For working parents, juggling the demands of business and family life can be challenging. And if your job requires you to travel frequently, you may find yourself struggling to keep all the balls in the air. But what if you could combine the two? We checked in with three experts to get their thoughts.

Can business travel be family-friendly?

Absolutely, says family blogger Anne Taylor Hartzell of Hip Travel Mama. “Of course, it depends on the business trip and the age of your children,” she says. “When kids are very young, they are very portable, however sleep schedules can take a toll on parents. Traveling with support can make all the difference.” She suggests bringing along a grandparent, friend or nanny to help out and provide built-in childcare for those business dinners and events that are not kid-friendly. “Utilize kids’ clubs and older siblings to babysit for short jaunts out for evening business events.”

Jen Leo, co-founder of Kids N Trips agrees. “We’ve traveled as a family with my husband when he needed to be in different cities for work since our daughter was a baby,” she says. “It’s a great opportunity to have some fun out of the house without using your full vacation budget.”

But Eric Stoen of Travel Babbo isn’t quite so sure that business travel and family travel are a match made in heaven. “I don’t think I’ve ever mixed business travel and family travel,” he says. “When I think about real business travel – conferences and meetings – I’ve never taken the kids. I used to travel to St. John’s, Newfoundland twice a year or so in my old job and never took family along even though we went whale watching and did other fun things. I had no idea what I would do with them during the day when I had meetings. And even now that they’re older, I have the same concerns.” But Eric notes that he and his family are fortunate to travel a lot so they don’t really need to combine work with vacation. “We travel enough as a family that my wife and kids aren’t looking for an excuse to travel more if I’m heading somewhere amazing for work,” he says. “I leave, I come home, and then we plan amazing trips with everyone.”

How to turn a business trip into a family-friendly trip

“Like any trip, be flexible if you are able,” says Anne. “Consider extending a weekend business stay through Sunday and Monday night for best extended rates on hotels. For mid-week business trips, adding on a weekend to decompress and sight-see is a great way to mix business with pleasure.”

Since it goes without saying that a business trip means that someone will have to work, Jen advises doing some advance research to find ways for the rest of the family to have fun while they’re busy. You can also use TripIt’s new Nearby Places feature to find out what’s nearby. “Many cities have children’s museums, aquariums, parks, movie theaters, children’s toy stores, or a great ice cream shop to try,” she suggests. “When our daughter was an infant to toddler age, I looked for local resources like indoor playgrounds and well-regarded outdoor parks to take her to while dad was at work. We also always tried to make time for all of us to be together and have some fun, whether that was having a meal together or watching a movie and playing games together in the hotel.”

Since traveling with little ones isn’t always easy, especially if you’re flying solo while your spouse is working, find out what local family resources you can take advantage of. “If you’re traveling with a small child, consider renting equipment in your destination so you can travel lighter,” Jen suggests. “Also, call your concierge in advance and ask about babysitting options, or sign up in advance with a local babysitting company that vets their sitters,” she says.

Great destinations for family-friendly bizcations

Anne says that when it comes to domestic travel, there are some cities that really roll out the red carpet for families and make traveling with kids a lot of fun. In Orlando, she says there’s tons for the family to do and it’s a popular destination for business and conventions travel. She loves New York because there’s so much to do for kids of any age, plus, it’s so walkable. And Seattle also makes her top three. “Maybe I’m biased because Seattle is my home city, but especially during the summer months, Seattle is an amazing place to visit for business and leisure!” she says.

“Conferences that are held at family friendly resorts with kids’ clubs are fantastic for families who like pools or activities planned by energetic hotel staff,” Jen says. “We were spoiled in that my husband had an annual conference at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas in our daughter’s early years. We’ve also made family trips that wrapped around business in Las Vegas.”

Do’s and don’ts for mixing business with pleasure

As a family travel blogger, Anne has lots of experience combining business travel with family travel. Here, she dishes up her top do’s and don’ts:

Do travel as often as you can with your kids and always consider how you can extend a business trip into a family experience. It’s hard in the beginning, but soon, they will be packing and carrying their own bags and you’ll be wondering where the time went when you were lugging around all that travel gear.

Do check your expectations at the hotel door. Traveling with kids requires a lot of patience and flexibility. Things will go sideways. Kids will throw up at the restaurant right as they are serving an epic meal, they will run a fever the morning of your flight, they will fuss and cry during a business dinner. This is part of the journey.

Don’t forget to set expectations with older kids regarding mom’s or dad’s work responsibilities during a trip. For trips where I’m covering an event, we always share the schedule and talk about how mommy has work commitments and discuss when we will carve out family time to unplug and play!

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Traveling with kids is hard for every parent and mixing business with leisure is not easy. Stay the course to grow more culturally-aware and connected families!

The post How to Make Business Travel Family-Friendly appeared first on TripIt Blog.

Travel can be stressful at the best of times. From planning and packing to airports and airplanes, there are a lot of steps involved in getting from Point A to Point B. And if you’re a working parents, well, the challenges can be unique. And if you’re traveling for business, whether it’s solo or whether the kids are tagging along, you know how critical smart packing is. How you pack can make or break your trip. Here are some packing tips to help simplify travel for you!

Luggage

If you’re traveling solo and leaving the little ones at home, try to pack carry-on luggage only. Not only will life be so much easier if you’re not weighed down with excess baggage, but your travels will be much more flexible as well. For example, let’s say you’re at the airport and realize you need to get home much quicker to see your children. With carry-on only luggage, it will be much easier to change your ticket and get on an earlier flight.

If you’re traveling with kids who are old enough to carry their own small suitcase or backpack, choose something that’s compact enough to fit under the seat in front of them and that opens from the top so that they can easily retrieve that must-have game, book or toy. If your child is using a roller suitcase, look for something that has a telescopic handle that can be sized to a child’s height or an adult’s height … the chances are high that you’ll end up rolling it at least part of the time, so you don’t want to have to hunch over to do it! A backpack that isn’t too heavy is also a good idea for kids so they’ve got their hands free.

If you’re traveling with someone else and you’re checking bags, it’s a wise idea to split everyone’s stuff amongst the multiple suitcase. That way, if one suitcase gets lost in transit, you’ll all still have fresh clothes to wear until the suitcase is returned to you.

