Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Not Quite Legal Souvenirs]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/06/16/not-quite-legal-souvenirs/http://www.gadling.com/2013/06/16/not-quite-legal-souvenirs/http://www.gadling.com/2013/06/16/not-quite-legal-souvenirs/#commentsFiled under:

Food seized at Washington Dulles
USDA /Ken Hammond

Somewhere in a small town in an unnamed country is the complete skull of a crocodile and a small box of teeth that belong to that skull. The crocodile, who wasn't using her teeth anymore, was not supposed to make this trip but did so anyway, without a passport, packed in the insulation of T-shirts stained with the red dust of the Australian Outback. The person who checked this partial crocodile knew there'd be some risk of having the bones and teeth seized at the border. Plus, hey, it was free, scooped up at a swampy turn out somewhere. No money changed hands in the acquisition of the croc skull.

What was to lose? Seizure at the border, a protestation of ignorance and slap on the wrist. "Sir, you can not import animal bones without proper documentation." "I had NO idea, I am sorry, yes, of course, take it."

It's a risk. And make no mistake. You may very well be breaking the law. Travelers take it on because what's the worst that can happen? Well, a lot. Best case? You'll have your goods seized or maybe get tagged with an expensive fine. Consider yourself lucky if that's the case.

Here are a handful of questionable souvenirs that seasoned anonymous travelers decided they'd try to get through customs.

Three kilos of flour: "...for culinary purity. When my friend asked me to bring corn flour, I didn't think much about it, and then suddenly I found myself with two big bags of white powder in my checked luggage. Not only was I bringing in an unlabeled agricultural product, but it resembled something else entirely."

The USDA allows you to bring in baking mixes and the like, but requirements are that it's commercially packaged and properly labeled. Certainly, flour won't set off the drug sniffer dogs, but explaining those bags of white powder isn't something you want to find yourself doing in any airport.

Continue reading Not Quite Legal Souvenirs

Not Quite Legal Souvenirs originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contrabandduty freeDutyFreeillegal importsIllegalImportsimportingpackingsmugglingtarriftax freeTaxFreeSun, 16 Jun 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Lust: Field Candy Tents]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/26/gadling-gear-lust-field-candy-tents/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/26/gadling-gear-lust-field-candy-tents/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/26/gadling-gear-lust-field-candy-tents/#commentsFiled under: ,

Our battered Coleman tent has been through years of service and cost something like $80 at an end-of-season sale at the local Target. It's a workhorse and held up on gravel and snow and kept the campers inside it dry in pelting rain, letting in nothing more than a little damp on the corners and collecting a little condensation on the liner. But for all its practicality, there is one thing it is not: pretty. It is an olive green and tan little dome that looks like every other olive green and tan or red and tan or blue and tan little dome lined up on the grass in the tent meadow at any campground.

Enter the Field Candy tent. I can't speak to the efficacy of these gorgeous little temporary shelters, but I also can't decide which one I want the most. The one with the cow on it? The one that looks like a battered old suitcase? Yeah. That one. No, wait. I like the one that looks like a slice of watermelon because to see that when you pull up in your Subaru full of camping gear would crack you right up.
Field Candy

The Field Candy tent has all the stuff you'd expect from a decent camping tent - shock corded poles, a waterproof fly, and the easy clip up assembly. As a camper in wet climates, I'm suspicious of the cotton inner tent because it seems like something that would take a while to dry should it get wet. It's got the bucket style ground sheet - you have to have that! - and a bunch of other features that look well thought out. This is no $80 clearance Coleman, some of them are over $700, so I'd expect performance as well as style.

But on the surface, it's all about appearances. I want one. Maybe the one that looks like a circus tent. Or, no. The sandwich. Yeah, that one. No. Wait...

Gadling Gear Lust: Field Candy Tents originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 26 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventurecampingcar campingCarCampingcolemanfield candyFieldCandyLocaloutdoorsstyleSubarutentU.S.Sun, 26 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/25/follies-and-fixes-in-long-haul-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/25/follies-and-fixes-in-long-haul-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/25/follies-and-fixes-in-long-haul-travel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TheeErin via Flickr (Creative Commons)
It was not yet 6 a.m., but I had a bad feeling about how the day was going to go. The stone faced desk clerk had no interest in checking me in here in Vienna, not to mention through to my final destination, Seattle.

"No. Different booking."

"But it's with the same airlines..."

"Different booking. No."

"So I'll have to..."

"You'll need to collect your bag in Amsterdam, and then check in again when you get there. Take your bag to the departures desk."

