Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Try picking just ONE (Photo by Slightly Everything on Flickr)

Once upon a cold day in Frankfurt, I was miserably bogged down by a 40lb backpack and a 15lb shoulder bag while scaling a steep hill questing for a hostel. I took massive pity on myself and imagined myself as a Sherpa hauling heavy supplies up Everest (something tells me I was really just acting like a big baby) and let my grumpy mood develop accordingly.

If you’ve ever packed an uber-heavy bag, you know what a burden taking the stairs, changing hotels or checking bags can be. You also might know how many t-shirts you have to unpack to lose any weight in your luggage. However, there is one heavy item that almost all travelers pack that you can use to dramatically change the weight of your bag. Books!

At an average of .75lbs each, books can quite literally weigh you down! Here are a few travel tips for lightening your load while still having the chance to read on vacation (because when else do you have the time to catch up on  your reading!).

1. Grab an e-Reader. A Kindle or Nook are the most obvious options for saving weight in your bag, though you should be aware of international downloading restrictions before your vacation.
2. Only bring a book you think you can finish. This is not the time to start a hard-covered copy of War & Peace. The extra 500 pages are probably not worth the weight–it’s not much of a beach read anyway.
3. Consider buying books in-country. While not all countries have English bookstores, they will often have a small section of English books mixed in with the local offerings.
4. Leave behind books that you finish for other travelers. You can read while you’re there and cut the weight on your way out. Plus just think of all the bonus karma.
5. Swap books with traveling companions… just don’t get too pushy after you’ve finished your first read and they’re still leisurely thumbing through theirs.
6. Read newspapers or magazines instead. If you don’t think you’ll be reading a lot on the trip, but want something casual to pass the time, newspapers and magazines are a great way to pack light. In flight publications are usually free and interesting, or pick up a paper or magazine to stay up on current events or industry happening while on vacation.

Ever made the mistake of bringing a book on vacation that you wouldn’t even touch at home? What was it? Tell us about it on Facebook or in the comments below! (Click here if you can’t see the comments)

Honoring our Veterans. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade.

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” -Cynthia Ozick

While Veterans Day is an especially good time to honor the men and women that have served the United States, their honorable sacrifice is one that should be revered year round. There are hundreds of benefits and discounts for veterans as a small form of thanks for your service, but with so much information, perhaps you don’t know exactly what’s available. If you are a veteran or have a family member who is, here are some veteran travel resources to help you benefit from your veteran status on your next vacation.

• Get your Veterans Advantage Card: Veterans Advantage is a benefits program designed to offer veterans and their families discounts on everything from electronics to travel. Veterans holding a Veterans Advantage membership card are eligible for major discounts on all things travel. With airline, train, bus, cruise, hotel and rental car partners, Veterans Advantage can save money for a veteran with a love of travel.
• Discover Exclusive Military Discounts before You Travel: Check out exclusive veteran travel discounts at Military.com before planning your trip to find out where you can stay, what you can do, and how you can travel at a discounted rate.
• Travel Space-A: If your itinerary is flexible, travel “Space-A” rather than on commercial airlines. Space Available travel is an way for veterans to travel by flying from one base to another on an open seat basis. Sign up on the Air Mobility Command website. While openings can be unpredictable, it’s easy to register your spot and save money on vacation.
• Use Military Lodging as a Hotel Alternative:  Find an Army, Navy or Air Force base near your vacation spot through the Department of Defense list dodlodging.net or call the centralized reservation systems for the U.S. Army (866-363-5771), the U.S. Navy (800-628-9466) or the U.S. Air Force (888-235-6343) to book. (Source: USAToday)

Find out more about veteran benefits on the US Department of Veterans Affairs website. Travel safe and Happy Veterans Day to the men and women who have served in the United States military!

Say your thanks to the veterans in the comments section below or on Facebook. (Can’t see comments? Click here for a link: Happy Veterans Day! Veteran Travel Discounts)

In my imagination, my traveling self looks fabulous. I’m traipsing in front of the crowd-free Taj Mahal rocking perfectly pleated linen pants and a crisp white button down with sun-kissed skin and long-and-flowing-yet-tastefully-tousled hair.

