Airline Travel

Dear Travel Guru –

One of my friends emailed me about an international flight where he was stuck sitting in front of a baby who spent the entire flight vocalizing in high “Aaaaagh.” I’ve had similar experiences with seatmates competing for the Guinness Book of World Records in snoring. My friend mentioned that he had found some great earphones that cut out cabin noise, but I can’t locate that email anymore. I have a “two-for-one” international flight coming up next month, first to Los Angeles, then on to China and I don’t want to risk being a zombie at the end. I have a number of business appointments lined up and it’s important that I be sharp for them. Do you have any noise-buffering recommendations?

Mike C., Newark, NJ

Dear Mike –

Been there, tried to sleep through that! I now own my very own set of Plane Quiet Noise Canceling Headphones. Aaaaaah, what a difference!

What I like about them, other than the fact that they actively reduce noise up to 18 decibels, is that they’re also one of the lightest-weight pair you can find. They work with most electronic devices including the iPod ®/ MP3, CD, DVD players, laptop computers and desktop computers. Because the headband and earcups are both leather wrapped, they’re comfortable for long flights. They’re easy to slip into your briefcase or carryon because they fold flat and come with a travel pouch plus they also come with a 1/8” and ¼” adaptor. One feature I find useful is that with the click of a switch, you can turn the noise canceling feature on or off. They retail on Protravelgear.com for $99.95.

In case you need some pointers about dealing with JetLag, you may also want to read our article “ProTravelTip: Avoiding Jet Lag.”

Here’s to a good flight’s sleep!

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.

Car Travel with Children

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

Our five-year-old Grandson is coming to stay with us for a week while his parents vacation in the Bahamas. We don’t see him often and we’re really excited, but we’re concerned about the car trip. We’ll be picking him up in Albany and driving him to our home in Baltimore and we don’t have one of those in-car video systems, like my son has. Do you think we need to rent one?

Jacob’s Grandma in Baltimore, MD.

Dear Jacob’s Grandma –

Why not take this as an opportunity to bond with your grandson and give him special experiences he’ll remember as an adult! Although a 330 mile trip is a long time to keep a five-year-old entertained, if you come prepared, it can be fun.

Be sure to pack the following “young traveler” gear:

§ Plenty of healthy snacks (fruit, pretzels, trail mix and crackers are good choices, as are Grandma’s homemade goodies!)

§ An ice chest with waters and juices

§ Books on CD (check with his folks to discover your grandson’s interests and then talk to the local librarian for recommendations your grandson would enjoy)

§ Children’s Music on CD (Raffi has some great kids’ music that even adults find entertaining!)

§ An activity box loaded with fun kids’ items from your local dollar store. They might include paper, coloring books, crayons, pencils or markers, small animals, vehicles and action figures, mini doodle boards, magic ink coloring books, board books and so on.

§ Don’t forget the great games like I Spy and the one where you track different state’s license plates on the cars that drive by!

At ProTravelGear.com we offer a Kids Car Organizer by High Road ($22.85), a great travel tool that’ll make your grandson feel like a “big kid”. It’s part toy box, part snack bar, part game table and it fastens securely in place with a seat belt. Your grandson will love being able to organize his own gear!

Have him bring his favorite toy or stuffed animal and blanket with him in the car. Don’t forget a travel pillow, so that when he falls asleep (very likely on this length trip) he won’t awake with a sore neck. Pro Travel Gear offers a Junior Kid's Travel Pillow by Bucky for only $17.95.

Make the journey part of his exciting stay at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, and enjoy!

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.

TRAVEL SAFETY: Traveling with Cash

Dear Travel Gear Guru –

My husband and I are traveling to China next month to adopt and bring home a baby girl. We’re so excited to finally be getting our new daughter, but also worried because our adoption agency has recommended that we take most of the money in cash rather than travelers’ checks. We’ve never traveled with so much cash before and the idea is pretty scary. Any suggestions?

Ann S., Rochester, NY

Dear Ann –

Congratulations to you and your husband! Having waited so long for this event – I understand from friends that the wait is about two years now – it’s important that you feel secure to focus on your daughter and not on the safety of the cash you are transporting.

When you must carry a lot of cash, for any reason, don’t store it all in one place. You and your husband should split the cash, and stow it in a number of separate locations, and always with you. Never leave the cash in unattended bags or in your hotel room when you are out. If you stay at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou to finalize your adoption, you may have access to the use of a safe deposit box, but many hotels in China will not offer this amenity.

To alleviate stress about traveling with so much cash, you and your husband might each consider selecting one or two security products offered by ProTravelGear.com:

§ TravelSafe Locking Travel Safe by Pacsafe – This compact travel safe is slash-proof, weather resistant and easy to use, ensuring peace of mind while you sleep. Under $40.

§ Eagle Creek All Terrain Travel Money Belt – Carry your cash in the zippered compartment hidden within this one size fits all money belt. Under $14.

§ Eagle Creek UnderCover Deluxe Security Belt – This pouch, which fits up to a 42” waist, can be hidden beneath clothing and secures money, passports and other valuable documents. Under $14.

§ The Eagle Creek Undercover Neck Pouch - Not only can you stow cash, but this pouch also provides safe storage for your passport, airline tickets and other valuables. Under $14.

§ Eagle Creek UnderCover Travel Leg Stash – Hide cash and other documents in this clever travel accessory, worn just above the ankle. The Coolmax backing makes it comfortable in all climates. Under $15.

Safe travels and warmest wishes to you, your husband on the adoption of your new daughter!

The Travel Guru

Reference
http://www.protravelgear.com/store/security

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.

Road Trip...with Kids!

Dear Travel Guru -

My sister and I are taking a road trip to visit our parents in Arizona for Christmas (we live in New York) We have decided to drive because we each have 2 kids under 5... so we will be traveling in a van with 4 kids for 2-3 days each way, (I know... we are crazy!)

What can we do to keep the van relatively organized and our sanity, (what we have left) in tact.

Michelle J., Rochester, NY

Hi Michelle--

That is quite an undertaking! Well, there are a few things at ProTravel Gear that will help keep you organized and the kids happy.

The absolute essential for taking long trips with children is our Car Organizer by High Road. You can easily and neatly pack videos, DVDs & CDs. Organizing the viewing choices cuts through the clutter and puts it all in reach. Smaller items, like game cartridges and cassettes can be stored safely in the convenient mesh pockets. Convenient storage even exists just for a standard size tissue box. There are seven pockets in all.

The organizer is made of reinforced 600 denier pack cloth.

Benefits include being able to reduce car clutter (a plus for two traveling mom's and 4 kids) as well as organize your car's music, videos, and games. There are also lots of small pockets for organizing Crayons-Game cartridges-Mints, gum, etc.

For more information and to purchase the car organizer, check out the Pro Travel Gear Website!

The Travel Guru

Pro Travel Gear