"I don't understand. These flights are on the same airlines. Can you check me in, at least, so I can drop my bag..."

"No. Different booking."

I gave up. Priority club, my ass.

Continue reading Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel

Follies And Fixes In Long-Haul Travel originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airport hotelairport loungeAirportHotelAirportLoungecustomer serviceCustomerServicedelaysdeltaflyingfrequent flyerFrequentFlyerklmtravelSat, 25 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[#OnTheRoad On Instagram: Destination Austria And Germany]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/ontheroad-on-instagram-destination-austria-and-germany/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/ontheroad-on-instagram-destination-austria-and-germany/http://www.gadling.com/2013/05/10/ontheroad-on-instagram-destination-austria-and-germany/#commentsFiled under:



The meadows are green, the tulips are in full flower and it's a lovely time of year to explore central Europe. While I've got the shutter for the Gadling Travel Instagram feed, you'll see pictures of the Rhine, probably more than a few cows, several plates of pastries (the Austrians are famous for that) and no shortage of gorgeous landscape. You'll see a lot of small town stuff - I'll be spending most of my time admiring what's left of the snow covering the tops of the surrounding alpine peaks, but if time permits, you might see a little Graz and Vienna as well. Austria was my former temporary home during my expat days and while there's plenty to see, there's also family to visit.

Springtime along the rivers of Europe. The Rhine, the Moselle, the Enns, the Danube ... let's hope the weather holds and these palace skies stay full of sunshine.

#OnTheRoad On Instagram: Destination Austria And Germany originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>austriainstagramOnTheRoadFri, 10 May 2013 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your Kickstarter Vacation. My Money. No.]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/25/your-kickstarter-vacation-my-money-no/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/25/your-kickstarter-vacation-my-money-no/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/25/your-kickstarter-vacation-my-money-no/#commentsFiled under:


When we ran out of money, we were on a beach in Corfu. My boyfriend trawled the construction sites until he found a job hauling cement. I checked in at restaurants and hotels, but failed to turn anything up. I gave up after about a week; there was no work to be had. I spent the days reading on the beach. My boyfriend would come back to our campsite in the shell of an unfinished holiday cottage with his hands raw. We would buy bread and cheese and olives with the cash he'd been paid on that day. This went on for about two weeks, and when the gypsies started giving us food we knew it was over.

We swallowed our pride, called our parents and asked them to wire us money so we could get off the island and go somewhere that we could find work. We ended up farming in Israel where we got housing and three squares and a paltry salary that we saved because there was little to spend it on and beer was very cheap.

Today, there's a better way than sucking it up and calling Mom and Dad. You can avoid the dirt and damage of manual labor. You need an Internet connection, maybe a blog and nerve. You'll need to offer up something as incentive - a $5 donation receives a postcard from your exotic locale, a $10 donation gets a download code for a copy of your, as of yet unwritten, essay about your travels, a $25 donation gets a print of a photo you took that you think is pretty good - come on, it's totally National Geographic quality, right? Plus, anyone who donates get this pleasure, no, let's be realistic, honor, of supporting your travels. Open a Kickstarter fund for your travels and ask total strangers to pay for them. You're doing them a favor, really.

My parents did not react with the gratitude I was hoping for when I called from my crash pad on a London sofa, broke again, to ask for airfare and spending money. The roommates in the London flat where I awaited the arrival of wired funds weren't thrilled either. They were gracious, they knew I was on hard times, but they weren't so into my before its time "Occupy the Living Room" movement. Nobody saw the benefit in their role of making it possible for me continue my travels abroad, no matter how many postcards and photos and essay length letters I sent home, or how many dishes I washed, or how many rounds I pitched in for when it was my turn to buy.

Continue reading Your Kickstarter Vacation. My Money. No.

Your Kickstarter Vacation. My Money. No. originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>begging for moneyBeggingForMoneyChinaCorfufundingHawaiiIcelandKickstarterLonely PlanetNational Geographic SocietypanhandlingSavingsaving moneySavingMoneySilk RoadSouthwestern United StatesThu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel Reads: 'Eighty Days' By Matthew Goodman]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/travel-reads-eighty-days-by-matthew-goodman/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/travel-reads-eighty-days-by-matthew-goodman/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/07/travel-reads-eighty-days-by-matthew-goodman/#commentsFiled under:

It is easy, without historical context, to mistake our own travels - and the documentation thereof - as some kind of bold act. We think ourselves grand for going around the world and we think our stories worthy of sharing merely because we can. But 150 years ago, this was just not the case. Travel was a big deal, women traveling an even bigger deal and women traveling solo, if not quite unheard of, certainly a long way from standard practice.

