With all of the new hassles associated with plane travel, it’s no wonder we all dread going on business trips these days. What used to be an easy trip has turned into a major nuisance. Traveling by plane now means getting to the airport up to two hours in advance, dealing with long lines at check-in, and waiting again in security, sometimes only to find your flight is delayed once you finally make it to the gate. Unfortunately, unless you can find a replacement, there is no way to get around going on your business trip. Although we can’t do anything about unforeseen delays or long security lines, with these smart travel tips you can make sure your next business trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Smart Packing

Your best bet when going on a two or three-day business trip is to pack only the most essential items you know that you will need. You want to pack lightly, efficiently, and quickly. This means thinking ahead about what meetings, events, dinners, or social affairs you will be attending and picking out the intended outfits ahead of time. Not only does this help you pack strategically, but it also makes it that much easier when it is time to dress for the event because you have already decided exactly what you are going to wear!

Smart Luggage

The key to effective packing is using luggage suited for a business trip. There are two types of luggage essential for any business travel. Compact, wheeled luggage that can be taken on the plane as a carry-on is ideal. If you can avoid waiting in line to check your luggage, you can speed-up your check-in process immensely. The second piece of essential luggage is a messenger bag. Normally messenger bags come with a strap that goes across your chest, which means your hands are free and you can easily move through the airport with newspaper and coffee in hand. Its intended purpose is to hold all the items that you want to have easy access to during the flight (i.e. computer, ipod, reading material, etc.). It is truly a must-have for all business travelers!

Smart Travel

There are several ways that you can make your experience go much smoother once you arrive at the airport. Many of these tips are things you can do before even leaving for the airport. Either the night before or the morning of your flight, it is a good idea to check-in online and print your boarding pass from your airline's Web site. As long as you are not checking baggage, this will make it all that much easier when you arrive at your terminal because you will not need to wait in the check-in line and can go directly to security. Follow these simple travel tips and your next business trip will be a breeze.

Labels: business luggage, business trip, packing, travel

Summer is just around the corner and that means the pressure is on – you need to start planning a fun trip for the family! How can you visit several destinations, spend quality time with your kids, and not burn a hole in your wallet all in one simple summer vacation? Take your family on a road trip! It is an adventurous and cost-effective way to explore new places and create lasting memories. Initially you may think the idea of a road trip sounds a bit daunting, but with a little advanced planning and forethought, your road trip is bound to be a success. Of foremost importance is effective packing. By using the simple packing tips below, you can ensure a stress-free, fun-filled road trip for the entire family!

1. Make a List

As simple as it sounds, making a list of all of the items that you want to bring with you is the first step in packing wisely. Since it is so easy to forget even the most essential items (i.e. toothbrush, bathing suits, socks, underwear, etc.), it is best if this list is as complete and comprehensive as possible. Making a list like this has two benefits. First, writing items down often helps you think of other essential items you might otherwise have neglected to pack while also helping you weed out those non-essentials that would simply have wasted space. Second, making a list guarantees nothing is forgotten. To that end, items should only be crossed off the list once they have actually been placed in the duffle bag.

2. Duffle Bags for Everyone!

One of the most dreaded parts about preparing for a long road trip with the whole family is figuring out how everything will actually fit in the car! One of the most common pitfalls people run into when preparing for a road trip is not using the right type of luggage. The best rule to follow is to allow each family member to bring one suitcase (not including an easily accessible daypack). You may think that this will be impossible, but if you use luggage well suited for this type of trip it should not be a problem. The most optimal type of luggage for a road trip is a duffle bag. Expandable duffle bags are the best because they allow you to hold more stuff if needed while retaining flexibility. If you can find wheeled duffle bags and/or wheeled backpacks, these are even better because rather than straining your back carrying luggage to and from the car each time you visit a new destination, you can wheel it. In fact, if your children’s luggage is also on wheels, they can help with this carrying their own bags.

3. Loading the Trunk

Once everything has actually been packed and the bags are zipped and ready to go, it is time to load it all into the trunk of the car. This may seem like an intimidating task, but it is doable. The best way to go about it is to load up everything the day before so you have plenty of time to make any necessary adjustments. The heaviest and largest items should go in first and be placed as far forward in the cargo area as possible. The lighter items should go on top, but you will want to make sure that your belongings are not packed so high that they impair your rear visibility. Most importantly, keep all essentials (i.e. emergency aid kit, maps, flashlight, and miscellaneous supplies) in the most accessible area of your trunk. This will allow you to access those items in an emergency without unpacking the entire trunk.

