Travel tips for road warriors on the move and extended stay travelers who like long term vacations.

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5 Simple Tips for Staying Healthy When Traveling

October 28, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

With cool days comes cold and flu season (gotten your shot yet?), and nothing’s more frustrating than to be off on a longed-for vacation or an important business trip, only to cough and drag your way through each day. Traveling does put stresses on the body, so it pays to take a few precautions to keep your body in shape and illness at bay while on the road. Here are five strategies to help you stay healthy but not slow you down or weigh down your baggage. Some may seem obvious on the surface, but we include a few tried and true tricks of the traveling trade.

Sleep
Everyone knows that to stay healthy and happy, humans need sufficient high quality sleep. Yet no matter how intrepid the traveler, evolutionary adaptations often prompt us to be overly vigilant when in unfamiliar surroundings. If you find yourself sleepless or even just waking frequently while traveling, try some of those comfort strategies from childhood: If you have room (e.g., on a road trip), bring your own pillow and perhaps an especially comforting afghan or small blanket. Familiar sensory elements (smell, touch) help us relax. Something as simple as a nightlight (small and easy to tuck into a corner of your bag) can lend a sense of security to a room that has unfamiliar shapes and noises. Sleep music and white noise CDs are especially helpful if you also use them at home (again, the familiarity effect).

Vitamins
People usually remember to pack their medications but often neglect to add their vitamins, probiotics and other non-prescription health aids. These pills tend to be too large to fit into conventional pill cases, but a small pouch will keep them safe and is also easy to slide into a corner of your pack or bag.

Hydration
Keeping hydrated helps you maintain energy and keeps all those handy internal organs functioning smoothly (meaning you can avoid some gastro-intestinal distresses). Instead of buying countless small plastic bottles of water, use a stainless steel water bottle like a Kleen Kanteen, and refill it with tap water. Yes, regular tap water. In the U.S., it’s almost always as safe, healthy and available as most bottled water. Using BPA free stainless steel bottle also lets you avoid adding to landfills across the country. If the “foreign” water tastes odd (as it does to most of us), bring along a pre-cut lime and add a slice each time you refill your water bottle.

Set aside relaxation moments
No matter how wonderful the trip is, no matter how much we love being on the go, our minds and bodies do build stress, and so we need moments of downtime during the day. Try to make time to do deep breathing, yoga, meditation or just eyes-closed daydreaming for 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day. Herbal teas can be helpful to create a sense of quietude and are easy to carry with you. Bring bags rather than loose tea, and you can quickly make a cup of calming chamomile or peppermint tea in the airport waiting area or in the comfort of your hotel room to settle a restless stomach or headache.

Gargle
This last tip may not sound like fun, but the Mayo Clinic reported a recent study showing that gargling with salt-water helps ward off sore throats and bronchial distress and, if a cold strikes, soothes and speeds recovery. The solution is easy to make on the spot (1/2 teaspoon salt in one glass warm water) and only requires that you have salt and warm water.

20% Off - Last Minute Deals on Weekend Stays - Extended Stay Hotels

October 27, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/29 through 10/31) and next weekend (stays 11/5 through 11/7) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 10/29/2010 and 10/30/2010

* Atlanta, GA- Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 10/29/2010 and 10/30/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $24.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from $39.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $31.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all Locations >

More iPhone Apps for Today's Road Warrior

October 26, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you’re like most travelers, you can always use a little help in making your trip less complicated. If you have an iPhone, then consider yourself lucky because you have a vast number of travel apps that can help you handle anything on the road. Whether you’re traveling along I-80 and need to find a gas station or you’re visiting the U.S. Capitol building in DC and need to locate your car in a hurry, check out these latest travel apps for your iPhone.

Having a checking account can be convenient—until you travel to an area that doesn’t have your bank. Unless your account is with a large national bank like Bank of America or Chase, your chances of finding an ATM that will not charge you additional fees are minimal. If you’re in a rush but you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, you’re in luck. You can use ATM Hunter.

