A difficult night can be avoided by verifying what time the hotel you will be staying in closes for check-in.  Coordinating your flight to have a good cushion time in the event of a delay is vital if you are staying in a smaller hotel, especially in the smaller cities. Many of the smaller and boutique hotels do not offer check-in later at night, but with larger hotels this should not be a problem.  A good resource for minimizing flight delays is to check with http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml, which is based on the US Department of Transportation statistics.

After you have settled in to your hotel and are looking for restaurants to satisfy your urges for consuming pasta, pizza and parmagiano until the smile of satisfaction on your face is permanent, check your watch.  While the restaurants that cater to tourists stay open all day, most of the best food will be served in restaurants that have traditional hours.  Lunch is normally served from noon until about 2:30, with most Italians beginning lunch between 1:00 and 1:30 so a 12:30 -12:45 arrival time gets you a good table, good food and good service.  Dinner is served much later than in the US with most restaurants not opening for service until about 7:00, with most Italians not arriving until about 9:00.  Bring cash, cash is king in Italy.

The afternoon shop closure concept is still alive and well in Italy and travelers may want to plan around this.  While the city centers in Milan, Rome, Florence and Naples will have shops open all day, when you walk three steps outside of the tourist zones in the early afternoon long aisles of shuttered shops will greet you.  The frustration that seeing the perfect unique item in a store window that will not reopen for another threes hours can only be soothed by the consumption of gelato.  This rule applies to Sundays as well.  It is actually forbidden for businesses to be open on Sundays without a special permit.  Do not question this, it “is the Italian way.”

For the dreaded Italian transportation strike.  For those that have traveled and experienced this or heard horror stories from those who have, you can avoid falling victim to “il sciopero.” YOU need not be the one stuck in an airport or train station crying on your luggage.  If you head to http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/. And click on the calendar icon and then the “Elenco Scioperi” button below it, all upcoming strikes will be alphabetically listed by the occupation that is striking that week.  Yes, the site is in Italian, but you need only know “aeree” and “trasporti” to avoid any of the misery.  The upside if you do encounter one is that they normally only last between 4 and 12 hours, yes hours.
For many people traveling to Italy is one of the most memorable vacations of a lifetime.  You can make it that much better with just a few precautions that will take less than an hour of your time.  The times it takes to sit back and sip one glass of light sparkling Prosecco to celebrate your trip.

Here are three RV travel tips to keep in mind:

1. It all starts with the right rental. When renting an RV, make sure you consider size, cost, and mileage. There is nothing worse than renting an RV that cannot comfortably accommodate your entire group, or one that will break the bank. There are some major campgrounds out there, especially National Parks that do not easily accommodate big RVs.

2. Take it slow. Driving an RV is not the same as a car due to the larger size. It can seem intimidating at first but you will get used to it. There is no reason to take any risks. Instead, start slow and as you get a better feel for driving the RV you can begin to settle into a routine. I was a bit scared the first time I drove my RV but then I wound up being surprised at how fast I was completely comfortable behind the wheel.

3. Safety first. No matter what, make sure you are always thinking about safety. You are in a big vehicle, and there are many other people around you. If you are always thinking about the safety of you and everybody else on the road, you should not have any problems in this department.

These three RV travel tips are good for beginners. But even if you have experience traveling in an RV they can still help to make your trip an enjoyable one.

Does the economy have you down? Don’t worry you are not alone. Many folks are wondering how they are going to swing a fun get-away this summer for their family. If you haven’t yet discovered the joys of camping or even if you are a seasoned camper, this year is a great time to get outdoors for a vacation your whole family can enjoy. I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where camping was part of each summer and I have many fond memories of trips with my parents. My memories start out with camping in a tent, then eventually my parents bought a pop-up camper and even later in life moved on to a self-contained pull along camper. Things sure got more convenient and the sleeping arrangements certainly improved, so I thought my mother would be a great person to ask for tips to save money while camping. With more than 30 years of experience she came up with some of the following that might make your trip just a little easier and keep money in your wallet instead of the camp store.

Take your own wood

Now this might not be possible for everyone, but if you are camping relatively close to home and have the room having some of your own wood can save you big bucks versus paying for it at the campground. We normally traveled by truck and having some of the bigger pieces that keep a night fire going saved us considerable money.

