Hi from Rick: Maximum Thrills per Ounce
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| Think of today's tools for travelers as hi-tech versions of my old postcards, delivering maximum information per ounce. See a larger (rotated) version of this photo. |
Dear Traveler,
Looking back through postcards I mailed home from my teenage trips through Europe, it's clear I've always been driven to (1) share my travel thrills with others, and (2) cram as much worthwhile content into as small and light a package as possible.
Almost nobody hand-writes journal-like postcards anymore, but the technology of the Web, Skype, GPS, netbooks, Kindles, nooks, blogs, digital cameras, iPhones (and all those apps) can be seen as modern manifestations, as they cram gigabytes of content-sharing travel tools into astonishingly small packages.
Do they work as well for travelers as they could? Not yet, so I'm still big on the "book" device as a foundation for smart travel. But will I leave my iPhone behind in the office when I take off for Europe next month? Not on your life.
In this month's Travel News you'll find useful articles on gadgets that work for light-packing travelers, advice on how to "shop light," a video peek at the shopping-sensory-overload of Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, a relaxing mosey down the Mosel, a traveler's tale of a stolen backpack, and more.
Our new Facebook page is attracting legions of fans, many of whom are enjoying a closer look at the old, "content-rich" postcards I mentioned above.
Earlier this week, we drew the first of our European Cities Giveaway winners, with ten more to come. The sooner you sign up, the better your odds are of winning, so please join the fun of dreaming about a week in Paris, Rome or London.
Thanks for keeping plugged into us.
Happy travels,
Rick