However, mirrors and photos show otherwise. It’s usually me with bed-head, wrinkled oversized shirts, frumpy food stained mom jeans, and some sort of tropical rash that has taken over my sensitive skin. That’s certainly one to be framed and set on the mantle for all of eternity, eh?

After a few months of backpacking, I started to notice the trend of me looking… sloppy and plain? It was too late to change wardrobes, however I did find a way to style my hair so that even on the most pillow smashed days, I could look at least a little more framable.

So here are a few recommendations for 4 super easy travel hairstyles that can be pulled together with no styling tools and in two minutes or less!

1. The High Pony Tail: Maybe you think the high pony tail died with the aerobics fad, but when you’re traveling, anything goes. Flip your head upside down and pull your hair up into a loose messy high pony tail, pulling out pieces at the front to soften the look. Of course, you’ll still want to avoid a scrunchy, but this look can be modern or even glamorous when paired with a scarf or earrings.

2. The Low Bun: The low bun is the easiest and most versatile travel hairstyle. If you want a messy look, pull out face-framing pieces at the front then pull the rest into a low bun at the nape of your neck. For a more elegant look, try twisting pieces and clipping them with bobby pins into a surprisingly easy updo.

3. The Half-up: If your hair is a bit too flat or funky to wear down, the half-up hair style is the next best thing. You can brush back your part and clip up with bobby pins for a voluminous half pony tail or loosely twist back pieces and secure with bobby pins for a more relaxed look.

4. The Braid: A braid can be a good styling technique or a look on its own when you’re without your styling tools. Whether you sleep in a wet braid for more dramatic waves or pleat your hair into a simple side braid to clean up your look, the braid is a classic finishing touch on any outfit.

Whats your go-to style on the road? Tell us about it on Facebook or in the comments section below! (Can’t see the comments? Click the link for the full story: Quick & Easy Travel Hairstyles for Women)

Are you Ready for Halloween? Photo by Author.

Halloween is creeping up again, and I have to say… it might just be my favorite holiday. Every year, I construct a ridiculous, elaborate, and random costume, then wait for the response. Sometimes, I win prizes, while other times I just end up squeezing myself through crowds restricted by a large trash can lid and overexplaining my costume for the few people that might ACTUALLY get it.

If you too love travel and Halloween, I’ve thought of a few clever and funny travel-related Halloween costume ideas for 2012. Sure, you could be a scantily-dressed cat or lazily constructed ghost again, but wouldn’t you rather choose something different this year? Read on for a few funny unique travel-themed Halloween Costume ideas!

1. The Rude Flight Attendant: The angry flight attendant is a great reference, because just about anyone who’s ever taken a flight anywhere can relate. Find a well tailored polyester dress or suit, over-coif your hair, and accessorize with a silk scarf, a pair of wings, and a little hat. The angry part can involve a beverage cart which you wield around recklessly, some miniature wine bottles, and snarky comments about seat belts and luggage. Don’t forget your fake smile for this one!

2. The Backpacker: The backpacker look is one that can be appreciated with anyone who’s traveled in the hostel scene before. Wear wildly patterned genie pants, a tank top advertising Southeast Asian lager, and a pair of obnoxiously colored Ray Bans. Mess up your hair a bit, and equip yourself with a smartphone, a lonely planet, and an REI daypack. Complete the look with a tribal tattoo, bare feet and a 40oz beer.

3. The Tourist: The stereotypical tourist is a travel reference that anyone will identify. Throw on your most obnoxious floral printed or “I ♥ …” shirt with a pair of khakis, high socks, and walking shoes. Sling a fake jumbo camera around your neck, fill your pockets with boarding passes and a crinkled map, and throw on a huge straw hat.

4. The Travelocity Gnome, Priceline Negotiator, etc.: Pick the travel commercial spokesman of your choice and build your own Halloween costume. Throw on a suit and your best William Shatner impression, or deck yourself out in a gnome hat and white beard to be the Travelocity gnome. Get creative, and rest assured that even your non-traveler friends can get this joke.

If you’re not up for the sarcasm, you could always be a pilot, tour guide, or even the hotel maid. For other ideas, think of all the people you meet on vacation and get creative!

