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Wish I'd Brought... 10 items to keep in your carry-on bag, Part 2

November 29, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

In our previous post, we introduced five items that will help to ease you over unexpected travel hiccups. Now pack items six through ten, and you’ll be able to handle whatever impediments the travel Gods put in your path:

6) All too often all of the airport computer stations are taken. That doesn’t matter if your laptop is fully charged. However, if you’re running low but have a good surge protector, you can still work anyplace next to an outlet. The surge protector is also useful if you need to share the outlet with another traveler; plug in your surge protector and you’ve got enough outlets for your laptop, cellphone, and ipod.

7) Extended layovers or hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic can add precious time to an already tight schedule. In such situations, a shower or shave at the hotel before the big presentation or business dinner might not be possible. Plan ahead by bringing freshening agents in your carry-on. Campsuds makes a popular liquid version in three pleasant scents—peppermint, green apple and lavender. Be sure, though, to remember to move the bottle to your quart plastic bag for going through airport security. And for road warrior traditionalists, Dr. Bronner is still making their fantastic peppermint soap in both liquid and bar form. This fair-trade, organic soap makes such a creamy lather that many people swear by its use for shaving, too.

8) In addition to soap, you’ll need a good travel towel; Eagle Creek carries a great 15 ½” by 23 ½” towel (about $10), perfect for an emergency wash-up in the airport “bath”room. Only three ounces, it’s made of quick-drying antibacterial microfiber and comes in a handy pouch. For full-out, on-the-go bathing luxury, add a packet of washcloth tablets by InstaCloth available through Magellan’s Travel Supplies. Just fully moisten and wah-lah!

9) Here’s a common scenario: Weather Underground said it would be sunny, but as you taxi in you see raindrops thundering against the tarmac. No worries as you complacently remember that collapsible umbrella tucked in the corner of your bag. Best choice here is the automatic kind with button-open/closure, since you may be juggling bags, kids’ hands and who knows what else.

10) So you’ve finally arrived and are ready to unwind, maybe with a bottle of the local microbrew or a glass of wine. But where’s the bottle opener? Remember, those of you who swear by your Swiss Army knives’ multi-uses that TSA regulations require all pocketknives be in checked luggage. So the last item on the must-have list is Franmara, Inc.’s bottle-opening tool. Especially designed for travel, it includes a plastic sheath to cover the corkscrew itself (so it won’t snag anything else in your bag). It is inexpensive (under $3 at Amazon.com), lightweight and even includes a foil cutter for that classy bottle of fine wine.

Experiencing the unexpected can be one of the great joys of travel, but since not all surprises are good ones, the old scouting motto of preparedness does pay off. With just a bit of inexpensive no-sweat prep, you can be sure to arrive at your destination clean, dry and ready for both work and relaxation.

Weekends from $24.99/night - Select Extended Stay Hotels Locations

November 24, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 11/26 through 11/28) and next weekend (stays 12/03 through 12/05) 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, Chicago, Houston and many others.

For Arrival Dates 11/26/2010 and 11/27/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Washington, DC - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all locations >

For Arrival Dates 12/03/2010 and 12/04/2010

* Phoenix, AZ - Rates from $24.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Baltimore, MD - Rates from $47.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all locations >

Wish I'd Brought... 10 items to keep in your carry-on bag, Part 1

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

Part of the fun of a trip is the planning, but (a) things don’t always go as planned, and (b) some trips don't allow much time for preplanning. To cover both situations, here’s a list of ten easily-stowed but life-saving (or at least sanity-saving) must-haves to keep stashed in your carry-on.

1) Money. What almost a hundred years ago they called “mad money” (not to be confused with the investment show of the same name on CNBC) (nor the 2008 film), this is your emergency fund, I-didn’t-have-time-to-run-by-the-ATM stash. We suggest at least five ones and a ten (add a twenty if you’re flush)—enough to tip a skycap, buy a sandwich at the airport, pay a few turnpike tolls. And if you don’t mind a little extra weight, a roll of quarters ($10) is handy to have on hand for vending machines and laundry facilities.

