Unique digital nomad travel adventures from around the U.S.
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The past month has been a rough one at the ol’ Casa de R & B. I have had some medical issues that have very inconsiderately interrupted a trip we had planned. Due to these unfortunate circumstances, B and I have been forced to do …
B asked me a while ago why I love to travel. I had several reasons: so many beautiful places to see, foods to eat, experiences to have, etc. Among the other reasons, one stood out that I have never really thought about before. I told …
Remember the post I wrote about travel toiletries and how long they really last? Well I decided to try another experiment to see how long SOLID travel toiletries last and compare them to their liquid counterparts.
In general, solids go further. A lot further.
I have been using a shampoo bar on my trips for years now. I love them. Recently, I experimented with making my own and on the third try, I finally got it right. By making my own, I know exactly what is in my shampoo bar and I can tailor the scent to my preference. Lush carries a wonderful selection if you are not interested in a DIY option.
As your shampoo bar gets smaller, using it does become a challenge since it is harder to hold onto. But that is about the only con I have found with a solid shampoo bar.
A one-ounce solid shampoo bar lasts me 44 washes. Compare that with one liquid ounce of shampoo, which lasts me nine washes. Talk about a bigger bang for your buck! Note: I have short, fine hair that does not require a lot of shampoo. But even if you require a lot of shampoo, a shampoo bar should last longer than liquid shampoo.
Lotions bars are a different animal compared to their liquid counterparts. They often require you to warm them up using your hands before you can start applying. However, they go a lot further. If you do not mind a little extra effort in the application process, they make a fine travel companion.
They are also SUPER easy to make with only four ingredients. See my DIY lotion bar recipe.
One ounce of lotion last just over a week for me at eight uses. Compare that to a one-ounce lotion bar that lasts through 22 uses.
Powdered toothpaste is a new find for me. Even though it predates liquid toothpaste, I had never tried it before this experiment. I like it…a lot. I have started using it even when I am not traveling. I just like the way my teeth feel after using it.
I have also tried Lush’s toothpaste tabs. They are interesting. I like them in theory, but in practice I find them a little weird. They do not go as far as powdered toothpaste. In fact, they lasted the same as liquid toothpaste. But they have the same benefits as other solid toiletries and come in unique flavors like limelight. I really like that you can take the exact number you will need for a trip (e.g. a two-night stay is four tabs). Overall, I am still on the fence about these little guys.
One ounce of powdered toothpaste gets me 90 brushes compared to the 50 brushes I get from one liquid ounce of toothpaste. Note: one ounce of Lush’s toothpaste tabs equals 49 tabs which equals 49 brushes.
There is not a lot to say here other than to note that soap goes a lot further than body wash. You have got to find a good container (such as a tin), but life is easy after that. I like to make my own. R really enjoys picking up soap on our various adventures. The nice thing about a bar of soap is that you can cut off a chunk from a larger bar and take that on your trip.
Once ounce of body wash was good for 15 washes. Compare that with a one-ounce bar of soap which was good for 88 washes.
I was not aware solid face wash existed until I started researching solid travel toiletries. Options are limited, but they do exist. The problem I found was that even though solid fash wash is available and goes a lot further than a liquid face wash, I could not find a travel-size option. So I ended up with way too much solid face wash. I suppose I can just cut off a chunk for my next trip and store it in a small tin.
I was able wash my face 116 times with one ounce of solid face wash compared to the 31 washes I got out of one liquid ounce of face wash.
Like solid face wash, I had never heard of solid moisturizer until I began researching solid travel toiletries. Also like solid face wash, options are limited. So I decided to make my own because it is easy to do and recipes abound on the internet. The end result was a nice vanilla-scented moisturizer with minimal ingredients.
This was the only product that ended in a tie for me. Both the solid moisturizer and the liquid moisturizer lasted through 72 uses (for one ounce). Seems weird, but that is what happened. I may have to try the experiment again to see if I get the same results.
Shave soap is another old-school toiletry, like tooth powder. You could probably use regular soap to shave, but shave soap is more moisturizing and a much better option in my opinion. I have never been a big fan of shaving cream and have mostly used conditioner to shave my legs. Now I have made the switch to shave soap and prefer it even when I am not traveling.
