1. A large safety-pin or a clothespin to fully close the hotel or cruise ship cabin drapes.

2. Passport and a photocopy. Before you go make a PDF of your passport and full trip itinerary and store it at an attachment to an email to yourself.  Download a copy to your laptop if you’re taking it along. Store your passport in the room safe and carry the copy with you.

3. Travel Pillow and eye shades so you can comfortably take a nap anywhere and block out light if necessary.

4. Take your own treats. Even if  your airlines serves food on board, you may need a quick pick-me-up protein snack. I always carry extra food in case of long delays. And on cruise ships, you can have your own healthy snacks. I prefer roasted almonds, pecans and dried cranberries in small zip-lock bags.

5. I swear by Vitamin C. If you feel a cold coming on, or want to boost your immune system before a flight, pack the little potent packets or tablets of Emergence-C.  They pack a punch of Vitamin C to keep you healthy.

6. A small bottle of hand sanitizer and moist anti-bacterial towelettes are always in my carry on bag. I use them to clean my fingers and wipe down surfaces (especially on airplanes), as well as the remote control and door handles in my hotel room and cruise cabin.

7. When I have a broken nail or chipped nail polish, I want to fix it immediately. Pack individually wrapped nail polish remover pads.

8. Every night I place a small flashlight on the night table next to my pillow. If I awake in the night I don’t have to search for the light switch. It’s an extra precaution in case of an electrical outage.

9. Dental floss and Q-tips are inconvenient to replace when traveling. Add them to your packing list.

10.Duct tape to the rescue. Have you ever had a sandal strap break or the handle fall off your suitcase mid-trip? Pack a long strip of duct tape for unexpected repairs. Just wrap it around a pen and tuck it in your bag.

If these items aren’t on your travel radar, add them to your list and have a great time.

I wear out these black bags yearly. They’re big enough to hold all of your carry-on stuff: a book for reading, inflatable pillow, water bottle, soft socks and warm shawl, chocolate truffles, eye shield, ear plugs, head phones and toothbrush/toothpaste! Important qualities for travel carry on bag: it zips shut, the dark colors won’t show dirt or stains, and it has strong handles.

I really like the leather straps and washable black material. It’s important that you feel comfortable pushing the bag under the seat in front of you on the plane, so it can’t be too rigid or easily soiled.

I bought this bag at Target, but I’ve seen similar leather bags at Nordstrom’s and  Macy’s.

Comfy Walking Shoes

I’ve worn all kinds of shoes while traveling to 90+ countries: flats, athletic shoes, boots, sandals and specialized walking shoes. Rarely have they been comfortable for my wide feet when I tested on the road.

Once in Lyon, France, my feet hurt so badly I bought an expensive pair of French Mephisto sandals. I still needed Band-Aids and moleskin for my blisters. When I got home I never wore them again. Thick, heavy shoes don’t pack well either.

Walking shoes have to have springy, soles that cushion every step, adjustable laces or straps because your foot changes size during the day. Slip on shoes are OK for short term wear, but a full day of walking in airports or a city demands a more specialized shoe.

Several months ago I discovered MBT shoes. Maybe you’ve seen nurses who stand all day or walkers in Europe wearing my new favorite shoes. I wore them at Thanksgiving and Christmas when I spent a lot of time standing on the hard kitchen floor at the stove or sink. In past years I’ve had lower back pain after standing so long. Not this year wearing MBT’s. I’ve  been surprised to return from long walks or hikes without tired or sore feet.

MBT is a footwear company in Switzerland who has been in business for 15 years and reputed to be the original physiological footwear company. What does that mean? MBTs high tech curved sole causes a slight instability as you stand that makes your body react by activating different muscles to balance. I admit, I felt wobbly the first time I put them on. It took me about two days to get used to them.  Wearing them I stand up straighter, have better posture, less achy lower back pain, and best of all, I can wear them walking for hours and hours with no discomfort. If I’m just standing still in them I tend to rock just a little, so I get a work-out the easy way.

According to their brochure “consumer feedback and research confirm that wearing MBTs can help to increase muscle activity leading to improved posture and balance and reduced lower back pain.”

They’re available at good shoe stores or online. I’m eying the new sandals and black flats/walking styles. *

******************************************

* By the way, MBT gave me a sample pair of shoes. And the rest is history.