And always remember to keep all your really important things in your carry-on bag – don’t check them! Things like glasses, contact lenses and medications should always be in your hand luggage, as well as anything you’ll need for a baby or child (food, toys) and anything valuable like tech gadgets and jewelry.

Clothing

If you travel frequently for business, it’s a good idea to come up with a capsule wardrobe in advance so that you have your essentials always ready to go! Consider packing three bottoms and four tops that can easily mix and match to give yourself 12 different looks. And only pack two pairs of shoes; one for day and one for evening, plus the pair you’re wearing to travel in means you’ll have three pairs total.

If you’re traveling with a baby and sharing a suitcase, use packing cubes to keep the baby’s clothing separate from your clothing. Packing cubes will help to keep your suitcase neat and prevent it from becoming a disorganized mess.

Toiletries

Buy doubles of your makeup and skincare products and have a cosmetics/toiletries bag always packed and ready to go. This way, you’ll never forget to pack your favorite moisturizer or lipstick. Likewise, if you’re traveling with kids, have a cosmetics bag always packed with the essentials like wipes, Band-Aids, sunscreen and toothpaste, for example. Just grab and go!

Even better? Check out Travel Badger for pre-packed toiletry kits that are TSA-compliant and have everything you’ll need. Kits can be purchased for women, men and children and there’s also an organic option.

Technology

The key to easy packing is being organized and since it seems like we’re all traveling with so many gadgets (smartphones, laptops, tablets and eReaders), that means we’re also traveling with an increasing number of chargers. Keep all those cords, cables and batteries neatly organized using the Geek Tech Case from Skits. It’s a simple and stylish way to organize all your chargers and cords in one place so you can easily find what you’re looking for.

Many mamas will tell you that the easiest way to survive a flight with kids is to let them watch a movie on a tablet or laptop. Be sure to use a kid-proof, shockproof, protective case on your tablet so it can survive being dropped. And don’t forget headphones so your little one isn’t disturbing seatmates and other nearby passengers. When shopping for headphones, look for ones that are specifically designed for kids and have ear cups that fit your child well and have a volume limit so that they can’t accidentally turn up the volume too loud and blast their sensitive ears.

Apps

Before you travel, make sure that your smartphone is loaded with all the essential apps you’ll need. A few to consider? The TravelSmart app from Allianz Travel Insurance is so handy because it gives you quick access to your travel insurance policy in the unfortunate event that anything goes wrong. It also has lots of practical information like emergency phone numbers in countries around the world and a hospital locator, and it can help you translate medical and first aid terms into 18 languages. The TripIt app can help to save you time and headaches as you navigate a busy airport, especially if you’ve got kids in tow. Use it to find out security wait times and to get real-time flight alerts throughout your trip. Plus, if you’re traveling with a baby and need a quiet place to nurse, the TripIt app can help you find the nearest airport lounge. Some other apps to have downloaded: SignEasy for a quick and simple way to sign documents on the go, Genius Scan for scanning documents and the XE app for quick currency conversions.

When it comes to apps for kids, you’ve likely got tons of educational apps, games and videos to keep them entertained. But consider the Teddy Passport app, which is a really fun way to create a faux passport for your child’s stuffed animal and with just the tap of a button, add stamps every time he visits a new state or country.

Toys

If you anticipate needing lots of ways to keep your little one amused and entertained on the airplane, bring a small new toy that they’ve never seen before to keep them engaged. Or bring a favorite toy that they only get to play with on the plane, so it keeps its ‘special’ status. Think toys are just for kids? If you’re traveling solo and fear you’ll miss your little ones too much, sneak one of their stuffies as a stowaway into your suitcase so you can hold it if you feel lonely.

The post Packing Tips for Working Parents appeared first on TripIt Blog.

If you’ve ever traveled with a baby or a toddler, you know it isn’t easy. Traveling with more than one? Oh boy. Kids have unique needs and as a parent, you have to be prepared for any number of surprises. And when you’re on an airplane, it’s even harder to manage those challenging situations … you’re in cramped quarters, you don’t want to disturb everyone on the plane and you might not have packed that one toy that all of a sudden your child is screaming for. (Keep reading for airplane essentials for kids that’ll help!)

Breathe. Most people are understanding of the challenges parents traveling with kids face and if they’re not, well, there’s not much you can do about it but demonstrate that you’re doing your best to control the situation. I think the thing that irritates people most is when it looks like parents are turning a blind eye to a child’s disruptive behavior. But when you’re clearly doing your best, most people will sympathize and maybe even offer to lend a helping hand.

If you are taking your children with you on a business trip, chances are, you’ve figured out your childcare needs at your destination, while you’re working. (If not, ask for sitter referrals from trusted friends or use someone your hotel may have a long-standing relationship with.) But getting there is a different story if you’re flying without any help.

I’ve talked to many parents who have told me that they just won’t travel with their children… whether for business or not! They’re intimidated by the very prospect and I completely understand… it can feel overwhelming. But after braving about three dozen flights with my one-and-a-half-year-old, I’ve learned some tips and tricks along the way to help both parents and kids keep their sanity on the airplane.

Board the Aircraft First or Last

Many airlines allow families with small children to board the plane first, to give you time to get settled. For some kids, this may be a great idea; it’ll give them ample opportunity to experience their excitement of being on an airplane so that by the time it’s time to take off, they’ll be ready to take their seats. But for other kids who never run out of steam, your best bet might be to let them run off that energy inside the airport terminal so that by the time you board, they’re tuckered out and are hopefully ready to sleep!

Consider Buying an Extra Ticket

On most airlines, children under two fly for free as a lap child on your lap. Sure, the financial savings feel like a win, but sometimes, it’s just worth it to buy that extra ticket. Consider being in a row of three seats and Mom and Dad have two seats and one of them is holding the baby or toddler. A squirmy child is difficult to control and is surely going to disturb the person in the third seat. You may spend the entire flight apologizing for bumping your neighbor or knocking over their drink or any other number of things. On most flights, my husband and I purchased a seat for our son, even though he’s under the age of two, just to give us more space and room for our son to move around a bit. Also, if you’re a breastfeeding mom, you might appreciate that there isn’t a stranger sitting right next to you as you try to nurse your child throughout the flight.

Pack a Change of Clothes

Most parents will pop a change of clothes for their child into their carry-on bag, just in case they have a diaper accident, a messy meal or a spilled drink. But do you pack a change of clothes for yourself? My son projectile vomited on me shortly after takeoff on a recent flight and I wish I’d had a change of clothes for myself… I learned that lesson the hard way!