Get this: my little can of shaving cream lasted through five shaves. A one-ounce shave bar lasted through 56 shaves! That is awesome. Plus, you will not be throwing out cans of shaving cream which is better for the environment.
Okay, so you have seen how long solid travel toiletries last compared to their liquid counterparts. Now let us discuss some basic pros and cons of solid travel toiletries.
In general, solid travel toiletries last longer than liquid travel toiletries. They can be a bit different to use, but once you get the hang of them, you many never look back. The next time you struggle to get all of your liquids into that TSA-approved bag, look at a replacing a few of them with solid alternatives.
I often leave a place with a wish that I had more time there and an internal promise to return someday. Riga, Latvia is one of those places. We spent just 24 hours there and it was not near enough time. But sadly, 24 hours …
In June of 2011, B and I went on our first international adventure together. For the inaugural journey, we went with a Costa Rica package deal we had found on Travelzoo. These packages are a great way to go if you want a hybrid vacation …
I love a good road trip. The 12-day, 10-state road trip we took through the Southern U.S. is one we talk about (fondly) often. And I still dream about the three-day road trip I took down the Oregon Coast. Road tripping is a great way to see this country as well as many others. In my opinion, there are four elements of a good road trip: planning, entertainment, sustenance and safety.
(Looking for a checklist? Download my Road Trip Checklist and get planning your next road trip!)
I am all for spontaneity, but too much of it could result in running out of gas or missing an important event. You have got to have some sort of plan as to which direction you are going to go, where you might want to stop, restaurants to try and which towns have the best attractions and/or supplies. If you do not have some sort of plan, you might pass by a National Park after it has closed for the day…resulting in a very sad travel companion.
Smartphones with GPS and map apps are the way we navigate nowadays. But having a map is still a good idea. Maps provide more than direction. They can tell you the name of the mountains you see in the distance. A map offers up alternative routes if you do not want to take the interstate. Maps also do not run out of battery and are especially good if you do not have any cell phone reception.
Try not to plan your road trip down to the minute. You will want time to explore and stop at random places. I remember driving through Maine on my birthday. On the way to Acadia National Park, we passed by this giant chicken barn that had been converted into an antique store. Who can resist that? I found a lovely antique hair comb at that place. You always want to leave time for the fun stuff.
In addition, there is always traffic and/or construction to contend with. These are my two least favorite aspects of a road trip. But it is almost impossible to avoid them altogether. So make sure you give yourself a little wiggle room and you will save yourself a lot of stress and frustration.
There are some really great road trip apps out there. Some are useful, like GasBuddy, while others help you find interesting places to stop, like Roadtrippers. Just make sure you download and test them before you go. (And remember, do not text and drive!)
If you are going to be in the car for several hours or days, entertainment is a must.
Get your music ready to roll. If you are planning on driving a rental, pack some cable options for your electronics. The radio is great until you lose reception or it stops playing anything remotely palatable to your ears.
Can you still rent books-on-tape? Regardless, you probably will not have a vehicle capable of playing a cassette tape. But the concept still applies. Music is great for a while. Maybe it keeps you entertained for the entire road trip. But sometimes it is nice to switch things up and podcasts and books are great for that. Just make sure to download them before you go.
Both R and I like to keep the Idaho Highway Historical Marker Guide in our vehicles at all times. There are these historical markers all over Idaho and although it is sometimes nice to stop, take a stretch and read them, other times we just want to get on down the road. In these situations, we bust out our trusty guide and read up on the area’s significance.
Idaho Highway Historical Marker Guide
A few years ago, our friend C gave us a copy of Idaho for the Curious: A Guide. Although it was written in 1982, much of the information is still accurate and makes this book a treasure trove of facts about our great state. It is especially useful for areas of Idaho we are not very familiar with.
Idaho for the Curious: A Guide
I have no doubt one can find similar books for other states and countries. Just do a little research beforehand and pick up (or download) some interesting information about the area you will be road tripping through.
If I come across an interesting story or article a few days before a trip, I will save it and share it with R as the miles pass by. This doesn’t work so well if the road is winding (nobody like to get car sick), but on the flats it passes the time nicely. I have also been known to print off old journal entries so that we can laugh about some of the crazy times we’ve had.
