Note: I would like to qualify this list with the disclaimer that I don't take all of these items on every flight. However, that would be mostly untrue. Any flight over about 4 hours, and my bag is stuffed like Santa's--I joke that one reason I got married is so that I wouldn't have to carry my own luggage anymore. If you are ever in an airport and see a man loaded down like a pack mule, it's quite likely my gallant husband.
*Cashmere travel blanket: Really, any travel blanket will work, though I love the way cashmere is soft and warm, but still lightweight and easy to pack. I got my travel blanket (really an oversize shawl/wrap years ago at Banana Republic, but am planning to "trade up" to one of these at some point: http://www.thepashminastore.com/Cashmere-Blankets-and-Throws-s/22.htm
This is a good lower-priced alternative (not cashmere, but supposed to be very soft and warm!): http://tinyurl.com/32eex3
*Neck pillow: There are multiple options for these in terms of fill and shape, and everyone has a different opinion on which work best. I've tried several kinds, and like this one best so far: http://tinyurl.com/297cqj
It's soft, smushy without ever getting too flat, and the drawstring pouch it comes with can be attached to the handles of your carryon, thus negating the need to make room for it in your bag.
*Ipod: great for enjoying music or just blocking out a talkative seatmate
*Socks: I like kneelength pairs that are a bit snug--keep your feet warm and also keep swelling down by applying pressure. They can also help prevent clots that lead to DVT, which can be deadly (for more info, go to http://www.dvt.net/) And of course, remember to get up and walk around and do some leg excercises every few hours as well.
*Slippers: Great for walking to the bathroom so you're not in there in your socks, or just for walking up and down the aisle to stretch your legs. I find that the free pairs offered in nicer hotels are perfect for this. Besides being comfortable and easy to pack since they're so thin, the rubber soles prevent icky seep through from wet airplane bathroom floors or that Mile High Mojito the guy in the seat next to you just knocked off his tray table.
*Armrest compatible headphones for the movie: Ssome airlines charge for these usually $2-$5 on domestic flights, though they tend to be free on international flights. Either way, hang onto your pairs to use on future flights.
*Books, magazines, crossword or Sudoku puzzle books: To keep your mind occupied! I also carry on my travel journal--great for writing down thoughts, impressions, expectations, etc. of the flight itself and the trip ahead of (or behind) me. My journal has a pocket where I stick our passports, boarding passes, etc., which makes it much easier to grab them when it's time to fill out customs declaration forms and entry documents (which require flight and passport # info).
*Portable DVD player and DVDs (CDs if you don't have an Ipod): Let's be honest here--9 times out of 10 you are not going to want to watch the movie they're showing on the plane. And if you have to go to the bathroom during the movie, you might miss the one good part. Take your own favorite DVDs and solve both problems. Not worth taking this on short flights but great for the longer journeys. These can also come in handy while on your trip. While I am an opponent of TV on vacation in general (though I do adore European commercials for their humor and frequent gratuitous nudity), when the power goes out right after dark (7:30 pm, in one case) during a tropical storm, it's nice to be able to finally catch up on the past season of Entourage.
*Eyemask: Mine is pink and black silk and has the words "Sleeping Beauty" embroidered on it (a gift from my mother-I'm not narcissitic enough to buy that for myself! Though apparently am narcissistic enough to wear it. haha). It always gets chuckles (ok, maybe those are snickers) from other passengers and FAs, but I love the softness of the silk against my face, and the black lining blocks out most light. There are of course thousands of other options, for those who lean towards the more minimalistic or are male. Be sure to buy a mask that fits snugly enough to stay in place without being too tight (must avoid airplane-seat-head!)
*Foam earplugs: nice to have when the guy next to your is snoring or that old lady across the aisle is howling with delight at the in-flight premiere of Cocoon.
*Moisturizer: The cabin air is very dry, so your skin will get quite dehydrated on longer flights. Smooth a bit of moisturizer on your face and hands every few hours, and you'll feel much more comfortable. Also very soothing to put a bit on your feet and ankles--but please perform this task in the restroom, so as not to gross out other passengers.
