Travel Tips for the Road

If you live near the ocean or are visiting, check the tide tables for negative low tides. These are really low tides when you can see parts of the beach and rocky areas that you would never see otherwise. (Jeanne O'Grady)

When I go on a far away trip where I'll be buying a lot of clothes I'll send some of my dirty laundry home by mail, there by giving myself room for the new stuff I buy. (Mike Bojko)

When traveling to a foreign country, learn how to say "Thank you", "Please" or something nice to say to the locals in their language. It goes a long way. (Farah Marasigan)

I still see people in luggage claim grabbing the wrong bags. The way around it? Short of having your bag embroidered with your name in bold letters, buy a short piece of distinctively-colored/patterned cloth at the fabric store and cut it into two-inch wide by 18-inch long strips. Tie the strips around the handles on your bag. I know, you may not want to diminish that sophisticated, existentialist look of your sleek, black rolling bag with a bunch of tattered attachments, but in baggage claim, those with the funky flags find their bags as soon as they come down the ramp. Mine's the one with the purple bandanna strips. Hands off. (John Drew)

Create a checklist of items you should pack for various types of trips and add to it every time you wish you had something—my husband and I share a Google Doc—that way you won't find yourself without your phone charger, the mesh bag for seashell collecting, your hat, allergy medicine, membership cards... (Penny Alley)

My best packing advice is to bring along a travel journal and record your trip. I put in postcards, trip stubs, receipts, whatever will help me remember the trip. (Alexander Krider)

Safety pin extra money in bra. Xerox all credit cards, passport, etc & keep separate file on memory stick. I use a bra pocket w days $ in the-money belt. (Karla Dent)

One of the best travel gadgets I have is a multi-port USB charger - I can then charge my iPod, phone, Kindle, etc by just packing the USB charging cord and ONE charger. (Carley Zepeda)