Traveling Together

Dear Travel Guru –

My boyfriend of 8 months and I are planning to travel together on a vacation. We haven’t really traveled much together before and I know travel can be a test of a relationship. We don’t always have the same taste in activities, and I’m a little concerned about how this will turn out. We haven’t even decided where we’re going yet, much less what activities we’ll do there, and we’re already fighting like an old married couple.

Any suggestions for how to protect our relationship on this trip?

Jeanette

Dear Jeanette –

You are right, travel is one of the most taxing activities you can put on a relationship. When you are at home, you’re on your own turf, know what to expect and can control your environment. When you travel, you’re at your most vulnerable and so much is beyond your control that it can be very anxiety-provoking. Because of this, people who get along fine on a day-to-day basis sometimes find they don’t travel well together.

In fact, two best friends from college who spent their junior year abroad traveled together in Spain at Christmas time. Two weeks of travel together almost ended their friendship.

When you travel together, it’s important to talk ahead of time about what vacation means to each of you and what you like to do. Look for mutual interests and focus on finding plans that tap into them. If you find you have few common interests, look for compromise plans. For example, if you’re looking for a relaxing vacation and he wants adventure, a compromise might be a cruise where you can relax in a lounge chair or on the beach and he can scuba dive and trek through a rain forest – while you’re both enjoying the same cruise.

Other things to discuss:

How social are each of you? If one of you is very social, but the other is not, look for lodging that gives you “space” (i.e., probably not a B&B).

How much time do you need alone? I find that one of the biggest mistakes couples make is to take a vacation and feel they have to spend every minute together. It’s okay for each of you to go off and do something you enjoy and then come back together to share the magic of your day.

Does one of you need regular meals and the other eat seldom? The person who doesn’t need to eat should be considerate of the one who does.

Traveling together can be a wonderful, growing experience for a new couple as long as each respects the other’s desires and needs. Communication is key.

Best wishes on your trip.
The Travel Guru


At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Pro Travel Tip: Packing for Round-the-World Adventure

Dear Travel Guru –

I’m taking an extended trip throughout Europe and because we’ll be staying in a lot of different places and riding on all types of vehicles, I’d like some suggestions of how I can pack light. If possible, I’d like to get away with only one carryon bag.

Can you suggest what I should take and what type of luggage might work best?

Thanks!

Ann

Dear Ann –

On an extended trip, it’s very wise to pack light. Many travelers make the mistake of carrying far more than they need and discover they have to haul it around with them when they really wear only a couple of outfits.

I recommend you start by going to the “Universal Packing List” site that will create a customized packing list for you, depending on the season, the length of your stay, the type of travel gear you’re traveling with, whether you’ll be cooking your own food, and even whether or not you wear glasses.

One of the questions it will ask is what you’re planning to pack your gear in. If you have an appropriate bag already, great! If not, you’ll probably want something roomy, lightweight and that doubles as a backpack or a wheel-on. ProTravelGear.com offers the MLC® Wheelie by Patagonia which has all those features in one maximum limit carryon. Its coated balistics nylon and polyester fabric makes it weather-resistent, it comes with a T-handle and heavy-duty wheel system that makes pulling it a breeze. But for stairs and bumpy ground, simply pull out the straps and it converts to a backpack.

The outside pocket is great for safeguarding tickets and there is an internal “floating” divider to separate dirty laundry from clean.

Ann, one of the things the Universal Packing List will recommend is for you to plan on layering. You may also want to take a look at the Women’s Apparel Section of ProTravelGear.com’s website as well to discover some lightweight tops, pants and underwear that all pack well.

Have a great adventure!

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Traveling with a Guitar

Dear Travel Guru –

I’m an avid acoustic guitarist and will be going overseas to teach. I’d like to take my Martin with me, but it’s expensive and I don’t think the climate will be very good for it. I’m also afraid it may get stolen or broken.

Have you heard of anyone taking a guitar to China?

Larry W.

Dear Larry –

I had a friend who took her guitar to France when she studied abroad in college and she was really glad she did. She mentions being amazed that, people from all over knew most of the same songs whether they were old folk songs or contemporary. It helped bring the group together. That being said, her guitar was somewhat the worse for wear after being carted all over Europe.