Annalyse, a college student from Los Angeles is studying abroad in Florence, Italy. She shares tips, trips and tales from Europe:

Although I do not want to have a bulging, heavy carry on bag, I can hear my father’s word seared into my memory, “Be sure to have a change of clothing, underwear and all of your essential medications with you at all times in case the airlines lose your luggage!” Unfortunately, dad is right this time. When packing my carry on bags, I will be adding in a few days outfits just in case the airlines lose my luggage.

I had a fun excursion to Office Depot today to find a cute, stylish & reasonably-priced traveler diary. Although I usually journal on my computer here in the States, I know how much I will appreciate a physical journal to look back at in the future. I can include ticket stubs, pictures and souvenirs from my travels in a physical journal, which I cannot include in an electronic journal.

While in class today, I wrote a note to myself to remember to pack an extra duffle bag! Although I am not a huge shopper, I want to have an extra bag with me just in case I find some fun items for my family (haha-or myself) while abroad. Italy is known for its leather! I should also throw in a package of duct tape, for you can never go wrong with too much duct tape! If a bag rips, or a backpacking strap falls off, my fathers words come running back into my memory, “duct tape solves all problems!”

I had an exciting field trip to the library today to pick up Italian history books! I also picked up Tea with Mussolini to watch before I depart, so I can be somewhat knowledgeable on the history of the country I am going to.  I also picked up the New York Times, to be up to date on the current Italian situation, for it is a not a dull country at the moment!

I was playing around with my old Casio camera today, when I began to compare the pictures my camera took, with the pictures my mom’s camera takes. My pictures are grainy, unfocused and darker than the pictures my mom’s camera took. This made me envious of my mom’s Lica lens camera, since I will be traveling around Europe for the next six months! I convinced myself that I need a good camera, to document all of my soon-to-be travels! I began searching the internet to try and find a cheaper version of my moms Lica lens camera, but no such luck! Maybe Santa will bless my stocking with a beautiful (or Mom’s old) camera!

Why do I have my best ideas and worst worries seconds before I fall into a deep sleep?  Last night as I was tossing and turning I wondered:

How am I going to keep my passport, camera, ipod, and cash safe in my pension or in hostels where there aren’t in-room safes?

Combination safety lock for luggage. TSA-approved so you can use on checked luggage.

Although I did not think of a solution last night moments before I fell asleep, the answer came to me while stuck in horrible Los Angeles traffic today. I will use small combination locks to secure the zippers on my bags when I leave the room. Airport security will not cut off TSA luggage locks and it’s easier to remember a combination than to keep track of keys. You can find them online or at a travel store. http://www.safeskieslocks.com/index.php

When I arrive in Florence, I will need local currency, the Euro, to get from the airport to my Pension, or hostel, so I better get some Euros from the bank before I leave January 1^st, my big departure date! So much to do, so little time!

How will I stay in contact with my peers while in Europe? Should I keep my iPhone and get a European plan, or buy a cheap phone abroad and get an Italian SIM card? Friends who have studied overseas recommend going to a market after I arrive and buying an Italian phone and SIM card. They say this option is cheaper.

Money? Carry enough money in your shoe or money pouch to get you out of a tight spot. Be willing to spend this money on a cab in order to get you to a safe place or back to your lodging. Do not take unnecessary risks.

Safety? If you are being followed in the street and you feel threatened, duck into a shop and firmly tell the clerk: “I am a foreigner and someone is following me. I am frightened and need help.” If need be, have the clerk call a cab or police officer for you.

Stay tuned for more travel safety tips!

With so many apps available, what are the most useful for travelers?

With the help of modern technology – i.e. smartphones – traveling to a new country or city has never been easier. Here is a great list of travel apps to check out.

1.  Viber
There’s a wide range of apps out there that offer travelers an opportunity to keep in touch with their friends and families back home. One such example is Viber, an application that allows iPhone users to make free phone calls to fellow iPhone users no matter where in the world they are. Providing you and the call recipient both have iPhones, then international calls using Viber or Wi-Fi are completely free of charge.

2.  iMetro
iMetro is a handy app that provides metro/underground transport maps for 28 cities throughout the world. Each map is scalable and you can manipulate the screen to zoom in and find your way.