You can use ATM Hunter in various ways. You can use your phone’s GPS to locate an ATM. You can search by airport. And you can simply type in the address of your current location to find the nearest ATM. In other words, the days of wandering around mega airports like O’Hare in an attempt to find an ATM are over. Instead, your Apple device will show you the map for your destination so that you can always stay on track.

If you’ve ever gone to a large theme park or mall, you know that you can sometimes lose track of your vehicle. Some parking lots and garages are so complex that you can easily spend a lot of wasted time looking for your car. Of course, you really don’t want to be late for your flight, business meeting or dinner reservation, so you want to make sure that you can quickly get to your car with no problems. Luckily, you can use the EasyPark app on your iPhone.

With EasyPark, finding your car is always easy. With the touch of the screen, you know the path to your car, as well as its location. You’ll even know how far away you are from your vehicle. All things considered, no matter where you are, you never have to worry about memorizing parking space details just so you can get where you need to go.

Finding your car isn’t the only issue for traveling around an unknown area. Have you ever let your gas tank get really low before you even begin to look for a gas station? Unfortunately, you might risk running out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, those days are over too, as long as you have a smartphone like the iPhone.

With the FuelSpot app, you can find thousands of gas stations through your phone’s GPS system. And since businesses are always changing, the system is brought up-to-date each week to ensure that your information is always correct. You can even find out an area’s average price for fuel. Ultimately, looking for the right spot to fill up is a piece of cake with FuelSpot.

Travel is more convenient today than it ever was. Having to refold your road map after each use is a thing of the past. All a road warrior has to do for a road trip is put in an address or destination and—voila—he is on his way. Using other devices and applications to help minimize problems while away from your home is increasingly popular. In the end, as long as your have a smartphone like Apple’s iPhone, you’ll have no problem meeting any of your travel needs.

Staying Connected with Video Calls

October 22, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Any road warrior can identify with the basic quest to explore, visit, observe, discuss and completely experience a new place. The only drawback to this experience is that you sometimes have to go it alone, especially if you are away from your family on a business trip. If only you could show them—in real time—what you are seeing, then you would be all set!

Fortunately, if you have one of the newest smartphones, you can use it as a video phone. While this isn’t quite the space age era of the Jetsons, your video phone will allow you to show your loved ones back home what you are doing in real time.

If you have an iPhone 4, you might feel like the world is at your fingertips. You’re probably right. You can video call the people who matter most, even if you’re thousands of miles away from them. This latest iPhone has one of the best applications out there for live video chats. Overall, FaceTime, created just for the iPhone and iPod Touch, is the app that you’ll want to have for your calls with an Apple device.

Mobile phones in Europe and Asia had video call capabilities years ago, but video phones are just starting to take off in the United States. The latest iPhone underlines that fact. Made with two cameras, the iPhone 4 allows you to see the person you are chatting with, as well as a small inset of your own image. To make a video call, all you have to do is tap the FaceTime app, and you’re on your way.

Not everyone has an iPhone. Luckily, three other services transform smartphones into video phones. Qik will eventually provide service to different smartphones. Right now, however, its app only works with select Sprint phones. All that users have to do to video chat is click on the Qik app to start their call. Of course, as with FaceTime, both users must have phones that are compatible with the Qik app. In this case, they only have certain phones from which to choose.

Even if you don’t own any of the above phones, you can still video chat with your smartphone. Two other services are completely free since they use Wi-Fi and 3G/4G networks to connect you to your loved ones and friends. Fring is an app for Android smartphones, among others. Based out of Israel, Fring has an extensive network of international customers. Ultimately, it allows you to video chat with anyone in the world, as long as that person also uses Fring.

While not as established and extensive as Fring and other video chat providers, Movicha is an up-and-coming service that touts its ability to connect you with any other smartphone for a video chat. Like Fring, Movicha is a free app that uses 3G/4G networks and Wi-Fi. Most importantly, you wont’ use up any minutes in your call plan since you are connected via the Internet.

Whether you’re standing in front of the Statue of Liberty or strolling around the Mall in DC, you can share your immediate thoughts and experiences with anyone. Even while in transit, you are always connected as long as you have a smartphone with video chat capabilities.

