You may remember a post I wrote last spring about sunglasses and how different tint types are better for different activities. The new interchangeable lens sunglasses from Smith Interlock allow you to have them all. There are a variety of frames to choose from and 14 different lens tints including polarized versions which pop in and out. Both come with a lifetime guaranty.

Frames from $139, Lenses from $20 Smith Interlock

Source: Sky

Tired of dragging your heavy luggage from Point A to Point B? Why not ship it? Luggage Free is a baggage delivery service that will pick your suitcase up from your home or office and transport it to nearly any destination worldwide. Price is determined by weight, delivery location and time frame. It’s not as expensive as you may think, especially if you are travelling domestically.

Source: Hemispheres

You may have heard of Google Books, a resource the search engine has added in their quest to put all things on the internet. Working with several major libraries they have begun scanning books and making them available in limited or full versions online, including many travel books and guides. Just type in the the name of the place you are visiting followed by the word guide in their search box and all available books will be displayed. If you decide you’d like to purchase one of the books or borrow it from a library, Google will offer links for both options.

Google Books

Source: Sherman’s Travel

On my last international flight I noticed a young boy traveling alone. During the journey, I looked over at him periodically and was troubled by some of the things I saw going on. Based on the experience, I have some recommendations for parents whose children have to fly solo.

1. Prepare your child for the flight. Take off his coat before he boards the plane and prepare any carry-ons for easy access during the ride. The child I saw was left with his jacket on for the duration of the 8 hour flight. If his mother had taken it off and given it to a flight attendant I think he would have been more comfortable.

2. Give the child something to do while he travels. I recommend filling a small bag with some toys and activity books as well as a personal DVD player or portable video game console. The boy I flew with had nothing to do during his trip and the poor man next to him kept giving him a paper and pen to try and occupy his time.

3. Communicate any dietary needs and if the child is finicky, pack food for him. The child on my flight was a picky eater and the flight attendants gave him cookies and chips to keep him quiet. One stewardess even gave him a Coca-Cola because she thought it was cute that he asked for one. I’d hate to be the person putting him to bed that night!!

4. Have a talk about appropriate behavior. The boy on my flight, with nothing to do, spent a lot of time hitting the man next to him and kicking the seat in front of him. He didn’t seem like a bad kid, I think he was just bored and didn’t know any better. I also saw his seat neighbor take him to the bathroom which I found a bit disturbing as he was a random stranger. Parents should make it clear to their children that they should call a flight attendant if they need any assistance during the ride, especially if they need to use the bathroom.

Kids can and do fly alone all the time but parents should understand that flight attendants are not babysitters. It’s important that children are given the tools and knowledge they will need in order to have a happy and safe journey.

Next time you travel, use the Universal Packing List so you don’t forget any of the essentials. Fill in key information about your trip using their interactive menus and the website will create a custom checklist of recommended items to pack. In addition, you will receive some smart tips to follow before you leave to make sure you are well prepared for your journey.

While a visit to a spa is a logical addition to a relaxing vacation, many people are too intimidated or even afraid to go. I often get asked questions about spa etiquette and treatments so I decided to post a few tips for the apprehensive.

1. Start Simple - I always tell people that they should arrange a simple treatment for their first spa visit. A standard massage is a good start but if you are nervous about being touched or being exposed, try starting with a shorter treatment that only involves the waist up. Do not go for a body wrap if you are claustrophobic.

2. Ask Questions – When you book your appointment, find out what kind of facility you will be visiting. Sometimes there is a gym or a steam room to use before treatments. Often there is a relaxation room where you can chill out and have a drink and snack before and after. Many spas request you check in 15-30 minutes before your allotted time and some even require you take a shower there. Also, you can always request a male or female therapist so be sure to ask for whoever you will feel most comfortable with. Early morning or late evening appointments during the week are the best if you want to avoid sharing the locker room and the amenities with too many other guests.

3. Preparation = Comfort – Many spa phobias are related to body issues. Trust me, therapists have seen every body type under the sun and they are going to be ok with yours. The most important rule to ensuring the comfort of the therapist and yourself is to be clean. Shower before a body treatment, make sure your nails are clipped and clean and if you need to shave, try to do it at least a few hours before so your skin won’t be too sensitive to anything applied during your visit.

