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Inside the Closet of Travel Guru Samantha Brown

Barbara schneider-levy, senior editor, men's and comfort.

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Over the past 15 years, Samantha Brown has left her footprint in countries from Greece to Cambodia. As the host of several shows on The Travel Channel, Brown never leaves home without a comfortable pair of shoes. “I always look for Mary Jane sneakers,” she said. “They’re easy to get on and off through TSA [screenings], but there’s also a bit of hipness and style to them. Plus, I can hike in them.”

While comfort is a priority for Brown, she always aims to dress appropriately for the country she’s exploring. “If you’re in a nice bistro in Europe, you’re not going to want to walk in [wearing] Reebok sneakers,” she said, noting that a stylist helps coordinate her travel wardrobe.

Another challenge with planning her travel wardrobe is the fact that every activity requires appropriate footwear. “For riding horses, I have equestrian boots — both polo and cowboy,” Brown said. “I have tall mukluks for dogsledding and ice camping in arctic conditions.”

Off camera, the travel guru, also a busy mom, opts for sophisticated casual looks such as Tieks ballet flats. “They’re leather, so they mold to the foot and have nice support,” she said. Other favorites include casual loafers and slip-on sneakers. Her closet also holds dressy heels by Sigerson Morrison and Christian Louboutin. “When it comes to shoes, I have a Barbie wardrobe,” Brown said.

In addition to her on-screen work, the TV host has a signature luggage collection available on home shopping channel HSN, and she’ll soon expand her role in the fashion world with a line of travel apparel launching for spring ’15; a companion shoe offering is also on the drawing board.

Here, the globe-trotter lists her shoe-packing rules for the road, reminisces about the pair that got away and shares her favorite footwear haunts.

Total pairs: 30-plus Brands owned: Alice + Olivia, Asics, Bandolino, BCBG, Christian Louboutin, Coach, Ecco, Fratelli Rossetti, Harley Davidson, INC, Jessica Simpson, Kate Spade, Les Trois Garçons, Luciano Padovan, Michael Kors, Nine West, Sam Edelman, Saucony, Sigerson Morrison and Sperry Top-Sider, among others Travel shoe advice: “My rule is pretty harsh — three to four pairs. With everyone trying to pack a small carry-on, shoes can take up very valuable space. I bring one set of heels in beige — they’re sexy and go with everything — a pair of running shoes, and a versatile flat or loafer in a [neutral] color. In the fall, I love boots, so I’ll wear them on the plane. I have a pair of purple patent leather flat boots by Ecco that I’ve gotten compliments on from France to China.”

Biggest requirements: “Tops is comfort, so I look for a leather shoe with at least a half-inch heel. I like to have a little lift and found that it also adds to the comfort. Beige is best when it comes to color since it lengthens the look of my legs and goes with everything.” Memorable story from abroad: “We were in Florence shooting at the Ferragamo museum and flagship store with the Ferragamo family. As we walked around the store, I spied the most beautiful pair of T-strap heels in brown leather and tweed. They epitomized the classic beauty of Florence. I knew every time I wore them I would remember my wonderful trip. But the only chance I had to buy them was during filming. I didn’t want it to seem as if I [wanted] a free pair of shoes, so I walked away. They were sold in the U.S., but it just wasn’t the same.” At-home favorites: “Light tan suede mules. I’m very happy that low heels are in fashion. They make me look so much more sophisticated than I am.”

Most comfortable pair: “Bright yellow Tieks leather ballet flats that fold up easily for travel. They have a solid heel that supports your feet and legs. Because they’re a soft leather, they don’t cause pain.” Most uncomfortable pair: “Christian Louboutin heels for $1,350. They were bought for me for an event where I was to look absolutely incredible, which I did. They didn’t have my size 6, so I wore a 7 and stuffed them. Then when I was pregnant with twins, I was told my feet would spread and no longer fit into my size 6 shoes. My first thought was, ‘I’ll get to [wear] my Louboutins!’” Biggest shoe mistake: “Big, clunky, red patent leather strappy heels. I thought they would look sexy with trouser pants, but whenever I put them on, they just look like clown shoes.” Go-to shopping spot: “I live in Brooklyn, N.Y., where there are some nice shoe boutiques. My favorite is Eric with its selection of Italian and French shoes. I’ll walk by a few times getting groceries, and if a pair catches my eye, I’ll buy them — quick and easy.” Purchasing plan: “I probably buy a pair of shoes each season and always buy a pair of boots for the fall. Boots are my weakness.”

