Recent airport amenities and rule changes by TSA can make your travels over the upcoming holiday easier, faster and even fun. The following tips bellow are geared towards helping you enjoy your journey, not just the destination during your holiday travel. Buckle up!

1. Check in ahead and do it online: Checking in and printing boarding passes at home (or downloading a virtual boarding pass to your smartphone) is a great way to skip past lines at the airport. Make sure to have a seat assignment, too. Baggage fees for some airlines are lower when paid in advance online, so consider that option as well. Finally, check the status of your flight before leaving for the airport. Certain companies offer customers a smart phone application where you can receive alerts on your smartphones, which can also be sent to up to six friends or family members meeting them at the airport.
2. Look into alternate airports: If you haven’t booked your Thanksgiving travel yet – or if you’re looking ahead to Christmas or New Year’s – consider using alternative smaller airports. These are often easier to navigate and less crowded. For example, if you’re traveling to San Francisco, consider flying into San Jose or Sacramento, two of the least-busy airports serving the greater Bay Area. Chicago travelers might have better luck with Midway International (MDW), while those heading into or out of the Los Angeles area may save time by going through John Wayne Airport in Orange County.
3. Leave the laces tied: A recent rule change by the TSA allows children 12 years old and younger to leave their shoes on when going through airport security—a welcome change and time-saver for parents. So next, time be sure to have your children keep their shoes laced-up when waiting in the security line.
4. Look up transportation and parking options: Some airport lots let you make advance reservations, while others provide real-time information on availability in each lot. Another option is to skip driving to the airport altogether by ordering a shuttle or sedan service, with reservations for many airports available on Orbitz.com or other online sites.
5. Pleasant Distractions: Another great perk for parents of young ones are airport play spaces and interactive exhibits. Several airports, such as Chicago O’Hare International and San Francisco International Airport have special areas designed with kids in mind. For example, at O’Hare, the Chicago Department of Aviation and the Chicago Children’s Museum have teamed up to develop Kids on the Fly. The interactive exhibit occupies children with airplane models, control towers and more. Meanwhile, adults looking to unwind and pass the time until their flight might want to consider purchasing a one-day airline club pass. Most clubs offer free Wi-Fi as well as beer, wine and cocktails as part of the entrance fee.

Photos of the Mendocino Glass Beach, like the one above, captivate the imagination with thoughts like, “wow, that’s cool!” But proceed with caution. The millions of shiny color stones on the beach are actually wasted glass from old bottles and glasses. While this may change your feeling about the beach it still is a breath-taking site that truly is a diamond in the rough.

Nestled away in Mendocino Coast, CA crystal beaches stretch for miles, sparkling from millions of small pieces of eroded glass. Why is this beach is composed of glass, not to be found in the sand at most other beaches in the world? Well, beaches on the Mendocino Coast have not always been beaches. From 1950 t0 1967 the beach as a dumping ground. As a result, glass, porcelain and other waste ended up on the Pacific coast.

Recently the state of California has acquired the beach, therefore making it a protected area. Visitors are encouraged not to pick up any glass in hopes of preserving its “artificial beauty”. It has been said the shiny crystals display their color especially on sunny days, creating a striking sparkle that capture the attention of tourists instantly. While human activity is often responsible for the deconstruction or transformation of many landscapes that is not the case in Mendocino. The glass beach in Mendocino is an example of an artificial landscape that holds a mysterious beauty unique to the rest of the world.

For us travelers, taking photos serves an important purpose. Our photographs tell a story of adventure, exploration, and discovery. That is why special attention must be paid to the equipment a traveler chooses to bring on their next expedition. The items assembled below are for the person who is much more travel junkie than photo geek, and are designed to make the entire photography experience easier and more enjoyable.

Camera

Travel Tripod

Digital Storage/Card Case

Photographer’s Bag

We hope to put your mind, and body, at ease with these pro tips to reduce travel related anxiety.

Before Departing

Master some relaxation techniques. Sign up for a yoga or meditation class and practice deep breathing techniques in advance of your trip. Slow, deep, conscious breathing will slow your heart rate and calm you down. Creative visualization is especially well suited to travel fears. If you are panicky on a plane, for instance, imagine yourself at your destination having a wonderful time instead.