2) A list of vital information and numbers including such things as prescription medications, doctors (with phone numbers), credit card emergency numbers, health insurance ID number and phone number. It’s also a good idea to have the list laminated since that spilled in-flight drink can really mess it up.

3) Just so that you can read the list, tuck it into the bag with your last pair of glasses—yes, the ones you can’t imagine how you ever thought were flattering. That way you have a backup emergency pair just in case. With them add a copy of your current vision correction prescription for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses (also laminated). If you have a prescription (not more than 12 months old), many shops can fit you out with replacement glasses or lenses within hours. LensCrafters is a good choice if one’s nearby since with their 90-day unconditional guarantee, if your quick replacement selection was all-too quickly selected, you can always exchange for a new pair.

4) Food. Who hasn’t had the experience of flight delays resulting in an arrival minutes before you’re due at a meeting or need to pick up your tickets to that long-awaited concert, with no time to grab a meal? Here’s where that Trader Joe’s Simply Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries Trek Mix, Kashi granola bar or GNC Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams packet you stashed away gives you the boost you need to keep on truckin’. Try to choose something high energy but healthy since you’re running on empty when you go to your emergency rations. And be sure to watch expiration dates—the healthiest foods don’t have a super-long shelf life.

5) And speaking of delays, you can only pace the airport gate to gate so many times. Having games and reading materials on your laptop or smart phone is a given for most seasoned travelers, but reception unfortunately isn’t. Keep some technology-free entertainment—a deck of cards, crossword puzzle book (and pen/pencil), small paperback novel you love to reread—among your emergency rations, so you always have a fall-back.

Okay, that’s the first five tuck-them-away travel musts. Now you’re sure to be solvent, safe, fed and entertained no matter what delays you face. Stay tuned for the next five.

Traveling with Junior Road Warriors

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

Some children seem born adventurers. But even the most eager travelers sometimes feel thrown out of their comfort zones, and some ordinarily happy children do struggle with change. With young road-warriors-in-training, making the experience smooth and fun (for everyone) may call for some ingenuity and planning. The key? Blending the old and the new.

Packing
Get each child their own small bag or backpack—either one specially selected for travel or, if familiarity is more important, one they already carry to daycare or school. Make sure that they get to help fill it with things important to them. You can even add something to it each night you’re traveling (a special snack, a small book or toy), so every day begins with the message that travel and surprise go together—and that travel is something to look forward to.

Entertainment
There are loads of books and websites (including some of our previous posts) filled with ideas for staying entertained while on the road. If you have a child who gets motion sickness, play look-out-the-window games—not anything like car bingo that requires reading or looking down. Sing-a-longs are also a good distraction for children who struggle with carsickness.

For hotels, airports, some planes and even some vehicles if you have Wi-Fi in the car, add to your laptop toolbar a few kids’ sites with videos and games featuring favorite characters (the more adventurous the better). Another good choice is a site that celebrates travel and adventure like National Geographic Kids with their new virtual playground Animal Jam. And, of course, smartphones have many free and inexpensive entertainment apps like Pocket Zoo aimed at young audiences, though it’s worth remembering that many pediatricians express concern about young children’s intense engagement with cell phones.

At the hotel
Staying in a hotel room, like those in Extended Stay Hotels, that have a full kitchen can help with the “everything is too strange” blues. If possible, take along a few specific-brand food favorites—peanut butter, mayo, a box of bunny-shaped mac-n-cheese, whatever the old reliable staples are in the child’s familiar culinary world. No matter how much another brand (even the same brand but with a different name or box) looks and tastes the same to you, to a tired child trying to adapt during a trip, different is different.

Easy access at the hotel to laundry facilities is also a major plus when traveling with kids who often simply have to have that Handy Manny shirt or the Dora the Explorer pj’s. And heaven forbid a spot of carsickness puts the blankie out of commission!

