to start — the app locates you, and has you rate a bunch of places you've visited to get to know your tastes. After that, Near+Now recommends bars, restaurants, coffee shops and clubs for you to hit up based on your ratings. Plus, the more you rate, the more precise the app becomes so you're less likely to walk into a dirty dud dive bar when you love to slink across stark white couches in a plush ultra lounge. And even better? As the name suggests, Near+Now will tell you if there's a hot show you just have to see nearby so you don't miss a thing, no matter where you are. You'd think that this kind of personalized service would have you digging into your digital wallet, but alas, Near+Now is free. Happy weekends!
Travel Tip: Reuse Your Hotel's Shampoo Bottles
13Feb09Although it's rare that I actually need whats inside, those little hotel shampoo bottles can come in handy for later travels. Since TSA requires that your liquids be under 3oz, these little guys are a perfect fit. Just empty out the stock hotel shampoo, and load them up with your own, or full them with lotion, perfume, sunblock, hair gel, whatever you need while on the road. Plus, you won't have to buy any travel sized bottles before your trip, so it's a great way to save a few bucks.
5 Simple Ways To Sex Up Your Next Vacay
12Feb09A romantic getaway doesn't have to cost a fortune. Just by heading a few miles out of town, you can leave all your daily stresses behind. And what's more, you don't even really have to leave the house at all. Just arrange an overnighter for the kids (if you have them), and call your home your hotel. Either way, getting up close, personal, and intimate with your partner is more than just having sex — it's about spending time relishing in each others brilliance. Remember why you fell in love in the first place, and try on a few of these cheap and easy ways to ramp up the romance on your next vacay or staycay.
- Make a reservation – Book the honeymoon suite and pretend you actually are honeymooners. Role playing is sexy.
To see the rest of my tips, just read on.
5 Ways To Save Money While On Vacation
11Feb09I've been on my fair share of vacations where towards the tail end, I had less money than I'd like to have had to tide me over until I returned home. These experiences have led me to take note, and learn where I can cut back my spending. Not only to make my budget last, but to actually come home with some leftovers. And in these scary economic times, saving every penny you can is an essential habit to start. Here are five easy ways to save money while you're vacationing in Tahoe, Rome, or wherever you happen to land.
- Book as part of a group. Usually, travel agents can dish out deep discounts when you book as part of a group. You don't necessarily have to know everyone in the group though. Agents schedule large number of people going to the same places to save you some cash. This is especially true when heading to all-inclusive resorts.
To see the rest of my tips, just read more.
Travel Tip: Toss Dryer Sheets In Your Luggage
04Feb09After a long trip, you're gonna have some used (and potentially stinky) garments. Unless you have access to a laundry facility, or can afford to have your items sent out, it just goes back into your bag until you're home. And although there may be more embarrassing things in life, I would be totally mortified to have airport security sift through my smelly bag before takeoff. So whats the solution? Dryer sheets, my friends. Dryer sheets.
A few dryer sheets in a ziploc bag should hold up until you're ready to take them out and store in your luggage. It will keep your bag (and clothes) smelling good without an overpowering scent, and bonus - they help to eliminate static cling as well. Bon voyage!