Have you ever worn a travel-themed Halloween costume? Was it a success or a flop? Tell us about it in the comments below or on Facebook! (Click here if you can’t see the comments below: Funny Travel-Themed Halloween Costume Ideas for 2012)

An Especially Untimely Visit to Bangkok during the Floods of '11. Photo by Author.

The mistake of visiting Southeast Asia during monsoon season or Northern Europe during winter is one that you only make once. You may not even realize just how much the weather can affect a vacation until you make a serious misjudgment. Traveling during unfavorable times of year can affect anything from opening hours to availability to comfort, but there are some advantages to visiting during the down season. Before you travel next, at least check this list, then check the weather to make sure you’ll get what you’re looking for from your vacation:

• Stuck in the Hotel Room - In some countries, the changes in season are so severe that even the locals head to the hills (or the beach) for some refuge. Be sure to check online for drastic weather conditions in the country you’ll be visiting to ensure that you time it right.
• Is Anybody Home? - Certain countries take what seems like a nationwide vacation during the “bad” seasons of the year. If you visit Spain in August, you can expect the majority of stores to be vacant or the hours of operation to be cut short so the vendors can escape the heat. Check in advance that the activities you want to do are actually available during the time you plan to travel.
• The Jumbo Suitcase - Traveling light is an amazing thing. The first time you travel with JUST a 10kg bag for your week long vacation, you might never lug a huge bag again. However, weather conditions mean the difference between packing winter parkas & rain boots -vs- tank tops & flip flops. If you want to pack light, it’s best to travel during times where no jacket is required!
• Your Crystal Ball – Check out BestTimetoGo.com for comprehensive advice about… well… the best time to go to your vacation spot.
• Finally… forget all my other advice - There is a good part about traveling during “unfavorable” times of year. NO tourists. Imagine yourself wandering alone through world wonders that are normally packed. Sure, you may be covered to your knees in mud, sweating profusely or unable to feel your toes, but it’s still kind of awesome.

Ever been trapped in a tropical storm or caught underdressed in a blizzard? Tell us about your most ridiculous weather story from your travels in the comments below or on Facebook! (Can’t access the comments? Click here for a link to the full story: The Highs & Lows of Traveling with the Weather)

Sick Day. Photo courtesy of Claus Rebler on Flickr

Your worst travel nightmare has happened…

You’re FINALLY off and away on your one week of fun and relaxation that you have been been working so hard for and planning for months… aaand now you’re sick.

First of all, don’t freak out. I know that getting sick on vacation is no fun. I’ve been there, and I want to help you get better. Depending on where you’re at, your resources will vary, but here are a few things to remember if *knock on wood* you get sick while on vacation:

1. Don’t Freak Out: You’ve heard the horror stories about malaria and Japanese Encephalitis, but chances are you’re fighting off a simple flu or stomach bacteria. Keep an eye out for the warning signs of something more serious, but don’t let your mind wander early on.

2. Stock Up on Supplies: The environment may have changed but the rules are basically the same. Pick up water, bananas, tea, white rice/bread, 7Up/sparkling water, and a local version of noodle soup should be available in just about every country. If you’re staying at a nice hotel, ask if they can provide it for you! Otherwise, send your travel companion out to a local pharmacy for some ibuprofen, vitamin C, oral rehydration salts, cough syrup, tissues, and any other basic medications that you can comfortably prescribe yourself.

3. Sleep: If you’ve been traveling cheaply, now’s the time to splurge. It may be worth paying for the private room just so you can sleep, sleep, sleep as long as it takes for you to feel alive again.

4. Waiting is OK but Then Call the Doctor: If I’m not deathly ill, I usually prefer to wait a day or two to see if it’s worth the hassle. Getting a taxi to the hospital can be half the battle on some vacations, but if you still feel just as terrible after some time has passed, get checked out by a doctor to be prescribed any necessary medications. Don’t forget to save a copy of the bill for reimbursement by your travel insurance company (note travel insurance is included with some credit cards).

5. Get Back Out There!: You don’t want to totally waste your whole vacation! The moment you feel well enough to walk outside, give it a try. I don’t recommend you try to scale the highest peak in Latin America on your first day out of bed, but you can at least go for a walk or dip your feet in the water. Sip tea at a cafe or read on a bench in the sunshine so you still feel like you’re on vacation, even if its not exactly what you imagined.