Check your list twice when packing

If you have ever forgotten a necessary item and had to purchase it at the camp store you surely know how expensive it can be. Make sure when packing for your trip you consider all the things you might possibly need to cook, eat, bathe and protect yourself from elements such as the sun and insects. If you are camping at a campground that has public bathing houses you will need your own soap, shampoo, washcloths, towels and shower shoes. If you have kids and are going to have access to either a pool or lake make sure you have water shoes, swimming suits, sunscreen and safety gear for younger children.

Take advantage of travel memberships

When making reservations or arriving at a campground be sure to mention travel memberships such as AAA to see if you qualify for any discounts. Many campgrounds also offer memberships for seniors so if you or a traveling companion have AARP you may also be eligible for a discount.

Check your equipment before you head out on the road

Make sure you have everything you will need to set up camp whether traveling with a tent or camper. If you have propane tanks on your camper make sure they are full before leaving and also check to make sure all your lights are working. Check tires, chains and hoses to ensure your camper is safe for travel and everything is in working order for hook up upon arriving at the campground. There is nothing more frustrating and expensive than having to pay for costly repairs while on the road.

Be prepared to entertain yourself (this tip doesn’t save you money but is important nonetheless)

Sometimes mother nature can throw a wrench in the best plans. Be sure to pack something to entertain yourself if you find the weather is uncooperative for outdoor activities. This is especially true if you are traveling with children who can easily become miserable stuck inside a tent or camper for hours on end. If you are expecting to have access to electricity while camping do not assume it will be available all the time, so pack “traditional” things such as board games, playing cards or books in case the power goes out.

Clearly these are just a few tips for saving money while camping. Luckily camping is essentially a relatively cheap way to vacation in the first place but in an economy where every dollar counts it is important to save money where you can; making it easier to enjoy your vacation and the fun that comes with enjoying time with your family.

Trisha Wagner is a freelance writer for DepositAccounts.com where you can compare rates of deposit accounts from dozens of banks in one place. Trisha writes regularly on the topics of personal finance and saving accounts.

Credit: Izyan Yob

Stay at the finest hotel in the city
The more exclusive the address, the better. Celebrities like to travel to places where they can be secluded and untouched by the masses. The higher the prices, the lower the riffraff. You won’t find any big-name rock stars staying at a $50/night hotel. There’s nothing wrong with $50/night hotels, because I stay in these all the time, but not when I want to travel like a rock star. I stay at the best hotels.

Call ahead and make demands All rock stars have a list of must-have amenities. You know, essentials like freshly squeezed juice from a cactus, or M&Ms separated by color and placed into individual silver bowls. The great thing about staying at the best hotels (must be 5-Star) is that the hotels must obey your demands, as long as you’re not requesting anything illegal. I’ve heard it all, when it comes to demands. Of course, make sure you can pay for these demands, because rock stars always have the money to back up their zany desires.

Arrive by limousine You definitely cannot arrive in a rental car, or worse, your own car. It doesn’t matter if you own a Mercedes, nothing compares to arriving in your own chauffeured car. Make sure to hire a driver for the entirety of your stay.

Check in using an alias Celebrities never, ever stay at a hotel using their real name, and you shouldn’t either. You can ask the hotel to register you under the name of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and they’ll do it for you. For extra fun, ask your friends to call for you using your assumed name.

Carry Louis Vuitton bags I know that we don’t all have the capital for LV, but if you want to be taken seriously as a rock star, you’ll definitely need to upgrade your luggage. Bellmen know quality luggage when they see it, and your luggage says a lot about you. Granted, you can go the opposite way, and only travel with plastic bags, but it’s hard to pull of the eccentric rock star. It’s just best to be as traditional as possible. Louis Vuitton never goes on sale, so you may want to travel light, and only buy one bag.

Tip well It’s not enough to say you’re a rock star, you have to spend like one. Celebrities don’t really watch their spending. They have people to do that, and usually those people aren’t with them on vacation. Be prepared to tip everyone at least $10, or more, depending on the type of service. If you don’t want to spend hundreds in tips, you may want to keep a low profile, and not ask for too much.

Arrive in the middle of the night Most celebrities arrive late, at around 2am in the morning, to avoid throngs of adoring fans. However, when you’re a pseudo celebrity, you definitely want to arrive early enough for people to see you, and wonder about you. Shoot for 9pm on a Friday. That’s when a lot of the hotel guests are leaving out to go clubbing, and you can get maximum attention. Definitely arrive in the middle of the night after your partying. You have a reputation to uphold.

