1. Why you should create your own mini-guide book

Even if you have a guidebook, write out a brief plan for visiting a city on a sheet of paper (I do this on the plane ride over).  This way, you have a quick reference of what you want to see, as well as a backup in case you lose your travel guide (like I did at the Paris Airport trying to catch my train into the city (and figure out how to buy the ticket without standing in line for an hour…).

2. How to easily remember addresses for postcards

If you’re sending post cards, pre-address sticky labels (and don’t forget the country!) to save time trying to remember Aunt Sarah’s address (is it 34 West 54th St or 54 West 34th St?)

3. The phone numbers you should pre-program into your Mobal World Phone

Pre-program in the phone numbers of the hotels you are staying at in your Mobal phone - so that in the worst case, you can call them to figure out how to get there.

4. Why you should keep a note of your Mobal World Phone

(And this happened to me!) Record the phone number for Mobal on paper and store it separately from your phone.  That way in case it gets lost or stolen, you can contact Mobal to have the service cut off (and not get billed for Ludmilia calling Boris from Paris to Moscow…).

I enjoy the travel tips!

Jim

5. Why you should cross pack your luggage

Cross pack – Pack each suitcase with clothing from both traveling companions.  Then if one suitcase is lost or delayed, you each have some of your belongings.

Diane Weisstuch
Wayne, NJ

If you’ve got a travel tip you’d like to share, or something to add to the tips above, leave a comment below…

1. How 20 Euros Can Save You A Whole Lotta Packing

Maybe not so amazing but …pack light…Take only half the clothes you need and use a drop off laundry service in your destination city. We did this on a weeklong visit to Heidelberg and had plenty of space to pack souvenirs.

Cost was 20 Euro for two loads and we went walking the altstadt. Don’t forget a small tip for the person doing your laundry!

2. Practice The Art Of Disposable Packing

Practice what I call disposable packing. Take old socks, T-shirts, knickers or whatever that you can wear just one more time and then toss them on your last day.

Same thing for small toiletries. Shave creme, razor, toothbrush and so on. Again, more space to take home the swag. And if you find you really need something there’s nothing like coming home and wearing the sweater, scarf, shirt or jacket brought home from your trip.

Bruce

3. How To Make The Most Of The Available Plugs In Your Hotel Room

I always pack an inexpensive power strip.  You only need one adaptor, and many of your rechargables plug into the one strip!

L. Desjarlais,

4. A Compact And Convenient Way To Hold Your Important Info

I found a small clear plastic photo carrier at an office supply store that has three plastic envelopes in it.

In the first, I put several family photos that I want to take with me. The second envelope contains contact information: phone numbers, addresses, mailing labels, websites, bank and charge card phone numbers, etc. I can just pull out that envelope when I’m at an internet cafe or need to make a phone call. In the third, I have photocopies of our passports, drivers’ licenses, living wills, powers of attorney, medical insurance cards, and medical and eyeglass prescriptions–those things you hope you never need but should have along just in case.

The entire case is slightly larger than 4×6″ and about 1/2″ thick, so it takes virtually no room but is packed with a huge amount of information.

Marilyn Mertens
Hot Springs Village, Arkansas

5. How To Give Your Luggage The Best Chance Of Finding You If Lost

When traveling, put a nametag holder inside your bag(s), put your name, hotel/address, city, and Mobal Phone number on a separate card for each destination and number them from 1 (first destination) through your last destination on the trip, then add a card with your home address and label it “Home” and place the “deck” in order in the holder.

When you get to each destination, remove that card so that it has the next
destination listed.

With this, if your luggage gets lost or misplaced along the way, the airline/railway/bus line can contact your next location to get you your luggage.

Jim

1. The sneaky way to hide your passport

Since we often stay in places with no safe, we hid our passport in the bottom of a kleenex box - in plain sight!

Rebecca Rose

2. How to get a back-up copy of your passport

Always bring a color copy of your passport with you when traveling abroad. Keep it separate from your original passport so that if you lose one, you will always have the other.

The copy is easy to keep with your carry on things so you can use it as Wendy suggests…to fill out immigration forms for the country you are visiting. If you lose your original passport, some places will accept a color copy until you can get a replacement.

And having a copy of the original will ease the pain of getting a replacement because all the necessary information is on your copy.

Robin Smith

3. A safer way than email to store your passport copy

It’s probably not a good idea to send yourself an e-mail copy of these important numbers and documents.  E-mail isn’t very secure… this information could easily be compromised and intercepted.

I always carry one of those little USB flash drives that can be password protected, and for an added layer of security the information can be encrypted. The idea is the same.  Go to an internet café etc and pop in the USB flash drive.

By the way, I use one of the U3 USB flash drives that enables me to access my own browser with all my familiar bookmarks/favorites etc.  It’s like signing on to my home computer and makes my use of time in an internet café far more efficient.

Thanks,

Bud Shuler

4. Why you need to be careful when you see “luggage sale”

Beware of luggage sales. Many luggage vendors are looking to unload heavy luggage as people are opting for much lighter luggage due to the new weight restrictions on almost all airlines.

Ask “how much does it weigh” before you lay out the cash.

Remember, US flights have a maximum weight for checked bags of 50 lbs. Anything over will cost you.

Shelly

5. Why you should check in as early as possible 

Checkin on line if you can & choose a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible.

This means that you’ll be one of the first off at the other end. Once off the plane, walk fast to immigration.

Hopefully, you’ll get there near the front of the queue, saving ages of waiting time.

Al Scott