Bring a Toy They’ve Never Seen Before

I always pack a little bag filled with toys that will (hopefully!) amuse my little one while we’re in-flight. I try to include a few things that he’s never seen or played with before. This doesn’t mean I head to the toy store before every flight. Instead, I find things laying around the house that he can play with, and I love how entertained he is with the simplest things. Sometimes I’ll put some old hotel room keys in the bag or some colorful straws. He makes up his own games with each new item, and I love to see how creative he is!

Load Up Your Smartphone or Tablet

Sure, you don’t want your kid to veg out on a phone or tablet for the entire flight but the reality is, sometimes it’s the only thing that will keep them quiet. (Note: The American Academy of Pediactrics recommends that children under the age of 18 months should have no screen time whatsoever.) If you are going to let your little one indulge, then download educational apps and games and high-quality programming (the AAP suggests Sesame Workshop and PBS’s children’s shows) so that at least their time can be spent wisely and you can feel less guilty.

Products to Pack

Need a few more practical tips to help you survive your next flight with a baby or toddler? Here are a few things to have on hand:

Baby Change-N-Go

If you’ve ever had to change a baby’s diaper in a public washroom or worse, within the confines of an airplane bathroom, you know just how unpleasant the experience is for both parent and child. My son once tried to LIE DOWN ON THE FLOOR of a public washroom while I changed his diaper standing up because there was no change table {insert mom freak out emoji here}. If I’d had this brilliant product with me, things would have gone differently! This portable diaper changing station hangs from a wall or bathroom stall door and guarantees you a clean place to change your child’s diaper when you’re on the go. When you’re done, just fold it up and stash it in your bag or stroller. Baby Change-N-Go, $80.

Pacapod Mirano Diaper Bag

You might think that all diaper bags are created equal but after much research, I found this one to be an excellent choice for the mom who’s always on the go. It’s roomy enough to hold everything you’ll need for your little one, plus your laptop if you’re traveling on business. What I also like is that it has two separate ‘pods’, one for food items, one for diaper items. This way, you can keep those items secure and away from each other so you don’t find any unwanted messes in your bag. Pacapod Mirano Diaper Bag, Nordstrom, $190.

Doona Car Seat and Stroller

This is hands-down the best thing I ever used as a parent! I’ve been stopped countless times in airports, hotels, malls and streets around the world by parents asking about this incredible stroller. I simply can’t recommend it enough! This brilliant car seat converts into a stroller with just the click of a button, which means that you don’t have to cart a car seat AND a stroller with you when you travel. The handy Doona does both jobs beautifully. The car seat is FAA-approved so you can use it on the airplane and when it’s time to deplane, simply pop the wheels out and you’re on your way! You don’t need to wait for your stroller to show up planeside if you gate checked it or at baggage claim. It’s so convenient to get around using the Doona; you can easily hop into Ubers once you know how to strap it securely using the seatbelt in the backseat. Doona Car Seat + Stroller, $499

Kid-friendly headphones

If you do opt to let your little one indulge in some screen time while you’re traveling, make sure they have kid-friendly headphones so that they don’t disturb nearby passengers. Also, make sure that the headphones have a volume limit so that your little one doesn’t accidentally get his ears blasted! Lil Gadgets Connect+ Premium Headphones, Amazon, $17.99

Entertainment

If you prefer a more analog way to entertain your child, I like Water Wow reusable activity pads. You fill the markers with water and when your child colors in the activity book, the black and white images come to life in full color. It’s a fun activity that can be used multiple times and the water markers will not leave marks on anything, making it a perfect airplane activity. Water Wow, Amazon, $9.99

Toiletry bag

Don’t forget to pack your child’s toiletry bag in your carry-on bag so that you have quick access to medications or other emergency items you might need. My son’s toiletry bag includes Children’s Tylenol in case he’s running a fever, a thermometer, nail clippers, lotion, sunscreen, Bandaids, toothbrush, toothpaste, diapers, wipes, Desitin, an aspirator and saline drops … among other things!

The post How to Keep Your Sanity on the Airplane When Traveling with Kids appeared first on TripIt Blog.

In the past, a ‘business trip’ may have conjured up mental images of men in suits flying first class to metropolitan cities, attending boardroom meetings and schmoozing clients with cocktails before catching a red-eye flight home. But today, business travel is all-encompassing, including more and more women and moms. As the nature of the workforce continues to evolve and we see the rise of entrepreneurs and freelancers, the very notion of what business travel looks like is changing as well. For some people, business travel is and sometimes has to be, a family affair, meaning that the kids go where Mom and Dad go.

My husband, travel expert Johnny Jet, and I have now taken about 40 flights with our almost-two-year-old son, traveling sometimes for pleasure but mostly for business. From the day we became parents, we knew that we wanted to find a way to merge our work life with our family life so that we would spend as little time apart as possible. It hasn’t always been easy, bringing a baby along on business trips, but it has always been worth it, to be together. And with so many trips under our belts, we’ve picked up a few tips along the way.

My husband always likes to be prepared, in the event of an emergency. And for a planner like him, travel insurance is key. “I would never travel without travel insurance, especially now that I have a son,” he says. “It gives me a peace of mind. When our son got sick in New York City last year, we racked up some serious bills, due to a visit from The Baby Doctor and an emergency room hospital visit. But thankfully my travel insurance policy helped to offset those costs.”