It was the Victorian age. Men - mostly men - traveled by steamship and rail. As for documenting said travels, that was the territory of men as well. Women were as unwelcome in the newsroom as they were in the pages those newsrooms produced, relegated to fashion and housekeeping and maybe the arts.

In to this landscape two bold women took it upon themselves to race one another around the world. One, an elegant and cultured arts writer - Elizabeth Bisland - the other, a scrappy go getter news hound in a checkered jacket - Nellie Bly.

"Eighty Days" is the story of their adventure not just to succeed as great travelers, but to become well known and respected journalists as well. Off they go, propelled by their own will, two very different women on mirrored journeys. Nellie Bly invented the trip; Elizabeth Bisland was convinced to participate. Ms. Bisland packed for propriety and style, Ms. Bly anticipated the carry-on only traveler by over a century by insisting on taking nothing more than she could manage herself, lest she be delayed while waiting for her luggage.

They were both determined, bold, articulate and so brave. Looking back through history only magnifies the unusual nature of their travels.

The book is a terrific read, full of compelling characters - newspaper men, suitors, handsome sailors, exotic foreigners, missed communication, hunger and frustration - in short, all the stuff that makes up a good travel story. And it's impossible not to admire these exceptional women, racing against time and against the standards of the day. Matthew Goodmans brings a heroic Nellie Bly to life in the first pages and Elizabeth Bisland's grace and unexpected nerve are made real next. It's impossible to decide whom you want to win. And finally, when one of the women does win, it doesn't matter - the adventure has been completely worth it.

Travel Reads: 'Eighty Days' By Matthew Goodman originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>book reviewBookRevieweighty daysEightyDaysElizabeth BislandhistoryNellie Blyround the world travelRoundTheWorldTraveltravel bookstravel readsTravelBooksTravelReadsVictorian erawomen travelersWomenTravelersSun, 07 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Travel Essential For Women: The Little Black Dress]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/06/a-travel-essential-for-women-the-little-black-dress/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/06/a-travel-essential-for-women-the-little-black-dress/http://www.gadling.com/2013/04/06/a-travel-essential-for-women-the-little-black-dress/#commentsEven though the seasons are shifting to spring, I'm still dressing in wool. I've said before that I'm crazy for the newer merinos; they're not just for long underwear anymore. And because they're made of natural fibers, they breath well making them surprisingly versatile for those transitional seasons. It's a little counter-intuitive to think that wool is okay in warmer temps, but the lighter fabrics work well for winter, spring and fall, and I've worn my merino skirt in summer, too, because it's got so little weight to it.

For my spring travels, I'm packing the M2 dress by Nau. It's a drape-y, flattering boat neck, three quarter sleeve piece that shakes out nicely after it's been crumpled up in your bag. You can dress it up with whatever shiny extras your packing - a pashmina (because you always have one with you, right?), or some sparkly flats, or a pair of cute tights, or just wear it with sandals and go casual. A pleat at the hip gives it a little bit of swish, so even though it's "just" a black dress, it's got a bit of style.

The M2 is the medium weight merino so it provides some warmth if you're wearing it in chillier places (or overly air-conditioned restaurants. I throw all my merino in the washing machine, have done for years, and it's washed up just fine - but it's best to keep it out of the dryer, it lasts longer that way and has less risk of shrinking.

I'm a lazy dresser and I don't like to pack single use only items. I'm also a sucker for anything that makes me look stylish but feels like something I could wear on a long-haul flight. You might be thinking it's a little late in the season for buying wool, but depending on where your travels take you, it might not be, plus, off-season pricing applies to clothing, too. Get your little black three-season dress directly from Nau; it's on sale as I type this.

[Photo: Nau]

A Travel Essential For Women: The Little Black Dress originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dressesessentialslittle black dressLittleBlackDressmerinopackingtravel clothingTravelClothingwomens clothingWomensClothingwoolSat, 06 Apr 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[For the Wandering: Seder Finder]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/25/for-the-wandering-seder-finder/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/25/for-the-wandering-seder-finder/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/25/for-the-wandering-seder-finder/#commentsFiled under:


Many years ago, I was living in a very small town in central Austria. It was spring, and for those of my (personally tenuous) faith, this means Passover. Passover is my favorite Jewish holiday. It combines good food and a story that I interpret as being about travel at its heart. It's the annual retelling of the story of Exodus - the flight of the Jews from their oppression by Egyptian pharaohs, their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea and their entry into the Holy Land. It's fun, too; there are games and songs and plenty of wine. it's the only holiday I'll go out of my way to celebrate. In this small town in Austria, I was devastated with the possibility that there would be no Seder. There were, after all, no Jews nearby. In a move that was either hopeful or desperate, I emailed the nearest synagogue, approximately 125 miles away in Graz, explained my situation and asked if they were hosting a community Seder. "I apologize for not writing in German, but do feel free to respond in German; I can read well enough; I just can't write."