Labels: packing tips, road trip, road trip luggage

Are you traveling abroad for the first time? Are you already starting to feel anxious about the big trip? No need to worry! Traveling abroad does not need to be anxiety provoking. Although you may hear horror stories associated with international travel, with these helpful suggestions your first trip abroad will be a stress-free adventure full of life-long memories and unforgettable experiences.

Plan Ahead

Since you are going to a foreign country, one thing you must have is a valid passport. All people traveling from country to country must have a passport because this acts as your official identification as a citizen of the US. One of the worst scenarios people run into on the day of their departure is looking at their passport only to discover that it expired the month before and is no longer valid. Passports are issued by the Department of State and are good for a period of 10 years. It is for this reason people often forget to check when their passport expires. It is imperative you verify that your passport is still valid well in advance of your scheduled departure date. If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you will need to do this in person at any office of the U.S. Passport Agency or through one of the several thousand federal or state courts or U.S. post offices authorized to accept passport applications. If you are renewing an expired passport, you can do it by mail. Most importantly, however, is allowing enough time for your application to be processed since this can sometimes take up to 8 weeks!

Be Smart

When traveling abroad, it is a good practice to record your passport number and its date of issue and put these details in a secure place separate from your actual passport. It is also advisable to make a photocopy of your passport (usually inside the back cover) and leave this with a friend or family member who will not be traveling with you. Although you will have your actual passport with you at all times during the trip, it is also good to take one other form of photo ID with you. This normally would be your driver’s license. If you take these added precautions, you will be able to handle any unexpected mishaps that come at you like a veteran IT (international traveler).

Travel Safe

Lastly, for added security when traveling abroad, it is smart to use TSA locks on your luggage. Every passenger’s baggage is screened before it is loaded onto the airplane. Sometimes this screening process entails physically inspecting a piece of luggage. You may have heard one consequence of this type of thorough inspection means that you cannot lock your luggage anymore because the locks will be cut. However, this is no longer accurate. TSA locks have been developed to address this issue specifically. These locks can be opened by security officers using a universal master key. Using TSA locks means you can secure your baggage without violating TSA regulations. These locks are a great way to protect your belongings while you are traveling abroad.

Follow these tips and you will have an enjoyable travel experience.

Labels: passport, travel, travel abroad, Travel Luggage

The cost of airfare has been rising steadily, and even with the price of gas hitting record highs, more families are taking mini vacations closer to home. Hitting the road when the mood strikes is a fun way to spend time with the family, and being flexible enough to take last-minute trips shows kids the value of being spontaneous.

Sound like fun? Of course, but children have short attention spans and this can make long road trips difficult for everyone. Pack a few activities for the children to play with on the road, and be prepared to make frequent stops – to stretch, grab a bite to eat, or use public restrooms. No matter what, don’t throw the kids and their Disney luggage into the family van and expect to drive eight hours straight just to make good time. You’ll be in for quite a surprise.

Get the Kids Involved in Planning

Involve kids when mapping out the road trip. Make a list of local sites you want to see and then make a list of sites that appeal to the children. Ask for their input and don’t forget about natural sights they might enjoy. If you’re driving down the coast of Florida, you’ll likely see alligator farms and a multitude of orange groves. Wouldn’t the children love to feed a gator or pick their own fruit? You bet.

Let the Kids Pack Their Own Luggage

While it may not be practical to put the kids in charge of packing their suitcases, they can certainly help. Let them know what the weather will be like and how many outfits they will need. If children can pick their own outfits and pack them in a fun Disney luggage set, they will feel very grown up, and the sense of involvement they get will add to the excitement of the journey.

To get younger kids involved, lay out a variety of outfits and let them narrow down the choices, or tell them they can pick out something on their own, like two pairs of shoes or two sweatshirts, for example. When packing younger children’s suitcases, let them watch you fold and place their clothing inside – eventually they’ll be doing it themselves, and younger kids love to watch and learn.

