Thankfully - Not So Wired When We Travel After All

A new survey from Orbitz looked at at how much pressure Americans feel to forego vacation time or to stay connected while away from home. Thankfully, the picture is not as bleak at the white collar media would have us believe. In the most encouraging result, only 11% said that it was important to take a laptop with them. A mere 2% said a Blackberry was the most important device to bring along. Both were beat handily by the digital camera--which many would say is the only device that should ever pass back out through your hotel doors after arrival.

In a few other findings, it seems my laid-back southern neighbors are the best at leaving the office completely:

"Southern residents (64%) are more likely than those who live out West (48%) to not check in with work at all during their vacation. The survey also indicates that Southerners (30%) are most likely to report they are frequent travelers." Shucks y'all.

APC Universal Plug Adapter

No, the thing pictured here is not some Transformers toy for kids, though it could transform your packing. If you are traveling from country to country with loads of electronic gadgets, this universal AC adapter could make life easier. I could have used this on my last trip, where I ended up being confronted with three different kinds of electrical outlets in a single country.

The idea is that wherever you are, you tweak this thing like a Rubik's cube and it will work in the socket.Just be advised though that this still doesn't solve your fluctuating voltage woes. Don't go plugging your 110v cord into a 220v socket unless you want to kiss the item on the other end goodbye.

There is such a thing as packing TOO light!

There's something to be said for packing light and packing carefully, but some people take it to an extreme. I met plenty of backpackers over the years who were tooling around with nothing but a tiny day pack, with one change of clothes. The problem with that is, they always looked like hell. They had threadbare clothing, were constantly borrowing things from other people, and were doing laundry every day or two. Or they didn't do laundry and you could smell them coming.

Such is the case with the subject of this story, "Tales of a Luggage-less Traveler." Yes, he was free as a bird and could hop along without being encumbered by luggage. But as he'll freely admit, he stank badly. And let's face it, the people getting detained at customs are usually the unshaven, the homeless-looking, and the poorly dressed. Border crossings go much more smoothly when you don't look like you are on your last dime.

Essential travel item - a lightweight fleece

If you are in hot countries all the time, you can get by with next to nothing, but if you are going to places that get at least a little cool at night, a lightweight fleece is an essential item. A fleece doesn't weigh much, you can cram it in anywhere, and it doesn't wrinkle. You can also subject it to all kinds of washing abuse--even Indian rock-banging laundry--and it will still last for ages. Good for chilly nights, for adding a layer, or for that early morning volcano hike.

If you buy one in the spring or summer, you can often get a fleece at a big discount. I picked up my pullover one at a Sears Land's End store two years ago for 10 bucks. They are on sale right now on that site for $15, men or women. There is usually a good sale at Sierra Trading Post and Backcountry.com's outlet store. Check the banner links on this page.