Ever been sick abroad? Whats your best remedy? Tell us about it on Facebook or write us in the comments below! (Click here if you can’t see the comments: Sneezy, Sick & Sleepy: How to Save Your Vacation When You Get Sick).

Carb-o-loading Abroad. Photo by Dave Pullig on Flickr

I’m not an addictive person for the most part. I’ve never seen the allure of cigarettes and I usually find a good moment to stop when alcohol is involved. I do, however, suffer from one serious addiction.

I am a snacker.

Even if you feed me a filling five-course meal after Thanksgiving lunch, you’ll probably still find me rummaging in the cereal box or digging through the fruit bowl before bed.

Sometimes this can be a problem, but for the most part, I swap out large meals for small ones and snack healthily to accomodate this compulsion. But, this also means that my supply for a snack bag on any bus/plane/train journey exceeding 2 hours is enough to supply a 1950′s fallout shelter.

On my travels, I have found that shopping in foreign markets can be confusing and that offerings aren’t always the same. Granola bars can be sparse while cookies, chips and overpriced in-flight meals are plentiful and tempting. So if you’re a snacker like me and panic before a long journey on vacation, here are a couple of healthy snack items I have found almost universally available to get your snack fix on the road:

1. Bread: Though the shape may differ from loaf to bagel to pita, nearly every culture integrates bread into the diet. Bread is easy to store, easy to pair and good to have around if you want a snack between meals.

2. Fruit: The variety of fruits available in foreign countries is perhaps one of the most fun food-related things to observe. Swap out your usual apple for a rhombutan or pomegranate, and enjoy!

3. Nuts: Nuts are high in protein and healthy in small portions. They are portable enough to keep in your bag on day trips or long journeys and sold almost everywhere.

4. Yogurt/Spreadable Cheese: While dairy is not a central part of the Asian diet, I have found that nearly everywhere in the world you can find yogurt or spreadable cheese wedges readily available. It’s not the most practical for long journeys, but if you want some protein, try to find some dairy.

5. Local Snacks: Look no further than the streets for the greatest variety of snack items. From momos to samosas to baklava, local food vendors are often cooking up interesting snack foods right under you nose. Walk slowly, browse the offerings and buy bravely.

What are your favorite travel snacks? Tell us about them in the comments below! (Can’t see the comments? Click here to link to the full story: The Traveling Snacker’s Guide to Long Bus Rides)

Photo of the Wadi Rum Desert in Jordan from photopedia.com

…I apologize in advance if you’re expecting a desert survival guide; I think any advice I gave on the topic would be more likely to leave you dehydrated, burned, and withering away. But what I can tell you is what to expect on a Bedouin camping trip!

If the idea of spending a day four wheeling through an expansive desert past camels and rouge rock walls doesn’t excite you, you haven’t seen Aladdin or Gladiator recently enough. There is something incredibly vast and mysterious about one of the world’s harshest biomes, and something unnerving about camping out underneath a finally-visible universe of stars above.

What to Expect from a Desert Camping Trip:

As with anything, what you can expect on a Bedouin camping trip varies significantly depending on the price and the country in which you’re traveling. For the lower end trips, you can expect basic provisions—a guide, a car with a usually-functional engine, a simple tent and facilities, a heavy dinner, and all the tea you can drink. On the other end of the spectrum, there are more expensive camps that can offer up hot showers, an air-conditioned vehicle, and even electricity.

A day in the desert is best described as long, hot, and dusty. You’ll spend a lot of time in the car traversing to different natural landmarks, a lot of time resting, and the remainder of the time at the camp sweating out gallons of water. Bring a book, cards, plenty of snacks and water, a flashlight, and comfortable (conservative) clothes to wear for your downtime at the camp in between outings. Believe it or not, there’s not a whole lot to do if you don’t bring it with you.

As night falls and the air chills, you’ll revel in slight relief from the heat. Expect a meal heavy on carbohydrates and protein, but low on fresh fruits and vegetables–you are in the desert after all. That being said, most of the camps stock up on modern items like Laughing Cow cheese wedges and pita bread. Before heading to sleep, your mind will wander as you forget any discomfort and watch the sky illuminate with a million stars above. This is the part that’s really worthwhile.