The answer I received was in English from an American expat who'd grown up not far from where I lived as a small child. "Yes, we have a community Seder, but why don't you just come to my house? Really, I mean it, you would be very welcome."

Continue reading For the Wandering: Seder Finder

For the Wandering: Seder Finder originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chabadPassoverpassover sederPassoverSedersederseder dinnerSederDinnerMon, 25 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Guide Review: Bradshaw's 1862 Guide To London]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/22/gadling-guide-review-bradshaws-1862-guide-to-london/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/22/gadling-guide-review-bradshaws-1862-guide-to-london/http://www.gadling.com/2013/03/22/gadling-guide-review-bradshaws-1862-guide-to-london/#commentsFiled under:



George Bradshaw was responsible for the development of a series of railway timetables that were an icon of British Victorian travel - they're mentioned by Sherlock Holmes, Phileas Fogg and there was a 1876 music hall song called "Bradshaw's Guide."

I reached my destination, and was going to alight
When she placed her hand upon my arm, and said with much affright
'Oh Dear Sir, don't leave me, all alone to ride
What shall I do without you and the Bradshaw's Guide.'

If you're fond of Baedeker's Guides - the essential red, leather-bound book that's also an icon of the Grand Tour years of travel - you may also find the Bradshaw appealing. You probably want a vintage one, sold for a pretty penny on eBay, perhaps, but for a mere tenner, you can pick up a reissue of "Bradshaw's Illustrated Hand Book to London and its Environs."

A new version of this isn't going to have the magical ticket stubs or marked pages that one that's been used in the late 1800s would have, but it does have the pretty little engravings of London's monuments. It's got the cramped, hard to read type of 1800s guidebooks, exhaustive details and information that has zero value for today's traveler - though it would be an amusing exercise to travel with this book as a guide.

Continue reading Gadling Guide Review: Bradshaw's 1862 Guide To London

Gadling Guide Review: Bradshaw's 1862 Guide To London originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baedekersbradshawguideguidebookhistorylondontravel guide booksTravelGuideBooksvictorianvintageFri, 22 Mar 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Packing For Extreme Cold Part II: The Expedition Layer]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/27/packing-for-extreme-cold-part-ii-the-expedition-layer/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/27/packing-for-extreme-cold-part-ii-the-expedition-layer/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/27/packing-for-extreme-cold-part-ii-the-expedition-layer/#commentsFiled under:

In Part I of "Packing for Extreme Cold Travel," I covered the basic stuff you'll pack for your adventures in crazy cold climates. If you do any winter sports at all, you'll likely have a lot of this stuff - it's your basic ski vacation gear.


In this second part, I cover the serious expedition stuff - there's not much of it, but it makes all the difference between freezing your backside off (just about literally) and having a great time in the minus temperatures.

When I arrived in the far north, it was -40F. Bitter cold. My fingers ached by the time I got to the car, just a hundred yards away.

An epic parka: Mine was a rental provided by Whitehorse expedition gear rental company. I have little use for something this intense in the moderate climates of the Pacific Northwest. But in the deep, deep cold of a Yukon winter, my loaner Canada Goose Resolute Parka was - well, I kind of fell in love with it. I've lived in apartments with less storage space than this parka. It took me 45 minutes to "move out" of it after spending a very warm ten days bundled up against the weather.

It's a lot of work wearing a parka like this - it's bulky, and I lost my glove liners inside the coat (I'm not kidding) to one of the many pockets. If I did not put my phone or pocket camera in the same place, it could take me ten minutes of exploration to find where, exactly, I'd stowed them.

But it was -40. That's cold. So I appreciated the fleece-lined pockets, the secure zipper flaps, the slightly long sleeves with ribbed cuffs that I could tuck my hands up into. I liked the coyote fur lined hood - and I could never justify wearing a scrap of fur at home. I'm short, so the coat was almost below my knees, but I wasn't sorry for the extra length when the wind was blowing. There are mesh pockets designed to hold warmer packs, I used them to store my phone because the battery got zapped of power easily in the cold. And I loved the bright red in the snow; you could locate me in just short of whiteout conditions.