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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Samantha Brown Shares Her Best Road Trip Tips — Including Her Favorite Destinations

From snacks to stops, the PBS has your next road trip covered.

Even though television host Samantha Brown, has plenty of "Places to Love," she may love the journey as much as the destination.

"I grew up in the 70s," she told Travel + Leisure . "I love road trips. Even if it was a 13-hour trip [and] your parents loaded up the station wagon."

Brown, whose PBS show just wrapped its fifth season, tells T+L that her earliest travel memories are of her and her siblings being cooped up in the backseat of her family's car, eating a packed bologna sandwich when hungry, and stopping at a motor lodge.

"If they had a kidney-shaped pool, we were happy," Brown joked. "Road trips are great because they make us all feel like kids. It's what makes them such an endearing — and enduring — form of travel.

As the world teeters around its definition of "new normal," road trips, once thought of nostalgic, no-thrills getaways, as Brown describes, have made a comeback as they've become viewed as a safer method of travel.

"If you are taking a road trip with your own car and departing from your own house, you are taking away two very big unknowns right now: the airport experience and renting a car," Brown explained.

Brown, herself, is even opting for road trips more often that she would have pre-pandemic.

"Looking at the summer ahead, I think we have one trip where we're taking our kids on a plane," Brown, mom of 2, told T+L. "But anything else, I'm just getting in a car and going."

The travel expert, of course, has a few tips for a successful time on the road as well as perfect places to stop.

Mapping backwards from your final destination, especially, if you're opting for a spring road trip and have just a few days, you'll want to pick somewhere fairly close — but not too familiar. Brown believes that the perfect spring road trip destination is a place that "represents a real big change of scenery for not a lot of effort."

Her ideal destinations have both urban culture and easy access to the outdoors including Cape May, NJ, which she describes asa perfect road trip destination thanks to its collection of Victorian architecture, explaining, "you physically feel like you're in a different time, not just a different place," Brown said.

The town also has beautiful beaches, fresh produce and untapped history (in the form of the new Harriet Tubman museum ). She also recommended journeying to Phoenicia in New York (just a three-hour drive from Manhattan) and Lafayette, La. (about two hours from New Orleans).

As for time on the road, Brown makes it a point to be prepared with snacks (she particularly loves sliced cucumbers and pizza-flavored pretzel Combos) and a good playlist of music or podcasts that everyone will enjoy.

And when it comes time for a break, stick to local spots, but don't overthink it. Cultural experiences need not be elaborate or fancy by any means, according to the travel expert.

"We love stopping at the different gas stations like Sheetz in Pennsylvania [or] Wawa in New Jersey," Brown said. "It's an efficient way of getting to check out the 'regional food' without taking long detours."

Rest stops without food, are also particularly great when you're traveling with antsy kids who may be getting antsy in the back seat. Brown recommends bringing a Frisbee for older kids or balloons to inflate that younger kids can play with in a recreation area.

But at the same time, perhaps the most important part of the road trip is exactly what we dreaded about it in the pre-cellphone or tablet days: spending hours staring out the window at changing terrain.

"Just staring out the window is perfectly fine," Brown said.

Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram , or at caileyrizzo.com .

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Samantha Brown

Samantha brown episodes, palm springs.

Palm Springs is the cool setting for Samantha's retro weekend. From an aerial arrival fit for a star, to meeting an original Rat Packer in the flesh, Sam dances, roller skates and dune buggies her way through this desert oasis to discover a bygone era.

Buckle up tight, because this weekend Samantha is gettin' her kicks on Route 66! Samantha Brown hits the Mother Road, beginning her journey in Albuquerque, NM, and riding out west through the beautiful desert state of Arizona.