I’m also a planner but my concerns lean more to the day-to-day logistics of any trip and foremost on my mind is always finding good, healthy food to feed my son while we’re on the go. For this reason, I love staying at Ritz-Carlton hotels and having Club Lounge access. This means that we can pop into the lounge in between meetings and always know that there will be food, from full meals to snacks like fruits, vegetables and milk for our son. Eliminating that stress allows me to focus on my work and not always be worried about finding places where he can get a good breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There are tons of ways to make business travel with kids easier and smoother so I checked in with a handful of experts to get their advice. Here’s what they had to say:

Set expectations

When traveling with kids on a business trip, it’s important to define in advance how you’ll divide your time and the expectations you will all have about what you’ll do and when you’ll do it. Before you go, look for activities and attractions that the kids will enjoy, can be easily managed by your partner or caregiver solo, and that you won’t be too disappointed to miss while you’re working. If your evenings will involve dinners or events that are not appropriate for kids to attend, try to carve out breakfast or lunch as special time to spend together. If possible, extend your trip by a day or so after your business is finished, so you can look forward to doing fun things as a family once the work part of your trip has wrapped. Of course, this advice is based on the assumption you’ll have a co-parent or caregiver traveling with you. If you’ll be bringing the kids along on a business trip and you’ll need to find supervised activities or child care while you’re there, reach out in advance to friends and family and social media for local day program options or possible nanny-shares. On a recent trip, a friend was able to place her three-year-old for the day with another friend at their home daycare, which was a great temporary solution she felt good about thanks to the word-of-mouth recommendation. Some larger hotels have kids’ programs and activities that might align with your work commitments or will be able to arrange babysitting or refer you to local child care agencies. –Corinne McDermott, Founder, HaveBabyWillTravel.com

Be prepared to do your own thing

If you have a partner or family member traveling with you, I think it is important that they make their own plan for the day and are not waiting around for a break in your schedule. You are there to work, and sometimes meetings run late or you fortuitously bump into someone that you really need to talk to. It can be difficult to give 100% when you know that you have kids back in the room in swimsuits waiting for you to take them to the pool for an hour. Having also been on the flip side of this with my husband’s work trips, it’s hard not to get frustrated when they don’t appear on time, as promised. Personally, I find it is just better for each party to do their own thing and if you end up having a window of free time together, it can be considered an added bonus. I also like the idea of tacking on an extra couple days to the trip so that you can look forward to some family time together once the work is done. – Tara Cannon, Founder,  Pint Size Pilot – Survival Skills for Travel with Kids

Stay organized and don’t be afraid to ask for help

There were a few times when my little boy was just a baby (and still breastfeeding) when I needed to go on a business trip. Rather than miss out on a great job opportunity, I packed up my pumpkin and traveled with him. Here are a few tips that worked for me:

-When booking your flight, fly nonstop and schedule it during baby’s nap-time or nighttime so they’re more likely to sleep. Don’t be the first to board the airplane. Let the baby run/crawl around the airport to get out as much energy as possible before you board.  I’m always armed with a bunch of snacks (stock up at Whole Foods) and toys and treasures from the dollar store to distract during a long flight. I’ve found that new shiny things to tinker with will help keep little hands stay occupied.

-Stay organized and keep your hands free by packing a backpack with all your necessities like diapers, wipes, extra change of clothes, blanket for over air-conditioned airplanes, etc. If kids are old enough, tablets loaded with their favorite TV shows (that can be watched offline) can be an absolute lifesaver. Don’t forget kid-sized earphones as well.

-Don’t be shy to ask the flight attendants and fellow passengers for help. Traveling with a baby solo can be difficult and many (mostly parents with older children who remember how hard it can be) are sympathetic to your plight and eager to help. –Julia Dimon, Family Travel Expert, JuliaDimon.com

Bring someone who can look after the kids

Sometimes I do bring my kids along on a business trips when it makes sense, and if it’s inexpensive to do so. Oftentimes, I’ll try to combine work trips with personal trips, especially if it’s a destination we’ve been wanting to visit as a family. I tend to bring my kids (ages 3 and 4) along on about 50% of my work trips, and we’ve always made great memories that way. If you’re a business traveler and you are considering to do the same, I highly recommend bringing someone along to give you a hand and extending the trip a day or two after your work obligations are done. Oftentimes, I’ll bring my mom along to attend to the kids while I am in meetings, and then I’ll plan some family-friendly activities when time permits so that everyone can enjoy the city we’re in. Traveling for work and being away from my family is hard on everyone, so it’s certainly a win-win for all and is a great way to kill two birds with one stone while bonding as a family! —Angelina Aucello, Founder, AngelinaTravels.com

Plan carefully so everyone can enjoy the trip

My best advice is to plan carefully so you can ensure it will be a business trip everyone can enjoy. Be sure you are visiting a destination that will have plenty for your children to do while you are busy in meetings or attending business-related activities. What will they do while you are busy? Do you need a resort with great amenities like kids clubs or water parks? Do you require babysitting services? Are you going to travel with another adult who can help look after your children? Most importantly, how much time will you have to spend with your children exploring and enjoying the destination?  Sometimes after answering these questions, we’ve realized what looked like a fantastic opportunity for the family to travel together on a business trip would really end up in disaster as the children would be very bored and irritated. –Caroline Makepeace, Founder,  yTravelBlog.com

The post Business Travel with Kids: Tips from the Experts appeared first on TripIt Blog.

In a nutshell, jet lag sucks. But what is it exactly and how do you prevent jet lag? Well, according to Medical News Today, “jet lag, also known as time zone change syndrome or desynchronosis, occurs when people travel rapidly across time zones or when their sleep is disrupted, for example, because of shift work. It is a physiological condition that results from a disruption in the body’s circadian rhythms, also known as the body clock. It is seen as a circadian rhythm disorder. Symptoms tend to be more severe when traveling eastward compared with westward.”

Whether you’re a road warrior or preparing for a much-needed annual family vacation, jet lag can really break your trip, leaving you feeling exhausted, cranky and unable to function. If you’re traveling for business, the last thing you want is to get off a plane and rush to a meeting feeling disoriented from lack of sleep. And in some cases, jet lag can take days to fully recover from, leaving you feeling extremely tired, sluggish and irritable.

As founding father Benjamin Franklin famously said, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ so your best bet is to try strategies that will prevent jet lag before it even happens! Here are some helpful tips to help you prevent jet lag once and for all!

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

Get on local time

Before you leave for your trip, try to get on local time by gradually adjusting your waking and sleeping hours to align with the time in your new destination. The saying goes, “West is best, east is a beast,” and it really rings true where jet lag is concerned. If you’re headed eastward, start going to bed earlier and if you’re headed westward, make bedtime later. For instance, if you live in California and are traveling to New York, try going to bed around 8pm, which is 11pm on the east coast and waking at 4am, which is 7am in New York. Give yourself a few days to ease into these new times and you’ll have less trouble adjusting once you arrive. This strategy is particularly effective for children so consider bumping bedtime to help ease the transition.

Know your planes

If possible, book a flight on an Airbus A350 or a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. These aircrafts are specially designed to help travelers combat the effects of jet lag with superior humidification and air purification systems, larger windows (on the 787, you can adjust the tint of your window with the push of a button) and higher ceilings, all of which help passengers feel more rested when they deplane.