Keep Them Busy

Thanks to technology, it’s easy to put on a kids movie in the car, but don’t rely on movies for the entire trip. Children tire of doing the same thing and the goal is to keep them happy so adults can enjoy the ride. Playing simple games that involve the whole family and get kids to notice their surroundings are a safe bet. You can look for out-of-state license plates or see who can be the first to find the whole alphabet on billboards. These types of activities will keep kids engaged and create a memorable bonding experience for the whole family.

Don’t Forget the Snacks

Snack-size bags of chips or cookies, fresh fruit, juice boxes, and string cheese are all easy to take with you. Bring a small cooler if you have one, too. You can pack more snacks this way and avoid paying high prices at rest stops for vending machine junk. Sharing homemade popcorn in the family car or van is also a nice way to kick off the road trip.

Frequent Stops Are a Must

Incorporate a few extra hours of driving time into your daily itinerary for restroom breaks, sit-down meals, and unexpected “detours.” If kids see a sign that reads “Buffalo Preserve – Next Left,” making an unplanned stop to see the buffalo will add to the fun for everyone. The little detour may even turn out to be a high point of the trip - you never know. Stay flexible and open to seeing a variety of sights.

Creative Loading

It’s inevitable. At some point during the course of a road trip, someone in the family (usually kids, but sometimes adults, too!) will need to retrieve something from their luggage. If you’ve packed all the luggage tightly into the trunk, you’re going to have a problem finding things on the fly. Load your vehicle carefully and keep frequently used items in the front of the car for convenient access. Kids will feel better with their favorite Disney luggage tucked away at their feet, knowing they can reach for their stuffed animals, books, and toys whenever they want.

In the end, getting your kids involved in your vacation is easy – and keeping them comfortable along the way has a lot to do with your planning. Give kids a chance to be responsible, buy them a fun luggage set online to keep things exciting, bring along car activities and snacks, and keep items kids will access frequently in the front of the car. Once on the road, you may be surprised with all there is to do is see in your home state.

Labels: Disney Luggage, luggage, luggage online

Most of us were warned never to talk to strangers as a kid. As an adult, you have probably repeated the age-old adage to the children in your family. “Safety” is the watchword these days and mostly for the right reasons, but while on vacation, it can be healthy to loosen up a little and allow yourself to meet new people.

“Loosening up” on vacation doesn’t mean you have to talk to everyone who crosses your path, but striking up conversations with fellow travelers and friendly locals can help create the ultimate travel experience. Travel should be an adventure, but you can miss a lot unless you interact with those around you.

Start at the Beginning

On a recent flight to Europe, one young man boarded the plane as usual, stowing his TravelPro luggage under the seat, and quickly turning on his iPod. He planned to spend the entire flight listening to music, but an hour later, the woman across the aisle nudged him.

“Are you going to Germany?” she asked, pointing toward the seat in front of him where a travel brochure was peeking out of his TravelPro luggage. When he confirmed his destination, they struck up a conversation that ended with the woman giving him the name and phone number of her relatives in Germany, people she said would be happy to treat him to dinner and take him on a tour.

Imagine if he had never had the conversation?

Talk to your seatmates whenever possible. Find out where they’re going and where they’ve been. You may not snag a phone number or dinner invitation, but you may gain a lifelong friend or pen pal. At the very least, you’ll enjoy a pleasant conversation and learn something you’d be hard-pressed to learn any other way.

Approach Locals

When traveling in a foreign land, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most people take pride in their home and are happy to share information with tourists – and locals usually give much more interesting answers than tour guides do. Talk to bartenders in pubs, waiters in sidewalk cafés, and shopkeepers. Go where locals go and spend less time visiting flashy tourist sites. Visit local corner stores and restaurants, the kind that have been run by the same family for generations. Engaging this way promises a memorable and more authentic travel experience.

One last tip: While visiting local spots and enjoying the ambience, you may want to blend in to get a more natural feel for your destination. People may realize you are not a local, but most appreciate if you leave your loud Hawaiian shirt and Chanel sunglasses back at the hotel in your TravelPro luggage. If you dress like a native, sit down at the local watering hole to enjoy a regional drink (nothing with an umbrella in it, please), and keep an open mind, eventually you’ll find yourself making new memories with new friends. What more could you want?

Labels: how to prepare for vacations, innovation luggage, luggage, travel, TravelPro Luggage