travel advice and traveler's tips

Travel tips from an old road warrior

I love to travel. I come from a family of travelers. I've had the pleasure of cruising all around the country over the last 15 or 16 years. If I'm not out of town every 6 weeks or so, I get restless. Two months and I'm pacing.

I've learned a few things along the way that I'd like to share with you. I enjoy a very casual, relaxed traveling style that may not be your cup of tea but I'm sure some of what I'm about to say might be of use. If you have something to share with me, please do. Please use the navigation on the left to read a few pages that may be of interest to you.

Believe it or not, travel is as much a state of mind as it is what state you're in (double entendre intended). Enjoyable travel is more than expensive luggage and a ticket to a faraway place. You can have both and still have a miserable time. Many do. IMHO a good trek is a qualitative experience. It's about experiencing a new place elegantly with a sense of joy and wonder. It isn't about chalking up miles or bragging about the latest hotspot you frequented. At least for me.

Misc. advice: Always, always have small bills, ones and fives, handy. Call them tips, call them bribes, call it social lubrication. Relatively small amounts of cold hard cash have gotten me a ride in the rental car I just returned instead of waiting for the shuttle in order to make my plane and on another occasion the same car I own (a Pontiac Vibe) that the desk clerk told me was unavailable. Funny thing, the guy in the lot miraculously found one in the back lot for me. Never trust the time on a hotel room's clock. Check and adjust it yourself. Pack a stamp in an enevelope; you may need to mail a letter. Stores like Whole Foods and Wild Oats are wonderful pitstops as are old school full-serive delis. Somewhere between between picnicing and gourmet grazing.