Take care of your body. Stay hydrated, get plenty of good rest, eat right, and get your exercise. Try cutting caffeine from your diet – for many people this is the single best way to reduce stress (travel or non-travel related).

Pack early and leave time for last minute details. One of the most stressful scenarios is when you remember a laundry list of things to take care of the night before your trip. Make sure important things such as going to the bank, and letting neighbors know how long you’ll be away and how to contact you are done at least a few days in advance of departure – it will save you from a lot of stress as your vacation comes closer.

If your anxiety is caused by general fears or is particularly severe then seeing a therapist or doctor could be a good move for you. However, many people will be averse to seeking counsel or getting a prescription so these options will likely be a last resort.

During Your Trip

Our friend Ryan never misses a workout, and he doesn't looked stressed.

Use distractions. In the movie, “French Kiss,” Meg Ryan is taking a flight to Paris and is sitting in her chair petrified. Kevin Kline picks an argument with her and before she can notice the plane has already taken to the air. That scene is more than just Hollywood magic – it actually works! Much like the visualization techniques put your mind at rest, being distracted will prevent your mind from focusing on the wrong things. Mind over matter!

Keep in touch. A lot of stress can come from being away from the ones you know and love. Try sending weekly emails with updates of your experiences, set up a simple travel blog for friends and family to visit, or simply update your Facebook profile often – people love pictures!

Don’t skip your workouts. Exercise is a great way for your body to naturally release pent-up stress. Also, if you get regular exercise at home then keeping up your routine will help control anxiety.

Unfinished Oktoberfest Beer Tent in Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest – from the humble beginnings of a Bavarian royal wedding has become the world’s largest fair. For 16-18 days each Fall, Munich, Germany is transformed into a boisterous city of beer “tents” (think temporary structures) big and small. Each tent serves only certified Oktoberfest Beers, which must be brewed within the city limits of Munich, and delicious Bavarian food. For the beer connoisseur in you this place is heaven, even the tents names are beautifully Bavarian!

The Café Kaiserschmarrn is the Oktoberfest-paradise for pastry-lovers, while the Münchner Knödelei serves an icon of Bavarian cuisine: the dumpling.

Another traditional meal you’ll find a lot of while strolling from tent to tent is roasted duck and chicken, Heimer’s is popular with the locals and we strongly suggest trying it.

Be sure to stay informed by stopping by the Schottenhamel tent, as all official Oktoberfest events are kicked off here.

From the midnight tapping of the first keg by the mayor of Munich until the traditional closing ceremonies Oktoberfest is a world-class party, so it naturally attracts some of the worlds most recognizable people. Everyone who is anyone is likely to be there, from sports stars to actors and actresses,

producers, models, and you can even expect to see a few modern members of Europe’s royalty.

Munich mayor taps the first keg of Oktoberfest

Long before the American release of Beerfest in 2006 Oktoberfest tents have been popping up across the United States. Many of the nations best festivals form in cities big and small.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Columbus, Ohio
Dever, Colorado
And several in California – San Fransisco, Bear Lake, Los Angeles

Whichever Oktoberfest you decide to attend you are sure you have a wonderful time. The atmosphere is welcoming and electric with everyone having a good time, but of course when large crowds and approximately 7,100,000 liters of beer are served there is bound to be a few dust-ups. We would like to remind you that these disagreements can often be defused before they get rowdy with a little bit of common courtesy (you’ll be amazed how fair saying, “I’m sorry, can I buy you a new stein?” will go). Besides, everyone is there for one reason – to have the time of their lives!

Overpacking

Are you the type of person that packs up half their life to go on a weekend vacation? Maybe you can never seem to get your luggage closed without having someone sit on it first, always feel like you’re forgetting something, yet struggle to lift your bags? These are all telltale signs of a chronic over-packer.

The Good

The over-packer is ready for anything the world throws at them.

The over-packer has no need to worry about forgetting important (or trivial) items.

