After I get home from some time off, I like to reflect on my pack list for possible adjustments to future trips.  I had more thoughts than usual after my time in the mountains a few weeks ago (pack list here): I much prefer thin socks over thick socks.  I have a really nice pair … Continue reading Post vacation pack list review

For those of you who travel by air - which I assume is almost every single person reading this - you may want to check your state-specific laws for upcoming changes to using a driver license for airport identification.  I had no idea this was even a thing until I randomly saw an article in … Continue reading Real ID driver license

Back in my early travel days, I made it a priority to buy a souvenir at every destination I visited.  Over the years, I amassed an impressive collection of keychains, shot glasses, small pieces of artwork, and other various knick-knacks such as a little stone elephant from Thailand.  These were my physical connections to all … Continue reading Souvenirs: why I don’t buy them anymore

Today's topic is about tipping.  This post is specifically for two groups of people:  those from other countries who visit here, and those who already live here but for one reason or another never learned how to properly tip.  Unlike many places in the world, tipping is a common part of everyday American life and … Continue reading Tipping in the United States

The cheapest reliable way to use your cell phone while traveling internationally is to buy a local SIM card at your destination and pop it into your phone.  Done. Having said that, if you're traveling for pleasure, I would strongly encourage you to simply put your phone in airplane mode and leave it that way … Continue reading Using a cell phone overseas

One common travel tip that I've seen over the years is to buy the various items you need once you arrive at your destination.  Things like toothpaste and shampoo for example.  While this may be a worthwhile tactic for certain situations, it's not something I do on a regular basis. For items that I know … Continue reading Take it with you vs Buy it there

In my opinion, the most important items while traveling are your passport (or driver's license) and your money, whether it's in the form of a credit card, ATM card, cash, or ideally a combination of all three.  You could literally lose everything else while on vacation, and as long as you still had those items, … Continue reading How to carry money

I don't like to drive.  Riding as a passenger in a car or other land vehicle is perfectly fine; it's the mental strain of being in the driver's seat that stresses me out.  If it were practical to live where I live without a car, I would do it, but it is far from practical … Continue reading An easy hack to make driving more pleasant