Book a flight that arrives in the early evening

To prevent jet lag, try to book a flight that arrives in the early evening. This way, you can head to bed soon after arriving, which will help you rest and reset after a long day of travel. Hopefully you will wake up in the morning on local time and start to feel acclimated to your new time zone.

Utilize online tools and apps

There are tools out there that can help you prevent jet lag so take advantage of them. For example, British Airways has a ‘Jet Lag Advisor’. With the advice of the UK’s leading sleep expert, Dr. Chris Idzikowski, this online tool is designed to minimize jet lag. Simply answer a few questions and you’ll be given suggestions specific to your situation about seeking light, avoiding light, meals and exercise. The app Timeshifter gives you a personalized plan to help prevent and cope with jet lag. The app is broken into categories (for business, for sport and for vacation), depending on the kind of travel you’re doing. If you’re traveling for business, Timeshifter is designed to not only help you eliminate jet lag but to ensure that you’re performing at your optimal level.

UP IN THE AIR

Drink wisely

The easiest and healthiest thing you can do for your body while you’re flying is to stay hydrated. Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine as both of these can be disruptive to your sleep schedule and make you feel groggy and irritable.

Adjust your watch

Resetting your body clock may be a challenge but resetting your watch is an easy strategy. When you board the plane, change the time on your watch to the time in your new destination and behave accordingly. If it’s nighttime where you’re headed, try to get some sleep on the plane. This is a psychological strategy more than anything, but it can help to start to shift your mindset to the place you’re headed.

Ear plugs and eye masks

If you plan on sleeping on your flight, don’t forget to bring a pair of noise-cancelling earphones or ear plugs and an eye mask to minimize noise and light, which can disrupt your sleep.

Sleep aids

Many frequent fliers swear by sleep aids like melatonin or even sleeping pills but approach any sleep aid with caution. If your jet lag is so severe that you require assistance, consult with a doctor to find the best thing for you and never take a new medication for the first time on an airplane. You don’t want to have an unexpected reaction while you’re up in the air.

ONCE YOU’VE ARRIVED

Keep an easy schedule

If possible, don’t make any major plans for your first day on the ground. Instead, keep an easy and flexible schedule that allows you some time to adjust. If you can travel in a day ahead of a big meeting to give yourself time to prepare, you’ll be in much better shape than if you have to give a presentation or attend a conference straight off of a long flight. If you’re traveling with children, give them time to adjust to a new time zone to make the transition easier for everyone in the family. Experts say that it can take one day for every hour difference to truly recover from the feeling of jet lag.

Get outside

Once you’ve arrived in your new destination, get outside and give yourself some sunshine therapy! The sun is an excellent regulator for your body’s internal clock and will help you reset to your new time zone.

Resist that nap

If you’ve arrived in the morning or afternoon, the call of your hotel bed may be difficult to resist. But do your best to avoid a midday nap. Go outside for some of that (free!) sunshine therapy and do everything that you can to stay awake until local bedtime. While this strategy can be effective for children as well, it’s important to be flexible with their schedules and bend the rules as needed. If they need a nap, absolutely let them sleep and give them time to adjust.

The post Tips to Help Prevent Jet Lag When Traveling appeared first on TripIt Blog.

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that traveling with kids has specific challenges that can feel totally overwhelming. Add in flight delays, diversions, and long layovers and suddenly, you might find yourself wishing you’d just stayed home. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, an airport that gets what parents need can make all the difference to your travel experience.

We’ve rounded up five family-friendly airports in the United States that offer a variety of services and amenities that will help make your travels with kids a little bit easier:

Philadelphia International Airport

Philadelphia International Airport makes nursing easy and comfortable for breastfeeding mothers. They’ve got Mamava pods, Minute Suites and family restrooms located throughout the airport. But the best part about PHL is their year-long calendar of events, which brings local musicians and entertainers to stages throughout the airport. Their Holiday Entertainment program runs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s and travelers of all ages will love the entertainment provided daily by musicians, local high school choirs and dance groups. Just Plane Fun is the airport’s entertainment program, which features tons of activities for kids to enjoy, from video gaming to story time with local authors.

Portland International Airport

For four years running, Portland International Airport was named ‘Best Domestic Airport’ in Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. It earned top marks for everything from terminal facilities and accessibility to food and entertainment. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this airport also offers great amenities for kids. The recently opened Kids’ Play Space in Concourse D near Gate D7 is meant for kids between the ages of one and six, and features sculpted foam play elements, a soft, cushioned floor and yes, seating for travel-weary parents. Perhaps most interesting and unique is the Hollywood Theatre, a microcinema (situated post-security in Concourse C) that features short, family-friendly films by local filmmakers.

San Francisco International Airport

As far as kid-friendly airports go, San Francisco International Airport has a lot to offer. It’s got a variety of restaurant options that feature kids menus (and we all know that a hungry kid is a cranky kid!) and lots of shops where you can pick up baby items—from diapers and wipes to formula and medicine. There are Kids’ Spots in Terminals Two and Three for interactive and child-friendly exploration. But even better, there are lots of educational activities to keep kids entertained. The Aviation Museum & Library in the international terminal teaches kids about the evolution of commercial aviation and there are art and cultural exhibits on display throughout the airport.

Miami International Airport

Flying through Miami International Airport? If you’re a nursing mom, you’ll be happy to know that MIA has nursing suites throughout the airport in each concourse after you’ve gone through security. For younger tykes, Plane Fun is an interactive children’s play area that just recently opened up near Gate E5 in Concourse E and is accessible from Concourse D, too. Here, kids can play in a simulated control tower, hearing conversations between pilots and tower, while younger ones have lots of room to run around and can crawl through tunnels. If you’re traveling with older kids, they may be just as excited as you are to learn that the MIA Jetsetter Spa in South Terminal H offers manis, pedis and massages. In a rush to catch that next flight? You can still get a 10-minute express manicure in South Terminal J on the second level.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is ready for you and your kids! There are mother’s rooms in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5, where moms can nurse privately and comfortably and there are several unisex and family restrooms for easier diaper changes. There are lots of kid-friendly restaurants at ORD but your littles might most enjoy a bite to eat where they can also watch planes take off. Check out Berghoff Café or the food court, both in Terminal 1, or Chili’s Too in Terminal 3 for the best views. There’s also a ‘Kids on the Fly’ exhibit where little ones can play in an interactive and educational space, exploring airplanes, a control tower and a helicopter model. But if you really want to blow your kid’s mind, take him or her to the upper level of Terminal 1 in Concourse B where you’ll find one of the largest mounted dinosaurs in the world!

