TRAVEL TIP: Get Packing!

Roll your items, do not fold.

Keep in mind cottons will crease more than man-made materials when packing. Make sure you take a variety of layers. One tank, one tee, one light sweater, etc.Cut down on items by only packing solid colors. These are easier to mix and match and therefore you wont need as many items.

Pack tightly
RE locks: Locking your case? Make sure you lock is TSA compatible so they can open it if they must. These days, it is common to cut off any lock that they cannot search.

REMOVE OLD CLAIM CHECKS
Don’t hesitate to ship something ahead of time or back home. Don’t haul around needless items, if you accidentally brought them!

TRAVEL TIP: Fashion Watch

Going somewhere warm? Take clothes that breath, such as cottons and linens. The natural fibers allow air in, so you stay cool. As great as they are, there’s just one catch to wearing natural materials…they tend to become wrinkled when sitting in a suitcase for hours. Here’s a new twist on an old remedy.

Hang the clothing you want to wear in the bathroom while you shower. The steam will naturally loosen the cloth's fibers and smooth out some wrinkles. After your shower, spray your clothes with a product, like Downy Wrinkle Releaser. It now comes in a Travel Size which you can purchase at Target and run your clean hand over the article of clothing. This will take out the remaining wrinkles while adding a fresh just-pressed scent to your clothes.

Now its time to go have fun! Happy travels!

Tips from place to place

I'm beginning a new travel blog series: Tips from Place to Place which will offer valuable advice you can use now in these tough economic times.  

I'll be starting with my most recent trip abroad, and then hitting each US state (first those I've lived in, then those I frequent) and then its your turn. Feel free to add your own travel tips to these posts, including great places to have a meal (holes in the wall encouraged), or serendipitous tricks you've learned while either on a trip, or in your own back yard. 

Enjoy!

PPPSSTT! Here's the BEST European secret.

I've been seeing more and more buzz about Montenegro. This is near and dear to my heart, friends. You see, yours truly is a full-blooded Montenegrin. Well, I'm all-American, but my ancestry is Montenegrin anyway.

I'm torn about this entry, because part of me wants to spread the word about this beautiful little country, but another part of me simply wants to keep it to myself.

Ah heck- I'll fill you, my good friends, on favorite secret get away, right? OK- here's the word:

Montenegro. The "Jewel of the Adriatic." From swimming in its blue grottoes, to climbing its highest peaks, Montenegro has something for everyone. Known as the Riviera of the Adriatic, this picturesque country was at the epicenter of the Christian Crusades, and to this day has some of the best Byzantine art still intact in church walls. Sipping local spirits on the beach, one can imagine Venetian pirate ships just off shore. Spain, Italy, Ireland, The Middle East the Moors- they all had an influence in this postage sized land.

MONEY MONEY MONEY- Always Sunny

Need to convert cash while on the go? Many international ATMS take Visa or MC (France, Italy, Australia, etc.) so you can get cash no problem. They may charge you for the conversion, but its competitive to bank exchange charges.

Make sure you call your CC co. before you leave to inform them so they don’t put a STOP PAYMENT on your card (may companies do this for your protection).

If your going to try memorizing the local language…make sure you know the words for “help” or police” or “English”.