The over-packer does not need to buy clothes when they arrive at their destinations, which is often more expensive than shopping in their native city.

The Bad

The over-packer is likely to incur extra baggage fees at the airport.

The over-packer spends precious time packing pre-trip, unpacking and repacking during the trip, then once again unpacking post-trip.

The over-packer must lug their heavy luggage around.

The over-packer has little or no room to bring back trinkets, doohickies, and whatchamacallits.

Underpacking

An under-packer is the type of person who prefers to live life moment-to-moment. They don’t do as much planning as most of us, but they are prepared to adapt when the time comes. When you ask a chronic under-packer, “Where’s your stuff, is that all you brought?” a smile of satisfaction comes over their face as they say, “yes.”

The Good

The under-packer enjoys shopping in their destination, and sees this as a crucial part of the vacation experience.

The under-packer has lightweight bags which makes the experience of traveling more relaxed.

The under-packer has no use for special packing techniques of which there are several (Folding vs. Rolling? Who cares!).

The under-packer can throw & go, and be ready at a moments notice.

The under-packer has no risk of incurring extra baggage fees.

The Bad

The under-packer is more likely to be forgetting something important, e.g. Passport, phone charger, tickets.

The under-packer has to budget in extra time and money for shopping.

The under-packer may not be able to find what they need while shopping.

There you have it boys and girls! The advantages and disadvantages of underpacking vs. overpacking. I hope this will be helpful for you when deciding what to bring on your next trip. What kind of packer are you?

If there’s anything we missed please feel free to tell us in the comments section!

Read: Travel Gadgets You Shouldn’t Go Without

PROS & CONS OF TRAVELING BY CAR

Pros

• You’re the boss. Or maybe it’s a committee of your friends, but the point is that you don’t have some fancy-pants pilot or train conductor telling you what to do. See that In N Out off exit 309? You can stop there, because you’re the boss
• Not many experiences are better than a road trip with your friends
• You’re the DJ!

Cons

• Everyone has a job. You’re driving, sitting shotgun is the navigator, dude in the back is handling the snacks, and someone is probably complaining about the lack of leg room
• It’s not the fastest, nor the cheapest way to go
• The passenger limit is low, usually 5

PROS & CONS OF TRAVELING BY PLANE

Pros

• It’s the fastest way to go
• If you’re going far it’s the only way to go
• The comfort level is excellent, if you pay for it
• Safer than cars, statistically

Cons

• Worst for the environment, statistically
• Limited bag space and there’s a good chance you’re paying extra for it, too
• Fees. ‘Nuff said
• High security concerns, who are sometimes you
• Most expensive
• Factoring in extra travel time: getting to and from the airport, checking bags, getting your boarding pass, and so on

PROS & CONS OF TRAVELING BY TRAIN

Pros

• The safest way to travel, statistically
• An excellent, relaxing ride. There may also be scores of amenities for sophisticated ladies and gentlemen such as yourselves. Do yourself a favor and check out the restaurant selection on board before booking those seats
• Luggage is easy
• Splendid views of the countryside
• Least harmful to the environment (up to 90% better than airplanes)

Cons

• There is no such thing as a short train ride, you will be on that train for a while long span of time
• Not all trains are, let’s say, pleasant to be in. Luckily, it’s easy to find the specific amenities each line offers and compare prices. Spoiler Alert! If you want nicer and more desirable services, the ticket prices will be higher
• Has the least flexible scheduling options of the three. You’re likely to be planning a lot of your trip around when and where the train goes
• Be prepared for delays

You may have noticed that there is no breakdown for traveling by bus, so allow me to do one right here. Take the bus if you don’t want to spend much money, and don’t care how long or uncomfortable the trip might be. Simple!

What is your favorite way to travel? Tell us here!

• Who you are with
• Where you are going/staying
• How you are getting there
• And the things you bring with you

Today we are going to focus on the last component, the things you bring with you.
If you asked your friends what they absolutely had to bring you would hear these answers a lot: cell phone, charger, and iPod. Well, we’re going to cover a few of the lesser thought of gadgets that can make a big BIG difference in how much you enjoy your next vacation.