The post Top 5 Airports for Kids and Families in the US appeared first on TripIt Blog.

Getting sick when you travel: It’s probably happened to all of us at one time or another. Whether they’re found in the less-than-sanitary conditions of an airplane or a hotel room, germs lurk everywhere and it takes vigilance to avoid getting sick when you travel.

Airplanes and hotels are notorious breeding grounds for nasty germs. It’s no surprise when you think of the number of people who have sat in your airplane seat or who have checked into your hotel room before you. And unfortunately, plenty of studies have shown that even when they’ve been cleaned, airplanes and hotel rooms are still pretty gross. In fact, research conducted by TravelMath indicates that the average hotel room is dirtier than a typical home, an airplane and even a school.

But don’t let your next trip be ruined by an unwelcome bug that leaves you feeling awful. These healthy habits will help you avoid getting sick so you can get on with the serious business of enjoying your travels.

Wipe everything down with antibacterial wipes

Pretty much everyone will agree that one thing every traveler should stash in their bag is antibacterial wipes. They can be used to quickly sanitize everything you touch. On an airplane, wipe down the tray table, arm rests, buttons, seat belt, window shade and air vent knobs. In a hotel room, wipe down door handles, light switches and remote controls. You might even want to wipe down the hair dryer since an in-depth investigation by ABC News revealed that it rivals the TV remote as the dirtiest thing in a hotel room. Better yet, just bring your own hair dryer if you have room in your suitcase.

Don’t use the airplane seatback pocket

While the seatback pocket on an airplane may seem like a handy compartment to store things you’ll be using in-flight, you might want to think twice about it to avoid getting sick when you travel. Many passengers treat that pocket like a waste basket, using it to dispose of their trash, used tissues, and even dirty diapers. Since it’s unlikely that cleaning crews are thoroughly disinfecting each seatback pocket, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

Wash your hands frequently

No matter how careful you are, your hands are bound to get filthy when you travel. Everything you touch is potentially carrying something you don’t want. Make sure you wash your hands frequently to get rid of any germs.

Don’t touch your face

And speaking of hands, keep them away from your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes. If you’ve picked up a bug from shaking someone’s hand or hanging onto a bus or subway pole, the germs linger on your hands. When you then touch your face (eyes, mouth or nose), you increase the chances of that bug transferring from your skin to a mucous membrane where it can thrive and cause illness.

Travel with products that will help you stay healthy

Travel experts know a thing or two about staying healthy on the road, so what products do they never leave home without? Sarah Schlichter of Smarter Travel recommends a nasal mist to help fend off viruses and this CNN article recommends immune system support supplements like Vitamin C packets that you can easily add to water. Travel expert Johnny Jet recommends using the Scough if you want to cover your mouth and nose but don’t want to wear a surgical mask. The Scough is a scarf with a built-in filter that’s perfect if you’re sitting beside someone who’s sick and you want to discreetly protect yourself.

Keep airplane air vent on

You may be prone to turning off the air vent above you on an airplane because you think it’s circulating stale air or because you’re cold. But according to this Travel & Leisure article, that might be a mistake. Their interview with Dr. Mark Gendreau—the medical director and vice chair of emergency medicine at Lahey Medical Center-Peabody and an expert on the spread of infectious diseases associated with air travel–revealed that “using that tiny vent can actually work to your advantage, as it can help you avoid contact with certain microorganisms that can get you sick during a flight.”

Bring your own blanket and pillow

These days, many travelers try to travel with only a carry-on to avoid baggage fees, which means eliminating a lot of excess stuff. But you might want to consider carrying your own blanket and pillow on the plane with you, too. While it’s difficult to pass judgment on all blankets and pillows on all airlines, it’s probably a safe bet that they’re not as clean as your own personal items. So the next time you try to get cozy and catch some sleep on a flight, use your own blanket and pillow so you don’t need to worry about the cleanliness of the airline’s.

Don’t drink tea or coffee in-flight

A good cup of tea or coffee can start your morning right … but maybe not on an airplane. According to Business Insider, the water for tea and coffee comes not from bottles but from the tap and that many airplanes fail the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for water safety. EPA studies have found coliform and E.coli in the water on some aircrafts. Plus, the coffee and tea served in-flight is not brewed to a boiling point, which would kill off bacteria. So, skip the lukewarm bevvie and wait until you’ve landed to get a good, hot cuppa.

The post 8 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick When You Travel appeared first on TripIt Blog.

Sitting on an airplane for hours on end can be tough on even the most seasoned of travelers. Maybe you’re hungry or you’re just trying to get comfortable in your seat—and what seems like reasonable behavior to you is earning you side-eye from your seatmate. You can’t treat the airplane like your own personal living room, but what’s okay—and what’s not—when it comes to airplane etiquette? We checked in with travel pros to get their thoughts on those unspoken rules of travel.

Middle seat gets the armrest: Yes or no?

“The middle seat is the least desirable spot on the plane. The unspoken rule is that the passenger stuck there gets both armrests because there is no ability to lean onto the window or have direct aisle access. This does not mean that other passengers cannot share the armrest, but that the middle passenger deserves at least one benefit and that is the comfort of placing their arms there. Frequent travelers are in the know when it comes to this etiquette battle, but the occasional elbow tussle still occurs. Yield them this space the next time you find yourself in this situation.” – Ramsey Qubein

Reclining: Do or don’t?

“When I’m in regular coach I don’t recline unless the person in front of me does. If I’m in the bulkhead or exit row I don’t recline unless it’s a really long flight and need to sleep but if I do recline I always let the person behind me know I’m reclining. No one likes someone who just reclines without notice and does it abruptly. Especially people working on their laptops or have a drink on their tray.” – Johnny Jet

Is it OK to bring hot (smelly) food on an airplane?

