TravelsandEscapes

Do you use a reusable shopping bag at home? Why not pack one when you travel? Some fold flat and fit into your day pack or purse. I use one that stuffs into its own bag and also fits in my purse. When I need it, I shake it out and it’s ready to be filled.

Do you pack emergency snacks? You might love the pretzels and peanuts on the airplane. But, what about something a little more substantial to get you by until you can eat dinner somewhere other than the airport?

Do you pack an extra memory card? If you’re like me, you take hundreds of photos. I always have an extra memory card in my bag. I don’t have to waste time asking where the nearest electronics store is.

Do you pack lip balm? Even if you don’t regularly use it, it’s great for lips on airplanes. With all that dry air, your lips could use the extra moisture. Did you know you could use it in an emergency to tame frizzy hair ends, add some moisture to dry cuticles, unstick a stuck zipper, and even double as sunscreen?

According to Smarter Travel:

Wander the streets, don’t rush through them. Take time to view the different bridges. You will find beauty in each one.

Napoleon has not been forgotten. When his army invaded Venice they tried to crush the identity and spirit of the Venetian people. One of the things they did was to destroy all the lions that were carved and painted onto buildings and bridges. You can still see some of the places where only parts remain.

The winged lion is the symbol of Venice.

Venice waterways have speed limits to avoid damage to structures along the water. Vaporetti and traditional wooden boats tend to obey where some of the water taxis don’t.

The acqua alta, or the exceptionally high tides that flood parts of the city, may be an alarming or strange site for visitors. Locals know when these high tides are coming. If you want to know, us an app like hi!tide Venice or Venice tides.

Venice has its own language. Italy has only been its own country for fewer than 150 years, so regional dialects and languages get mixed in with mainstream Italian.

Meet some old Venetians in a bar and they’ll tell you they are Venetian…not Italian.

When saying grazie, just soften the z to an s sound and you’ll sound more like a Venetian.

Do you ever pack these easy things? Maybe you should…

Reusable water bottles fit just about anywhere. You can fill them at water fountains, cafes, or the hotel sink. Or, purchase a large bottle of water and refill your smaller ones.

Laundry bags keep your dirty clothes separate from clean clothes in your suitcase. Throw a dryer sheet in the laundry bag to keep the dirty ones smelling a little better.

Make a First Aid Kit by adding some band-aids, individual packages of antibiotic ointment, some moleskin, and aspirin or other pain reliever.

Did you know Venice has endured 1,400 years of nearly constant siege…from Barbarians, Napoleonic armies, water encroaching on its streets, to tourists and cruise ships?

Here are some things Venetians like for visitors to know…and some things we discovered on a recent trip.

It’s good to get lost. We had maps and GPS, just like every other tourist in the city. A goal was to get lost at least one day. We did. I don’t care how you turn that map, it doesn’t show exactly that last little bridge you walked over. It just doesn’t. That’s okay. Venice is a maze. You can’t really get lost…it’s surrounded by water. It just may take you longer to get where you wanted to go.

If you don’t know whether to visit a foreign country or not, check out www.state.gov/travel before you book your flights.

Pay attention to the countries listed by the State Department as places you don’t want to visit. This site is kept up to date with information on documents, visas, travel warnings, and so much more.

Some other valuable information is to keep your passport with you, keep your tickets with you, carry copies of your passports, visa pages, and travel insurance in a separate place, keep emergency contact information handy, and know what the local customs and regulations are when visiting a foreign country.

Since summer is a prime traveling time, national parks experience peak crowds this time of year. Kids are out of school, weather is great, and the scenery is at its best.

This means lodging, campgrounds, and hotels fill up quickly. Roads can become full of cars, RVs, and campers. Do a little planning and you can have a good trip through the national park of your choice.

Visit the web sites of the National Park Service for US parks or Parks Canada for those north of the US before you go. You will find up to date information on parks, road conditions, trail reports, hours, special fees, activities, lodgings, and more.

Consider a park pass if you’re thinking of visiting several parks over the next year. The America the Beautiful annual pass is $80 and includes admission to national parks, monuments, and any sites managed by other government agencies. Your admission includes the pass holder and vehicle in some parks or the pass holder and up to three other adults in others. Kids under 16 are free.

Seniors age 62 and over pay only $10 for a lifetime pass.

Early morning is a great time to visit. So is just before sundown.