Travel Tips for the Savvy Traveler

As part of my Christmas present this year, my sister gave me a subscription to Budget Travel magazine.  This gift was amazing, not just because I love travel - and especially shoestring travel - but also because, at 26 years old, it's the first real magazine subscription I've ever had (if you don't count the American Girl Catalogue, way back in the day!).

I love reading magazines and usually devour them cover-to-cover, even studying the advertisements, which I find interesting, but I've never actually owned any.  In college, I borrowed copies of Runner's World and spent hours in libraries reading National Geographic, Outside, The Economist, Gourmet, and Bon Appetit, but I was never in one place long enough to enjoy a subscription.  I always reasoned that I would sign up as soon as I was 'settled' and life was more 'normal.' Well, that hasn't happened yet (our upcoming move will be our fourth in the past year) but I am so glad my sister didn't wait and ordered the magazine for me anyway.

I've enjoyed two issues so far and eagerly await the others.  Since I'm currently in a bit of a travel dry-spell, I explore vicariously through its pages and am excited to see where they'll take me next.  While I look forward to the featured articles, one of my favorite regular features is the section of reader-submitted travel tips.  I enjoy profiting from others' experience and expertise, and am always amazed by the ingenious things people suggest.  On the road, it seems, necessity really is the mother of invention.

Any seasoned traveler is bound to pick up a few golden nuggets of advice, and to recognize the value of learning from others, as well.  In that spirit, I've decided to include my own section of travel tips.  Some of them I've picked up 'the hard way' and others have been passed down by altruistic travelers more experienced than I.

Of course, I'd also be thrilled to hear your travel tips and add them to the collection -  you can share them in the comments below.  I look forward to learning a lot and becoming an even more savvy traveler.