“There are no rules against smelly food, but if you don’t want to deal with glares or grunts from seatmates, you might want to refrain from bringing on items that can emit strong scents, such as seafood or Mexican food. Also remember that peeling an orange can be a smelly affair, as can banana peels or apple cores that are not disposed of quickly. If you must bring those on board, then it’s best to consume them when everyone else is eating so your food smell does not stand out. Also, you should be aware of not just smells, but the sounds of certain foods being consumed. Have you ever sat next to a passenger crunching through a crispy apple, a bag of tortilla chips or corn nuts? Not pleasant! I usually stick with a sandwich or prepackaged salad to avoid being an offensive flyer.” – Chris McGinnis

Switching seats with someone who asks: Are you obligated?

“I never feel obligated to switch seats with someone who asks me nicely, but of course I make my decision on a case by case basis. If I’m traveling with my family and we did our due diligence selecting seats together, I will not switch with others, especially since my children are so young (three and four years old). However, if I’m traveling solo that’s a totally different story. On multiple occasions, I’ve swapped seats with people who wanted to sit together as a family or with friends. If the seat-switch is in the general vicinity of where I’m sitting and a similar or better seat (aisle or window for my middle seat), I have no problem. I’d just hate to be 20 rows behind my original seat, since I like to deplane faster. I love making other people happy when I can, and a simple seat switch can sometimes do just that. One couple even sent an unexpected bottle of champagne to my seat mid-flight when I swapped seats with them. It totally made my day!” – Angelina Aucello

Taking your shoes off during the flight: Is this ever OK?

“I think so – maybe not on a short daytime hop, but on an overnight flight it can be. Tricks are to be sure you have on socks, your feet don’t stink and the process doesn’t bother anyone. In business class, socks and even slippers are often provided, so it’s certainly okay at the roomier end of the plane.” – Summer Hull 

Can you use the overhead bin space across the aisle from you, or do your bags have to go in the bins directly over your head?

“Assuming there’s space, I always put my carry-on items into the overhead bin directly across the aisle, so I can keep an eye on everything throughout the flight. I know that some airlines designate certain bins for passengers who book a slightly higher class of service but other than that I’m not aware of any restrictions on which bins you’re able to use.” –  Zach Honig

Is it OK to hold up the line when people are boarding so that you can get yourself organized in your seat?

“There are only three types of etiquette I care about: golf, elevator, and plane etiquette. This is an example of people having no plane etiquette or just being inconsiderate of others. You should organize yourself before boarding the plane and, if not, then step into the row so others can pass by. It’s a very simple thing but very rude in my opinion. Pack your bag accordingly for what you’ll need when you’re onboard or simply step inside the row. It’s that simple.” – Lee Abbamonte

Is it ever OK to take care of personal hygiene issues in your seat?

“I believe that you shouldn’t doing anything onboard an airplane that you would not do at a restaurant. You would not tweeze your eyebrows, clip your toenails or cover up that zit while out to dinner, so maybe refrain from doing so on a plane. If you absolutely must attend to some personal hygiene needs, go to the bathroom. Our personal space is tested enough on a plane; let’s preserve our dignity and leave those things to behind closed doors.” – Kelley Ferro

Is it OK to talk to your seatmate the entire flight? 

“It’s fine to talk to your seatmate the entire flight on the rare occasion that it’s a 100% mutually-desired conversation. I’ve met a few very interesting people on planes and loved our talks and am pretty sure I wasn’t the annoying one keeping it going! Otherwise, if my seatmate is more talkative than I’m in the mood for, I’ll wait for a small break in the conversation and then say something to the effect of: ‘If you don’t mind, I’m going to get a little work done.’ Or ‘watch a movie’. Or ‘close my eyes’. Headphones work well, but I usually try to end the conversation on a nice note before simply tuning out my seatmate!” – Eric Stoen

The post A Beginner’s Guide to the Unspoken Rules of Travel appeared first on TripIt Blog.

If you’ve ever traveled for business with your kids, you know it’s not easy. Whether the nature of your business allows for family travel or you’re bringing the kids along to extend a business trip into a weekend getaway of family fun, adding kids into the mix can present a whole new set of dilemmas. Thankfully, the rise of sharing economy travel services has added lots of options for travelers—from where to stay to how to get around. I checked in with some travel experts to find out which sharing economy travel services they like best. Here’s what they had to say:

Lyft

“I’m a fan of Lyft for many reasons, but one big one is that a car seat is always just one click away, and almost always cheaper than going through a “traditional” car service. Traveling with a child is hectic enough, and living in NYC, I don’t own a car, so I don’t own a car seat. Knowing that I don’t have to rent one or figure out some other way to have one beforehand makes travel a lot easier.” – Peter Shankman, author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain

BabyQuip

“The sharing economy has really been a game changer for travelers. After my wife and I had our son, we learned of a company called BabyQuip. Before you travel, you decide what you want to rent from them and when you arrive at your destination, it will all be there waiting for you. The first time we used the service—on a business trip to Seattle—we rented a high chair, books, toys and games. We were even able to order our son’s organic baby food, diapers and wipes through the service, too. Because we didn’t have to pack all of this stuff, we were able to travel with carry-ons only, something that’s very difficult to do when you’re traveling with kids. You can also rent strollers, car seats, cribs and booster chairs, among other things, for reasonable daily rates. This amazing service really makes travel more manageable for parents.” – Johnny Jet, JohnnyJet.com

HomeAway

“Renting a condo or a house while traveling with kids can add an extra level of convenience that a hotel room doesn’t always provide. Generally, you get more space for the same price, as well as a kitchen, which can actually save you money in the long run. While you get a little extra work done in the living room, the kids can snooze the night away. As you sleep in, the kids can get up and prepare their own breakfast each morning without you all having to get up and out the door to find breakfast somewhere in town. When you rent, you don’t have to deal with cramped accommodations, kids complaining about sharing a bed, and a lack of privacy with your significant other. Best of all, no noisy neighbors or rambunctious hotel guests coming back at all hours of the night!” – Keryn Means, WalkingOnTravels

Uber

“The car seat option with Uber has been a game changer for me with little kids. Before this option, it meant toting a car seat on a trip and then renting a car or trying to get it installed in an Uber while in a pick-up lane or while double parked. A bit of research on my destination before departure means I can gauge how often an Uber car seat is available and prevents me the huge hassle of car seat logistics.” – Richard Kerr, Founder of Award Travel 101

