Articles written by: Nikki Hodgson

How to Get Through Airport Security Quickly

How to Get Through Airport Security Quickly

The only thing worse than having to strip down in the airport is having to do it knowing there is a line of people waiting behind you heaving impatient sighs and wondering why it’s taking you so long to get your Anti theft handbag and your laptop out of its [...]

9 Ways to Cope with a Fear of Flying

9 Ways to Cope with a Fear of Flying

Just the other night while watching a movie with my family, one of the main characters, scared of flying, fell to the tarmac and kissed the ground as soon as he exited the plane. “Look, Nik, it’s you,” my family members shouted as they gleefully pointed at the screen. It’s [...]

The Perfect Travel Wallet

The Perfect Travel Wallet

Your wallet is the most important piece of travel gear and the one thing you definitely do not want to lose. Your RFID blocking passport case can be replaced, but the cash in your wallet? That’s harder to track down. Unless of course you have travel insurance. In light of [...]

Tips for Renting a Car Overseas

Tips for Renting a Car Overseas

The first time I rented a car in another country was in Israel. A friend had convinced me that we should head out to the desert for the weekend and that since we were going to need a car to get there, I should be the one to rent it. [...]

Hitchhiking in Europe: Yay or Nay?

Hitchhiking in Europe: Yay or Nay?

After a weekend of backcountry skiing in the French Alps, my boyfriend and I caught a ride with a friend of ours down to the closest village. Our friend was in a rush and on his way home so he dropped us off with our anti theft travel purses and continued [...]

Over the Baggage Allowance? Here’s What to Do

Over the Baggage Allowance? Here’s What to Do

Flying from Geneva to London the woman behind the check-in counter tells me I’ve misinterpreted the luggage weight restrictions. You see when I added one anti theft messenger bag for 11 Euros it asked me if I wanted to add a second bag for the same price. Figuring checking two [...]

How to Haggle Like a Local in the Middle East

How to Haggle Like a Local in the Middle East

Haggling can be intimidating if you’re not used to it. Often Westerners just want to be told a price and then–depending on the price– either hand over their money or walk away. End of story. Haggling can seem tedious and many people approach it with a bit of trepidation. Here [...]

Finding Cheap Train Tickets in Europe

Finding Cheap Train Tickets in Europe

When I first moved to Europe I had this amazing vision in my head of traveling exclusively by train from country to country. I saw myself reclined comfortably in a spacious window seat sipping espresso while watching the romantic countryside and quaint towns slips past me. Then I saw the [...]

Lost Your Passport? Here’s What To Do

Lost Your Passport? Here’s What To Do

Once while visiting Morocco with a friend, the hotel manager asked us if we would like to leave our valuables in the hotel safe. Since that seemed like a pretty good idea, we readily agreed and there they remained until we were at the bus station getting ready to embark [...]

Luggage vs. Cobblestone: Tips on managing an unwieldy suitcase

Luggage vs. Cobblestone: Tips on managing an unwieldy suitcase

For years I traveled exclusively with my trusty backpacking anti theft backpack. When I finally upgraded to a wheeled suitcase, I felt like I had earned my “I’m a grown-up now” badge. I imagined myself looking sophisticated and classy as I wheeled my suitcase behind me while rapidly crossing the [...]