I had no idea. None. Dental floss has about a thousand uses for the backpackin’, hostel-stayin’, clever-like-MacGyver traveler. To save you a scroll through the comments, here are a few of the most ingenious ones.
I’ve used it as a clothes line. Seriously. - Anna
Plain floss is excellent for things like cutting cheese. - Shanna
Joining my [...]
Friday, April 11, 2008 | travel tips | 1 Comment
Everyone has their own method of trip planning. If you’re my mom, you start eight months in advance, starting with the Internet, then advancing to the aisles at Barnes and Noble, selectively gathering phrase books and travel guides. If you’re my friend Neil, you just show up somewhere, say, Czechoslovakia, and hope for the best. [...]
Thursday, March 6, 2008 | advice, travel tips | 6 Comments
Leaving Rome was a wee bit on the traumatic side. Not only because I felt so comfortable there (my hostel was outstanding, the people I met were even more outstanding), but because I was headed for Napoli. And I had not been hearing good things. My guidebook said that Napoli was a wonderful, spirited city, [...]
Friday, December 28, 2007 | general, travel tips | 3 Comments
Thanks so much for the really insightful questions. I’ve tried to lump your questions into common categories, so that I can answer them thoroughly and quickly (not an easy feat with jet lag!). It seems like money is one of the biggest unknowns in planning a trip abroad. So, let’s start there.
How much did I [...]
Monday, November 26, 2007 | money matters, travel tips | 4 Comments
Spain: You don’t gotta. In nicer restaurants, it’s appropriate to leave 5-10%, but skip it at bars and such (the management often keeps the tips). If you feel bad not tipping, just some extra change. A Euro or less will still be more than totally sufficient.
Italy: You won’t see the locals do it, and you [...]
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 | travel tips | 11 Comments
The hostel website encouraged us to take the airbus from Heathrow to King’s Cross. Fast! Convenient! Scenic!
My friends, the airbus does not exist. At least, not anymore. Good thing London’s Underground is just as conveniently located at Heathrow airport, costs not too terribly much (though compared to New York City’s subway, it’s exorbitant), and goes [...]
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 | travel tips | 2 Comments
Heading out of the country? Leave a copy of your passport with someone who’s staying behind. You never know when it will come in handy. It’s wise to carry a copy with you as well - stash it somewhere in your luggage or in the hotel safe (or hostel locker) while you’re out seeing the [...]
Thursday, October 4, 2007 | travel tips | 6 Comments
Even the most careful traveler can have his or her credit card swiped. And having been in that situation, I know that the only thing worse than the panic of being robbed is the panic of not being able to do a thing about it.
Lose your credit card? Try to cancel it. Go ahead. [...]
Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | travel tips | 2 Comments
17 countries. 6 weeks. And one pair of underwear.
That’s what it says on the package, anyway. And what’s inside is a pair of fast-drying, lightweight underwear - wash ‘em out at night, wear ‘em again the next day. They’re comfortable, save a bunch of room in your pack, and actually, are a whole lot sexier [...]
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | travel tips | 4 Comments