Throughout the trip, maintain some of the child’s customary routines and rituals. Beginning weeks before a major trip, you can even begin new ones or adapt old ones so that they can be repeated on the trip—little things like the order in which pj’s go on, teeth are brushed, story and snuggle time occur. Bring along favorite bedtime stories, CDs, and DVDs (which you can play in transit if you have a portable DVD player). Bedtime can be especially challenging in strange surroundings, so it’s ideal to bring a child’s own pillow and nightlight, especially the one from home, so the light cast is exactly the same. Giving a child their own tiny flashlight can also be a confidence booster (and fun to play with).

And finally, celebrate a child’s travel achievements with some kind of badge of honor they can proudly display, like rub on (and wash off) temporary tattoos of favorite characters or symbols. Easy to tuck into your bag, these visible reminders give your junior road warrior incentive to rise to the challenge and embrace the joys of travel—trying a new food, taking a turn sitting in the middle seat instead of at the window, entertaining a younger sibling or only once asking, “Are we there yet?”

Last Minute Weekend Deals from $27.99 per Night

November 17, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 11/19 through 11/21) and next weekend (stays 11/26 through 11/28) 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, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Chicago, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 11/19/2010 and 11/20/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $39.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 11/26/2010 and 11/27/2010

* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* St. Louis, MO- Rates from $27.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $51.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all Locations >

Travel Tune Trivia Game

November 15, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

A quick Internet search will turn up lists of “best travel songs” by everyone and his brother, sister and long-lost cousin. But we’ve got something more specific in mind: a travel tune trivia game. Like, what are the best R & B tunes about a hotel? Classic rock numbers about air travel? Songs about specific states? Songs about modes of transportation? There are thousands of different themes. To get you started, we’ve assembled some categories—with a few contributions—just about guaranteed to start up conversations the next time you’re driving on cruise-control through the Mohave Desert or stuck in O’Hare nursing a beer at Wolfgang Puck’s.

DESTINATIONS:
States: James Taylor’s “Carolina on My Mind” and the Mamas & Papas’ “California Dreamin’.”
Cities: “NY, NY” by Frank Sinatra and “Ooh, Las Vegas” by Emmy Lou Harris. And here’s a two-fer: Tish Hinojosa “Taos to Tennessee.”
Geographic features and tourist sites: John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.” And for a really long trip, how about the whole country? Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” and “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash.
Lodging: “Hotel California” by the Eagles.

TRAVEL MODE:
Car: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and Chuck Berry’s “Riding Around In My Automobile.”
Airplane: “The Letter” by Joe Cocker and “Jet Airliner” by Steve Miller Band.
Boat: Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” and “It’s Been a Lovely Cruise” by Jimmy Buffet. And we think the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” can count.
Train:No contest. Has to be Arlo Guthrie’s “City of New Orleans” (which Johnny Cash named “the best train song” he’d ever heard). And here’s a travel mode three-fer: Joni Mitchell’s “Trains and Boats and Planes.”

TRAVEL MODE "TRAIN" BY GENRE:
Classic Rock: “Big Railroad Blues” by Grateful Dead.
Pop: “Last Train to Clarksville” by The Monkees.
Motown: “Midnight Train to Georgia”by Gladys Knight & the Pips (two-fer—state & genre)
Country: “Life’s Railway to Heaven” by Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson.
Blues and jazz: John Coltrane’s “Blue Train.”
Alternative: John Mayer’s “Stop This Train.”
Folk: “500 Miles” by Peter, Paul & Mary (add PPM’s “Leavin’ on a Jet Plane” and you have another category: multiple travel songs by the same group/singer!)
Kids: “Conjunction Junction” from Schoolhouse Rock!

DECADE:
40’s - “Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe” by Judy Garland
50’s - “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
60’s - “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett
70’s - “Ramblin’ Man” by the Allman Brothers
80’s - “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
90’s - “Please Come to Boston” by Jackopierce

Get the picture? Even writing about it can be addictive. You can play this travel tune trivia game alone, while in transit with a coworker, or while trapped in the car during your next family vacation. If you want to add a competitive edge to it, invent a point system: 1 point for just the title, 2 points for title and band/singer and 5 bonus points if for the songwriter. When everyone has to pass, the last person who had an entry is the winner. If the game is to continue, that person gets to name the next category. And when someone misses, well, you can pick the penalty he or she must pay.