You can spend a pile on a parka like this - over $700.00. Unless you're planning to do repeated trips in this kind of crazy weather, there's almost no reason to buy one, but an expedition outfitter will hook you up and that's worth the money for the warmth.

Continue reading Packing For Extreme Cold Part II: The Expedition Layer

Packing For Extreme Cold Part II: The Expedition Layer originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelAntarcticacanada goose parkaCanadaGooseParkacoldDawson Cityextreme cold weatherExtremeColdWeatherfreezing weatherFreezingWeathersubzero temperaturesSubzeroTemperatureswinterwinter adventureWinterAdventureYukonWed, 27 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Packing For Extreme Cold Travel Part 1: The Regular Stuff]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/25/packing-for-extreme-cold-travel-part-1-the-regular-stuff/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/25/packing-for-extreme-cold-travel-part-1-the-regular-stuff/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/25/packing-for-extreme-cold-travel-part-1-the-regular-stuff/#comments "Seriously, you're going to the Yukon in February? Won't it be dark all the time? Won't you FREEZE? I mean, literally FREEZE? You can die if you're left outside for, like three minutes, right?"

"Yes, seriously. I am going to the Yukon in February. I'm super curious about what it is like to be in a place that far north in the winter. And also, I will be wearing a giant parka. I'll have loaner gear."

Sometimes, adventure travel means getting off the grid and diving into the backcountry. Other times, it simply means going to a destination when most don't. A place like the Yukon - or anywhere in the far northern climates in February is an adventure indeed, and it's totally doable if you pack the right gear.

For starters, you're going to have to check a bag.

This isn't easy for me; I'm a pathologically light traveler. But when your kit requires things like big boots or snow pants, you need more space. Suck it up. Pay the checked bag fee and revel in the fact that you're not dragging a wheelie bag around the airport for a change. You totally have a free hand for coffee now. Crazy, right?

Continue reading Packing For Extreme Cold Travel Part 1: The Regular Stuff

Packing For Extreme Cold Travel Part 1: The Regular Stuff originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travelAdventureTravelcold weatherColdWeatherDawson Citydown jacketDownJacketEddie Bauer Holdings IncExtreme coldExtremeColdFox Riverfreezing temperaturesFreezingTemperaturesIceBreakermerino woolmerino-woolMerinoWoolSubzeroTemperatureswinter travelWinterTravelYukonYukon RiverMon, 25 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Bergan's Osen Down and Wool Jacket]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/19/gadling-gear-review-bergans-osen-down-and-wool-jacket/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/19/gadling-gear-review-bergans-osen-down-and-wool-jacket/http://www.gadling.com/2013/02/19/gadling-gear-review-bergans-osen-down-and-wool-jacket/#commentsSometimes, when I look at the price tag on a piece of gear, I think, "Really? It's made in some factory in Asia, there's not that much material to it, and really? REALLY?" Other times, I'm lucky to get to try out something super nice and my reaction is different. It's more along the lines of, "Yeah, it's expensive and I totally get why. And I really don't want to send it back now that I've seen it."

Bergan's of Norway's Osen jacket fits that category. The wool and down, water resistant jacket (available in both a men's and a women's cut) is one of the nicest things to pass through my hands for some time.

This isn't your typical "poof" layer - it's a combination of a wool and polyester blend on the sleeves, shoulders and waist with a down torso and collar. It looks great - the women's cut makes sense; it's got a bit of shape to it and the bright, contrasting zipper pulls are in a cool neon green on the jacket's dark blue. Add a rain shell to this and you are set for just about any weather.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Bergan's Osen Down and Wool Jacket

Gadling Gear Review: Bergan's Osen Down and Wool Jacket originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothingcold weather clothingColdWeatherClothingdowndown jacketDownJacketlayeringoutdoorswinter jacketWinterJacketwoolwool jacketWoolJacketTue, 19 Feb 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Alegria Clogs]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/29/gadling-gear-review-allegria-clogs/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/29/gadling-gear-review-allegria-clogs/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/29/gadling-gear-review-allegria-clogs/#commentsFiled under:

There's a certain chunky euro-style of shoe I've become fond of. They're popular in the alpine nations and Germany, and sometimes in Holland. They're a little orthopedic looking, but with some flair, the kind of thing you might see worn by someone who's trying to spark up their hospital scrubs. Think Birkenstocks, the closed toe variety, or your classic Dutch clog. Here's the thing - shoes like this were made for walking in, for spending hours on your feet in, and that makes them work well for travelers.