*Eyedrops/contact solution and case + extra contacts: Again, dry air = dry eyes. And I personally find it's easier to sleep (and gentler on my eyes in general) if I take out my contacts on a longer flight. I also pack an extra pair in my purse/carryon, since I've had a contact or 2 rip from the dry air.
*Purell Hand Sanitizer: because airports and planes are full of germs. Plus, it's a lot easier than trying to get into the bathroom to wash your hands at busy pre-meal times. And once you arrive at your destination, this stuff is great to use to wipe down the remote control, phone earpiece etc.
*Pen for crosswords, Sudoku, journal writing, and/or filling out customs declaration forms: The flight attendants may have one, but they will likely tell you they don't. If they do admit to there being a writing implement somewhere on the plane, you can bet that someone else is already using it...for the duration of the flight.
*Camera: You don't want to check cameras, as they can easily be broken or destroyed. Always carry these on with you. It's also nice to have it handy to take photos as you come in for a landing when traveling someplace scenic.
*Ziploc baggie: For cosmetics, toiletries, and any other gels or liquids. The bag can be up to quart size, and each container inside must be no more than 3 ounces. Here are the official guideline: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm
*Jewelry: don't pack any valuables in checked baggage--they should all go in your carry on.
*Warm sweater/cardigan:just another layer to keep you warm, as it tends to get pretty cold on flights, especially near the exit rows.
*Change of clothing: Especially a bathing suit/cover-up if going to the beach! You'll be glad you packed this when your luggage is lost or delayed. Also good to pack a regular outfit if you are planning to or think you might get bumped from the flight. Most likely you won't be able to get your baggage back off the plane, and it's nice to be able to change clothes if you end up not getting on another flight til the next day!
*A few snacks:peanuts, granola bars, whatever. In case you get hungry between meals or don't want the plane food (assuming there is any, which there's generally not on domestic flights). We also buy a bottle or 2 of water right before we get on the plane. That way, we don't have to track down the FA everytime we want some water (plus I've noticed that many airlines no longer give out bottles of water--only cups).
***A useful website for all kinds of travel products: http://www.travelproducts.com
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
See what the fish do when they think no one is watching...
I have always thought one of the coolest things ever would be to ride in a tiny submarine, exploring undersea reefs and wildlife. Yes, I could scubadive instead (if I ever get around to getting certified!), but I prefer the idea of being surrounded by metal and glass. The reason for this likely has something to do with too many viewings of Jaws, not to mention the fact that scuba just doesn't seem as glamorous now that they've done away with the glass head globes of yesteryear. :)
Now that you know this, imagine my delight after coming across articles recently about the 2 tour companies below. While each offers a different experience, I think either would be amazing.
In Honduras, a 30-something American man named Karl Stanley has built a small submarine, just large enough to hold a captain (himself) and 2 passengers. Expeditions range from 1 1/2 hours to 8 hours, going down as deep as 2000 feet. Both day and night trips are available. It's not super-inexpensive (prices start at $600 for 2), but would absolutely be worth the money for such an amazing and unusual experience. Karl and his Roatan Institute of Deepsea Exploration are currently one of only 2 operators in the world offering trips like this. The other can be found here: http://www.underseahunter.com/uh.htm (click on DeepSee). My husband and I are considering a trip to Honduras later this year, and we will definitely be booking a trip with Karl the moment we have our plane tickets!
For more information:
http://www.stanleysubmarines.com/
In the Bahamas, a company has come up with an idea that also lets you explore undersea without the hassle of getting PADI certified or dealing with a snorkel and foggy mask. Like those celebrity "What would their child look like?" mashups on Conan O'Brien, these so-called underwater motocycles are how I would picture the spawn of a jetski, scuba diver, and submarine. At just $110 per person per trip, this excursion is more wallet friendly than many other undersea options, and looks as though it would be a good bet for those who want to look for Nemo but are not quite ready to commit to a true sub ride.
For more information:
http://www.sub-bahamas.com/
Now that you know this, imagine my delight after coming across articles recently about the 2 tour companies below. While each offers a different experience, I think either would be amazing.
