The Best Travel Advice We've Ever Heard

culled from:oprah.com

Stay at Hotels in Business Districts for Lower Weekend Rates

In many cities, business travel drives hotel prices on certain days of the week. In New York City's Financial District, hotel occupancy and rates are high from Monday through Thursday nights. But once the business travelers leave, hotels in the Financial District have increased availability, making a Friday through Sunday getaway much more affordable. This same trend applies to cities coast-to-coast, according to the experts at Travelzoo.

 

Carry Dried Gingerroot

To combat seasickness on a cruise, try popping 1,000 milligrams of dried gingerroot (available in health food stores) before setting sail and, if necessary, again four hours later”, says Robert Stern, PhD, who has studied the physiological bases for motion sickness.  

Update Your Packing List

Organizing expert Julie Morgenstern suggests storing lists of essentials for each type of trip (e.g. business overnight, one-week island vacation) in your suitcase so they're easy to find. Edit each time you travel, deleting things you didn't need, and adding what you wished you had. 

 

Look for Midweek Flight Deals

Tuesday afternoon is the best time to look for airfare sales, says Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, editor of Minitime.com. Often, an airline will put up a sale on Monday, and by Tuesday afternoon, most other airlines will bring their prices down to match that sale.

  

Dress Smartly

When catching a flight, O's creative director Adam Glassman wears an easy-fitting sweater and pants, plus slip-on shoes, which save time at security checkpoints. And dodge scary airline blankets by wrapping yourself in a scarf.

 

Eat Like a Local

Avoid pricey tourist traps by eating at neighborhood restaurants where the locals eat, says Pauline Frommer of the Frommer's travel guides. Go up to someone on the street and ask where they would eat. If you're in a country that speaks another language, avoid places with menus in English. And never ask a hotel for recommendations: They're often paid to drive customers to certain restaurants.  

Keep your Pet Calm During a Flight

Pack something soft in the crate with your scent on it, such as a T-shirt you've worn for a few hours. This can be very reassuring to your pet during during the hours of loud noises and bumping. 

 

Get Cultured

Eat plenty of yogurt while on vacation to ensure you have a healthy balance of intestinal flora to help fend off invading bacteria from the food or environment in a new place. Also, yogurt is a great source of protein and, with a little bit of fat, it will help you stave off hunger pangs as a midmorning or afternoon snack.  

Learn How to Avoid the Crowds

No one is saying don't go to Disney World. Just don't go when everyone else is, says travel expert Peter Greenberg. Historically, the busiest days for the Magic Kingdom are Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Epcot peaks on Tuesday and Friday; Hollywood Studios on Sunday and Wednesday; and the Animal Kingdom on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Translation: Start your week on Tuesday at the Magic Kingdom, followed by Epcot, then Hollywood Studios and end your trip on Saturday at Animal Kingdom (while the rest of the crowd is still in line to see Mickey).

Know the Rules

Memorize the 3-1-1 rule for acceptable carry-on luggage: 3-ounce bottles or less, in a one quart plastic bag, one bag per passenger at the checkpoint. If you have to bring a medical exception to the 3-1-1 rule, declare the item, which will then be inspected and most likely allowed through. 

 

Get the Best Deal on a Hotel

When booking a hotel, Travel expert Peter Greenberg suggests calling the local number, not the 800 line, which is frequently a clearinghouse that reserves rooms at higher rates. For a good night's sleep, ask for a room far from any construction in progress. For a strong shower, request a room on a floor with booster pumps (often used to increase water pressure). And inquire whether the hotel has a two- or four-pipe heating system—four-pipe systems let you control the temperature of your room.