There are secrets to getting off a plane looking paparazzi-ready and feeling able to tackle your meetings -- or your "vacation" at the in-laws'. And these tips don't involve paying for first-class tickets (but if they're giving them out, don't pass 'em up!). Here's how to arrive feeling fresh and healthy: Carry a bottle. Don't depend on overtaxed flight attendants and those mini bottles of water to get you the moisture you need to counter dry cabin air. Tuck an...

The holidays are everyone's favorite time to travel. While this can make the experience more harrowing, some simple planning can make your holiday journey more enjoyable: It is easier to get travel and accommodation reservations if you book early. With some airlines and hotels, early booking may even qualify you for a discount.Plan to arrive at the airport or station at least two hours early. The holiday season means everyone is traveling, which means traffic jams and long lines; giving...

Renting a car can enhance the flexibility of any trip, whether it's business or leisure. Here are a few suggestions to help you avoid the frustration and wasted time that sometimes accompanies the process of renting a car. Always ask for the total price of renting a car at the time of reservation. Rental agents usually quote the basic rate when asked. Keep in mind the basic price does not include tax, insurance, gas and other surcharges. Get the total...

From easy-to-use hotel booking tools to smart ways to share and edit your photos, these are the best travel websites and apps out there. (mTrip) Appeared as "Top Travel Apps and Websites" in T+L Magazine As anyone who’s ever tried to wade through page after page of listings in the travel section of Apple’s App Store can attest, the digital landscape for travelers is both excitingly and bewilderingly expansive. In less than 17 years, we’ve gone from being able to...

(Compassionate Eye | Digital Vision | Getty Images) Traveling Internationally? Avoid These Gaffes When Mark Zuckerberg failed to tip for a meal or two in Rome on his honeymoon, it set the media abuzz. Although tipping is not required or expected in Italy, Americans are known to tip. Furthermore, Zuckerberg is known to be worth quite a bit of money, although not as much as he was a few weeks ago.Did Zuckerberg goof by not tipping? That’s hard to say,...

Airlines often offer significantly lower fares when a Saturday night stay is included. Remember that you are still entitled to a discount, as long as your plane is scheduled to depart after midnight on Saturday. Be flexible. Alternative routes, airports, and timings can often save you hundreds of dollars. Use the same carrier for your whole trip. Staying with the same airline for all the legs of your trip tends to be much cheaper than using multiple airlines. Fly on...

What Is It? Motion sickness is usually described as a feeling of acute nausea while traveling. The discrepancy between sight and sensation is usually what causes motion sickness. Prevention There are several ways to prevent motion sickness. In the car, it is best to sit in front where there is less movement and better visibility. Traveling at night when there are less visual stimuli and driving on straighter roads with fewer stops reduce the occurrence of motion sickness. Good ventilation,...

Hotel Tips & Safety Advice If you plan to stay at a specific hotel for an extended duration, negotiate the best rate possible with the hotel sales staff. You can usually get better rates than regular "corporate" rates. If you will be working in your hotel room, ask for a room away from the hotel pool area; otherwise, you will end up dealing with all the pool noise. If you have a confirmed reservation but the hotel has overbooked, you...

Precheck: TSA’s PreCheck allows participants to use a dedicated security line without needing to remove shoes, jackets, laptops, or liquids. Fourteen major airports are being added to the program this year, bringing the total to 35 nationwide. To join, you need to take part in one of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS, or FAST) or be invited via an airline as a frequent flier (so far, Alaska, Delta, US Airways, American, and...

The first rule in packing is to pack light. Less luggage means shorter waits for baggage claim, less need for porters, and easier Customs inspections. Best of all is if you can get everything you need into your carry-on luggage, avoiding checking anything; however, only do this if all of your needs will fit into a reasonably-sized carry-on bag. Choose luggage that is lightweight, roomy, and easy to carry, yet durable enough to withstand rough treatment. Be sure that each...

Samahita Retreat client receiving a message Take time out to renew your mind, body and spirit by exploring new places while having wonderful experiences. The Samahita Yoga Retreat in Thailand will give you the best of both worlds, a vacation and wellness in one. Samahita Retreat was established in 2003 on the island of Koh Samui, and has been called by many a "hidden gem". Owned and directed by yoga and lifestyle teacher, Paul Dallaghan, the Yoga retreat center has...

Before you pack your bags and take off, find out all you can about the places you are visiting. Information about various destinations can be found at travel agencies, tourist offices, travel guides, and on the Web. The more you know about the place before visiting, the more relaxed your trip will be. Be sure to have your travel documents in order. You will need a passport as well as any necessary visas for the countries you plan to visit...

As these signs suggest, the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont just might consider itself the center of the universe. (Photo: Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times/MCT) Pike Place Market. The Space Needle. Pioneer Square. Check, check and check. If you've hit these obvious Seattle destinations, you're not a newbie. But maybe you're not an insider either. So, this 21-stop Seattle checklist is for you. It skirts those three attractions and several other popular stops to make more room for Ballard, Capitol Hill, Fremont...