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When the staff of Traveler's Fare, Inc. aren't chained to
our desks making travel arrangements (or creating web pages!) we take to
the skies - or at least hit the road. Over the years we've learned quite a
few tricks of the trade, which we take pleasure in sharing below.
In selecting our most treasured travel tidbits the only
guideline we followed was this: No tip is too obvious or silly if it
makes for easier travel. We hope our advice works for you, wherever you may go.
Packing
 Meet yourself halfway. Before you
travel, lay out everything you think you'll need for your trip. Then pack half
the items.
 Be Spartan. A sample list of
essentials from one Spartan packer: 2-3 pairs of pants and shirts that can
easily be mixed and matched; 1-2 pairs of shoes (if hiking, add hiking boots, or
if you'll be at the beach, sandals); a jacket, coat, or sweater, even if it's
just for that chilly airplane en route to the Caribbean; a bathing suit,
regardless of where you're going (because you never know); small, disposable
containers of toiletries; lots of underwear (the one exception to the rule).
 Save yourself from a rainy day. Always
pack an umbrella (because you never know).
 Go easy on your tootsies. Pack a pair
of smart but comfortable black, rubber-soled shoes for sightseeing. If they're
tasteful enough they'll do double duty as your dinner-nightlife shoes.
Become a plastic person. When packing
a suitcase, make use of dry cleaning and other plastic bags. Put your delicate
garments in them, for protection. And whether you fold or roll your clothes,
spread cleaner bags over them occasionally as you fill the suitcase, creating
layers. Using bags helps to prevent major creases and helps to protect packed
items from spills or rainstorms. It also allows you to grab something from the
bottom of your bag and disturb only that layer.
Bag it. Plastic bags -- for everything
from toiletries to shoes to aerosol cans -- also have prevented many a suitcase
fiasco.
Roll and separate. When packing a
backpack, rolling clothes and storing them in separate bags is space-efficient.
When you fold, only one item at a time is accessible, but when you roll your
clothes and separate them, they can be placed next to each other on the same
"level" in the backpack.
Do the twistie. Use garbage-bag ties
to secure the zips on your luggage. This measure annoys and
may deter a potential thief.
Add a touch of color. Attach brightly
colored yarn (pom-poms optional) to your checked bags and you will have no
problem spotting them as they come around the luggage carousel.
Book it. Always take two paperbacks: a
thick, gripping novel that won't run out and a thinner book of essays or short
stories.
Flying
Book the back. If you travel in coach
with carry-on items only and know you're going to be on a crowded flight, book a
seat toward the rear of the plane to ensure that you're one of the first to
board. That way you won't be stuck having to check one of your bags because
there's no place to put it.
Go incognito. Bring a sleep mask. It
will serve as a "Do Not Disturb" sign and may actually help you sleep
better.
Meals. Most
airlines do not serve complimentary meals or snacks on their Domestic coach
flights. If you plan on eating in flight, you will need cash to purchase a
meal or snack. They are still complimentary in First Class and on
International flights.
BYO Snacks Bring along your favorite
snacks to tide you over during delays on or off the plane. Bottled water
(purchased once you are through security),
peanuts, cookies, a fancy chocolate bar, crackers, cheese, and munchable fruit
can make a long trip a great deal more bearable.
Dining Out
Hit the (side) streets. Never eat at a
restaurant on the main square of a city. Chances are you'll end up paying too
much for subpar food at a tourist trap. Even walking a couple blocks over can
make a big difference to your enjoyment -- and to your bill.
Take a hint. Ask the waitstaff to
recommend something when everything looks equally appealing. This could
backfire, however, if the kitchen has told the waiters to get rid of something,
so watch the waiter's face carefully.
Make sure the price is right. If your
waiter rattles off the specials without indicating their cost, ask. If you're
self-conscious about this, remind yourself -- and those in your party, if it
makes you feel better -- that only a fool would order from a menu without
prices, so why order a dish blindly just because you learned about it verbally?
Getting Around
Don't be so cheap you miss a bargain.
In San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, and other cities, cabs to the center of
town cost $30 or more, and shared-van and bus services cost from $10 to $17. But
remember that if you're splitting expenses with a traveling companion, the cost
of a taxi might be only a tad more than the cost of the alternatives (which
usually take longer); with three or more people, a cab can become a bargain.
Check for deals on wheels. When
renting a car, find out if any of your frequent-flier mileage programs entitle
you to a discount.
Look before you leave. Before you
drive away in a rental car, always check for damage, and take the time to point
out anything you notice to an agency staffer.
Exercising
Work out. Ask if your hotel has an
exercise room or provides free use of a nearby club. A workout, even a small
one, can do wonders when you're traveling, especially if you are eating heavy
meals.
Take it easy. On the other hand, don't
be a vacation superjock. Unless you are in peak physical condition, do not
engage in any strenuous physical activity while on vacation that you do not
regularly do at home. Too many vacations are ruined by sprained or strained or
broken body parts because someone got a little too adventurous or tipsy.
Take a quick spin. If you like to jog,
take a run and you'll get a mini-sightseeing adventure. A run through the
countryside is often a rewarding experience.
Have a good chew. When hiking or
camping with a limited or rationed water supply, chewing on gum, particularly
with electrolytes, helps to moisten the palette, relieving that
"parched" feeling.
Sightseeing
Take a nap. When traveling to Europe
from the United States, make sure you get two to three hours of sleep once you
arrive at your destination -- assuming you arrive in the morning or early
afternoon. Then you're guaranteed to last through the rest of the day. Don't try
to go without sleeping -- it's useless and you won't get as much out of the day.
Get some help. When arriving in a new
city, head for the tourist office or visitors center and get a map and any other
information that will help you find your way around. Clearly mark the location
of your hotel on the map, so you'll know your point of departure each day and
how to get back "home."
Find out what the locals are up to.
The Web can be your friend. Search local newspapers and magazines to see what
events locals are attending.
Do look back. Never, never leave a
plane, train, or bus without casting one last glance backward to see whether
you've left anything behind in your seat. The same goes for your hotel room,
where you should always take a peek under the bed before departing.
Keep those bags in sight. Except for
when you hand them over at check-in at the airport or to a bellhop at your
hotel, never, never let your bags out of your sight, not even for an instant.
It's astonishing how many people make this mistake -- and never see their bags
again.
Excuse yourself. Learn to say
"Excuse me" in the language of the country you are going to. If you
say "Pardon me" or "Sorry," people are more willing to
listen and work out the rest with you than if you approach them without an
introduction that they understand. Another good phrase to learn: "Where is
the bathroom?" . This could spare you some
embarrassment.
 Bon
Voyage! Ready to have some fun? Great! But before you run off,
make sure you're completely prepared by using the Traveler's Fare, Inc.
'Packing List'. Simply print the
desired list, then check off the items you'll need as you pack them.
What could be easier?!
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Information
compiled from Foder's
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