In Honduras, a 30-something American man named Karl Stanley has built a small submarine, just large enough to hold a captain (himself) and 2 passengers. Expeditions range from 1 1/2 hours to 8 hours, going down as deep as 2000 feet. Both day and night trips are available. It's not super-inexpensive (prices start at $600 for 2), but would absolutely be worth the money for such an amazing and unusual experience. Karl and his Roatan Institute of Deepsea Exploration are currently one of only 2 operators in the world offering trips like this. The other can be found here: http://www.underseahunter.com/uh.htm (click on DeepSee). My husband and I are considering a trip to Honduras later this year, and we will definitely be booking a trip with Karl the moment we have our plane tickets!
For more information:
http://www.stanleysubmarines.com/
In the Bahamas, a company has come up with an idea that also lets you explore undersea without the hassle of getting PADI certified or dealing with a snorkel and foggy mask. Like those celebrity "What would their child look like?" mashups on Conan O'Brien, these so-called underwater motocycles are how I would picture the spawn of a jetski, scuba diver, and submarine. At just $110 per person per trip, this excursion is more wallet friendly than many other undersea options, and looks as though it would be a good bet for those who want to look for Nemo but are not quite ready to commit to a true sub ride.
For more information:
http://www.sub-bahamas.com/
FlightMemory.com
I recently came across this site, which allows you to keep track of every flight you've taken since the beginning of time (literally--I was amused to note that the date option box scrolled back to at least the 30th century B.C.!). If you want to keep it simple, you can just put in the airport codes for each flight. For more detail, it also offers options to input your travel dates, flight times, flight number, airline, seat number and type (aisle, middle, window), class of service, and reason for the flight (personal, business, or virtual/simulator). If you are really ambitious, there are even sections to fill in for type of airplane, airplane name and registration number, and comments. Registration and basic use (includes all the features I mention here plus a few more) is free, and all it takes to get started is a user name and password. My only real complaint is that there's no way to put in round trip flights together--instead you have to go through the process for each leg.
Once you have filled in your flight data, clicking on the "statistics" tab will give you tons of info about your flights, organized into various sections such as flight distances, amount of time spent flying, number of flights (broken down into domestic, transcontinental, etc.), longest and shortest flights, top ten airports and routes, and so forth. You can view this data all together, or break it down by year. My favorite feature is the map that shows each route you've taken.
I just stuck with the airport codes and dates, but must admit, I still spent way more time than I probably should have filling in data for all my flights since February 2004. What can I say, I'm a total nerd when it comes to statistics, especially those that in any way relate to my travels!
A few of my stats (Feb. 04-Feb '08)
Flights taken: 84
Miles flown: 115, 417 (equivalent to circumnavigating the globe 4.63 times!)
Longest flight: Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Athens, Greece (ATH) 5,694 miles / 10hr 41min
Shortest flight: Tahiti, FP (PPT) to Moorea, FP (MOZ) 15 miles / 32 min
Total airports: 31
Total routes: 62
Total countries: 11
Ok, so I know these are not the most impressive numbers in the world, but I'm working hard on getting them up as quickly as possible!
My full FM profile: http://my.flightmemory.com/travelprincessatl
http://www.flightmemory.com
Once you have filled in your flight data, clicking on the "statistics" tab will give you tons of info about your flights, organized into various sections such as flight distances, amount of time spent flying, number of flights (broken down into domestic, transcontinental, etc.), longest and shortest flights, top ten airports and routes, and so forth. You can view this data all together, or break it down by year. My favorite feature is the map that shows each route you've taken.
I just stuck with the airport codes and dates, but must admit, I still spent way more time than I probably should have filling in data for all my flights since February 2004. What can I say, I'm a total nerd when it comes to statistics, especially those that in any way relate to my travels!
A few of my stats (Feb. 04-Feb '08)
Flights taken: 84
Miles flown: 115, 417 (equivalent to circumnavigating the globe 4.63 times!)