Alegria shoes have all those qualities; they make shoes that are designed to be worn all day while keeping your feet comfortable. They have a thick spongy but not too soft sole that's got a little bit of a rock too it, similar to that used by the Masai balance shoes or Sketcher's fitness shoe, but not as extreme. They have that slightly duck web shape to the footbed that's mirrors the shape of your foot. And they come in a whole array of styles from very plain to somewhat outrageous.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Alegria Clogs

Gadling Gear Review: Alegria Clogs originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahoesalegriabirkenstockclogsorthopedic shoesOrthopedicShoestravel shoesTravelShoeswalking shoesWalkingShoesTue, 29 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Absurd Gear Pitches For Things We Don't Need]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/28/absurd-gear-pitches/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/28/absurd-gear-pitches/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/28/absurd-gear-pitches/#commentsFiled under:

When you're on the mailing lists for the gear companies, you get some very odd things pitched your way as "perfect for travelers!" Sometimes the pitch is spot on, and you think, yeah, I would totally recommend that. But other times ... uh, no - just no. Here are three strange ideas that came my way recently - you decide for yourself, but I'll pass.

The Utilibrush: This project, funded through Kickstarter (why doesn't this surprise me) solves a problem you didn't know you had. It combines toothpaste, a reel of floss, a mirror, a cap you can use as a cup to rinse with, and, of course, a toothbrush. This all-in-one, handy device is good for approximately 40 uses (if you floss every day, I guess). The campaign is kind of amusing and the device is only 12 bucks, but you know what? I'm good with throwing those little tubes of toothpaste the dentist gives me into my carry-on.

The Sash Bag: "A modern take on the fanny pack." I'm going to confess something - I own and still sometimes travel with a fanny pack. It's earned its place in travel. I find a money belt about the most awkward piece of travel gear ever invented and my ancient fanny pack, sourced somewhere in the depths of the '80s, fills that role if the type of traveling I'm doing requires it. Beyond that, I just carry a shoulder bag or a day pack. Dudes put the kind of stuff the Sash Bag is supposed to hold in their pockets. I'm taking a cue from the dudes.

The Earbud YoYo: Apparently, there's an epidemic of accidents on the slopes caused by the annoying tangle of earbud cables. Now, don't get me wrong, the annoyance of tangled earbuds is a legit, albeit first world, complaint. But what I do not need is an additional do-dad attached to the high-speed shred metal loving denizens of the slopes. What I need is for them to pay attention to what's around them, not to focus on their own personal sound tracks. Yes, I'm old. Get off my (snow covered) lawn.

[Photo credit: Avrene via Flickr (Creative Commons)]

Absurd Gear Pitches For Things We Don't Need originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-in-oneearbudsfanny packFannyPackpursetoothbrushtravel gearTravelGearMon, 28 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Track Your Lost Luggage With TrakDot]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/08/track-your-lost-luggage-with-trakdot/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/08/track-your-lost-luggage-with-trakdot/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/08/track-your-lost-luggage-with-trakdot/#commentsFiled under: ,

Imagine knowing where your bag is even when the airline doesn't. That's the idea behind TrakDot, a new tech gadget that combines a $50 device, a $12 subscription and a cellular data plan. Switch the gadget on, pack it in your luggage, and if your checked bag doesn't appear, you can find it more quickly than the airlines can using GloboTrac's website.

Via ArsTechnica:

If a bag doesn't reach its intended destination, "the airlines don't know where it is," GlobaTrac CTO Joseph Morgan told Ars at the CES Unveiled event Sunday night. "If it ain't where it's supposed to be, they've lost it, they don't know where it is. They will eventually find it, but that doesn't give you peace of mind."

A simple question remains unanswered: how do you recover your bag once you know where it is? You've still got to navigate the airlines recovery process, but perhaps you'll sleep better (in your borrowed T-shirt) when you're able to see exactly where your precious stuff is.

TrakDot goes to market in March. This traveler is sticking with traveling light enough to go carry on only.

[Photo Credit: TrakDot]

Track Your Lost Luggage With TrakDot originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>checked baggagechecked bagsCheckedBaggageCheckedBagsGloboTraclost luggageLostLuggageluggage trackingLuggageTrackingTrakDotTue, 08 Jan 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Pelican Elite Tablet Backpack]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/06/gadling-gear-review-pelican-elite-tablet-backpack/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/06/gadling-gear-review-pelican-elite-tablet-backpack/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/06/gadling-gear-review-pelican-elite-tablet-backpack/#commentsWhen you see the baggage handlers hurling your suitcase on the car or you watch a fellow passenger trying to crush their carry-on to the already packed overhead bin, you start to ask yourself: is it time to switch to hard-sided luggage? Pelican makes super rugged packs that are something of a compromise. Your heart won't lurch in your throat as you remember that you left your tablet in your pack at the same moment that the bus driver hurls it up on to the luggage rack, but there are some tradeoffs.