Wear sunglasses all the time Even at night. Don’t go anywhere without them. Sunglasses provide instant mystery. It’ll suit you if you can find the big, black, round sunglasses that take up half of your face.

Never travel alone Rock stars are famous for their entourages. You have to go everywhere in a group. Make sure that everyone is wearing sunglasses.Ensure that you’re at the center of the group, so that you’re identified as the star. Alternatively, you and your friends can each take a turn at being in the center.

Wear clothes that look slept in Rock stars don’t iron! They don’t wear crisp clothes, either. Usually, rock star outfits look like an abstract art piece with all the asymmetrical layers. Leather jackets always help to anchor the look.

Be bold and dedicated This is the most important tip. If you don’t believe you, no one else will. If you really want other people to believe you’re a celebrity, you’ve got to sell it from the moment you step out of your limousine. You must exude the “don’t you know who I am?” type of arrogance that’s inherent in most rock stars. You have to keep a constant look of disdain on your face. Remember that you have to spend a lot of money to maintain the lifestyle of a rock star. Is it worth it? For a weekend of fun role-playing, you bet! Try it, you may like it.

Can you think of anything I need to add to the list?

In my household, I’m the organized one and my significant other waits until the last minute to pack and really doesn’t put much thought into the process. So, here are my sure fire tips to get organized when packing:

• Know your destination – Based on where we are going, I make sure to pack appropriately. For example, if we are going to the beach – pack swimwear or if we are going to a cold weather spot – pack a heavier jacket or sweater.
• Check the weather forecast – Nothing puts a damper on travel like going to a warm weather spot and finding out they are having the coldest stretch in centuries! I go online and check the local weather centers to get what the current weather and what the forecast looks like.
• Start packing early – I like to start my packing a few days before I leave. I generally pack things that I won’t need at home (extra underwear, socks, shirts, etc…).
• Last minute packing – The day we leave is the time for finishing up. That’s the time I pack the rest of our clothes, toiletries and slippers.
• Travel sized items – I love those travel sized toothpastes, shampoos and soaps. They are perfect to bring when going away for a couple of days. I usually get them first and pack them early.

Do you have any traveling tips you’d like to share?

Sign up for clubs

Although they have more information about you, the various club cards will get you some perks as you gamble and stay in the hotels. Keep in mind that Las Vegas is dominated by a couple of corporate groups – MGM Mirage and Harrah’s. Each of the cards covers their various properties. These two companies own most of the Las Vegas Strip.

Stay at the hotel

Hotels may offer special packages combing shows with a room at their hotel. Or it may be a dinner and show package.

The half-price show offices

There are two companies that offer half-price and discount tickets to certain shows in Las Vegas. Locations open around 11am. You’ll see the crowds. Don’t expect the hottest shows to be on sale here but we have seen some pretty big name shows on occasion. They may throw a few tickets to these places for the advertising factor in being listed. You get the show in your head even though the tickets are already gone and then you go buy the higher priced ones.

One company is at the Coke Bottle by the MGM Grand.

The other company has four locations on the Strip: by the Riviera, in front of the Fashion Show Mall, inside the Four Queens Casino on Fremont Street and by the outdoor Hawaiian Market.

Practice your disciplinary skills

If you are willing to sit through a Time Share pitch, have patience and nerves of steel, there are booths that will give you show tickets for listening. If you walk around a few of the casinos, you’re bound to be approached by them. They are very aggressive and may even get abusive if you don’t give in to what they propose. Whatever you do, don’t give in and buy a time share. But if you’re tough, you can get free tickets out of it.

Say no to extras

All of the waivers, insurance, extra options and special flower print paint job can add $30 a day to a rental. Some times these fees come close to the listed price of the rental itself. If you have your own auto insurance, you shouldn’t need any of these profit margin balloon items. Your credit card may also offer special coverage on auto rentals. Just make sure of what you have ahead of time. If you don’t have any of your own coverage, you may want to pay the ridiculous prices for these items.

Shop a few companies

You can divide prices into two categories. Those at the airport or the terminal and those that are away from the airport. You’ll save substantial money by leaving the airport. Just make sure to weigh in the factor of time and transportation to the rental place for your decision. Prices do vary among the rental companies. Be careful to see the final price. They often lure you in with one price while the final price is much higher with a bunch of hidden fees. AllStays does have car rental options when you book online and we have the same rates as the likes of Travelocity but it’s still best to shop around. We won’t say we always have the best rate. No one does all the time no matter what they may claim.