If you’re traveling somewhere arid like Morocco or Jordan, there’s no better recommendation than to just embrace it and head right into the desert… with a guide of course. It may not always be comfortable, but it is certainly a fascinating and thought provoking way to pass a few days of vacation. Have you ever slept in the desert? Tell us about it on Facebook or in the comments section below! (Can’t see the comments? Click here for the link: How to Sleep in the Desert)

Podcasting in the Park. Photo by Author.

Travel is usually mentally stimulating enough, but sometimes you might find yourself bored with relaxing and completing basic tasks. After more than a week of real relaxation, I am eager to learn anything, whether it be numbers, news, vocabulary, or science.

Of course, on vacation, your best option is to head out to a historical site, cathedral, or to simply take a walk down the street. However, if you’re bound to a resort, recharging for a day, or just looking for a more structured way to learn, and you’ve got an iPod or other mp3 player, here’s your boredom solution:

The Podcast

While most people have heard of Podcasts, most people also don’t realize how to use them to their full potential. If that sounds like you, read on!

What is a Podcast? Podcasts–like those available on iTunes–are FREE audio or visual “channels” available on nearly every subject. From yoga to computer programming to Arabic to biology to French history… there’s a Podcast for that. You can pick almost any topic that interests you!

How to Download iTunes Podcasts? Go to the “iTunes” store, and type in a keyword in the upper righthand corner to browse your options. Find the channels you want, then “subscribe” to the channel.  After you’ve done this, the channel should appear in your Library on the left hand side of your iTunes under the “Podcasts” tab. Click through the episodes and download the ones that most interest you. Sync ‘em up with your iPod, and there you go!

Next time you’re bored on the beach (yes, it is possible), pull out your iPod for a lesson on natural resource depletion or a video on the history of the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza for a little bit of education to re-engage your uber relaxed brain.

Do you use Podcasts? What channels do you recommend? Tell us about it in the comments section below! (Click here if you cannot see the comments for: Learning on the Road with Podcasts)

Image Provided by Flickr user Nick Ares

Ok, you know the feeling. You’re sleeping, probably having great dreams about skipping through lavender fields, puppies, and Ryan Gosling as your own personal cabana boy (wait sorry that’s just me). Then slowly the sunlight hits your eyelids and you’re jerked away from your state of bliss – and into a state of panic. Your heart drops as you reach for your phone to realize – it happened – you missed your flight.

Groannnnn… (insert every curse word you know)

And it’s not as if you are making a solid attempt to be there, ie: running for the gate “Home Alone“ style, boarding pass in hand screaming “I’m coming” as your name is being called out over the intercom.

No.

You are in bed while the plane you should be on is flying over Nebraska. Why Nebraska? Because this literally just happened to me. I was visiting a friend and we BOTH over slept!!!! I didn’t barely miss my flight, I full on missed it. What was the result? I dished out over $200 to get back to CO so I could make it to work on time that night.

Not cool.

So here’s my advice:

1)   DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT! Just kidding – but really, don’t do it. Set two alarms if you have them.

2)   Accept It – It happened, it’s annoying, but get your head together, you have somewhere to go.

3)   Act quickly – Get on the phone with an airline rep and know your options. Some airlines will give you a 2-hour grace period if you have had car issues – ie: flat tire, broken down, etc. The next flight out might be 30 minutes away and the one after that might require an overnight stay.

4)   Be Patient – The airline rep wants to help and is trying his or her best to get you on a plane, so be NICE.

5)   Understand – If you booked your flight through a service like bobscheapflights.com, a low-cost european airline, one time charter flight deal, etc, you’re probably going to have to just suck it up and pay for a new flight.

6)   Accept It – Yes, I know that I already said it but it’s true. Flip the situation and choose to see it as a vacation extension.

7) Think Outside the Box – If time is of the essence and there are no more flights out or it’s ludicrously expensive, don’t forget to check into trains, buses, car rentals, ride sharing websites, ferry boats, etc.

We’ve all missed flights before and every situation is different. At the time it can be frustrating but on the positive side, there’s always a good story to tell. What did you do? Do you have a funny story to share? Tell us about it in the comments below! (Click here if you can’t see comments: You Missed Your Flight – Now What?)