Travel sickness prevention: proven tips for planes, cars & boats
Motion sickness doesn’t have to derail your trip. Choose smoother seats (wing seats on planes, mid-ship low deck on boats, front/window in cars), face forward, fix your gaze on the horizon, get cool fresh air, and avoid heavy meals and alcohol. Try ginger, or for tougher cases, consider meclizine/dimenhydrinate or a scopolamine patch (test before travel and ask your doctor). Pack water, salty snacks, wipes, and a sick-bag so you’re ready for anything.
Traveling where you don’t speak the language? 8 traveler-tested communication tips
Know how to get understood anywhere without speaking the language: learn a handful of key phrases (“hello,” “please,” “thank you,” “I need help,” “where is…?”), speak slowly and simply, use pointing/maps and photos, lean on a paper phrasebook or offline translator, write things down (numbers/addresses), carry your hotel card, and mind respectful etiquette—a smile helps more than you’d think.
Jet lag prevention guide: flights, hydration, caffeine & smart naps
Beat jet lag like a pro. Pre-adjust your sleep 2–3 days before travel, pick flights that help you sleep, switch your watch to destination time on board, and use light exposure to shift your body clock (morning light eastbound, late-day light westbound). Time small doses of melatonin, hydrate, limit alcohol, move often, and keep arrival-day naps under 30 minutes.
How to find free (and clean) toilets when you travel—real-world tips
Paying to pee on your trip? Here’s how to find free, clean restrooms—Nette Toilette signs, city auto-clean units, museum/hotel hacks, timing your stops, and must-carry essentials.
How to choose the best sunscreen: your no-nonsense sunscreen guide
Not sure which sunscreen to buy — or how to use it? This guide breaks down SPF (30–50 sweet spot), UVA protection (look for “broad-spectrum” and UV filters), mineral vs. chemical filters, water resistance, UPF clothing, expiration dates, and reef safety.
Best insect repellent for travel: what works and how to use it
Confused by insect repellents? This traveler’s guide compares DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE/PMD), explains concentrations and reapplication, when to choose each (mosquitoes vs. ticks), how to pair skin repellents with permethrin-treated clothing, and what to pack for trips from tropics to trails.
Travel medical kit: What to pack in your first-aid kit
Build a travel medical kit you’ll actually use. This guide covers the essentials—bandages, blister care, antiseptic, pain/fever, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal, oral rehydration salts, motion-sickness aids, and personal prescriptions—plus TSA/carry-on rules, labeling, spares for daypacks, and simple ways to organize everything.
Hotel room hacks for those annoying lights and gaping curtains
Annoying hotel room lights stealing your sleep? This guide shows practical, packable fixes: use pant-hanger clips, pillows, towels, menus, and a small roll of duct tape to close curtain gaps, block TV/microwave LEDs, cover thermostat/sensor indicator lights (never disable devices), and stop light leaking under doors. Bonus tricks for sheer windows (eye shades, emergency blanket, cardboard) and motion-sensor bathrooms.
Travel sleep kit essentials: eye mask, earplugs, neck pillow, and pro tips
Great trip sleep starts before you board. Build a compact travel sleep kit—quality eye mask, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, supportive neck pillow, and comfy layers—then pair it with science-backed tactics. Control light (mask/sunglasses), manage noise, hydrate, and time sleep to destination. Pro tips to dramatically reduce jet lag and help you arrive ready.
How to survive flight delays and cancellations: apps, backup routes & rights
Flights go sideways—delays, cancellations, even “missing crew.” This practical guide shows how to stack the odds in your favor: book morning nonstops with sane connections, track flights in the airline app, prep backup routes, travel carry-on, and use multiple rebooking channels (app + gate agent + phone). Pack a “delay kit,” be kind but firm, and know when you’re owed a refund or hotel/meal help so you get moving again—without losing your cool.
How to avoid traveler’s diarrhea: food & water safety tips that work
Don’t let travel diarrhea ruin your trip. Follow simple food-and-water rules (sealed drinks, no ice, cook/peel it), choose busy vendors cooking to order, wash/sanitize hands often, and pack a small kit (oral rehydration salts, antidiarrheal, doctor-advised meds). Know red flags—fever, blood, dehydration—and when to see a pro.
What to bring on a hike: 11 essentials for any trail
Head out prepared. This guide breaks down the 11 hiking essentials—navigation (map/app + power), hydration & treatment, calories, insulation and rain shell, first-aid, illumination, fire/repair kit, emergency shelter, sun/bug protection, and smart comms (whistle/phone/PLB)—with tips to adapt for season and terrain anywhere in the world.
How to pick the best airplane seat (for any flight)
Choosing the right airplane seat starts with your priorities—sleep, legroom, quick exit, or views—then matching them to the specific aircraft’s seat map. Use expert maps and reviews to spot quiet rows (away from galleys/lavs), fixed-armrest bulkheads, and exit-row trade-offs; pitch/width and recline vary widely by airline and plane.
Why I hate ticks (and how to avoid tick bites)
I hate ticks—for good reasons. This practical guide explains the risks and shares what actually works to avoid bites: treat clothes with permethrin, use DEET or picaridin on skin, stick to trails, do full-body checks, shower soon after, and remove ticks properly with fine-tipped tweezers.
Immunizations you need: Important vaccinations for travel
Not sure which travel immunizations you need? This guide breaks down routine vs. recommended vs. required vaccines, why to plan shots 4–6 weeks before departure, and when you’ll need a yellow-fever ICVP—plus smart tips for checking CDC/WHO guidance and visiting a travel clinic.
Packing for a road trip: accessories, organization, & easy meals
Learn how to pack for a cleaner, safer, better-fed road trip—think dashboard phone mount, a foil emergency blanket, flashlight/headlamp/lantern, and simple organizers for cables, snacks and a cooler-based **“travel kitchen.” Get quick ideas for tidy trunks, safer night stops, and stress-free meals between drives.
What to drink at German Christmas markets: from glühwein to feuerzangenbowle
Confused by Christmas-market drinks? This quick guide explains the classics—Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle—alongside Eierpunsch, Lumumba (hot cocoa + rum), Kinderpunsch and regional punches. Learn what “mit Schuss” means, how the refundable mug deposit (Pfand) works, and find tasty alcohol-free options so everyone can toast the season.