Samantha sails the high seas during her weekend in Maine. From the second she hops off the vintage locomotive in Rockland to the last picture-perfect sunset aboard the Victory Chimes, her weekend is jam-packed with great food, sailing and adventure.

Jersey Shore

Sam discovers what makes the Jersey Shore a rockin' good time. She picks up the daredevil attitude, taking center stage with musical figures of the past and present, all the while discovering her own rock sensibilities.

Nantucket/Martha's Vineyard

There are 2 lovely islands off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Both are extremely charming except for one thing..the fierce rivalry that exists between the two.

San Jose Circus

Samantha is fulfilling everyone's childhood fantasy by running away to join the San Jose circus. Whether you're riding on a school bus or looking out the conference room window, the sight of the big top tent turns everyone into a kid again.

Sam is going for the gold in Vancouver, home of the 2010 Winter Games. From training with the US Olympic speed skating team to cooking with one of Vancouver's top chefs, Samantha gets an preview of Vancouver before the world arrives for the games.

Sam will journey through Wine Country to experience the romance and passion of this wine rich region. The differing areas of the valley and its surrounding mountains will be a stunning backdrop to Sam learning how wine became the lifeblood of Napa and Sonoma.

Samantha Brown's: Greek Islands

Like the mythical Sirens beckoning visitors with their seductive songs, the Greek Isles are calling to Samantha. By ferrying to four exquisite islands, Sam takes in the romance of iconic Santorini and the hedonistic pleasures of party hardy Mykonos. She unearths ancient religious rites in the classical ruins of Delos, and discovers that ancient traditions are alive and well in the rustic island of Paros.

Samantha Brown's: Holidays in New York

Samantha's home for the holidays in New York City, but she's not going to stop exploring! From Italian operatic dinners to Japanese origami Christmas trees, Samantha is taking in a whirlwind tour of the world right in her hometown. And along the way, she also hits the best iconic holiday events around the city. There's no better way to get into the holiday spirit than Bergdorf's window displays and carriage rides through Central Park! Samantha will meet the people and places that make New York the best place to spend the holidays anywhere in the world.

New Orleans Weekend

Sam heads down south to check out all that's new in the Big Easy post-Hurricane Katrina. She catches shrimp in the regenerated bayous, goes shopping with a Mad man and even finds time to help some of the cities homeless pooches find new homes.

Samantha Brown's: Jamaica

Sam wants to find the "real" Jamaica beyond the all-inclusive resorts. She heads into the interior-where she discovers the natural wonder of the exotic jungle through the eyes of real Jamaican medicine men. She also uncovers the remnants of Jamaica's brutal colonial history embedded in Jamaican cuisine like "jerk," Bob Marley's birthplace, and even the home of James Bond novelist Ian Fleming, who found artistic inspiration on these beautiful islands. She finishes her trip in the most authentic destination of Jamaica: Port Antonio. Here, she gets into the real music scene with Jamaican sensation Nordia Witter!

Samantha Brown's: Puerto Rico

Sam is finding out what life is like in Puerto Rico, from the beats of bomba and salsa to natural wonders like gorgeous beaches, a spectacular rainforest and an extensive cave system. On her journey though the island, Sam's overwhelmed by the celebratory spirit of the people.

Samantha Browns: Vancouver

Surrounded by sea and mountains Sam makes her way through this young, cosmopolitan city by foot, cycle, boat, plane and train to experience all the natural beauty, physical activities, food and culture this "fit city" has to offer. Whether biking on the Seawall, being whisked away to Whistler or sabering champagne bottles in one of the nation's top restaurants Sam will submerge herself in all that is Vancouver.

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Samantha Brown Shares Her Expert Travel Advice

• January 27, 2016

As someone who’s often on the road, I’m always asked to share my expert travel advice.

Earlier this month, I launched  ‪#‎ traveltips101‬ : My top 101 bits of advice and best practices I’ve learned traveling the globe. I’m sharing every day on Facebook , Twitter and Pinterest , and they’ve been so popular that I decided to make a dedicated spot for them on my site. Here’s the latest batch (and be sure to check out the first installment here .)  Happy travels!

