Before digital photos we had photo albums. We went to One Hour Photo, had our pictures processed and put them in some sort of cute vacation-themed scrapbook. At least that’s what I used to do. It was pretty much a no-brainer and pretty easy to pull out for family and friends to see.

On our recent trip I took 684 photos. And that was even after editing and deleting every night in the hotel room. 684 photos. Ridiculous huh? Yeah. After we got home and settled back into our lives, I started thinking about creating some sort of digital scrap book. Being an avid flickr user, I knew that an on-line gallery was one option. So I uploaded a good percentage of my photos to my flickr account and yes, we now have the option to view them in a slideshow format. Sitting at a computer screen.

One day while cruising around flickr, I found a partner website called Snapfish that links directly to your already uploaded sets of photos. The site offers all kinds of products you can create from your photos. I designed 5×7 photo books using their easy-to-use template. Prices are based on the size of your book and the number of photos you use. I decided to make a book for each city we visited and put my favorite photos on the booklet covers.

There’s something about holding a book in my hands and leafing through the pages that is very satisfying to me. Their compact size makes them easy to carry in my purse and pull out at a moment’s notice to share with friends and family. Whether they want to see them or not!

PACKING
Rolling your clothes maximizes suitcase space
If you can only pack two pair of shoes, one pair must be cute
One carry-on per person makes the airport easier
One carry-on per person = a lot of ironing
Accessories are underrated- scarves rule
REI fashion is better for camping than urban areas
A small clutch handbag would have been nice
If your hotel offers laundry service, remember for the same price you can buy new undies
Carry a small Moleskine journal for travel notes and use the handy pocket in the back

DINING
Walk ten miles a day and you can eat all you want
Don’t bother with the chocolate cake at Hotel Sacher in Vienna
It is possible to eat too much sausage
Turns out I like beer
If you pack a lobster print dress you must iron it, wear it, and order lobster
The waiters bring the check only after you request it
“Rocket” salad translates to arugula
Tipping is confusing- agree to over-tip
Someone needs to develop a universal code for ordering coffee

LANGUAGE
Don’t worry- almost everyone speaks English
Unlike the French, Eastern Europeans enjoy your attempt to speak their language
Read the signs in the subway stations for a taste of popular culture
Smiles require no translation
Czech text is lovely to look at
German street names are unusually long
Brits speak a different form of English

GETTING AROUND
Berlin and London have public transportation nailed
Never jump on/off a bus when you can walk
Buy an Oyster Card for London’s Underground and get a free IKEA plastic pouch
When traveling by train, check out the station the day before you leave
Mind the gap and look right
London taxi drivers earn 1100 pounds per year to cover their cars with tacky graphics
Find the U-2 station in Berlin and take a picture for Bono
Those tube escalators go way, way down

SHOPPING
Cherish the solitary experience
Visit Harrods if only to ride the escalator and look up at the ceiling
Scarves make good gifts and they pack flat
Check out the window display at All Saints in Berlin
Walk quickly past American and stores and don’t look back
Visit the local grocery store for a glimpse of real life
Appreciate Liberty of London’s prices at Target

SEEING THE SIGHTS
If there’s a public park, walk through it
If there’s water nearby, sit next to it
Take on the big museums early in the day
Mitigate museum fatigue with a coffee/wine/beer break
When in Prague, limit your photos of the castle to under 20
Touch the Berlin wall and remember what it represented

AND FINALLY…
Set the security room lock unless you want to treat your maid to a peek at your left breast

Well I’m talking about extended trips. Here are my nine favorite travel essentials.

1. Rick Steves guidebooks
Detailed maps, walking tours, restaurant reviews. We’ve never
been disappointed with his suggestions.
2. A great handbag
I like my Urban Oxide by Hobo International that I bought
at JD Myers several years ago. It’s designed from a virtually
indestructible rubber and has several zippered interior and
exterior pockets.
3. Compact Journal
I use a small Moleskin to capture random thoughts and vital
information. I found mine at Barnes and Noble. I also pack a
small gluestick to adhere ephemera.
4. Travel wallet
I bought my Raika travel wallet in 1997 to organize itineraries,
tickets and my passport. An interior slot for your driver’s
license is convenient when passing through airport security.
5. Trip Advisor
This is the best on-line travel forum we’ve found for hotel and
restaurant reviews. Local users worldwide provide critical
directions and up-to-date information.
6. Comfortable shoes
I love my Keens. Funky, colorful and washable. I wore them
every day in Italy. Every single day. I found mine at Zappos.
7. Colorful umbrella
This floral print changes your outlook on a gray, rainy day.
Mine is made by Totes and I got it at Target for about $10.
8. Chico bag
18″x14″ bag in a 3″x4″ bag that you can clip to your bag or
backpack. Another JD Myers purchase, also available online.
9. Zippered cosmetic bag
I’ve had two of my LeSportsac bags for over 15 years. Their
online store offers an incredible array of styles and fabric
designs.

I have no affiliations with any of these companies. I just believe in sharing information about things I love. If you’d like to share your own, feel free to leave a comment.

Maui Getaway, originally uploaded by lorimarsha.

Carl and I returned to Maui in late May and once again, it was everything we hope for in a vacation. Immediate relaxation. Tradewinds. Visual stimulation. Tropical vegetation. Physical vegetation. Lunch at Mama’s Fish House. And finally….a completed trip to Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools.