·When choosing an airplane seat, opt for the middle seat if possible. This gives you a better chance to strike up interesting conversations with others and gather more information.
——Bob Payne, Website Editor
·When parking near the airport, take a photo of your parking spot so it’s much easier to find your car when you return.
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·If traveling abroad, photocopy the front and back of your passport and credit cards before departure, then scan and email the copies to yourself or a trusted friend or family member.
·Carry two packets of yellow mustard—they can help relieve leg cramps.
·If your hotel room doesn’t have an iron, unscrew a very hot light bulb (wrap the base in a towel to avoid burns) and use it to smooth out wrinkles in your clothes.
——Lori Tucker, Company President
·Bring a silk pillowcase—it not only helps keep your hair smooth but also reduces facial wrinkles and prevents sleep lines.
——Deborah Dunning, Travel Website Reporter
·Apply an eye mask while sleeping on the plane so you’ll look refreshed when you arrive at your destination.
——Andrea Mistaqu, Website President
·Gentlemen, here’s a tip: ditch the heavy shaving cream when traveling. Think—what do hotels have that can soften your hair and act as shaving cream? Conditioner works perfectly.
——Ed Weitzko, Website Editor
·Pack an outdoor jacket. It takes up little space, can be folded into your pocket, weighs almost nothing, and even doubles as a pillow on the plane when folded.
·Carry a reusable water bottle (I prefer aluminum ones). After clearing airport security, you can refill it and stay hydrated without waiting for flight attendants.
·For outdoor adventures, pack lightweight, quick-drying clothes.
——Erin O’Inez, Travel Journalist
·Prepare some travel-sized toiletries. I’ve survived a whole week using just mini bottles. Sometimes large containers aren’t allowed through security, and airport travel kits are too expensive.
——Clint Brownfield, Travel Journalist
·I always carry a sketchbook when traveling. I may not have an artist’s talent, but I love sitting down to truly appreciate the beauty around me and capture it in a deeper way.
——Pam Grout, Travel Journalist
·Bring a small spray bottle—it works wonders for beating the heat.
·Pack a small bottle of air freshener to keep your hotel room smelling fresh.
——Katie Reguz, PR Professional
·On the plane, I keep a ping-pong ball at my feet to roll back and forth and prevent my feet from getting stiff. Sometimes I place it behind my back as a massage tool. It’s lightweight, portable, and easy to replace.
——Brian Povinelli, Senior Vice President
·When packing clothes, place them in clean plastic bags so they won’t get wet even if your luggage is exposed to rain.
·Wear headphones on the plane to block out the noise. For me, the most important thing is to bring the latest issue of a fashion magazine—this way, even if my flight is delayed or my electronic devices run out of power, I can still comfortably pass two hours.
·Before traveling, I download two apps on my phone: one for flight information such as gate numbers and delays, and another for weather updates so I can check the latest conditions at my destination.
——Laura Davidson, President of Public Relations
·Make the most of your camera. Handwriting in a rush can be hard to read, so I use my camera instead of taking “notes.” I take photos of my room number because few hotels now engrave room numbers on keys. Sometimes I also photograph restaurant names, menus, business cards, street signs, or destination markers.
——Lynn Hayes, Travel Journalist
·Before every trip, I make a checklist on my phone of everything I need to bring. Of course, what I pack depends on the destination, and I adjust the list slightly accordingly. Recently I forgot to bring sunglasses, so I added them to the list—and won’t forget next time.
——Rachel Harrison, Chief Marketing Officer
·Bring a roll of transparent tape when traveling. Use it to stick small loose items together before packing them in your suitcase, like shampoo, shower gel, perfume, etc. The tape can also come in handy during the trip to fix torn documents or other small items.
——Heidi Sarna, Travel Journalist
·Pay attention to safety while traveling, especially when you’re alone. If other travelers ask what you do and you’re not sure whether they’re trustworthy, you can tell them: “I’m a police officer on vacation.” That’s what I say for safety.
——Evelyn Hannon, Website Editor
·Keep a small flashlight in your backpack—it’s useful for finding a dropped pen or other small items in dark corners.
——Steve Lales, Travel Journalist
·Take a photo of your suitcase with your phone. If your luggage is unfortunately lost, you can quickly show airline staff the picture instead of trying to describe the bag.
·Carry your business cards with you. You never know who you’ll meet while traveling—maybe a valuable opportunity will arise—so it’s always good to have your contact info ready.
——Laura Manske, from Twitter