1. Pack extra candy or postcards (they make great thank yous!).

2. We all know shoes eat up prime luggage real estate. Simplify!

3. nothing like a homey breakfast to start the day off right., 4. this might be the best piece of travel advice, ever., 5. a great tip for those looking for culinary adventures., 6. trust me on this one: strip malls are your friend., 7. the early bird does get the worm. or at least a clean plane and well-rested crew., 8. between turbulence and bad aim, you’re going to want those shoes., 9. also goes for getting tattoos on vacation., 10. i never travel without a good pair of earplugs., 11. not to be alarmist, but i’ve seen some crazy things happen., 12. it’s never a bad idea to have the flight crew on your side. you never know when there may be an extra seat in first class (or a free cocktail)., 13. touristy stops are less annoying when you plan strategically..

14. A little red lipstick goes a long way.

15. Organization makes a big difference once you’re off the grid!

16. little things make a big difference., 17. you can’t always get what you want… especially if you don’t ask., 18. all these items are my travel non-negotiables., 19. your own knife makes a big difference, 20. early bird gets the worm… unless you’re traveling to europe, 21. works better than you’d even believe., 22. not to be a debbie downer, but…, 23. you know this one is true.

What are your best bits of travel advice? Share in the comments!

This Post Has 32 Comments

A comment on #12 from a pilot friend of mine:

“I honestly don’t know how many of our FA’s drink coffee – and it’s not the coffee itself that’s the problem, it’s the water. The tanks are rarely disinfected, which is why airplane coffee is always so hot.”

great sugestions

#4-so true! In a lot of countries there aren’t public restrooms so you better take advantage every time you’re a paying customer!

I didn’t understand #4 until Natalie explained it. Thanks Natalie.

Same!! Thanks

I always wear a comfy cotton sweater when I fly. It makes a great blanket for cold planes or a pillow when folded. Also the small pre-loaded toothbrushes are wonderful to have for refreshing in the morning after an all night flight!

Great ideas! ❤️ Ya!

A tip related to #20: If you take a long flight, make sure to get up and walk around at regular intervals to avoid the danger of deep-vein thrombosis or blood clots in your legs. A doctor also advised me to alternately move each foot while in my seat, also at regular intervals, as if stepping on a gas pedal, to avoid the blood from pooling at the bottom of your legs. Not to scare anyone, but an ounce of prevention doesn’t hurt.

With all respect, I recommend people NEVER stand up on a flight, threats of DVT nonwithstanding. I’ve never known anyone to contract DVT on a plane, but twelve years ago, I was on a flight from LAX to SYD that put five people in the hospital who weren’t seated and belted. When the Captain tells you that unexpected turbulence can occur at any time, he means it. When I use the toilet on a plane, I wait till there is no line, walk right in, then right back to my seat/seatbelt.

Au contraire, my husband contracted DVT on a flight from Cancun to Boston. Ever since, we book aisle seats and also exercize our legs while seated.

And wear a pair of compression kneesocks. It also helps jet lag.

I always pack a pr of flip flops in my carry on. I wear them inside my hotel room rather than walking on the carpet and they can be used if there is a pool or if your feet need a break from other shoes. I also bring antibacterial wipes and clean knobs, remotes, and the telephone off.

Good tips. I include hand sanitizer and a scarf also. Scarves can ward off germs and nasty smells.

I always put hotel TV remotes in ziplock bags.

In addition to #10 (earplugs), I bring my trusty Bucky eyemask, or other high quality instantly room darkening set. On long flights, after inserting earplugs and donning the eyemask, I can sleep to the Descent message. I also bring the scarf and a small bottle of perfume/essential oil to ward off the body odors of fellow travelers. Don’t ask. Also, ALWAYS feel your seat before you fully commit to sitting down. Another don’t ask international flight disaster. I now pack a kitchen trash bag in my carry-on.

Great idea about feeling the seat ???? before sitting. And the bag just in case. Also, I pay attention to the announced arrival time and head for the bathroom about one hour prior. Seatbelt sign usually lights up a half hour prior to landing.

I wear a scarf on all flights. I cover my nose/ mouth when my neighboring travelers are sneezing/ coughing or unpleasant odors are in the air- heavy perfume, food or body odors.