The U140 Urban Elite Tablet backpack is built around hauling your tablet from A to B and getting in there in one piece. It's got a hard-shell, a plastic case built right in. There's a divider to keep it separate from your keyboard, if you've got one - it's removable or you can keep it as a little extra padding. The compartment clamps shut - it is not going to fall open, but you could add a cable tie or a padlock, if you're feeling extra security conscious. Your iPad or netbook will be well secured; that's for sure.

The rest of the pack has your typical daypack features. The front pocket has lots of compartments and sleeves for your phone, your business cards, the kind of stuff we all carry around. There's a sleeve-like middle pocket where you could stow any paperwork or a sweater, but it's a little shallow - you're not going to get a lot of bulky stuff in there. If you pack carefully, you might be able to stow a change of clothes, but it's going to be tight and you'll have to be a master folder. You can strap your jacket (or beach towel) on to the bottom of the pack and there are lash hooks on the side that do not feature a water-bottle pocket.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Pelican Elite Tablet Backpack

Gadling Gear Review: Pelican Elite Tablet Backpack originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 06 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backpackday packDayPackelectronicsipadipad caseIpadCaseNetbookCasepelicanSci/TechtabletSun, 06 Jan 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Solid Moisturizer From SkinFare]]>http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/04/gadling-gear-review-solid-moisturizer-from-skinfare/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/04/gadling-gear-review-solid-moisturizer-from-skinfare/http://www.gadling.com/2013/01/04/gadling-gear-review-solid-moisturizer-from-skinfare/#commentsCan I get a show of hands from people who are still irritated by the need to game their packing to deal with the TSA's three-ounce requirements? I thought so. There are still a lot of us out there. I'm both aggravated and pleased that there are new brands making solid cosmetics that I can get past the screeners. There's a new-to-me brand out there called SkinFare; they're making solid moisturizer sticks that give you more room for shampoo and sunscreen in your carry-on luggage.

There are a bunch of things I like about this product line. The moisturizers smell delicious - there are five different scents and one is sure to work for you. They come in recyclable cardboard packaging so there's no plastic to throw away (take that, tiny hotel bottles of shampoo!). The moisturizer itself is made from organic stuff so you're not putting toxic chemistry on your skin. It's all good stuff. And yes, travel friendly, so you can carry a stick on the plane and use it as an all purpose moisturizer in the dry zone at 20,000 feet.

I find the product itself a little heavy, a little waxy, on application. I really like it as a lip balm or for my chapped and/or sunburned nose. But it doesn't quite work for me - your mileage may vary - as an overall skin moisturizer. It's easy enough to apply, you just rub it on your skin., but I want it to melt a little bit more on contact so it gets absorbed.

It's worth a try, though. Everyone has different skin, so it might work really well for you. And I find that while it doesn't suit my needs as an overall moisturizer, I'm putting the little container in my coat pocket instead of Carmex, and using it on my face and hands where I don't have anything else on hand. And it's perfect for on the plane - not just because of the solid product, but because the refreshing natural scents are nice for clearing that airplane funk out of your head.

SkinFare is $9.99 per stick. Give it a try or get some for your nearest traveler.

[Image by SkinFare]

Gadling Gear Review: Solid Moisturizer From SkinFare originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 ounces3Ouncescosmeticsdry skinDrySkinlip balmLipBalmmoisturizerskin careSkinCaresolid cosmeticssolid moisturizerSolidCosmeticsSolidMoisturizertsa approvedTsaApprovedFri, 04 Jan 2013 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Road ID Dog Tags]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/31/gadling-gear-review-road-id-dog-tags/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/31/gadling-gear-review-road-id-dog-tags/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/31/gadling-gear-review-road-id-dog-tags/#commentsFiled under:

Sometimes I think about it before I step into the ocean with minimal belongings behind me on the beach. I have no ID on me. What if I'm knocked out by a rogue wave? There are lots of awful "what if" scenarios for solo travelers that involve being separated from our belongings and left to roam without identity. It's a paranoia play, sure, but also a practical one that makes the Road ID tag a good idea.

Road ID makes tags for travelers (or any outdoor adventurers) that will help should you need to be identified. There are a couple of different styles: dog tags, bracelets, shoe tags and a neoprene ankle strap. (You can also get dog tags for your ... dog.) The tag has enough space on it for your name, nationality, home city, and a few lines of critical information - contact numbers, medical conditions or allergies.