Traveling this Weekend or Next? Last-Minute Hotel Deals from $27.99/night

October 21, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/22 through 10/24) and next weekend (stays 10/29 through 10/31) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 10/22/2010 and 10/23/2010

* Atlanta, GA- Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Philadelphia, PA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 10/29/2010 and 10/30/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Denver, CO- Rates from $31.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* St. Louis, MO - Rates from $27.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* See all Locations >

Bottle Protectors That Will Keep Your Wine Safe During Air Travel

October 19, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Maybe while on a recent business trip you spent some of your off time roaming around the vineyards of Napa Valley. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed a sip of grape-induced heaven from a Pinot Noir produced in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Or, maybe you’ve taken time out of your busy tech meetings in Austin to visit the wineries in nearby Fredricksburg, Texas. Wherever you’ve managed to squeeze in a smooth glass of vino, you may have considered taking some home with you.

If you thought that was impossible just because you live hundreds of miles and a plane trip away from your favorite winery, think again. You could always ship the wine home, but then you risk losing it through a service that sometimes makes the Pony Express look like a better option. The best solution is simple, affordable and secure. You can pack your wine bottles in special bags that prevent leakages, breakages and any other potential travel damage. The following three brands are great examples of a good travel product to have on hand if you are a wine lover.

Magellan’s Travel Supplies has created a reputation for supplying some of the best travel products on the market. Its Bottle Armor is no deviation. The price is great and includes two Bottle Armor protectors as well as a corkscrew.

Magellan’s product wraps your bottle in durable bubble wrap packaging with a nylon outer cover. It has two zipped layers plus a Velcro flap that seal up to ensure your wine does not leak. Most importantly, the TSA can also see what is inside your Bottle Armor. It has a see-through window for easy identification, which means that your bottles will not be handled too judiciously by overly curious TSA agents.

Available at wineries and businesses that sell spirits throughout the country, WineSkin is also available at Magellan’s. However, it is much less expensive than Bottle Armor, even though the two utilize the same basic technology: a bubble wrap enclosure and two layers that seal to prevent leaks. WineSkin, on the other hand, is completely see-through. TSA agents will have no trouble identifying it.

WineSkin’s price is unbeatable, but you can only use these kinds of bottle protectors once. Thus, if you buy a great deal of wine, you would best benefit from the affordable WineSkin that comes in a convenient three-pack.

If you don’t trust bubble wrap, and if you want to reuse your bottle protector, the VinniBag is the right choice for you. Of course, this product is a little more expensive than the other protectors. However, you can continue to reuse it. Its price—about the same as a decent bottle of wine—is relatively consistent no matter where you purchase it. You can find the VinniBag at the company’s site, Magellan’s or at Amazon.com.

The VinniBag is unique because it uses an air chamber that protects your wine. Just place the bottle inside, seal it and fill the chamber with air. Luckily, the bag can withstand the dramatic temperature and air pressure changes that occur on a plane. And, unlike the other products, the VinniBag has an open design (not shaped like a bottle) that allows you to use it for other breakables as well.

All things considered, traveling on a plane can be detrimental to glass bottles of any sort. Who hasn’t heard horror stories red wine stains on business suits or glass shards at the bottom of a checked bag? And nowadays, you can’t take the wine with you in your carry-on luggage. Luckily, you can pack your precious wine in a travel protector and enjoy it when you arrive at your destination.

Personal Air Purifiers for Healthy Travel

October 11, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

There are no do-overs in the real business world. You don’t get second chances to score for your company, and you have to be healthy for the big pitch. During a business trip, you must protect your body from allergens, viruses and bacteria. You need an air purifier that is effective but small enough not to attract attention. The following are examples of devices that will help fend off germs blown into your face from the overhead vent during your plane ride and beyond

Keep two things in mind before you buy one of the following devices, though. First, some airlines—Continental, Jet Blue, Alaskan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Delta and possibly others—might prohibit them. Make sure you check with your carrier before arrival to the airport. Second, they are no substitute for healthy eating, hand-washing and getting enough sleep before the big meeting. Of course, what usually is?