I take a small flashlight just in case the power goes out in the hotel. Ziplock baggies…wet a hotel washcloth and put it in a Baggie for those super hot and sweaty days while sightseeing. I always make sure bottled water caps are sealed prior to opening them…want to avoid used bottles that have been filled and re-sold to unsuspecting tourists. I take flip flops to wear in hotel rooms too-they are super easy to pack! Great ideas here! ????

Whenever I have to make a connection and I have time to grab a bite to eat, I ALWAYS go straight to my gate first just to make sure nothing has changed. Once I check things out, THEN I make a trip to the nearest restroom or food court. This way I’m in earshot if they announce a gate change or I’m fairly close if I have to get back there in a hurry!

Airplanes don’t go on roads. And when you spend time on the road, you csn pack tons of stuff. Trust me. I spent 4.5 years visiting 47 states. Oh, and not tipping is NEVER appropriate. No one cares about cookies snd trinkets from your hometown. They’re trying to rsise a family.

Actually, in some places in France….tipping is considered rude. Everything is included in the meal price.

Yes, it is beginning to be customary to round up the price to the nearest Euro….but in some of the oldest, most traditional places?? It can be rude.

20 years ago, when I lived in France, I brought a bouquet of thank-you flowers to someone that helped me out. It was more considerate to do so than any tip that I could have given to her. It meant something; a gesture of kindness rather than a cash token that meant nothing.

So, yes in North America…please tip. But in Europe, check before you go to see what are the local customs.

Something considerate in one place is rude in another.

That’s stupid and probably a rare exception. Tipping in general is always appropriate.

There are countries where tipping is an insult. Workers are paid differently. Always read up on tipping before you leave home, if leaving the country. There are even international tipping apps. It is disrespectful to go to a different country and not acknowledge it’s customs.

Use the paper cups thT are wrapped in plastic and sealed or wash the glasses with hot soapy water BEFORE you drink out of them. The people who clean rooms don’t really wash the glasses and they dry them with dirty towels! Have you seen stacked glasses on their cart for rooms, NO, they no longer put them through the sterilizing dishwashers, they just clean them in your room!

Remember an adapter is not the same as a converter. When going to Europe, make sure your accessories can handle the voltage. If not you will need a converter. Ladies, this is especially true for your hairdryers and flat irons. There is nothing worse than busting your $150 flat iron, creating an electrical shortage in your bathroom, and wearing a ponytail or bun the rest of your trip.

I keep a “Travel Checklist” on my iPhone notes, so I don’t forget to pack important things that I am prone to forget. I keep a small flashlight on a clip to use on the plane or dark hotel hallways. Try to avoid taking a purse. Use a fanny pack or money belt you can keep covered under clothing. The world is full of pickpockets ( it’s getting real bad in Spain)and there is nothing that can ruin a trip faster than having your wallet stolen.

When I travel to an unfamiliar city, especially overseas, I take a business card from the hotel desk with me when I go out for a day’s sightseeing. If I take a taxi back to my hotel or need directions, it’s easy to show the card with the hotel name and address on it when getting directions from a local.

I always travel with small, medium and large zip lock bags as well as an insulated cup that can be used for either coffee or cold water.

No matter the weather, I wear a light jacket on the plane. It does extra duty as a light blanket, bunched up as a pillow or a cushion for an uncomfortable armrest.

Since lost luggage can be a challenge, I tag my bags on the inside of each one in addition to the outside. So if the outside tag falls off, when airport personnel open my bags, my name, mailing address and phone number are attached in an easily-seen place.

I always travel with duct tape! It can be used to repair almost anything.

I learned when traveling for professional conferences to pick a base color and add accessorized to match, contrast or change the look…also brushed nylon hiking pants (LLBean, Lands End, Duluth) are priceless for traveling. They have adjustable waist bands and deep zippered pockets…VERY lightweight and can be hand washed in the sink and just hung to dry. Macabi has amazing skirts that travel well and are the same easy care; you can wash in the sink as well. When weight matters this is a wonderful option as is a poncho, shawl or serape…great for a blanket when the supply is short and you can change any outfit in a minute.

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