Longest flight: Atlanta, GA (ATL) to Athens, Greece (ATH) 5,694 miles / 10hr 41min
Shortest flight: Tahiti, FP (PPT) to Moorea, FP (MOZ) 15 miles / 32 min
Total airports: 31
Total routes: 62
Total countries: 11
Ok, so I know these are not the most impressive numbers in the world, but I'm working hard on getting them up as quickly as possible!
My full FM profile: http://my.flightmemory.com/travelprincessatl
http://www.flightmemory.com
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Space hotel to open in 2012--rates from $4M for 3 nights
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070810/sc_nm/space_hotel_dc
Finally, a hotel that makes the Poseidon Underwater resort look like a bargain!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Tripadvisor.com
Probably the most useful travel resource there ever was for those to whom picking the right hotel is paramount. Use it!
A few tips/thoughts:
*Don't just look at the star rating--actually read the reviews--as many as you can. I see so many people on there who don't do their research, then complain about things that would have been easily discovered by even a quick scan of previous reviews.
*Keep in mind that the hotels ratings are user ratings--not necessarily indicative of the level of luxury the property may offer.
*Also keep in mind that the overall tripadvisor rating of a property may be skewed if the property has recently gone through major changes--for better or worse. By looking at recent reviews, you may find that while the hotel has only a 3* overall rating, the reviews over the past year are all 4* and 5*. This can be due to management changes, renovations, a new chef, etc. Conversely, a hotel may have a 4.5* overal rank, but changes on site may mean that recent rating are all 1*. The rating itself does not tell the whole story.
*Be sure to look at the candid traveler photos--these will generally give you a much better idea of what the resort actually looks like now, rather than what it looked like 20 years ago or after extensive photoshopping.
*You may not agree with this strategy, but I always immediately disregard any review that reads as though written by a 5-year-old. If someone is not even intelligent enough to have a firm grasp on proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, I don't believe they are intelligent enough to form a worthy opinion of a hotel.
*Click on reviewers' names and take a look at other reviews they have written. Unless they ave only written a single review, this tactic will give you an idea of the type of properties the user generally visits. In my opinion, the best/most telling reviews come from those who are used to staying in the type of property they are currently reviewing--whether it's a low-end chain motel, a local boutique hotel oozing with local charm, or one of the top luxury resorts of the world.
On the other hand, reviews from those for whom this particular hotel experience was a one-off can often be skewed by the writer's experience and perspective. For example, I have noticed that people used to staying in motels who splurge on a high-end luxury resort will often review the property in one of 2 ways:
-they will pronounce it the most amazing hotel in the world, no matter what they experienced during their stay, as the hotel was so much better than what they are used to--or b/c it was so much more expensive that they assume the experience MUST have been great.
OR
- they will find fault with everything and feel ripped off; because they have no previous experience with luxury travel, they expect that a $500/night price tag means they'll vacation like royalty. When the experience is somewhat different from their expectations, they exact revenge in the form of a bad review.
There is another side to that coin, though: the traveler who is used to staying solely at large 5-star American-chain style properties, who gives a terrible review to a mid-range boutique hotel. Just because he hated the fact that the smaller hotel had no room service, TV, or pool butlers does not mean that you will feel the same. Depending on your personal travel style, you may be thrilled to find a hotel with tons of regional culture, no other choice than to get out to explore and enjoy local restaurants, and a chance to really disconnect from the media monster!
*Take advantage of the forums for your destination! They tend to be very active and informative, and I find them easier to search and navigate than many competing forums.
*Make sure you do other research as well. Tripadvisor is great, but it does not list every single hotel in the world, and information on many less-touristy areas is scarce.