It's simple enough to order these things, and they come in the mail a few days later. The basic model, the wrist strap, will set you back $15.99; on the higher end, the FIXX ID (military style dog tag) will cost you $24.99. With that you get a chain and a design on the back of the tag.

You don't want to need to have this thing on you. But travelers with medical conditions have been wearing Medic Alert tags for eons now. An ID tag of some flavor is a nice, sensible addition to any traveler's gear - and makes a great gift for the adventure traveler in your life.

[Photo by Road ID]

Gadling Gear Review: Road ID Dog Tags originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure travel gearAdventureTravelGearid tagsIdTagsmedical conditionMedicalConditionMedicAlertsafteyMon, 31 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gadling Gear Review: Adidas Choleah Laceup Boots for Women]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/27/gadling-gear-review-adidas-choleah-laceup-boots-for-women/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/27/gadling-gear-review-adidas-choleah-laceup-boots-for-women/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/27/gadling-gear-review-adidas-choleah-laceup-boots-for-women/#commentsFiled under:

I like traveling in cold weather but you've got to make the sacrifice of checking a bag and bulking up your gear. Good footwear is critical year round, but you'll be downright miserable if you have cold feet while stomping around a twee alpine village or a dirty snow urban landscape.

Moon-boot styling is kind of back, isn't it? But they're a lot lighter than they were the first time around, and they're made out of considerably better materials. Adidas Choleah Laceup is a surprisingly lightweight, warm and weatherproof boot.

I have one minor skepticism about the way the boot is pitched but that's because I didn't have icy conditions in which to give it a try. The sole on the shoe is supposed to offer great traction - I can't confirm or deny that. The tread looks a little shallow - but I could be wrong. If you're really going to be on the ice, you might want some ice cleats.

Unknown traction issues aside, these are darned cute boots and who doesn't like a pair of cute winter boots that keep you warm and dry? They're about mid-calf height and have a fluffy fake fur lining around the uppers. That makes them a little bulky up top; you're not going to be able to pull your skinny jeans over the outside but you can tuck them in and lace them up.

They're also very warm and dry. They have a light synthetic fill as insulation and the shoe is lined with fabric that holds heat. They're made of all kinds of technically named stuff - PrimaLoft, ClimaProof, Adiprene - which may not mean much on a brand name basis, but it actually does make a boot that keeps your feet warm in cold, wet weather.

Continue reading Gadling Gear Review: Adidas Choleah Laceup Boots for Women

Gadling Gear Review: Adidas Choleah Laceup Boots for Women originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 27 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Adidas AGbootsPrimaLoftSci/Techsnowsnow bootsSnowBootswarm feetWarmFeetwinter bootswinter shoesWinterBootsWinterShoesThu, 27 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[My Own Personal Krampus]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/12/my-own-personal-krampus/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/12/my-own-personal-krampus/http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/12/my-own-personal-krampus/#commentsFiled under: ,

I have a photo, printed from film, old school ... my husband and I are standing in a snowstorm in the Austrian alps. The flash from the camera reflects off giant fluffy flakes. The sky behind us is black - it's early evening, but an alpine evening, so it is dark. We are wearing big coats and big hats and big snow boots. We are surrounded by a group of Krampus, the alpine monster of the season, big shaggy horned devils who strike fear into the hearts of small children, who chase taunting teenagers down the streets of snow-globe villages, who torment tourists and locals alike.

Only we don't look the least bit rattled. We are smiling big holiday smiles. It looks like a family portrait with our pets.

The Krampusspiel - or, as I like to call it, The Running of the Krampus - takes place every year on December 6. It's part of a series of deep winter alpine traditions around Christmas and the solstice that acknowledge the change of the season. Three Kings come to your house and chalk your doorways, and there are little sprites that rattle around in your fireplace until you give them candy to go away, and there are runners in all white who carry beautiful lanterns and ring bells to scare away the bad spirits of the previous year.

But the Krampus has taken the spotlight. His shaggy coat, his massive size, his devil's face, and his swinging broomstick, have captured the collective imagination, perhaps targeting the same people that like slasher movies. Krampus parades take over the streets of popular ski villages in Austria (and some parts of Bavaria) in a pageant of Alien meets Satan. Removed from the context of all those winter traditions, the Krampus is now the star in a winter nightmare of swinging chains, of orcs set free from Middle Earth, of underworld creatures released from the pits of hell.

Continue reading My Own Personal Krampus

My Own Personal Krampus originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelaustriabavariachristmasgermanyholidaykrampuspagantraditionWed, 12 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST