Travel Tip Tuesday: Using Socks to Cool Your Drinks

I've never tried this one myself, but I've heard it really works.

If you ever find yourself wanting a cool beverage but unable to get one due to lack of ice or refrigeration, get a clean sock, put your bottle or can inside, and completely submerge the sock in water.

Hang the sock up for 15 minutes.  The natural breezes in the air will cool down the item in the sock.

Who knew?!?

For more info, here's a great article:  http://www.stripes.com/news/cold-water-in-the-desert-sock-trick-really-works-1.67187

Travel Tip Tuesday: Foreign Coins

When traveling internationally, make sure to get rid of any foreign coins before coming back home.  You are better off getting snacks in the airport or buying souvenirs than bringing home those coins.

I've never been able to find any foreign currency exchange places (including the bank) that would exchange coins.  Your leftover bills will exchange just fine back home.

Travel Tip Thursday: TripAdvisor

Looking over my blog, I'm rather shocked that I haven't yet written about my favorite website for travel research...TripAdvisor.  This is a phenomenal website to find out about destination hotels, restaurants  and things to do.

I don't know that I've ever been on a trip in my adult life that didn't utilize some TripAdvisor.com research.

TripAdvisor takes user reviews to help rank attractions, tours, lodging, and eateries.  I need to contribute more often.  This resource is only amazing because people take the time to tell others what they think.

Travel Tip Thursday: Delete Cookies When Searching for Flights

I've heard this before, but I'd never seen proof.  I follow JohnnyJet on Twitter, and he wrote this great article explaining why you should occasionally delete your cookies when browsing for airfare.  It could save you lots of money.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Australia Requires a Visa

Until doing a bit of research, I had no idea we needed a travel visa to go to Australia.

The process is as easy as going to a website (https://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETA/etas.jsp), putting in your passport and personal information, and paying $20 per person, but, still, you need a visa.

The airline didn't tell me.  I had no warning.  I found out from a random website while doing travel planning.  So do a bit of research to find out whether or not the country you're going to visit will let you in before you get there.

I'm glad this worked out okay for us.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Packing Solution = Eagle Creek Pack-Its

A while back, we started using Eagle Creek Pack It travel folders to pack our clothes. 

They are these great folders that help you fold your clothes and keep them compressed.  I have some in different colors to help separate my pants from tops. 

Kris is anti excess.  He doesn't like carrying bags in bags, but he uses these too.  They just make you pack much more efficiently and help you utilize your packing space.

I've just recently started carrying around a third folder...for those dirty clothes.  Not only do I not have another bag to lug around, my dirty clothes are separated in a manageable way into that third pack-it and fit into my luggage without issue.

Pack Its come in three different sizes, but only the small and medium size fit in carry-ons. 

We even got a Pack It for my friend (and co-worker's) birthday.

They even fit in my travel backpack!

Travel Tip Tuesday: Laundry 3-in-1 pads

Instead of bringing laundry detergent, bring Purex laundry 3-in-1 pads. They make your clothes smell good, don't count against your liquid allowance, and are your detergent, softener, and antistatic sheet in one.

Doing laundry could save you money by allowing you to only take a carry-on bag instead of checked luggage.  Now-a-days, that can save you over $50 per trip per person.