Airbnb

“Airbnb and other house sharing services have been great for family travelers, whether the primary purpose is business or leisure. If you have a family of five, or if you are traveling with grandparents, most hotels don’t work very well. Either you can’t cram enough beds into a single room, or you’d prefer not to purchase two rooms, especially if not attached. The problem is even worse overseas where many countries strictly regulate the number of people in a hotel room. Renting out a house or an apartment can be a great solution.” – Jason Steele, Credit Card and Travel Journalist

“Airbnb is a life saver for business trips with kids. My children feel more comfortable in a home environment and have more space to play. I usually have more room, space and privacy to attend to business calls or work on my computer. Having access to a kitchen also makes the world of difference knowing my children will be well fed without having to run around finding restaurants and places to eat—especially since I have the world’s fussiest eater. Homemade Vegemite sandwiches make her very happy!” – Caroline Makepeace, YTravelBlog

HomeExchange

“Especially when traveling with kids, I love to stay in a house or condo. We’ve swapped homes using HomeExchange.com in various destinations. At 10 and 13 years old, my kids are getting to ages where sharing a bed really isn’t an option, so I always look for a place that offers twin beds (bonus points for bunk beds!).  A kitchen is always super handy for quick and affordable breakfasts, and for making snacks.  Particularly when traveling with kids and trying to work, it’s nice to have extra space to spread out and maybe even spend a night in.” – Colleen Lanin, Founder/Editor of TravelMamas.com

Disney Minnie Van (Lyft)

“A few times this week, I needed to skip the packed buses and long waits while visiting Disney in Florida and the Minnie Vans bookable through Lyft came in clutch. They can pretty much pull right up to the parks (unlike Ubers or taxis) and take you right where you need to go. They’re a bit pricey but can save the day.” – Richard Kerr, Founder of Award Travel 101

Postmates

As a mom often on-the-go myself, I know mealtime can be challenging when you’re on the road with kids. I’m always thinking at least one or two meals ahead, trying to plan where we’ll go and where my son’s next meal is going to come from. While room service at the hotel is an indulgence, it’s so overpriced that sometimes it’s hard to justify the expense. Instead, I love to order food in using Postmates. It’s much cheaper, you can eat something local and it’s far more convenient for us to eat in the hotel room instead of a restaurant, especially if it’s getting late.

Soothe

Spa treatments are another indulgence when I travel but sometimes, the expense is hard to justify. However, with Soothe, you can have an in-room massage ‘delivered’ to your hotel room in an hour. Soothe provides vetted, background-checked massage therapists, who will show up with their own massage table, sheets, lotions, oils and music. Cramped airplane seats and long travel days (especially if they involve corralling kids all day long, or nursing a baby in an uncomfortable position for most of your flight) can take their toll on your body and it’s nice to know that you can have a massage at your hotel at what’s typically a more reasonable rate than the hotel spa will charge you ($128 for a 60-minute massage or you can get a better rate with a monthly or yearly subscription.)

What are your go-to sharing economy services when you travel? Tweet @TripIt to share.

The post 9 Sharing Economy Services That Travel Experts Love appeared first on TripIt Blog.

Business travel comes with its ups and downs. The perks like traveling to new destinations, expense accounts, earning miles and accumulating experiences are all exciting. But the downside for many travelers is the stress that comes with business travel, including that of leaving family behind and feeling lonely on the road. So how do you combat these feelings? I’ve put together nine ideas for maximizing your solo time on a business trip so that you feel refreshed and energized when you get home. This way, you’ll not only appreciate your time away, but also appreciate being back home that much more.

Hit the spa

If you’ve got little kids at home, then you know how frenetic life can be. Sometimes it seems there’s barely enough time to sit down and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee let alone consider something as indulgent as a spa treatment. Take advantage of some time away from the chaos to pamper yourself and get that long-awaited and much-deserved massage or facial … or both!

Be productive

Whether it’s catching up on work, phone calls or other miscellaneous tasks that keep piling up because you can never find the time to deal with them, some solo time in your hotel room might be the perfect time to check those niggling items off your to-do list. You’ll feel a huge sense of relief to have the cumulative weight of those tasks lifted from your shoulders and when you get home, you’ll be able to focus more fully on your family.

Explore a new city

Business travel can take you to some pretty interesting places. But don’t get caught in a rut where you never leave the convention center or the hotel where all of your meetings are being held. Make a point of getting out and exploring. Take a walk at lunchtime or venture out in the evenings to discover a new neighborhood, attraction or restaurant.

Pro tip: TripIt’s Nearby Places feature makes it easy to find places close to where you’re staying. For example, if you’re looking for a restaurant near to where you’re staying, tap on the restaurants option in Nearby Places. It’ll also give you useful information like the restaurant’s contact details, hours, reviews and more. If you want to see where the restaurant is located in relation to your hotel, TripIt will also show you an interactive map with each option tagged.

Finally read that book

If reading is one of those pastimes that has slipped off the radar due to more pressing responsibilities like work and family, know that you’re not alone. With all of the other demands on their time, many people will tell you that reading just doesn’t make the list of priorities. But if deep down, you’re a bibliophile who just wants to steal away some quiet time to get lost in the pages of a book, then use your solo time to do just that. No interruptions, no kids screaming your name, just pure peace and quiet …. aaaaahhhhhh!

Binge that show

Likewise, if everyone you know is telling you that you have to watch such and such a show but you just can’t find the time, then guess what? After your meetings are done, order room service, fire up your laptop and start streaming!

Connect with friends

Do you know anyone in the city you’re visiting? Reach out and let them know you’ll be in town and reconnect with a friend over dinner or drinks. Or use social media to find out if anyone you know will also be in town during the same time frame as you.

Do things that don’t cater to children

Maybe there’s a show or movie you’ve been wanting to see, a museum you’ve wanted to visit or even a store filled with breakables that you’d love to check out but don’t dare take the kids to. Take advantage of your solo time on a business trip to do things that aren’t kid-friendly but that make you happy!

Be active

Nothing reduces stress quite like the release of endorphins that happens when you exercise. You don’t have to hit the gym if it doesn’t inspire you. Try going for a swim instead or simply walk outside your hotel and see where your feet lead you. Walking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise and explore a new city all at the same time.

Stay connected with your family

Of course, the best cure for loneliness while you’re on the road is to stay in touch with your family. And fortunately, in this modern age of technology, doing so has never been easier. Between text and email, social media platforms, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp and Viber, there are lots of options.

The post How to Maximize Your Solo Time on a Business Trip appeared first on TripIt Blog.