What’s your non-obvious travel tip that makes every trip better?

[Anonymous]

Bring a pair of underwear, a tshirt, and socks in your carryon in case you get stranded over night. I also bring a small pack of wipes and a plastic bag for trash or, worst case scenario, a kid throwing up on me.

[Anonymous]

Great thread!

I’m a forgetful ADHD person so I keep very detailed packing lists for different types of trips (international, beach, cabin, wedding) informed especially by items I have previously forgotten or needed specifically for those trips (laptop charger, makeup set, swimsuit etc).

It really gives me peace of mind to have a tested system for this and notes to reference.

[Anonymous]

I keep copies of everyone's birth certificates, passports, insurance cards etc. on my phone and google cloud.

+ 1 to everyone packing a t shirt and underwear in their carryon (and bathing suit if going to a warm destination)

[Anonymous]

Label the toiletry containers you prefill. One time, I confused the thick white shampoo and conditioner and sunblock.

[Anonymous]

Extra t-shirt and shorts in our personal item (not carryon in case you end up having to check that). We have needed extra clothes b/c of sickness, spills, etc. on more than one occasion during a flight.

Always pack zofran in case someone in your family is the one that is throwing up/gets sick.

When the kids were babies/toddlers, I packed painters tape to put over outlets, tape drawers shut, tape down phones, etc. to help baby-proof our hotel rooms.

[Anonymous]

If you wear glasses, bring an extra pair. After I fell and broke my glasses, I do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any type of gimmicky activities that pose as educational experiences. I include in this category food tours, pasta making classes, any staged activities in which the locals fight each other (Mexican wresting, Thai boxing, Japanese sumo, Bolivian chola wrestling, etc), chopstick making classes, and so many more. What a waste.

What's wrong with food tours and pasta making classes?

Ima guess you're one of these people who sneer at "tourists" and call yourself a "traveler?"

We did a food tour/pizza making class in Italy and it was gimmicky but fun and we still talk about it several years later.

[Anonymous]

I travel a lot for work, and take several international trips a year. A few things:

- I have a toiletries bag with travel sized items permanently stocked and just need to add makeup and contacts.
- If I am checking luggage (rare) I always have at least one change of clothes in my carry-on
- I spend time researching restaurants and making reservations in advance so we have decent places to eat
- Hate to say it but upgrading to business class lie flat seats at least for the overnight flights has become a must. I arrive with at least some sleep and make liberal use of both the departure and arrivals lounges (This is just me and DH though, or me alone, as our kids are young adults now)

[Anonymous]

Services like homeexchange/trustedHousesitters were game changers for us. Example, on a particular stretch we only paid for lodging in Kauai and Japan, with exchanges including Caribbean California W-Europe, and repeat several months in Hawaii. Hawaii was actually bread-and-butter, people needing longer term accommodation for family visits, college student visits, intern visits, and professional conferences.

[Anonymous]

I vet restaurants ahead of time and mark a bunch on google maps so if we are in an area, tired and hungry we can just pick a spot I have highlighted vs standing on corner reading reviews trying to find a place to eat. I hate wasting time and money a bad restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any type of gimmicky activities that pose as educational experiences. I include in this category food tours, pasta making classes, any staged activities in which the locals fight each other (Mexican wresting, Thai boxing, Japanese sumo, Bolivian chola wrestling, etc), chopstick making classes, and so many more. What a waste.

What's wrong with food tours and pasta making classes?

Ima guess you're one of these people who sneer at "tourists" and call yourself a "traveler?"

same question. We did a cooking class in Costa Rica and it was a highlight of our trip. The entire family enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any type of gimmicky activities that pose as educational experiences. I include in this category food tours, pasta making classes, any staged activities in which the locals fight each other (Mexican wresting, Thai boxing, Japanese sumo, Bolivian chola wrestling, etc), chopstick making classes, and so many more. What a waste.

What's wrong with food tours and pasta making classes?

Ima guess you're one of these people who sneer at "tourists" and call yourself a "traveler?"

No, just someone who has half a brain.

Half a brain and you still can't verbalize what is wrong with these things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:same question.

still can't verbalize what is wrong with these things?

+1

11:48 here and I'm somewhat curious what the response might be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Avoid any type of gimmicky activities that pose as educational experiences. I include in this category food tours, pasta making classes, any staged activities in which the locals fight each other (Mexican wresting, Thai boxing, Japanese sumo, Bolivian chola wrestling, etc), chopstick making classes, and so many more. What a waste.

What's wrong with food tours and pasta making classes?

Ima guess you're one of these people who sneer at "tourists" and call yourself a "traveler?"

same question. We did a cooking class in Costa Rica and it was a highlight of our trip. The entire family enjoyed it.

I don't think cooking classes are beyond the pale, but can't imagine doing it in CR. The food there is...basic.

[Anonymous]

I pay for as much as I can in advance of the trip. It spreads out the cost so I don't have to stress about a giant bill at the end.