Everyone has some place they need to be - whether it’s the morning commute to work, or the vacation you’ve been waiting for. Whether your mode of transport is a plane, train or automobile, the rules of travel apply. Maybe it’s the potential for lost baggage, missed connections or just being late for work, but sometimes your fellow travelers can be quite rude and inconsiderate. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you’re traveling:

Keep The Scents Under Wraps
Never use beauty products with very strong scents in enclosed places like airplanes. No perfume spraying or polishing nails. In fact, if you’re going to wear perfume on an airplane make sure you put it on well in advance. If not, the scent will be too strong and you’ll think you smell great but in fact, you’re giving everyone around you a headache.

Out Before In
This rule applies mainly to buses, trains and elevators. Always let the people exiting get out first before you attempt to enter. When waiting, stand to the side so you’re not blocking anyone’s way.

Read the rest after the jump  . . .

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For as much of a freak as I am, I can be insanely practical as seen in this week’s, picks: M.I.S.S. Michelle’s Bag of Tricks, which are great on the go products for $10 or less. These are products with very compact packaging that I always carry, and are especially helpful for when I travel, and were definitely in my bag of tricks during the craze of New York Fashion Week.

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Being away from home for eleven days for New York Fashion Week was an incredibly exciting time had on a very demanding schedule. I’m a definite creature of habit, so to feel as calm as possible through the hustle and bustle of it all, I made sure to pack the the following products; comfortable reminders of home, and perfect ways to end the day, relax for a few, and yes, this week’s beauty picks for you too!

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If you’ve never taken a fall vacation to enjoy the changing of the leaves, you’re missing out on one of the best reasons for fall travel. Nothing is more relaxing than enjoying a weekend lazing in a cottage overlooking trees cloaked in gold, red and purple. Get out of the city for a few days and head to your nearest wooded area for a treat you won’t soon forget.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Fall Foliage Report: Generally the last two weeks in October are the best for color change.
Where to Stay: Gatlinburg is full of remarkable country inns that offer sweeping views of the Smoky Mountains. A long-standing favorite is the Buckhorn Inn, offering private cottages, large wooded grounds, hearty breakfasts, and mouthwatering candlelit dinners. Another is the Hippensteal Inn, owned by artist Vern Hippensteal. With its view of Mount Le Conte, it can’t be beat for fall leaf-watching. Don’t forget to venture into the town’s mega-touristy center and get in touch with your caramel-corn-loving, Ripley’s-Believe-It-or-Not-museum-going, airbrushed-t-shirt-coveting inner self.

Gatlinburg Image

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Got a few vacation days left to use before the end of the year? Think international! Leave the laptop at home, pack your carry on bag and your passport, and jet-set to your nearest international city for a whirlwind long weekend. Do-able in a carry on? Of course! Adhere to the 3-1-1 carry on guidelines for liquids and you’re fine. Don’t spend a lot of money on a grand hotel. Weekenders are all about getting out and exploring the city.

New York to London, England
Leaving Thursday, returning Sunday
$300+ USD
Average air time is between 7 and 10 hours.

Do-able in a carry on? You bet! Adhere to the 3-1-1 carry on guidelines for liquids and you’re fine. London weather can be cold and rainy in fall, so be sure to wear a good raincoat and carry a compact umbrella. A long pashmina can double as a scarf during the day and a shoulder wrap at night. Wear comfortable shoes and plan to do plenty of walking. London’s public transportation system is excellent, so purchase a 3 Day London Pass with Travel Pass for unlimited access to London’s city transportation as well as tons of attractions like the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, the Globe Theatre, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Queen’s Gallery and more.

London Image

Check out the other 2 stops after the jump . . .

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There area a ton of websites out there related to travel these days, and some very handy little clickies that I always seem to think about AFTER I get home. If you travel with your laptop, go ahead and bookmark some (or all) of these to have on hand the next time you’re on the road.

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In response to high gas prices and outrageous restrictions by airlines, many people are staying home instead of going on vacation. This trend has given rise to the “stay-cation” - finding things to do in your own hometown (or very nearby) that don’t cost you an arm and a leg.

But what if you want something in between? You want to sleep in another bed for a few nights, and not have to worry about making it up yourself in the morning. And you don’t want to drive far. You’re in luck! Almost every city has a pool of great hotels or resorts, and because travel is in a lull right now, most are discounting their rates to attract visitors.

Find one you like, and call them up. Talk to the manager and ask for a “locals” discount. It’s very likely you’ll get one! Particularly if you are willing to stay mid-week. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are generally wide open and discounted rates are available.

Don’t know where to start in finding a hotel in your own backyard? Have a look at TheTopTenSite.com. For example, here’s what they recommend in the way of boutique (smaller) hotels in New York City.

The Casablanca
The Gansevoort
The Bryant Park Hotel
The Hotel Elysee
The Library
The Gramercy Park Hotel
The W Hotel Union Square
The Lowell
The SoHo Grand
The W Hotel Times Square

Find a hotel that has a restaurant, a bar and a spa, and you won’t even have to go anywhere for a few days! But if you do want to venture out some, don’t forget to check out your city’s convention and visitor’s bureau pages for discounts on local attractions. Now’s the time to check out that museum or art gallery you’ve been meaning to visit. Go on … be a tourist in your hometown! Not only will you get to know your city a little better, you’ll be helping boost the local economy.

Happy Travels!

Should you rent a car when you travel, or no? The decision is a real bugger when you’re planning travel to places you’re unfamiliar with. And with gas prices through the flippin’ roof these days, traveling at all can be a strain on the old pocketbook.

Here some things to consider when determining if you need a rental car as well as a plane ticket, and a few tips to help you find the lowest prices.

If you are visiting a major city, you probably won’t need a car. Major hubs generally have good transportation systems. Do a Google search on public transportation for the city you’re considering visiting. Most large cities also offer prepaid unlimited usage visitors transit passes, so definitely look for those to help save you time and money. New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and London all have good city-wide public transportation. And you can always take a cab in compact cities (like New York).

If you’re having trouble finding a public transit authority, have a look at the city’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau website. Many cities that do a large amount of tourist trade often have trolley or streetcar systems in place to shuttle visitors from attraction to attraction. Gatlinburg, TN, and New Orleans, LA are great examples.

Read the rest of the story after the jump . . .

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J.Crew is dabbling in the luxury market with it’s newest project with Globe-Trotter luggage.  The six piece collection of hand-crafted luggage, made in Britain, features black and tan leather with gold hardware.  The pieces evoke the old glamour of travel, before air travel was popular.  The classic lines and color of this luggage is pulling at my heart strings.  I want the whole collection.  The luggage is a bit pricey, but think of them as investment pieces - you’ll have some of the best made luggage in the world, and you’ll be travelling in high style.  The collection is limited and can be purchased online here.

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