Last week we presented advice on stretching your travel dollar from Teri Gault, who as CEO of GroceryGame.com has traveled many, many miles. This week, we present her advice on what to bring with you when traveling. These are a few of her favorite things:
Hand sanitizer: Gault says that people have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between the fingertip and elbow -- areas that you frequently, if accidentally, end up touching. She recommends Veripur hand lotion. (You, of course, might have your own favorite among germ-fighters or other products she mentions.)
Sneakers: Bring running shoes in your carry on, if you are changing planes. If you miss a connecting flight, you may be stuck in the airport for a day or more. So if you’re running late on the first flight, before it lands, take off your slip-on shoes, and put on your running shoes. "I have literally run to a flight, and wouldn’t have made it any other way, many times," she says. (Isn't travel fun?)
Bottled water: Bring at least one water bottle on the plane, or better yet two. After you go through security, go straight to a vendor and buy two overpriced water bottles, even if your flight is going to be short. Why? "On a short flight from Memphis to Phoenix last week, we were stuck in the plane for an hour and a half before takeoff. Once out on the tarmac, the flight attendants cannot serve any beverages. The plane was hot; unless you are at the gate, there is no air." Meanwhile, when in a hotel don't buy water -- use an empty bottle or the one you bought at airport and fill it up at the gym. It is cold, free and filtered.
Bed bug spray: These days it pays to be prepared. Her choice is Stop Bugging Me!
An iPad : It's Gault's favorite and most necessary item when traveling. Mine, too. You can check email, watch movies, and kill time reading blogs like this one. The iPad has great battery life and is relatively light to carry. (The iPad 2, to be announced this week, may be lighter yet.)
Snacks: You'll avoid those airport prices. Gault's favorite high protein travel snack is raw almonds.
Zip-lock bags: The practicality of zip-lock baggies such as Tili Bags when traveling is unmatched by any other travel accessory, says Gault.
Trivial question
What does the sign on Mount Lee in California say? (Answer somewhere below.)
Springtime in Lisbon -- for under $1,000
This spring, Lisbon -- Portugal’s capital on the Tejo River -- is promoting a host of new museums, restaurants and cultural venues and hotels. Azores Express/SATA has a weeklong package from Boston, with six nights' lodging and air starting at $969 per person. Packages from Boston to Lisbon (via the Azores) depart Tuesdays and Fridays mid-September through the fal, combined with six-night stays at a choice of four hotels. For Tuesday departures, packages range from $969 to $1,619 per person, double occupancy (plus tax). All packages include daily breakfast. Travelers can choose a package that combines a stay in São Miguel in the Azores for the same $969 base price. Children under 6 pay child’s airfare while children under 10 pay 10% of the hotel rate, plus airfare.
New this year is the modern Tivoli Oriente, a 4-star hotel in the newest part of the city, the riverfront Nation’s Park, and near the Oceanarium. The other featured hotels include Hotel Azores Lisboa, a modern 4-star hotel in the city’s business and shopping district; the downtown Tivoli Jardim, set near major sites and shopping; and the Hotel Mundial, right in the city’s center. The Mundial, recently restored, was famed as a center of espionage during World War II.For more information or reservations, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt.
New this year is the modern Tivoli Oriente, a 4-star hotel in the newest part of the city, the riverfront Nation’s Park, and near the Oceanarium. The other featured hotels include Hotel Azores Lisboa, a modern 4-star hotel in the city’s business and shopping district; the downtown Tivoli Jardim, set near major sites and shopping; and the Hotel Mundial, right in the city’s center. The Mundial, recently restored, was famed as a center of espionage during World War II.For more information or reservations, call 800-762-9995 or visit www.sata.pt.
Worth quoting
“I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places”. – Henny Youngman
Ski and stay in N.H. from $60 a person-- or even less
A ski-and-stay package that includes lodging and lift tickets at New Hampshire's Waterville Valley Resort can be had from $60 per person a night, quad occupancy. Package guests also receive half off rentals, all day Kids Venture Kamps and Child Care. The deal is being offered midweek in March plus the weekends of March 25–27 and April 1–3.
New this winter is a Wicked Long Ski Weekends package, which offers guests the option of checking in as early as 12:30 p.m. on Friday, with a 3 p.m. checkout on Sunday. Free skiing on Friday afternoon is included. The price starts at $89 a person per night, double occupancy, in December, and $158 in January, February and March. Meanwhile, guests can ski on St. Patty’s Day (March 17) for $17 and stay the night for $17 a person, quad occupancy. Then there is an April Fool’s Day package: Stay March 31 or April 1, and ski April 1 from $51 a person, double occupancy. The package includes a $50 dinner certificate.
Fascinating fact
Aiea, Hawaii, may be the only U.S. community whose name contains just vowels. (If you know of others, feel free to tell us.)
Choice Hotels now offering $50 gas cards
Guests who stay two separate times at a Choice Hotels property, March 3 – May 4 can receive enough Choice Privileges points to redeem them for a $50 gas card. Travelers, in fact, can earn more than one $50 gas card during this promotion. To be eligible, they must book at ChoiceHotels.com or by calling 800-4CHOICE.
Trivial answer
The sign on Mount Lee reads HOLLYWOOD and is, in fact, one of the world's most famous signs.
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