Subject:

fundamentals

Long road trips can take a lot out of you. As a kid, every year, twice a year, we'd book it for 7 hours straight to visit our grandparents in Pennsylvania. Highway after highway passed by without a single thing to do. Sure, we'd stop at road-side rest stops and fast-food joints, but otherwise we were glued to our seat.

Big cities have lots to see and many travelers often fall into the trap of trying to see too much, too quickly. If you're going to be staying for several days, it pays to listen to your mom's advice: don't wander too far.

Dear Travellious,
I've been hearing more and more about travel insurance lately, but I'm not quite sure what it is or if it might be useful. Could you clue me in?

Chuck, from Idaho

Trying to keep in touch with the folks back home while abroad can be difficult, if not downright expensive. However, with a little bit of knowledge (and the right kind of mobile phone), you can keep your friends and family abreast of your journeys without going broke.

For Americans traveling to Europe, you may be able to use your mobile while on vacation. While it may seem obvious, it pays to to first do a little bit of research and verify that your phone actually works overseas. Its no fun to get off the plane and realize that your lifeline to the world is cut off while you're away from home.

One of the worst ways travelers can miss out on a great experience is by isolating themselves from the people they are visiting. Granted, it can be daunting to try to muster up the courage to speak to someone on the road, but it can be worth it.
At a loss for words? Start simple, and ask people where they like to eat. Or, ask them the best place to get a famous local dish, that is sure to get a good, if passionate, response.

I'm a big fan of design blogs and for travelers, they are often a great source for shopping advice. One of these stellar design bloggers is Holly Becker of Decor 8. She's lucky enough to have just set up a second home in Hannover, Germany and is documenting the experience of designing a home abroad at her new blog Haus Maus.

Not only does she offer loads of design inspiration and eye candy, but we found a great tidbit of travel advice.....how she beats jetlag.

After looking through guidebooks, reading about cool places to visit, and enduring a long plane ride it's natural to get excited about all the unique people, places, and things you can see on your trip. However, it's also just as easy to start to feel desperation, like you absolutely need to see all the sights. Don't run yourself ragged and turn into a sightseeing robot. Instead, take it a little slower and enjoy where you are.

I'll be the first to admit that when I travel I tend to get a little bit anxious. My triggers are typically planes or trains, or anything else that has a schedule. But you know what, it doesn't really matter if you miss that train...another will come.

Whenever I travel I always end up finding something I want to photograph. Anyone can take a picture, but it takes some skill to capture a photograph that you'll want to look at later. One of my favorite subjects while I'm traveling is the local architecture: churches, houses, or whatever really speaks to the essence of a place. This isn't always easy, as getting that perfect shot can be tricky. I've got a few tips that will help you improve your architectural photos.

Located in southern Thailand, Phuket enjoys the distinction of being both its largest island and its most popular tourist destination. People flock to enjoy the sand, surf, and to party down. Although it was devastated by a tsunami back in 2004, Phuket has bounced back and remains an awesome place to visit.