4. Speak up – Before a treatment, be sure to tell the therapist about any injuries or issues you have. You can also mention any concerns or fears. If you’d rather they avoid touching a certain area or you’d prefer to keep your undergarments on, just let them know. Likewise, if you want them to focus on a body part, they are usually happy to comply with such requests.

5. Relax – Remember that spas are there to help you unwind and relieve stress. The employees want you to be comfortable. People who work in spas are usually very friendly, kind and helpful. They want you to leave feeling refreshed and happy so you’ll recommend them to others and return yourself.

Storing digital photographs on CDs is a great way to preserve your memories but, if you want them last, there are some things to keep in mind. Archival CDs are more expensive, but more durable as their information layer is made of gold instead of a silver alloy. Discs should always be stored in plastic cases, away from extreme temperatures and handled only by touching their outer rim or inner hole. Also, it’s better to print labels instead of writing on the discs to prevent damaging them. With proper care and handling, your images will last 25-100 years!

Source: Martha Stewart Living

Sometimes we find ourselves in remote areas even within the United States that leave us with no service on our cellphones. For me this is part of the allure of travel, but when you are with a companion or group it can be stressful if you are separated and unable to communicate. In cases like these, Walkie-Talkies are an inexpensive and efficient solution. You can easy find a cheap set but always be sure to check the range and durability of a brand before purchasing and be sure it will fit your needs.

Wired Magazine recently posted reviews of 4 models with ranges of 10-17 miles and prices from $60-$149 per pair. You can read them here:

Wired Walkie-Talkie Reviews

Personally, I never check my bag unless the airline I’m flying forces me to. My luggage was lost once and it ruined my trip so I do my best never to let that happen again. Still, many airlines, especially those flying overseas have gotten very strict and sometimes it can’t be avoided. When you must check, there are certain things you can do to help avoid a luggage catastrophe.

-Make sure you have updated I.D. tags on both the inside and outside of your bag. You should also pack a copy of your itinerary and cell phone number inside so you can be contacted and hopefully retrieve your belongings during your trip.

-Get to the airport on time. Remember that your bag needs plenty of time to be tagged and travel to your plane. Be sure to check with your airline for recommended check in times and during peak travel seasons add at least 30 minutes to that. I once had a bag left off a plane at Christmas time because they didn’t have room!

-Use a TSA approved lock. For security reasons you should definitely lock your bags, but you want to be sure the Transportation Security Administration can get it open if they decide to search it. If they can’t, they’ll break it open. Just make sure all locks are marked TSA compatible when you buy them.

-Have a good description ready to go. Make up a list of everything inside your bag so you’ll be able to fill out any compensation forms if it gets lost. It’s also a good idea to take a pictures of your bags with your digital camera so you can print out copies for the airline if they are trying to find them.

-Get insurance. If you are carrying anything valuable, you absolutely should get baggage insurance. Some airlines and most credit cards offer this. If you are purchasing insurance for your whole trip, it may be included in the package.

-Track it. This is for the truly paranoid…and rich! The new Worldtrak device which sells for $499 is a GPS instrument made to be slipped into your luggage. You can log on to their website and track the location of your bag anywhere in the world!

Source: Travel and Leisure

Sometimes it makes sense to bring your pet along on trip. After all, who better to share an adventure with than your furry or feathery best friend? (Also they have a tendency to destroy property when lonely and displeased…)

If you are planning a vacation with your pet, there are some important things to consider:

Tag them: Nothing would be worse than losing your little friend in a strange and unfamiliar location, but if they are found tagged with your cell phone number, you have a much greater chance of a happy reunion.

Call ahead: If you are flying with a pet, the airlines require you to clear it with them ahead of time. They also charge a pet fee which varies and require a certificate of health from a vet no more than 7-10 days old. Make sure to check with any hotels you are staying at for their rules involving companion animals.

Take a test run: If your pet is going to be travelling in a carrier, let him play in it beforehand by putting treats and toys inside. Practice by taking him on short car trips inside the case and reward him after for good behavior. This will prevent a freak out the morning of a trip.

Time it right: If you are travelling during hot months, try to go early or late at night when the heat won’t be as strong. Do the opposite in cold months. If your pet tends to be skittish, try timing it so he’ll be tired while your moving and may sleep through it.

Ice it: Animals need plenty of water, but you don’t want it spilling or splashing around during transit. Freezing water in a bowl for your pet to lick is a good option.

Source: Allure