1. Foreign Pay Phones - Picking up the phone in another country can present a host of challenges. For instance, how much does the call cost? In most countries, you can now buy calling cards that work the phones to save you the hassle.
2. American Express Mail - If you have an American Express card, you are one lucky devil. You can have your mail sent to any American Express office in the world. Just hop over and pick it up.
3. Deadly Ice Cubes - If you are concerned about the quality of water at a destination, don't make a common mistake. What is it? Drinks with ice cubes. The ice cubes are made from the same water!
4. Avoid Carrying Souvenirs - If you are on an extended trip, you will start accumulating souvenirs of all sorts. Don't haul them all over the place. Mail them home and save your back!
5. Is Spicy Food Safe? - There is a belief among travelers that spicy food will not cause stomach issues. Umm, no. It just adds a little heat to the misery.
6. Rubber Bottom Backpacks - If you are going to do some backpacking across a region, make sure to buy a backpack with a hard rubber bottom. It prevents rips and such when you set the pack down, which you will do often.
7. Sweet Sorrow Traveling - If you are on a long trip, you will inevitably get tired of those traveling with you. To avoid this, go solo and hookup with others through hostels and such. When you get sick of them, move along.
8. Solo Travelers and Hostels - If you are traveling by yourself, you may eventually need some social time with other travelers. Hostels are the place to get it.
9. Kids and Trip Planning - Do not plan a trip without getting your kids input if you are taking them. If they are not involved, they will complain endlessly. If they are, they will be more open minded.
10. Keep Kids Interested - Kids get bored when traveling from one destination to another. Video games are annoying to those around you, so try something else to keep them interested. A Nomad Travel Journal is a great idea.
Travel is many things to many people. Some prefer luxury while others prefer to rough it. I have to admit I tend to fall in the rough it group, but a night of luxury isn't too bad either!