If a higher price means better value to you, the Ultra-Mini Air Supply is it. Fortunately, you can easily purchase it at Magellan’s Travel Supplies. The Ultra-Mini has a platinum emitter that provides maximum performance. Measuring just over 2 inches in length and 1.5 inches in width, its dimensions make it look extremely discreet and ordinary. Worn around the neck, the Ultra-Mini sends ions into the air around your face, utilizing ionic wind technology. Maintenance on this device is minimal, and you never have to worry about filter changes. However, you will occasionally need to change the CR123 battery to optimize its effectiveness.

Through the years, The Sharper Image has become a trusted name in high-tech, high-quality gadgets. So, it’s no surprise that this company sells a travel-size air purifier. The Personal Ionic Air Purifier uses the same technology as the Ultra-Mini. Releasing ions in the air that charge germ particles to make them less harmful, this air purifier keeps allergens and viruses away from the places where you are most susceptible: the nose, the eyes and the mouth. The best part of this air purifier is that you can either wear it around your neck or clip it to your shirt. You can even put it on a nightstand or desk. And it’s just as small as the Ultra-Mini. It costs less than the Ultra-Mini, so if you want reliability and affordability, this purifier is worth checking out.

For around the same price as the purifier sold at The Sharper Image, you can also purchase the AirTamer 302 by FilterStream. This device is the company’s updated model of its AirTamer 300, and according to the company Website, it provides two times more cleaning power than their original model. The AirTamer 302 works like most personal air purifiers by emitting healthy negative ions into the air to purify the air in your personal airspace by repelling atomic-sized pollutants such as dust, pollen, viruses and bacteria. The AirTamer 302 works for seven days of continuous usage from its two lithium batteries (which are included). It’s silent and small enough so as not to attract a great deal of attention. The device has a protection radius of about three feet, which is quite large considering the cramped quarters of some transportation services.

Undoubtedly, getting sick is one of the worst things that could happen to you on a business trip. You don’t want to be achy. You don’t want to look tired. You certainly don’t want to cough, sneeze, sniffle and squeak your way through a pitch. You have to be healthy and energized for the big moment. Take along one of these air purifiers. And, when in need of a comfortable night’s sleep before your big day, check into one of the many conveniently located Extended Stay Hotels locations.

Stylish, Comfortable Shoes for Today's Traveling Man

October 5, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you are like most men who travel for regularly, you are rapidly transitioning between very different environments. You want something that you can slip off quickly before stepping through the metal detectors at the airport but also something that gives you the comfort of a slipper during a long flight. And you want to be able to wear these shoes during your downtime away from the boardroom. But, maybe you aren’t a fan of lace-up oxfords. Hush Puppies aren’t your style, and perhaps penny loafers just won’t do. What are your options?

Sidewalk Surfers by Sanük may be just what you need. For people who want the coolest, surfer-dude foot apparel on the market, these should be your top pick. Founded in Southern California in 1997, Sanük sells shoes made from a variety of materials, including all-weather carpeting and inner tubes. Sanük is a Thai word that means fun, and that is exactly what you’ll have with these bad boys on your feet.

You can purchase a variety of Sidewalk Surfers on the company’s site for no more than you would expect to pay for any quality shoe. From the “Donny” to the “Holy Moly,” you’re certain to find the right shoes at this extensive site. For a little more, you can even purchase the leather “Boardroom” style.

The Skechers brand offers something similar to Sanük’s Sidewalk Surfers, at a fraction of the price. The “Merrick” style on the company’s site looks like Sanük’s shoes. However, the “Merrick” only comes in grey, light brown and chocolate. That’s not a big variety if you’re looking for something in say, black—a versatile color choice to go with most anything.

If you’re looking for daily footwear that you can also don in the evening, Skechers offers the Mayham style, a casual loafer that is also ideal for strolling the beach or exploring local nightlife. Available in white (more sporty) to brown (casual) to black (more versatile), there’s a Mayham style to match any apparel. Mayham is a good choice for a businessman who might need to rush into work after taking to the streets for adventure; these kicks can pass as appropriate foot attire in most any environments.