*More sites to check out when researching a trip:
www.cruisecritic.com -- tons of information and reviews on cruises
www.virtualtourist.com -- hotel, restaurant, and site-seeing reviews and advice
www.mytripreport.com -- just what it sounds like--full trip reviews from real travelers
www.fodors.com -- information and advice from the publishers of the guidebooks of the same name, as well as deals and user forums
www.frommers.com -- information and advice from the publishers of the guidebooks of the same name, as well as deals and user forums
www.concierge.com -- online site for Conde Nast Traveler magazine
www.travelandleisure.com -- online site for Travel & Leisure magazine
www.islands.com -- online site for Islands magazine
www.caribbeantravelmag.com -- online site for Caribbean Travel and Life magazine
www.igougo.com -- travel reviews, photos, forums, deals, and articles
www.epinions.com -- Reviews for some hotels, as well as everything else from electronics to cars
A few tips/thoughts:
*Don't just look at the star rating--actually read the reviews--as many as you can. I see so many people on there who don't do their research, then complain about things that would have been easily discovered by even a quick scan of previous reviews.
*Keep in mind that the hotels ratings are user ratings--not necessarily indicative of the level of luxury the property may offer.
*Also keep in mind that the overall tripadvisor rating of a property may be skewed if the property has recently gone through major changes--for better or worse. By looking at recent reviews, you may find that while the hotel has only a 3* overall rating, the reviews over the past year are all 4* and 5*. This can be due to management changes, renovations, a new chef, etc. Conversely, a hotel may have a 4.5* overal rank, but changes on site may mean that recent rating are all 1*. The rating itself does not tell the whole story.
*Be sure to look at the candid traveler photos--these will generally give you a much better idea of what the resort actually looks like now, rather than what it looked like 20 years ago or after extensive photoshopping.
*You may not agree with this strategy, but I always immediately disregard any review that reads as though written by a 5-year-old. If someone is not even intelligent enough to have a firm grasp on proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation, I don't believe they are intelligent enough to form a worthy opinion of a hotel.
*Click on reviewers' names and take a look at other reviews they have written. Unless they ave only written a single review, this tactic will give you an idea of the type of properties the user generally visits. In my opinion, the best/most telling reviews come from those who are used to staying in the type of property they are currently reviewing--whether it's a low-end chain motel, a local boutique hotel oozing with local charm, or one of the top luxury resorts of the world.
On the other hand, reviews from those for whom this particular hotel experience was a one-off can often be skewed by the writer's experience and perspective. For example, I have noticed that people used to staying in motels who splurge on a high-end luxury resort will often review the property in one of 2 ways:
-they will pronounce it the most amazing hotel in the world, no matter what they experienced during their stay, as the hotel was so much better than what they are used to--or b/c it was so much more expensive that they assume the experience MUST have been great.
OR
- they will find fault with everything and feel ripped off; because they have no previous experience with luxury travel, they expect that a $500/night price tag means they'll vacation like royalty. When the experience is somewhat different from their expectations, they exact revenge in the form of a bad review.
There is another side to that coin, though: the traveler who is used to staying solely at large 5-star American-chain style properties, who gives a terrible review to a mid-range boutique hotel. Just because he hated the fact that the smaller hotel had no room service, TV, or pool butlers does not mean that you will feel the same. Depending on your personal travel style, you may be thrilled to find a hotel with tons of regional culture, no other choice than to get out to explore and enjoy local restaurants, and a chance to really disconnect from the media monster!
*Take advantage of the forums for your destination! They tend to be very active and informative, and I find them easier to search and navigate than many competing forums.
*Make sure you do other research as well. Tripadvisor is great, but it does not list every single hotel in the world, and information on many less-touristy areas is scarce.
*More sites to check out when researching a trip:
www.cruisecritic.com -- tons of information and reviews on cruises
www.virtualtourist.com -- hotel, restaurant, and site-seeing reviews and advice
www.mytripreport.com -- just what it sounds like--full trip reviews from real travelers
www.fodors.com -- information and advice from the publishers of the guidebooks of the same name, as well as deals and user forums
www.frommers.com -- information and advice from the publishers of the guidebooks of the same name, as well as deals and user forums
www.concierge.com -- online site for Conde Nast Traveler magazine
www.travelandleisure.com -- online site for Travel & Leisure magazine
www.islands.com -- online site for Islands magazine
www.caribbeantravelmag.com -- online site for Caribbean Travel and Life magazine
www.igougo.com -- travel reviews, photos, forums, deals, and articles
www.epinions.com -- Reviews for some hotels, as well as everything else from electronics to cars
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