Check your memberships and benefits

Auto clubs (AAA), groups (AARP), store clubs (Costco, Sams Club), credit cards, your workplace all may have special deals with a car rental company. It’s worthwhile to check them out. If you still get some bills by mail, look through the junk they pile in there for car rental coupons and set them aside. I remember that I used to get a lot of them before switching to online statements.

Fill up the tank

This has always been a good way to overcharge you. If the rental company has to fill it up, they charge a premium for gas. Gas is already high enough without paying more for it. Look for the nearest gas station to the car rental office on your way out. Or use your GPS device to find it. Or take a moment to use online services like Gas Buddy or Google Maps during your trip. The closer you are to the return point, the more full the tank is upon return. Don’t fill it up twenty miles from the return point because you will pay for that gas again.

Follow the rules and fine print

Sympathy and leniency have gone downhill like the economy. Return the car on time and not a minute late to avoid fees and penalties. The companies would be thrilled to charge you for another day and have the car back  an hour late to rent it right out again.

Use your cell phone and call yourself in the future

No this isn’t science fiction. When you get your room number, call your cell phone with it. Sure it may be only three or four digits and not work, but it’s in your phone log (don’t do this if your room is 911). You may also do this with a taxi company, the address of the hotel or the hotel front desk as well so you have the numbers. Less things to remember after a few drinks late at night.

Take the cover off your bed

Hotels change sheets every night but how about that top comforter? Rarely. It could be weeks or even months, even in the nicest hotels. When have you seen the daily maid cart in the hallway overflowing with those heavy blankets? Probably never. The first thing to do in a hotel room is to carefully remove that cover and put it in a corner of the room, away from anything you personally own or touch.

Get two beds in your hotel room

Sure the king bed and all it’s pillows is luxurious and nice to sleep in but think about having a whole extra bed to spread your stuff out across. Maybe you need more work surface. Maybe you need more space to sort out your clothes and freebies from the conference. It’s like having a conference table in your hotel room. Rooms with two beds are usually the last to go too. So they are always available. Look at this fact like it’s a good thing. Be happy those king beds are sold out. Remember to pull the top cover off from both beds. No sense in putting a clean shirt on the dirty cover.

Stay at the conference hotel

So the host hotel is the most expensive one near your conference? It’s $40 more than this other hotel? Well, it is probably worth it. And it may even save you money. Are you going to take a cab to the conference each day? There’s $10-$30. Are you going to wait for the free shuttle? There’s an hour or more wasted. I’ve seen hundreds of people waiting in the cold for a 15 seat shuttle and it’s not pretty. Add in that time you forget something in the hotel room and have to run back. You also have to set your alarm earlier to allow for the transportation versus sleeping in for a short and leisurely walk down to the conference. If the hotel is hosting the event or is right next door, you probably won’t need a jacket like that other guy is stuck with all day. I arrive at the conference relaxed while other people look like they went through a airport security screening just minutes ago.

The convenience of being able to go back to your room quickly and easily is very valuable. You spend less time in transportation and more time networking or relaxing. Maybe you have a convention with those long breaks. You can either sit around the hall and waste time or run back to your room in a few minutes. You can easily drop off your tote bag or laptop or that nice vendor gift in your room before the evening mixer or a night out on the town. I’ve seen people drunk at parties at 10pm still carrying around their conference bag. It’s tiring. It’s embarrassing. It’s not secure. You may leave it somewhere or mess it up at a bar or in a bathroom. Others may take an extra taxi ride back to their hotel and then back to the conference for nightly events. There go the savings they thought they had.

Your boss just sees the hotel rate difference and you staying at a four star hotel versus a three star? Tell him about the extra taxi cost, the increased risk of losing company property or data and the added time you are spending learning all for the company. Don’t smirk while saying it. If you book early enough, their may be a group rate that makes it cheaper than many nearby hotels. Or another riskier tactic is to wait till the last minute when all other hotels are full and the only one available is the high priced conference hotel. I have done this successfully but there are many things that are totally out of your control and you could wind up at a fleabag rest stop on the dark side of the interstate.

