The Practiced Traveler

I know that travel tips have been done to death, but I can't resist sharing a few of my own. I promise things will get more interesting once I actually get there!

- When packing, dump all of your underwear and socks in one of those travel roll up space bags or an oversized Ziploc. Squeeze the air out and then you can cram this in your suitcase wherever it fits, because who cares if your underwear is wrinkled? Then, bring a second space/Ziploc bag to hold your dirty clothes as they accumulate. Again, this can be squeezed and crammed. A side benefit to this method is that your underwear won't spill out everywhere when the TSA opens your luggage to inspect it.

- It's kind of embarrassing to fumble around with foreign money, trying to distinguish the unfamiliar coins while you're holding up the gelato line. This time, I'm bringing a little double-wide change purse so I can separate the two- and one-euro coins from all the smaller denominations.

- Stuff a bunch of energy bars in your carry-on. That way, you're not beholden to the airline food cart. I actually stash a bunch in my suitcase too (or buy some when I get there) so I can carry a few around while sightseeing. As a solo traveler, I like to have the option of scarfing one of these instead of sitting down to a meal all by my lonesome.

- Speaking of that: for many, food and restaurant experiences are half (or more) of the fun of travel. I'm totally on board with that, but as a solo traveler, I'm plenty intimidated about having a fancy meal by myself in a fancy restaurant. After all, whose eyes am I going to gaze into from across the candlelit table? I tend to favor informal cafes, but even so, it's rather awkward to sit there alone, and there are only so many times you can read the brochure from that last museum you visited. The answer? Carry a small notebook and pen with you. Sitting at a cafe sipping your limonata or vino is the perfect time to jot down notes on what you've seen and what you want to remember. And if you're bent over your notebook, nobody can see the big L plastered across your forehead.

-Bring a small length of cable, looped at each end (you can make this yourself using items from the hardware store), and a padlock . Use this to lock your bag or backpack to something if need be (I once stayed in a hostel where the sleeping was dormitory style, so I secured my bag to the bed when I went out sightseeing).

- Better yet: don't stay at a hostel. OK, I take that back. My hostel experience was pretty dismal, but I understand that these days, many hostels are being re-vamped and can offer the solo or family traveler a great experience. But do your due diligence before committing to a hostel stay!

- Stow a toothbrush, pair of underwear and other essentials in your carry-on . Last time I traveled to Europe, my checked luggage and I did not arrive simultaneously. Although I was able to shower at my hotel, I had no clean clothes and believe me, it's no fun wearing the same clothes you've had on for 15 hours of airplane travel.

- If you're taking the train or other public transportation from town to town, go online ahead of time and get a clue about the schedules and how to buy tickets. Everybody at a train station is in a hurry and there isn't anybody around to hold your hand. Plus, if you look lost and discombobulated, you're an easier target for pickpockets and scammers.

- I was shocked to discover that the airlines do not give you any extra room for long distance flights. Really, it's inhuman. Unless you're lounging around in first class, there is little maneuvering space. Thus, cargo style pants are great for the airplane. They have lots of pockets to stash your passport, your Nano, your boarding pass, a little cash and an energy bar. That way, you don't have to keep rummaging around in your carry on.

- If you're a woman traveling alone and you're going to Great Britain and Ireland, the May / June time-frame is ideal. It stays light until ~10:00 pm, so you can go out to a pub or play and not feel too weird about walking back to your hotel.