One of my initial motivations for doing a Travel Tip Tuesday was to have a medium for readers and experienced travelers to impart their infinite wisdom and useful knowledge on the masses.
And though, I don’t get enough travel tips from readers to make weekly posts on that very topic- I do try very hard not to have Travel Tip Tuesday be all about my advice.
But, they are out there you know. Readers. Readers with very useful travel tips.
And it just so happens I know one place they hang. At Budget Travel Mag.
Besides being one of my most favorite magazines- they also have a travel tip feature that highlights tips that their readers have sent in.
This week, I have compiled a list of some of my favorites from the last few editions.
And though I love money-saving tips, tips on how to re-purpose items, and packing tips – these don’t fit into any specific category.
They are just smart and clever. And I liked them. Isn’t that enough?
- Contact solution. I often forget my contact-lens case when I travel. To avoid the hassle of having to buy another case, I find two plastic spoons, fill them with contact solution, put my contacts in the spoons, and store them in a safe place for the night. Problem solved! Susannah Whitcomb, Toledo, Ohio
- See for yourself. To get a feel for a potential travel destination, I check youtube.com. Lots of people post videos from their trips, and you can learn about specific things you’re interested in rather than just the general overview most travel books offer. For example, when I was researching a surf spot in Peru, I found some great footage of the break. Rhonda Hingle, San Diego, Calif.
- Find your other half. I often travel alone, and I used to feel left out when I saw two-for-one coupons for museums and other attractions. Now I wait for another solo traveler or an odd-numbered group to arrive at the ticket line, and I offer to split the discount. I’ve never had to wait more than a couple of minutes, and people always appreciate the chance to save. Kathy Kralik, Fort Smith, Ark.
- No iron, no problem. On our last trip, my husband and I discovered that you can use a hairdryer to remove wrinkles from clothes. Hold the nozzle a few inches from the fabric and move it back and forth slightly. The wrinkles will disappear in a few seconds. Dottie Gilberti, Prescott, Ariz.
- Quickie umbrella cover. I like to store a plastic newspaper bag in a pill bottle and keep it in my backpack or purse. If it rains, I can put my wet umbrella in the bag and keep everything else dry. Elva Craig, Iowa City, Iowa
- The cutest camera case. If your digital-camera bag is too bulky, slip an extra-wide tennis wristband over the camera lens and viewing screen instead. You can usually find a set of wristbands at a sporting goods store for under $10. The lightweight, stretchy bands help prevent scratches, so you can stuff your camera into a purse or a coat pocket and go. Jerry M. Neumann, Birchwood, Wis.