Last, but certainly not least, are shoes sold by Crocs. Remember that initial feeling of seeing someone wearing those rubber-looking, brightly-colored clog things made by Crocs? Well, several years later, Crocs offers more than those “funny-looking” shoes with holes in them. For the past five years, this brand has become a leader in comfortable footwear. Now, Crocs offers more than sandals and clogs. If you want slip-ons that have incredible comfort added to them, the Santa Cruz and Melbourne are the styles for you. For an affordable price on the company’s site, you can choose from argyle, plaid, leather and canvas, among others.

Until recently, men had few options for stylish slip-ons that would fit the bill for a laid-back vacation or day trip. Fortunately—as Bob Dylan would say—the times they are “a changin’”. The products above reflect that trend; they are designed for relaxing or exploring in comfort. All three offer slip-ons that are on the cutting edge of style.

20% off Weekend Stays - Select Extended Stay Hotels

October 5, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 10/8 through 10/10) and next weekend (stays 10/15 through 10/17) at select Extended Stay Hotels(sm) locations. Visit our Weekend Deals section by clicking here.  From there, you can book and save at least 20% on stays this weekend or next at your favorite destinations, like Los Angeles, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 10/8/2010 and 10/9/2010

* Orlando, FL- Rates from $35.99/night
* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 10/15/2010 and 10/17/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $24.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL- Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Memphis, TN - Rates from $31.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all Locations >

Stay Connected with Solar Power

October 1, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Day Tripping with the Modern Convenience of Solar Power in Your Backpack!

For the past few weeks, you’ve been teaching new techniques to the employees of one of your company’s subsidiaries. After much hard work, you have a day to relax, unwind and explore the area before going back home. You could take a day trip to Atlantic City’s boardwalk, visit a vineyard outside of DC or have a moment of contemplation on Tybee Island near Savannah. Wherever you go, the one thing you don’t want to do is run out of power for your electronics.

Just because you want a little adventure, relaxation or solitude doesn’t mean that you want to be completely isolated from the rest of the world. After all, those stocks aren’t going to check themselves before the closing bell. Luckily, you can take a solar backpack with you.

Whether you’re riding a bike around Cape Cod or walking through Central Park, your pack’s solar cells will capture the sun’s energy and store it in a battery. When your smaller gadgets lose power, all you need to do is plug them into the pack’s battery to charge.

Eclipse manufactures a variety of solar bags, and its Solar Backpack is just one of many in its solar-powered lineup of goods. The pack comes in blue, black, tan and timber (camouflage). Roomy enough to stow a few books and a small laptop, this backpack also has many pockets for your small electronics. The Treads product line features bags made from recycled tire rubber and 100% post consumer plastic bottles. Moderately priced, you can purchase the solar pack or other products from the company’s site.

Voltaic offers two sizes of solar backpacks for your electronic needs. Weighing less than three pounds, the Converter Solar Backpack is perfect for a short trip. You can store a 17-inch laptop in the main compartment and store your iPod in one of four interior pockets. For every hour in the sun, you will have three hours of mobile power. You can also charge the battery electronically with power adapters. The best part about Voltaic’s pack, however, happens to be the fact that they are made from recycled water bottles, making them lightweight, waterproof and UV resistant.

Voltaic’s other pack is a little bigger and a little more expensive. The OffGrid Solar Backpack is the type of bag that you would take if you wanted to travel to a more remote destination. With a volume of 25 liters and a weight of 4.5 pounds, the OffGrid’s larger size allows you to stow anything for a day trip. You can even take off the solar charger and put it on another pack. That’s pretty convenient.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Helius by V-Dimension. At 3.5 pounds and capable of holding 15-inch laptops and small electronics, the Helius is a comparable choice to backpacks offered by other companies. This bag’s solar grid is a little smaller, yet it stores the same amount of energy as others. Need to charge more than one item at a time? That’s not a problem with the Helius; you can charge two. In addition, you can power a hand-held electronic device in just two hours. No matter what small electronic device you have, Helius has an adaptor to meet your needs.

In the end, while you’re always up for adventure, you still have a responsibility to stay connected to the office. With these packs, you can have both. And when you’re done exploring, you can rest at one of many convenient Extended Stay Hotels locations, each of which offers in-room wifi Internet access to keep you connected.