Amazon Kindle
Yes the iPad 2 is all the rage, but there still remains one glaring drawback… it’s very difficult to use in direct sunlight. The Kindle doesn’t have as many cool features as the iPad (nothing does) but being able to use it outside will encourage you to, well… get outside! No one should be cooped up in their room the whole time while on vacation, get out and see the world!

Polaroid’s GL20 Camera Glasses
This sweet piece of technology was unveiled by Lady GaGa herself, so you know it’s got to be good! Shoot video from your point of view and share it with the world with easy uploading or by displaying the images on the glasses’ LCD screens. Although the price has yet to be announced you can expect them on sale for the Christmas shopping season.

Innex ElectroHUB
This is the Big Daddy of portable chargers. It’s a pad that can charge up to SIX of your devices at once, wirelessly. It’s awesome. It’s the future.

Earthmate GPS
What makes this handheld GPS different than any of the others on the market? This one connects wirelessly to your PDA, laptop, or tablet. What makes it special is that you can send out text emails in case you find yourself lost in the wild wilderness. Plus it can be powered by the sun when other forms of energy are unavailable.

Think we missed something? Let us know on FaceBook!

Ever feel like dancing for hours on end while pressing up against thousands of fellow sweaty, smiling revelers?  Perhaps you picture flashing green and purple lasers overhead, or fog machines blotting out the stars above?  Is the music playing a combination of sidechains and 808s, evolving pads and LFO wobbles?  If your ears just perked up, then look into Electric Daisy Carnival, an electronic music festival series with dates across America.

What?:

Electric Daisy Carnival is a family of annual electronic music festivals that take place in multiple locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.  The most prominent of the 2011 fests takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a venue with a capacity over 140,000.  Since 1997, Insomniac Events, a Los Angeles based promoter, has held an EDC at a variety of southern California venues, including the Shrine Auditorium and the Los Angeles Coliseum, and 2011 is the first year that Vegas will play host.  The festival features DJs and live bands playing cutting edge electronic music of all genres, and always attracts the top international talent.

Who?

Past headliners include trance luminaries Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten and Armin van Buuren and prominent acts from other genres, such as Pendulum (Drum and Bass), Benny Benassi (House), David Guetta (House) and Infected Mushroom (Psytrance).  This year, the festival will be headlined by the king of trance, DJ Tiesto, along with Euro-house super group Swedish House Mafia, minimal mastermind Plastikman, dance-hall party boys Major Lazer and electro-indie rockers Empire of the Sun.  They are joined by a host of additional acts performing on six stages over three days.  For those not well versed in the whose-who of electronic music, I must remark that this list is truly impressive.  Van Buuren and Tiesto have held the title of #1 DJ in the world (bestowed by DJ Magazine, the accepted authority on the matter) a combined eight times and are major draws individually.  Plastikman is an alter-ego of famed minimal pioneer Ritchie Hawtin, and all of his rare performances include a cutting edge visual display.  I could go into detail about all of the groups and individuals performing this year, but instead I suggest heading to your favorite music source to check them out for yourself.  My fav? Pendulum, who combine heavy D&B beats with soaring vocals and metal guitar riffs.

Why?:

Electric Daisy Carnival began as a fairly niche event, catering to a small selection of American electronic music fans.  However, as electronic music’s popularity has exploded in the US, EDC and other large-scale rave events have become major destinations for enthusiasts the world over.  Fans pack shoulder to shoulder (and often closer) to dance the night away and take in fantastic light and laser shows accompanying the throbbing basses and ripping snares.  Contrary to popular media images, ravers come from all backgrounds and are a very diverse group, sharing love of music and the principle of PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect).  While it is true that many attendees use illegal substances to augment their experiences, the vast majority come to enjoy the show safely and responsibly.

How?:

The 2011 festival takes place from June 24^th-26^th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with music running from 8pm to 6am.  Tickets for all three days can be purchased here and hotel reservations can be booked here.  The event is expected to sell out, so it is advisable to purchase tickets ASAP!