Internet While Abroad

Use the internet to search for lodging, sights, reviews and stay in touch with family.

Cantillon Brewery

Cantillon Brewery

I think old machinery is interesting.

The Hague - Den Haag

 Binnenhof and Mauritshuis

Mauritshuis

those gifts can break your back

Gifts, gifts, gifts! Many have suffered from carrying that perfect gift thousands of miles for weeks and have the spinal damage to prove it. We should not neglect our family and friends but try to find gifts which do not weigh us down. International postage can be high, but many countries have a special book rate which allows book shipment at a relatively cheap cost. Find a book then write a special note, poem, or draw in the book making it a distinct and unique gift. Then ship it directly to the person you would like to receive the gift. A postcard, once mailed, is a gift you do not have to trudge across numerous borders. Your back will thank me for this advice. Please, comment and share any ideas you might have!

oh the burden of gifts

Another great way to travel light is to bring a couple gifts which are slightly larger and greater in number than the gifts you intend to bring home. Your bag will feel heavy and full with a couple bottles of local wine/local history books/regional gifts in it. When these gifts are given to other travelers or locals, you will notice your pack quickly lightening with each new friendship. Replace these gifts with smaller and lighter gifts for yourself or a family member back home. This will lighten your bag and create more room at the same time. Please, feel free to comment as you wish and happy traveling!

the weight of literature

Books are one of the many items required for your trip. Rather than 5 or 6 travel/phrase books look for one or two books which combine several countries or regions. Additionally, instead of 5 or 6 phrase books bring one which encompasses a large collection of languages. Rather than 15 pounds of literature in your backpack, you can significantly reduce this weight by bringing only the few books necessary. Even consider using a razor blade to surgically remove the undesired parts. Why carry around literature on countries you will not visit and languages you will not use? Please feel free to comment and post any travel suggestions you might have.

tips for medication while travelling

This safety tip is one to guard us from mistakes made by ourselves and the airlines. If you take prescription medication contact your doctor requesting an extra refill months before departing. Pack the prescriptions separately, one in your carry-on and one in your checked luggage. If your checked luggage gets lost you still have medication while the airline recovers your luggage. If you misplace the one in your carry-on, then just dig in your checked bag until you find a full prescription. Basically, never shall the two bottles of medication meet. This will not only guard your health, but keep you safe from attempting to get a prescription in a land where you might not speak the tongue and or where pharmaceuticals are not exactly the same as your home country. Consider doing the same with prescription glasses. Please, comment if you would like and travel safe.