Are You Ready For More Innovative Travel?

I think we all are. the time has passed when we have to pack all our travel clothes in a big box with wheels or carrying a messenger bag that is a pain to get anything out of. Last week I had the opportunity to go to the Travel Goods Show in Phoenix and meet with a ton of companies. While there were a lot of brands there with traditional luggage. Sure they were fun new colors, patterns or fabrics, but at the end of the day they were the same expensive bags that you can buy everywhere. Travel has changed a lot over the years and for companies to not keep up just seems crazy to me.

Luckily, there were tons of brands there that are looking to change with travelers and travel and want to give customers more innovative products. I was excited to meet with these kinds of companies, including Travelon, whom I have a long-standing relationship with. Though a lot of products at the show were not available for the market yet (think May, June and July), I was able to get a sneak peek of what's coming to travel stores and online shopping soon.

Many more companies are including helpful features to their products: padded compartments for all your electronics, more pockets, rip-stop and self-repairing zippers, TSA-friendly laptop compartments, configurable bags, breathable fabrics, dual purpose bags and, the thing I feel most designers forget about, the slip pocket that will attach a bag to your rolling carry-on. 

I picked up a bunch of cool samples at the show and have more on the way, so over the next few weeks and months, you'll be seeing a lot of reviews of bags and gadgets so you have the chance to pick up new useful stuff before your upcoming trips this year. This was my first trip to the Travel Goods Show, but I hope it won't be my last. Not only was I able to get some fantastic contacts, but I got to enjoy some Arizona sunshine and am now able to bring you some of the best new products as soon as they are available.

What kinds of products are you most interested in seeing this year?

Infographic: How to Fly With Just a Carry-On

Though you may think it impossible to fly with so little stuff, I'm here to tell you that it is totally doable. When Eric and I travel, we go with two carry-on bags (one large and one small) and a personal item. This gets us through two-week trips, though we could travel for longer with the same amount of clothing, shoes and other items, since we aren't afraid to do laundry or be seen in the same outfit more than once. Baggage fees are outrageous and going up all the time. You can view current rates here. Eagle Creek make lightweight luggage that can help you pack less and save your back as well. This infographic shows you how to travel with just a carry-on, every time you travel.

Carry on luggage

I can't tell you how much easier it is to travel when you have everything with you and can just jump off the plane and get on with your trip. What are your tips for traveling carry-on-only?

Taking an Affordable Golf Vacation

Golf is expensive. I think this is a problem a lot of people encounter. How regular people can afford to go play almost every weekend is beyond me. Well, I found some tips on how to save on such things that I’m going to share with you now, because I like that sort of thing and I think more people should get to play golf more often and not be forced to have to skip it when they go on vacation and have the chance to play new and exciting – not to mention challenging – courses. So, pack your golf shoes and some sunscreen and try using some of these techniques to hone your money-saving golf skills:

• Book a less desirable tee time or less busy day to get a discounted rate.
• Buy an Entertainment Book for your vacation destination (if applicable) or use your current one to look online and find discounts on golf where you are going. They mark the books down in February and March, so you get an even better deal, plus you can get cash back on your purchase of one with Ebates (17.5%!).
• Use Expedia to book a reduced tee time rate on GolfSwitch. They have a network of golf courses worldwide where you can book ahead of time, get a good deal and, because you paid in advance, only have to worry about showing up!
• Book tee times in the US, Canada, Bermuda, Mexico, Ireland and Scotland at a discount with GolfNow.com and earn points towards golf rewards, like free rounds!
• Many courses give discounts to residents. If you know anyone in the area that you’ll be playing in, see if you can get them to book for you.
• Rent your equipment when you get there. No sense in dragging your heavy clubs everywhere you go if you’ll only be playing one or two rounds while you’re on your trip. You’ll save by not having to pay (overweight) baggage fees each way and you won’t have your bag taking up all that space in your room. Your back will also thank you.
• Groupon! Sign up for Groupon for free and get up to 75% off dining, shopping and activities. This includes greens fees. I have seen many Groupons for lovely golf courses in the Portland area, so I have to believe that you can find equally good ones for your home area and other U.S. and international destinations (whereGroupon is offered). It doesn’t hurt that you may also see Groupons for other things you may want to see and do…or eat!

So, hopefully that will help you keep some green in your wallet while you’re keeping your ball on the green!