3.  HiConverter
Can’t quite get used to the measurement systems in place abroad? HiConverter is a very handy app that quickly converts measurements from one system to another. Temperature, shoe sizes, distance, currency; you name it, it can convert it. The app also has the added advantage of being integrated with Tiptulator, an app that allows you to calculate the tip on a restaurant or bar bill.

4.  iLingual
ILingual is a fun app that steals your lips and transforms them into multilingual speakers. You simply take a photograph of your lips (or someone elses’ for a more comedic effect), choose the phrase you would like to say in the foreign language and then hold your iPhone over your face where you lips are to create the effect that you are speaking the words. At the very least it will get a few laughs! The app is currently only available in French, German and Arabic.

5. XE Currency
XE Currency is a very popular app because it allows for very quick currency conversions and is capable of performing multiple conversions at the same time. The currency rates can refresh every 60 seconds meaning that you have the most up to date rate available at your fingertips. You can also program the app so that it automatically tracks the performance of a number of different currencies over time, great for expats who are investments in a variety of locations.

6. Word Lens
Word Lens is one of the newest apps on the scene and it has caused quite a stir. The app offers a new approach to translation that is based on images and goes significantly further than many other translation apps have been able to go. At present it only offers Spanish to English translations but more languages are planned in the future.

7. Weatherbug
Weatherbug is a great app to save, and track, the weather conditions in up to 20 locations throughout the world and offers live webcam views of the weather in action.

8. Tourcaster Walking Tours
For travelers or newly arrived expats who are interested in exploring on foot without being armed with an attention-grabbing tourist book, the Tourcaster audio walking tours app offers walking tours in popular destinations throughout the world. Load your virtual map and follow the onscreen instructions to explore the city and learn more of its history. Each tour is categorized according to difficulty, length and distance so you can fit your tours in around your schedule and explore at your own pace.

Thanks for the above information, George Eves, serial expat and founder of Expat Info Desk, a comprehensive online information resource for expats worldwide.

MORE APPS

To Stay Organized:
Tripit: Tripit helps you consolidate all your travel reservations (hotels, air, car rentals, etc). Simply forward all your travel reservations to plans@tripit.com and Tripit builds an itinerary for you. In addition to being convenient, we like it because you can share your itineraries with your friends and family members who will know exactly which flight you are taking, where you are staying, etc. It’s great in case of emergency.

Packing Pro: This app is fantastic to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to helping create multiple packing lists, it also helps you create “to do” lists.

To Stay Safe:
Call A Taxi: This app finds the closest taxi companies in your area. Let’s say you are stuck in the middle of a city that you are not familiar with and can’t find a taxi, this app will connect you to the closest taxi station.

To Stay Fit And Healthy:
Calorie Counter Pro by MyNetDiary: It’s always so difficult to eat healthy while traveling and to stay in shape. This app is so far the best one on the market. It tracks everything you eat, how many calories you lose exercising, and gives you advice to reach your fitness goals. It also syncs with the website www.mynetdiary.com. If you are trying to shed a few pounds or just stay motivated, it is a must have!

MindBody: This app lets you find a gym class near you. Many of us miss our usual yoga, spinning, or Zumba classes while traveling. Mindbody is an app that finds the closest classes based on your location. Unfortunately, not every fitness center or gym is listed, but it’s a start.
Gym Finder: This app will help you find a gym or fitness center near you! If your hotel gym is too small you can see which fitness centers are near your hotel.

To Travel Like A Local:

All Subway: This app contains subway maps from hundred of cities around the world!
Google Translate: This app will not just translate your sentences, but it also speak them so you know how to pronounce the word as well. One word of caution:  some translations are not perfectly accurate — particularly long sentences — but this is one of the best apps in its genre available.

Just For Women:
Period Tracker: This app reminds you when you will get your period, the moods you may be feeling, and when you are the most fertile. It will also help you not to forget to pack tampons for your next business trip as finding them in other countries can prove difficult!
The Pill: This app reminds you when to take your birth control pill. It’s really convenient, especially when you travel in a different time zone!

Thanks for More Apps to  ViaHerWorld.com   www.viaherworld.com/blog-post/must-have-iphone-apps-women-road-warriors.

Make your first trip together a success

• For your first trip together, start small, go for a weekend. See what kind of travel partners you are before you commit to a longer trip.

• Pick a place neither of you has been before. It’s more fun to explore together instead of one person always taking the lead.

• If you chose to travel to a foreign country select one where either both of you speak the language or neither of you do.

• Talk about your budget. Communicate how much each of you can contribute and what you feel your daily per deum should be.

• Share responsibilities for planning. One of you finds the airline tickets, one books the rental car, etc. Then no one person is completely in control and no one person is to blame if things go wrong.

• Pace yourselves. Don’t plan too much in one day. If you like really active days: skiing, hiking, biking, so on active days, leave the evenings open or don’t plan theater or night shows.

• Be spontaneous. Too much planning can kill the fun.

• Maintain a positive attitude.

• Talk about sharing the bathroom. Time yourself and tell him how long you’ll need in the bathroom and give him the choice of sleeping in, or waiting for you.

• Be flexible and when the question arises: What shall we do today, DON”T answer, I don’t care. It is partly your responsibility to offer suggestions.

• Plan a romantic moment. Take a candle, chocolates and a bottle of  something special and surprise him.

• Keep your shopping to a minimum and your luggage light.

Women Travel Statistics indicate that the number one issue for women travelers is safety. Here are practical safety tips compiled by my college-age daughter and her friends, who have recently returned from studying abroad; from Florence to Kathmandu to Buenos Aires. Don’t miss the Guy Tips at the end.

• Bar Tips – Buddy System

Go with a buddy. It’s better to have two sets of eyes to watch for bad situations. Don’t leave without your buddy.

A cool beer in Germany. Keep your eye on it.

Get smart about Rophynol, “the date rape drug”, which is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. If a guy buys you a drink, don’t accept it unless you see the bartender pour it.  Carry your drink around with you. Don’t leave your glass unattended to go dance or to the toilet.

• Don’t Act Afraid

If you are, people can sense it and you can be a target for unwanted attention. Walk with purpose; chin up, aware of your surroundings. Know when to adopt the “don’t mess with me” attitude.

• Give and Take

Give warning to other travelers and ask local people (preferably women) and fellow travelers for advice: Is it safe to ride public buses? Is this neighborhood safe after dark? etc.

• Avoid Over-packing

You’ll carry your backpack everywhere; on and off trains, through city streets and into hostels. You can wear the same clothes over and over.

• Bring Less Clothes, More Stuff to make you feel at home.

Your room will seem empty and cold compared to your room at home or in your dorm or apt. Pack a picture, light frame, posters to put on the walls. You’ll appreciate them more than one more shirt you may wear one or two times.

• Use a Shoulder Purse with a zipper

Wear it at an across-the-body handbag. Keep the zipper shut.

• Wear a Money Belt – Carry Your Passport, Credit Cards, Most of Your Cash in it.

You  may think it’s stupid and feels weird. The hassle of having everything replaced is greater than getting used to wearing a money belt.

• Leave the Bling at Home

Wearing jewelery will make you a target for thieves.

• Beware of Decoys and Distractions

If someone comes up and starts flirting with you check out who else is with the person. His friend behind you may slash your purse and run off. If someone bumps into you. Check your wallet right away. No problem if you’re wearing your money belt!

• Ask For Help

If you feel unsafe, talk to someone, preferably a woman with a man or baby. Duck into a shop and tell the owner that you’re a tourist and someone is making you uncomfortable.

• Beware of Who Snaps Your Photo

Ask a family or woman to take your picture, not someone who could run off with your camera who you couldn’t catch.

• Pack Your Common Sense

Follow your instincts. Ask yourself if you would do this/walk there/go to a stranger’s apartment/ take this risk at home? Listen to your inner voice.

• Use Your City Smarts – Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Try to avoid dicey places like a deserted street in a big city. If you are alone, don’t walk down it. Having other people around is your best safety insurance.

• Carry Enough Cash For a Taxi

In your money belt, shoe or underwear and be prepared to use to get out of a questionable situation.

• Dress Down

Clothing that is fashionable and appropriate at home may project a provocative image in another culture. Leave the revealing clothing behind.

• GUYS….Chivalry is Always Cool

A great way to meet girls is to offer them help with their luggage; help them lift it onto the rack in the train compartment.