Drink and eat often

Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. Bring a few snacks along with you if you can carry them. Maybe its breakfast bars, protein bars, or zip lock bags of nuts. It’s good to have something that you like on hand if the conference food is bad or if your energy is dragging. If the food is provided, it’ll probably disappear quickly. I like to grab an extra banana or apple and also a juice or water to tuck in my bag. It’s a must have for those mid-morning or mid-afternoon breaks. I notice those envious looks around me when I crack into one when it’s still another couple hours to lunch or dinner.

Room service in the hotel is always a rip off. Even if you have to take a taxi to a store and buy your own snacks, you’ll be way ahead. One drink in the room probably costs you five dollars alone. If your room doesn’t have one, ask for a fridge. Most of the time, they can provide one for you. Then you can fill it up with your own drinks and snacks for the conference. Or maybe need it to keep some medicine cold at all times if they don’t want to give it to you (hint).

Bring a little bottle of hand sanitizer

If you are drinking lots of water like you should, you also need to use those conference rest rooms. They are not always the cleanest with all the traffic they are getting throughout the day. I always use my own sanitizer after using a rest room, any public surfaces and before eating. I also like to bring zinc logenzes to help keep colds away. I take a couple a day, especially while traveling.

Know when to tip and how much

We have the AllStays guide to tipping here but it’s important to mention here in brief. It’s good to know how much and when to tip. I like to tip a bit heavier at the start of a week or on the first drink of the night. This tends to get you better service the rest of the time. You may not tip as heavily throughout the conference but they don’t know that. And it may just benefit you in the end as well. Here’s an example. I buy a soda at the bar and it’s a dollar or two. If you leave a quarter or don’t tip at all because “it’s only a cheap soda”, you wind up having to pay for and probably wait longer for refills all night. Many times I’ve tipped the price of the soda or even a couple dollars more on the first one and then gotten free fast refills all night. It isn’t foolproof but it’s worked far more often than not. Then leave another tip as you see fit or when you leave. The savings have really added up by the end of the night, along with the extra sugar and calories because they probably refilled it more than you would have actually boughten that night.

Keep a copy of your travel itinerary

Always print out information for your flights and your hotel and keep it with you the entire trip. You can leave it in your luggage while at the hotel but make sure you leave it where it could be taken as trash either. This helps if there is any problem with your reservation or rates. You just show it to the person and it’s usually solved. And sometimes after a few days, you get your departure time mixed up with another trip you just had. It’s good to be able to look up the correct information. Going back to step one in this list, enter the airline, flight number and date in your cell phone as another precaution. If you lose all this information by the end of the week, you may want to cut back on the networking at the bar.

I know there are many great tips that I’m missing so please feel free to contribute yours here.

HBO (Home Box Office) is covering the event with some exclusive coverage that no one else will have. They will unscramble themselves and broadcast everything for free to cable and satellite. Starting on the 18th, they will show the star studded opening ceremony. It may be more comfortable to watch from your living room and you probably won’t be filmed or watched by the Secret Service. Or maybe some of you will be. That is beyond the scope of this post.

There will be a 50 block radius of closures around the Inauguration site in Washington D.C. This means you should bring your walking shoes. You can’t just take a taxi from your $900 a night hotel to get there.

All bridges into Washington D.C. will be closed. You’ll need to be on the correct side of the bridge for wherever you want to be before they close down.

Security will be tight. Don’t bring anything you don’t need. Don’t even bring your keys if you can avoid doing so. A heavy set of keys could be a projectile weapon.

Bring your own water in plastic. No glass. Keep it to water however. Don’t bring anything that could look like a liquid explosive. No alcohol. No kegs. It’s best to be depressed elsewhere. Street vendors are a security risk so you shouldn’t expect them every few feet like at a sporting event. There is a limited number of them set up near the parade, via a vendor lottery system. No word on if you need to win a lottery to be able to buy something from one of them.

Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. There will be portable toilets but we know how those can be when you add a million people to them.

You can bring your kids but they have to walk or you have to carry them. No strollers are allowed in the area. No baby carriages, umbrellas, backpacks or tents. Yes, if you were going to camp around the memorials in Washington D.C. in January, please pick another week. I am unsure if you have to carry relatives in wheelchairs as well. There will be no baby changing stations. In short, anyone who wears diapers may want to stay home. Although you won’t want to leave your space to move through a tight crowd to find a smell portable toilet without toilet paper. In short, wear a diaper.

Perhaps they should move the inauguration to Key West. They can mandate swimsuits and margaritas for all. Everyone will remember it as the best inaugural ever.