Taking off Travel blog

It’s relatively easy to look good in a temperate climate. However, if you’re used to moderate or chilly temperatures and travel to a hot, humid city, the heat can really pack a punch. A woollen suit that looks sharp at home will just make you sweat uncontrollably and sag in the heat. White shirts can go transparent when they get wet, which is embarrassing for anyone. Here are a few tips to help make sure tropical weather doesn’t tarnish your ability to impress:

-Choose loose, light clothing. Avoid synthetic fabrics (they are often less breathable) and choose cotton or linen. If that means dressing a little less formally than you otherwise might, so be it. Better to be cool, calm, and comfortable in casual dress than hot, sweaty, and dishevelled in conservative business attire. You may find that business wear is less formal than you would expect at home anyway.

-Plan for the rain. Most tropical countries divide their year into just two seasons- the wet and the dry. If you’re arriving in the wet season, be prepared for rain and lots of it. In warm conditions a normal waterproof jacket will feel hot and make you sweat inside. They aren’t a big help. Cheap plastic ponchos do a better job. They allow plenty of airflow and they’re long enough to keep you dry to the knees even in a downpour. Of course, they’re not terribly stylish, but they only cost a few dollars and can easily be cast aside at your destination. You’ll arrive dry and as cool as possible, ready for action. Read more »

The discussion about the need for business travel continues to pick up steam. In an article on the Forbes blog, Tony d’Astolfo weighs in on why business trips are still necessary. He accepts that with gas prices rising, there will be questions about which trips are really needed, and argues for a case by case evaluation of when business trips are necessary and when they can be replaced by virtual meetings. Tony suggests three questions to drive business travel strategy:

• Will this trip drive revenue?
• How does this trip further our strategic business goals?
• What is the downside of conducting this meeting without travel?

He points out that the various travel fees and surcharges makes it hard to control travel and entertainment costs, but points to the use of mobile apps as one solution to help business travelers manage their trips and preferred providers easily and cost effectively.

Don’t you just love the holiday season? It’s great to spend time with your nearest and dearest, to eat seasonal food and to exchange gifts. But with weight restrictions on airlines becoming tighter and tighter any holiday traveler needs to learn how to travel light. Here are four tips on doing just that.

1. Make a list — check it twice

One of the best ways to get organized and ensure that you travel light is to make a list to see what you really need. And it’s not only Santa who should check it twice; you should too because the second time around you’re sure to find a few items that you can prune. After all, how much stuff do you really need for a holiday trip where you mainly see family? If you’re struggling to come up with a good packing list, check out these online packing list tools.

2. Go minimal

Many people have suggested ways to achieve minimalism in packing. It’s all about having items of clothing that coordinate well and that can do double duty. Depending on where you’re going it may be a little chilly so take items that layer well so you can easily achieve different looks without overloading your suitcase. For more inspiration, check out this post on achieving minimalism in business travel.

3. Weigh that case

Did you know that a suitcase can weigh around seven pounds? That’s nearly 20% of your airline weight allowance gone before you have packed a single item. It’s no wonder that luggage size and weight are among the key factors influencing the purchase of luggage. If you want to make sure that you don’t run out of space then consider buying lightweight luggage. You’ll be glad you did especially if you end up with a lot of gifts to bring back home. Find out more about luggage trends in our interview with John Ebb.

4. Ship it; don’t schlep it

These days, there’s no need to overload your luggage or your car with holiday presents. Instead, shop early so that you can take advantage of the free shipping offered by many online stores. You’ll even be able to choose gift wrapping or you can simply pick up a roll of wrapping paper when you reach your destination. This tip comes courtesy of Smarter Travel who also offer advice on winter packing.

See how easy it is to travel lighter for the holidays? Add your tips in the comments below.

(Photo: maki)

I believe in traveling light – honestly I do; it’s just that I’m not terribly good at it. I’ve recently been revisiting the idea that you should own 50 things which means you would always be able to travel light. I still don’t think I’ll be able to do it for personal travel, but I thought I’d check on my most recent business travel packing  list to see how close I am.

Several people have shared their lists, and they have followed a few basic rules:

1. Only personal things count (no shared items)

2. No books (phew! because I have lots of those, though now that I have a Kindle perhaps that wouldn’t be as much as a problem.)

3. You can group items such as underwear and socks. Read more »

Everyone’s looking to cut the cost of travel – and that’s true even in business. As companies look to save money, business travel budgets are being slashed. However, you don’t have to give up all the perks, if you’re prepared to do a little negotiating. Here are some tips on saving money on business travel.

Downsize The Perks

With airlines seeking business there are deals aplenty, so perhaps it’s time to check out the companies who offer first class travel at coach prices. You could save a small fortune and still travel in style. Many airlines offer a ‘premium economy’ service, which gives you many of the perks of business class travel, but at a lower cost. Read more »