• GUYS….Be Careful With Your Ego

Hold your temper. Walk away. Getting into an argument with a local guy isn’t wise. He knows the city and probably has friends nearby to teach you a lesson.

• GUYS….Carry very little cash in your wallet

You may think it’s stupid to wear a money-belt, but it’s stupid to get ripped off.

When You Reserve Your Room

• Ask if they have security personnel 24/7.
• Reserve a room located between the second and seventh floors – within reach of a fire department ladder.
• Request a room that is not near vending machines (noise and loitering), and far from elevators and stairwells.
• Ask if all rooms have sprinklers, for fire safety.

Packing for Safety

• Don’t assume that your room will have a dead bolt or privacy latch or chain for the main door and all doors to accompanying rooms. So buy a small rubber door-stopper at the local hardware store and pack it for all your trips.

Upon Leaving the Airport, Train Station or Your Car

• Be alert for suspicious persons and behavior.
• After dark or in sketchy neighborhoods, do not park far from the main entrance and walk. Drive directly to the front door, unload the car and if the hotel parking is far, or it’s dark, ask for a hotel employee to accompany you to the parking lot.
• Wait until you get to your hotel room to put on your lipstick or make a phone call. Do not stay in your parked car in the garage, parking lot or any public space around the hotel. You are making yourself vulnerable to thieves and kidnappers.

Upon Arrival

• Do not wander in the parking lot, garage or public space around the hotel; kidnappers and thieves operate in these areas.

Check In

• Ask a woman, if possible, at the front desk or concierge desk, about the safety of the neighborhood and for safe areas around the city in which to jog, dine or sight see. Ask about local customs and which taxis or other public transportation to use or avoid. Ask about the local 911-type emergency number and how to use the local telephone system.
• If the hotel gives you a parking permit to display in the window, ensure it does not show your name/room number.
• Never give out more information than people need to know.
• If the receptionist announces your room number or name, ask for another room. Anyone loitering in the lobby area could hear your name and room number.

• Make a habit of leaning your bags against your leg during registration at a hotel or at the airline ticket counter; you will feel it if someone moves your bag. Always place your purse and briefcase on the counter in front of you.
• Off hours, do not be hesitant to ask a hotel employee to show you to your room.
• Do not assume your guestroom will be perfect upon checking in. Windows, connecting doors, etc. may not be locked.
• When you arrive at your room, prop the door open with your luggage , turn on the lights, inspect the door lock, locks on sliding glass doors and windows, door latch and/or chain, room safe, lock on interconnecting doors and ensure the telephone works.

During Your Stay

• Keep the door closed and engage the dead bolt and privacy latch or chain at all times when you are in the room. Use a doorstop  (See tip above. Bring one with you).
• Keep valuables, cash, jewelry, tickets, passports and other documents in the hotel or room safe.
• If your hotel room does not have a safe, keep those items with you or lock them in your suitcase.
• When you go to bed, do not leave your valuables in view. Store your watch, wallet, jewelry, purse, camera, ipod, laptops in a drawer in the nightstand, or in your suitcase. What would happen if there was a fire drill during the night and you left your room quickly, and half-asleep, and someone enters your room before you return.
• Do not open your hotel room door to anyone unless you are expecting someone and you know them. Question the authenticity of a hotel service employee by calling the front desk to verify the reason and person, before allowing entry.
• Do not disclose your gender or the fact that you are the only occupant.
• On the Room Service Breakfast Menu, that you hang overnight on your hotel room doorknob, never disclose that you are a single guest in the room or disclose your last name. Initials are sufficient.
• Although hotel personnel are well trained in safety issues, it is possible that a hurried desk clerk could offer an alleged family member an extra key to your hotel room if they are given the correct name and room number. This information can be obtained on your breakfast menu card or upon check-in.  

• When occupy or leave the room, place a “do not disturb” sign on your outside door, giving the impression that the room is occupied – whether it is or not.
• When returning at night, use only the main entrance.
• When returning to your room, be aware of what’s going on around you. Do not unlock the door if a stranger is standing nearby; keep walking past your door and return only when clear. Do not enter if the door is not locked or ajar. Ask for assistance from someone at the front desk

In the Lobby

• Be aware of your surroundings and alert for people look out of place or who stare at or follow you.
• Do not discuss personal matters, your reason for being in town, your itinerary, your marital status with friends in the lobby or strangers and pay attention to anyone around you who may overhear you.

