Super Useful Travel Links

Happy Friday, everybody. It's been an interesting week, but not much travel news beyond there being crap weather pretty much all over the country. I'm sorry for any of you who might be trapped in part 2 of the Polar Vortex in Atlanta. Ouch. I'm sure you're all looking forward to a little warmth. If nothing else, you can at least start planning a trip to somewhere that isn't covered in snow and ice.

With all the awful weather, there's a good chance you'll end up getting stuck at an airport this winter. While nobody loves to get stranded, there are some airports that are better than others to be stuck in. USA Today brings you the best airports for stranded travelers. Make sure you have some emergency funds for your travels this winter, in case you need to take advantage of some unplanned amenities and dining. I took advantage of a manicure at the Butter London salon in the Seattle Airport after a long, long day flying back from Paris.

After getting stuck for hours or days in a city, you are probably going to be stressed out. The worst is when you just want to get on the plane, read your book or watch a movie on your tablet, and getting a seat next to that person who just never takes the hint and keeps talking to you. Airfare Watchdog knows you want to just tell them to shut up, but that makes for uncomfortable flying, so they have better ways for you to stop your chatty seatmate from annoying you.

Another thing that hardly brings more ire when flying is unruly children. I might have the best record of choosing the seat right in front of the kid who spends 5 hours kicking me in the back, despite what I say or how many dirty looks I give. I'm always happily surprised when a child next to me is well behaved. Of course, I'm always in coach, so I can't really complain either way. If I paid money to fly in first class, I would probably feel differently. Unfortunately, this gentleman here also felt differently, though he didn't even wait to find out if the child in question was out of control or not before complaining. What do you think? Should small children be allowed in first class?

Once you get where you're going, you're probably hoping to save some dough. I know that's always my goal, even if I have some splurges tucked into my itinerary. 

Planning on a trip to the UK? London is one of the most expensive destinations to travel to. (Isn't it just my luck that it's my favorite city?) Well, beyond making all my meals in my rented flat, I have to look for "affordable" dining options. I'm not going to stay in every day to eat, especially when there's so much good stuff out there. The Londonist has pulled together a list of 10 great meals for under £20 each. Trust me when I say that even though that sounds like a lot, it's a bargain in London.

Hoping to visit Europe instead? One thing that everyone wants to do in Venice is to take a gondola ride along the canal. The rates can be enormous, and maybe you don't feel like being sung to or you just want to cross the canal. Italy Magazine gives you a tip on how to cross the canal for only 2 euros. 

This installment of Super Useful Travel Links is short, but hopefully quite useful and maybe though-provoking. Let me know what you think or share your own travel finds in the comments.

Start Planning for Warm Weather

I know throughout most of the country it is still cold, cold, cold. In Portland, it isn't quite as frosty as some other places, but it sure isn't warm right now. I'm sure, like me, you're looking forward to spring and summer and the days when you can wear shorts...or at least less than the three layers most people are wearing. It's never too early to start planning your trips for the year. I like to spend the time figuring out my wardrobe. Of course, maybe you are also taking a tropical getaway this winter to leave the gross winter weather behind, so you are in need of a few things to add to your carry-on.

Putting away your sweaters and gloves is a sure sign that it is time to update your wardrobe for summer. You can take the first step by donating any clothes from the previous summer that no longer fit your personal style. Donating your old summer wardrobe gives you room to look for new, trendy options for the season. Summer has endless possibilities for your closet that include breezy summer dresses, skirts and lightweight suits for the workplace.

Linen is one of the best materials for your summer wardrobe. Linen is lightweight, wrinkles less than some other materials and is breathable, which allows you to stay cool even when the humidity is high. Linen is a traditional choice for summer suits and skirts. Opt for pantsuits and jacket and skirt combinations made from this material to look great at work without suffering through the season in too-warm clothing. Linen is also usually available in a wide range of colors and styles.

While linen allows you to stay cool at work, you will need some basics for the beach. A swimsuit is a must-have if you spend a lot of time near the pool. Modern styles include tank top style bikinis that cover just enough to allow you to feel comfortable in a crowd. You will also want to choose a sarong to use as a cover-up. For instance, Fair Winds sarongs have the benefit of being able to be used in many different ways. You can wear a sarong as a dress or skirt on the beach by learning a few simple methods for tying the material. Sarongs can also be used as a scarf for cooler evenings and nights.

Dresses and skirts are the best option for showing off your summer skin. Dress a skirt up with a sequined top for a night out or wear something a little simpler for a casual evening with friends. Add a lightweight scarf to a basic summer skirt and top for a splash of color and style. A hat is natural choice for sunny summer days. A wide brimmed hat protects you from harmful UV rays and adds charm to any type of outfit. With cool summer suits and beach wear, you can easily be ready for summer with just a few basic additions to your wardrobe.

A sarong is one of the best multipurpose items you an take with you on any vacation. Not only can it be used as skirt, dress or cover-up, but an impromptu beach towel, a picnic blanket, a shawl, a beach bag or even a head covering (for when you visit some of those very religious sites). It's never a bad idea to keep one or two in your bag, especially since they are lightweight and don't take up much room. Start planning for your warm weather trips now by making your first stop at Fair Winds Sarongs. 

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

What to Expect From Travel in 2014

Travel is something that changes constantly, but there are some trends that can be forecast for the coming year and here are 3 that I find to be important and/or fun.

Truly unplugged vacations

We are bombarded all day every day with digital media and our electronics that people are returning to the true vacation and leaving their laptops and mobile phones at home. Two weeks of no posting, tweeting, poking, blogging. The more access we have to digital lifelines the more we are glad to get away from it. Sure, we may want to share our travels with all our friends and followers, but we find that it can wait until we get home. Yes, the Digital Detox is becoming more and more popular. Maybe you'd like to plan a trip and spend more face time with your family/spouse than with your smart phone.

More exciting airports

So many people just hate hate hate going to the airport, but that may be about to change. In 2013, airports are getting more exciting around the globe. In addition to airports that have amazing entertainment already - like museums, sculpture gardens and day spas - other cities are giving travelers a reason to head to the airport early to enjoy cool stuff while they wait for their flights. It also helps to have a back-up plan to sitting around and being bored when a flight gets delayed or you have a long layover. Here are a few things you can look forward to:

• In-airport gyms
• Meditation and yoga rooms
• More pet relief areas
• More free Wi-Fi
• Play areas catering to kids and their harried parents

Airfare Hikes?

Nobody likes to hear about rates going up, but go up they do. Of course, this year it appears we may be paying less overall for U.S. travel, but with airline mergers, this may not make a big difference. Fewer planes means they will continue to be overbooked and routes will be as sparse as possible. You will have a harder time finding reward seats when using your frequent flyer miles, so the earlier you can book them, the larger your selection. These are not the times to wait until the last minute if you have plans to travel or absolutely have to be somewhere on a particular day. Make your budget plan and stick to it, so you can make your goals of booking between 6 weeks and 3 months in advance for paid tickets and further from your desired travel date when cashing in your frequent flyer miles.

Have you noticed any travel trends that you're looking forward to in 2014?