No Standing? A Look at Driving Laws Across America

November 12, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

If you’re driving in an unfamiliar region and are pulled over, the old “But I just didn’t know” (accompanied by wide, innocent eyes and pathetic smile) probably won’t hold up. And given that the issue at heart is about saving lives, strict traffic enforcement makes sense and keeps all of us safer. But this means that if you’re planning on driving much beyond your own state, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with other state- and even city-specific vehicular laws. In fact, even as an innocent passenger, there are certain ordinances that can trip you up.

Everyone knows speeding is both dangerous and illegal, but did you know that the reverse also can be ticket worthy? Driving too slowly can also cause accidents, and many states including Florida, Virginia, Massachusetts and Illinois post minimum speed limits on highways. Many other states such as California and Arizona don’t have such signs, but their motor vehicle code allows ticketing of a driver deemed to be impeding traffic, as does the Uniform Vehicle Code. Other states have variations in their codes, often termed “keep right” laws, mandating that on multi-lane roads, cars driving in the left lane must be going faster than those in the right lane.

Use of seatbelts and child safety restraints are another of the key safety-related regulations that vary from state to state. All states but New Hampshire do require seatbelt use by some of the adult passengers in the vehicle, though the states vary in terms of whether both front seat and rear seat passengers must be belted in. In terms of ticketing, in 31 states an officer may issue a ticket upon observing lack of required seatbelt use. But in the other states, an officer can only issue a seatbelt ticket in conjunction with the officer observing another infraction.

As you would expect, based on research that shows how properly-fitted child safety seats save lives, every state plus the District of Columbia require babies and young children to be restrained in car seats. However, the age and size requirements do vary, so this, again, is something you should check on when crossing state lines. Because of the serious risk posed by not buckling in a child, tickets for these infractions are generally much higher than other seat belt violations, and often cost insurance points.

There are many other driving laws that have state-by-state variations, such as when you can or must have headlights on (in some states, for example, lamps must be on if windshield wipers are in use), use of the car’s horn (prohibited in some municipal areas) and turn signal use. Regarding the latter, who hasn’t been aggravated to the point of perhaps muttering (or worse) unkind words at that driver who neglected to use a turn signal? Well, in many states it’s considered more than just a discourtesy. In Virginia, you can be cited for reckless driving if you forget to use a turn signal, and in many other states failure to use signals can garner you a ticket.

On a lighter note, one ticketable offense that probably won’t surprise any East Coast reader but may utterly confuse a westerner (except one from Nevada) is the “No Standing” sign. Sounds like it’s an ordinance prohibiting loitering, right? The term is actually a variant of “No Parking” and is especially popular in New York City, so for heaven’s sake don’t transgress, or you’ll be out a hefty sum.

The moral of this story? The vast majority of traffic laws concern serious safety issues, and so travelers should acquaint themselves with the specifics for each state and municipality they visit. And even when faced with seemingly quirky regulations, travelers should call up the most basic rules of the road: safety and courtesy.

Weekend Deals from $27.99/night - Extended Stay Hotels

November 10, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 11/12 through 11/14) and next weekend (stays 11/19 through 11/21) 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, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Chicago, and many others.

For Arrival Dates 11/12/2010 and 11/13/2010

* Los Angeles, CA - Rates from $47.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Orlando, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 11/19/2010 and 11/20/2010

* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Indianapolis, IN- Rates from $37.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Dallas, TX - Rates from $27.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* See all Locations >

Road Warrior's Top Five Gelato Spots

November 10, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Some people might think autumn is the wrong time for writing—and dreaming—about gelato, but those who are die-hard fans of the Italian confection know that any time is gelato time. Why are fans so committed?

Taste, of course, is primary. The chefs (surely they deserve that title) at gelaterias know gelato loses its dense creaminess and even some of the intense, complex flavor far more quickly than does the more common ice cream, so it’s important for the gelato hound to seek out only those shops that hand-make their own products. Because of the artisan quality of gelato, many gelaterias specialize in their own flavors and highlight local and organic ingredients. Those high quality ingredients in gelato are one of the reasons that many of the health-conscious are singing the praises of gelato. And here’s the real win-win: Gelato’s fat content is generally half or a third lower than that of conventional ice cream and even the sugar content tends to be lower.

“But who needs to be convinced?” we hear you crying. “Cut to the chase!” Okay. What follows is a list of … well, they can’t really be labeled the five “best” gelaterias, since it’s just too hard to choose—and we don’t want to launch gelato feuds across the country. Let’s call it a list of Road Warrior’s top five gelato spots.

Dolcetti Gelato in Salt Lake City. Since 2006 Dolcetti Gelato has been getting rave reviews for, according to their website, “Utah’s only authentic artisan gelato.”  They have a huge list of flavors, from classics like pistachio and vanilla bean to blueberry lavender chocolate and pine nut brittle mascarpone. Like many gelaterias, they also offer café fare, including Panini sandwiches and—get this—gelato sandwiches.

Paciugo Gelato in Dallas.  Paciugo Gelato started in Dallas and now has shops all over Texas and in 11 other states, though as their franchise information (now there’s an idea) stresses, each shop makes the gelato it sells in small artisan-crafted batches, following the recipes developed by the Italian owners, one of whom learned the trade through apprenticing at a four-generation gelateria in Turin. Now that’s authentic. Gigi Gelateria in Boston

For drool-worthy online coverage, we had to choose fan-favorite Gigi Gelateria. Gigi Gelateria located in Boston’s North End. Gigi’s dense, creamy gelato has an unbelievable 2.5 percent fat content, which one fan claims makes it nearly health food. Flavors vary daily, but favorites to look for are the tiramisu, Bacio (chocolate hazelnut) and limoncello.

La Copa Loca in San Francisco. San Francisco’s North Beach has a number of fine gelaterias, but for our selection we had to go with a little hole-in-wall place in the Mission District, La Copa Loca, owned and run by Buenos Aires native Mauro Pislor. There are literally dozens of sorbet, gelato and even soy gelato flavors. But take a special look (preferably in person, just prior to ordering a big cup) of what they call their “streaked gelato,” a ribboned combination of flavors like bourbon butter and cream espresso fudge crunch.

Jolly’s in Sarasota. Celebrated as “the best scoop on Main Street” in Sarasota, Florida, that accolade falls far short of recognizing Jolly’s amazing gelato. Made with only natural ingredients, the gelato produced by native Genoan Giovanni Migliorini is somehow both light and dense, creamy and delicate. The flavors, especially of the fruits and nut gelato, are intense but not overwhelming. And their dulce de leche, we have it on the best authority, is among the finest in the country.

One last gelato hound hint: If you’re in a new city and don’t already have a recommendation, find out if there’s a Little Italy section and head in that direction. There are bound to be gelaterias keeping old-world traditions alive and bringing in their own 21st century creativity.

Weekend Stays on Sale - Extended Stay Hotels

November 3, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Last minute deals for new bookings this weekend (stays 11/5 through 11/7) and next weekend (stays 11/12 through 11/14) 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, Denver, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and many others.

For Arrival Dates 11/5/2010 and 11/6/2010

* Los Angeles, CA- Rates from $39.99/night
* Denver, CO - Rates from $31.99/night
* Atlanta, GA - Rates from $31.99/night
* Chicago, IL - Rates from $39.99/night
* Boston, MA - Rates from $55.99/night
* Washington DC Area - Rates from $43.99/night
* See all Locations >

For Arrival Dates 11/12/2010 and 11/13/2010

* San Jose, CA - Rates from $43.99/night
* Fort Lauderdale, FL - Rates from $35.99/night
* Las Vegas, NV - Rates from $39.99/night
* Cincinnati, OH - Rates from $35.99/night
* Seattle, WA - Rates from $35.99/night
* Houston, TX - Rates from $29.99/night
* See all Locations >