On The Road Again

There are a lot of things to consider when planning a trip. Domestic trips come with questions like: How can I get there? and What is there to do? International trips come with extra questions like: Do I need a visa? What currency do they use? and How will I get around? But there's one universal question that can apply to any trip, whether you're going halfway around the world or just to the next city over: What should I pack? And the first thing to decide when it comes to packing for travel is what kind of luggage you're going to use. There's SO MUCH luggage out there to choose from, and if you go into luggage shopping without an idea of what you need and want, you're likely to get overwhelmed by it all. So, to help you out for your next adventure, here are all my recommendations for the best backpacks, luggage, and bags for travel. Backpacks As I've gotten older and my travel style has somewhat shifted, I've more or less hung up my backpacks, so...

So you've booked that dream river cruise to Europe. You've chosen your state room, purchased flights, and have already bought a guidebook (or two). Now comes perhaps the hardest part about getting ready for a river cruise: figuring out what to pack! Most people go on European river cruises in the spring and summer months, with a handful cruising in the winter to visit Europe's famous Christmas markets. What you pack will of course depend on which season you're traveling in. But here are my tips for what to pack for a river cruise in Europe after going on 4 such cruises myself. Common questions about packing for a river cruise Do I have to dress up? The top question I get about river cruises is related to how “fancy” you need to get onboard. There are generally no formal nights on river cruise ships. There may be one Captain's Dinner night where you're advised that shorts and tank tops are not appropriate, but otherwise the cruise will be...