So you may want to consider investing in a substitute. The one I have in mind is the Ultra Light Acoustic Traveler Guitar from ProTravelGear.com. This satin finish guitar comes with an acoustic piezo pickup, a light-weight detachable lap rest frame and it weighs less than 3 pounds. The neck and the body are made of Eastern American Hard Maple measuring 28” in length and 5 ¼” in width. The fingerboard is ebonized rosewood inlaid in the vintage clay style. It comes with its own gig bag and retails for only $279.

Its other specs include:

Frets - 22 Medium
Scale Length - 24 ¾ inches
Fingerboard Inlays - Vintage Clay Style
Truss-rod - Fully Adjustable (access via endcap)
Neck Width at Nut - 1 ¾ inches
Pickup - Shadow® Piezo
Hardware - Chrome 14:1 Gear Ratio Tuning Machines (Closed Gear)

If you decide to order this guitar, be sure to do so before you leave the U.S. because it’s not available for shipping outside of the States. It is a cute little guitar, with full sound...and it also makes a great conversation-starter!

Have a great trip!

Best regards,
The Travel Guru


At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

ProTravel Tip: Coffee for the Road

Dear Travel Guru -

I’m big into adventure – canoeing, hiking, camping, biking, backpacking. I love anything to do with the out-of-doors. My problem is that I need coffee in the morning to feel human. I can’t tell you how many people won’t talk to me until I’ve had my morning joe. I’ve been putting up with instant for years but we’re planning a three week hike and I just can’t deal without my high test for three weeks. I can live without the cream and sugar, but not without the real stuff.

Any ideas of how to go 3 weeks without coffee?

Grumpy without Grounds

Dear Grumpy –

You sound like me before I discovered ProTravelGear.com’s Mountaineer's Coffee French Press I can’t tell you how many camping and hiking trips I (and my friends) suffered through before I discovered the wonders of French Press Coffee.

Pack your favorite ground coffee and place some in the giant mug along with hot water. Put the cap on, press the plunger and this convenient little 14 oz. gadget will give you a delicious cup of freshly brewed java. You’ll swear your back at home! It’s made out of stainless steel with an insulated liner and a spill proof top so that once you make your coffee, it’s good to go! I bet you’ll even end up using it for your commute to work!

Enjoy the trip!

With best regards,

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Fear of Flying

Dear Travel Guru –

My son is graduating from the University of California in May and I live in Mont Claire, NJ. I’m so proud of him and of course I want to go to the ceremony, but I’m terrified of flying. I’d go by train if I could, but I just can’t take that much time off from work in May.

Do you have any suggestions of what I can do to overcome my terror of flying? I’ve always been nervous about it, but after 9/11 and with the recent airline mishaps, I’m so much more anxious.

Sharon F.


Dear Sharon –

You are not alone in your fear of flying. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in spite of the fact that flying is considered to be one of the safest forms of transportation, 19.6 million Americans are afraid to fly.

There are many issues that can contribute to the fear: fear of enclosed spaces, fear of heights, fear of terrorism or crash….

There are a number of ways to address and even overcome fear of flying. Some people respond well to education – learning about the functioning of an aircraft. Others require behavioral therapies.

If you believe you might respond to education, try signing up for the free online “Fear of Flying Help Course.” The program was developed by an airline pilot, and walks you through issues such as:

1) Fear and Anxiety
2) The People Who Work in Aviation
3) The Aircraft and its environment
4) Your Strategy for Success
5) A Virtual Practice Flight.

The course is FREE but if the course was successful for you, a donation is requested to support the ongoing program. An audio course for $19.95 and a DVD for $39.95 are also available. Both programs are available in MP3 downloads for $10 less.

There are many online courses that sell for more as well and that may assist you. Only you will know if an online program might be the right solution for you.

If you decide therapy is the better way to go, find a therapist trained in cognitive behavior therapy and systematic desensitization to work with. You may want to seek someone whose practice specifically includes overcoming fear of flying.

Sharon, good luck and congratulations to you for your courage in trying to overcome this fear.

Best regards and congratulations to you and your son on his graduation!

The Travel Guru



At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Pro Travel Tip: Convertible Pants

Dear Travel Guru –

My boyfriend is an avid hiker, kayaker and mountain biker. He also loves to camp. He’s always looking for pants that pack small, wash easily and are multi-purpose. He usually travels with a backpack so there’s not a lot of extra space. A pair that’s good for hot or cool weather would also be helpful.

Got any recommendations?

Karen T., Oklahoma City


Dear Karen –

ProTravelGear.com has the perfect adventure pants for an adventurous guy. They’re lightweight and will fold small to fit in with all of the other travel gear he puts in his back pack.

They’re the Men's Ex Officio Amphi Convertible Travel Pants.
I’m an avid kayaker and camper myself and these pants are the best!. They’re made out of a fabric called Nycott which is nylon treated with Teflon, but which feels like cotton. What I like about them is that they’re comfortable, water, wrinkle and stain resistant, can be rinsed out quickly in a stream or a sink and will dry in a flash.

I also like the fact that they convert to shorts. If it’s hot, I simply zip off the lower leg. If it’s cold or I’m going to a restaurant or bar where I need to wear pants, I simply zip the leg back on. The ankle zip makes it easy to get shoes on and off.

They come in 32” or 33” seam length and the shorts are 9.” There’s also a convenient security zip pocket on the leg in which to store valuables, so in case the kayak tips, my money and other treasures won’t go floating off downstream.

I bet your boyfriend will like these so well, he’ll want several pair!

Best regards,

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Pro Travel Tip: Tote for Travel Comfort

Dear Travel Guru –

One of my girlfriends travels a lot and the last time we traveled together, she used a cross-the-body bag that she swore by. I swear that bag was like Mary Poppin’s carpet bag! She managed to carry every imaginable thing in there and she said it didn’t bother her back or shoulders. I, on the other hand, was carrying far less than she was and I ended up feeling like a little old lady because I was so stiff from carrying an over-the-shoulder bag with camera, water, guidebook, wallet… you get the picture. I looked like a bag lady!

Do you have a recommendation of a bag that can be used for everyday but also functions for heavy duty travel?

Katie L.

Dear Katie –

You have correctly associated that pain you felt with your bag. Man, excuse me, woman was not meant to be a pack animal! Chiropractors have been seeing an increase in neck, shoulder and back pain as a result of the larger size bags women are carrying these days.

When you travel, it gets worse, because most women have a tendency to tuck extra things into their purses, like water, cameras, guidebooks, sewing kits, toiletries, even lightweight jackets “just in case.”

We have just the solution! Our Baggallini Messenger Bag lies flat across your body, so it doesn’t put as much stress on your neck and back. Because of its design, it also discourages pickpockets. It measures 13” x 10” x 4” and is made out of durable, light weight, water resistant microfiber nylon. It has multiple zippered pockets, and a large back pocket in which you can store your guidebook or maps. The strap has a concealed pocket in which you can squirrel away money, credit cards or metro tickets.

Once you purchase this bag, it’s important to remember: Don’t stuff it with as much travel gear as you can fit, or you’ll need a porter. Put in it only what you need. Don’t forget to stand up straight – a good posture helps distribute the load so you won’t end up in pain.

Best regards,

The Travel Guru


At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.

Finding Look-alike Luggage

Dear Travel Guru –

I just got rid of my old luggage, which was easy to spot because of its “distressed” look. It’s seen me through quite a few airports and I was sad to get rid of it, but it finally gave up the ghost in LaGuardia airport when the zipper broke and my suits, shirts and underwear ended up all over the luggage carousel.

So I went out and bought “the latest and greatest” set. The new luggage is great, but I should have looked for a neon green color or something with a pattern. Now my suitcases look like every other piece on the luggage carousel and I can’t tell them apart.

Cars have remotes you can press and the lights go on, why can’t they have something like that for luggage? Do you have any suggestions of an easier way to find my luggage than reading every tag?

Dismayed Dan

Dear Dan –

As a matter of fact, we have exactly the type of travel tool available that you’re looking for. It’s called the Luggage Locator Pro and it’s only $29.95.

The receiver attaches to your luggage with an FCC approved cable that is durable and weather resistant. The remote is compact and will fit easily in a pocket, a purse or on a key ring and can help you detect your suitcase from as far as 60 feet away. When you hit the button on the remote, a series of beeps and flashes will tell you where your bag is located.

If you have multiple bags, you simply purchase additional receivers separately and all can be programmed to work off one remote.

No more luggage carousel hassles!

Best regards,

The Travel Guru

At ProTravelGear.com, we are dedicated to providing you the best travel shopping experience possible, now even better with free shipping on all orders*. We proudly carry the industry's most recognized brands, like Patagonia, Ex Officio, Eagle Creek, Plane Quiet, and many others. We also offer new gift ideas, expert advice, and resources for trip planning.