Copyright © Marybeth Bond

Switzerland

I’ll admit that packing for Europe takes effort to select fashionable and functional clothes that are also comfortable. So my packing list for different countries and activities varies.

If you’re going to Paris, you’ll select stylish clothing in your closet, if you’re going to Switzerland, as I am in a few weeks, you’ll want stylish clothes for sophisticated Zurich and Geneva and functional outdoorsy clothes for the Alps and hiking.

Here’s what I”m packing for the cities:

• Stylish jeans, which Europeans wear everywhere.
• I want to blend in, so I’ll select black as my basic color and dress it up with a blazer, a thin sweater, and accessories.
• To add style but not bulk, I’ll pack numerous scarves, including a camel-colored Pashmina that is warm and goes with everything.
• Fun costume jewelery. European women wear scarves and jewelery regardless of the season.
• A pair of  decent- looking walking shoes and a pair of black flats for evening.
• Dressing in layers is a “must” in Switzerland where the weather can change throughout the day, and evenings can be quite cool. I’ll need a fleece jacket for the mountains and will  take along a nice black jacket or raincoat, and add warmth with a scarf.

Packing for hikes in the Alps:

Camera with extra batteries, water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, well broken-in hiking boots, extra socks, t-shirt, rain jacket, fleece jacket.  A small first aid kit with New Skin, extra mole skin, and first aid cream.

One piece of hiking gear that I used were gaiters. They are  sleeves that slip over your boots and ankles to keep you mud free and dry on the trail.  I’m packing mine for trails and snow fields in the Alps.

Basic city packing list for a short trip

• One pair of black slacks in addition to the pair you wear.
• Four blouses, including one silk blouse for evening wear.
• A light, colorful cardigan sweater .
• Colorful scarves.
• One pashmina shawl.
• Costume jewelry.
• One jacket (wear on the plane).
• Dress shoes, one pair of flats.
• Walking shoes with rubber soles.
• Socks, underwear.
• Lots of Zip Lock bags.
• Tiny umbrella.
• Eyeshades and ear plugs. Earplugs are a must if you’re not accustomed to sirens.
• Duct tape and clothespins or big safety pin to close the hotel room curtain.

Bon voyage!

• Pack stylish jeans, which Parisians wear everywhere.
• If you want to blend in, select black as your basic color and dress it up with a blazer, a thin sweater, accessories and scarves. Leave your jogging gear and baseball cap at home. Nobody in Paris ever wears sweatpants, and very few wear sweatshirts.
• Scarves are a must. French women wear scarves regardless of the season. Pack two or three, and plan to buy more. They can be any color and any material. Sitting in a café I observe fashionable women and copy the fabulous way they twist and drape their scarves around their necks, shoulders, waists and purses.
• Pack decent- looking walking shoes.
• Take along a cheat sheet of French words. You only need three: Bonjour Madame, Merci and Au revoir. The sales help in Paris is often rude or negligent; don’t take it personally. When you enter a store, the sales person will say hello to you;  be prepared to say Bonjour Madame in return. Also say Au revoir as you leave the store. You will be treated better if you dress smartly.
• Dress in layers. Paris weather can change throughout the day, and evenings can be quite cool. You rarely need a heavy coat in Paris, and it will seem bulky and heavy in the warm metro stations, in taxis or restaurants. In the winter, check the week’s weather forecast before you go. Pack a nice black jacket or raincoat, and add warmth with a scarf.

Basic city packing list for a short trip

• One pair of black slacks in addition to the pair you wear.
• Four blouses, including one silk blouse for evening wear.
• A light, colorful cardigan sweater .
• Colorful scarves.
• One pashmina shawl.
• Costume jewelry.
• One jacket (wear on the plane).
• Dress shoes, one pair of flats.
• Walking shoes with rubber soles.
• Socks, underwear.
• Lots of Zip Lock bags.
• Tiny umbrella.
• Eyeshades and ear plugs. Earplugs are a must if you’re not accustomed to sirens.
• Duct tape and clothespins or big safety pin to close the hotel room curtain.

Bon voyage!