Not all entertainment happens in the car. Make sure to pack important items for the stops you will make (e.g. National Parks passport).
Most of the time, you are not going to find yourself on a road trip far from food and water. Still, packing some snacks and drinks is the smart thing to do. It can also be fun if you pack things you do not normally eat.
I always over pack when it comes to snacks, especially when you consider that there is always a convenience store along the way and I know we will have to stop for gas and bathroom breaks. Oh well. I still think snacks are an important element of a good road trip. Something salty and something sweet (usual Swedish fish) are my bare minimum. Some fruits and veggies would not be remiss either.
Drinks are tricky. You want to stay hydrated, but you do not want to have to stop every 30 minutes for a bathroom break. I try to always bring a refillable water bottle and have that on hand. Then I usually stop for a fountain beverage because I love fountain beverages.
If I am in full road trip mode, I usually pack a cooler to keep perishables from perishing and my drinks cold.
Our safety is often the last thing we think about when planning a road trip. But it really should be the first. There are certain precautions one should take before and during a road trip to remain as safe as possible.
If you are taking your own vehicle, check your oil, fluids and tire pressure. Also, make sure you have an emergency kit on hand and maybe an empty gas can. Some key things:
Find out what the local traffic laws are and obey them. Do not drive places that make you feel uncomfortable or that your vehicle is not capable of handling (i.e. beaches = 4×4). DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE. Pull over if you get tired. These are all things we know, but sometimes forget to do. Getting in a car accident is the quickest way to ruin a good road trip. So be safe!
Download a PDF copy of my Road Trip Checklist.
Road trips are a great way to explore and see the world. Just keep the four elements of a good road trip in mind: planning, entertainment, sustenance and safety. With a little planning and preparation, you can hit the road knowing fun times, and views, are in front of you.
This post is premised on a few things: 1. B and I travel. 2. B and I are proponents of shaving. You might not agree with #2, and that’s just fine. Do whatever makes you feel free. However, if you are on board with these …
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Finding the perfect Airbnb (for you) is not an impossible feat. However, it is not always a walk in the park either. If finding the right place to stay using Airbnb has been a struggle for you in the past, fear not. R and I …
On a recent visit to the Balkan Peninsula, B and I found ourselves spending one full day in beautiful Montenegro. This country is blessed with sweeping mountains, azure seasides and historic medieval towns. It is simply wonderful. Here are the five Montenegro must-sees that we visited and recommend for anyone lucky enough to travel to this Balkan gem.
Our first stop on our tour was the mountain town of Cetinje. This little town (only about 15,000 people live here) used to be the capital of Montenegro. By European standards, it is very young–only about 500 years old. However, when we walked through the cute little historic center on cobble stone and saw a man hammering on iron to make some nails, it certainly didn’t feel modern.
Other than the old town, we visited the Cetinje Monastery. This pretty stone structure is nestled at the edge of a park. When we walked up we saw several surprisingly young monks. Make sure if you visit not to take pictures of the monks. It’s rude.
Up, up, up the mountains from Cetinje we drove to arrive at the Lovcen National Park. It is in this region that the whole country received its name. Monte (mountain) + Negro (black) = Montenegro (black mountain). Although, to be honest, the mountains seemed more gray to me. They were indisputably beautiful, though.
On top of the second highest mountain in the area, a famous Montenegrin built a mausoleum for himself. To reach it, you have to climb several hundred stairs. Once you do, you are rewarded with 1) a cool structure, and 2) a stunning 360 degree view. You can see the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Balkan’s biggest lake, Lake Skadar on the opposite side. In between you see striking mountains, green valleys and the red roofs of houses dotting every now and again.
Our decision to hire a driver was validated once we began our descent from Lovcen to the coastal city of Kotor. This mountain pass road was something else–mostly unpaved and not really wide enough for two cars. Not to mention the hairpin switchbacks as you travel down 5,000 feet in elevation. Yikes!
It was well worth the nerve racking ride though, once we arrived in Kotor (a.k.a possibly the cutest town ever). Our driver dropped us off at the gated entrance to Old Town and for the next two hours we wandered inside a real life wonderland. B’s first comment was that it looked like something you’d see in Disneyland. No cars are allowed inside the walls of old town, so you are free to ramble down the cobblestone alleys without fear of being mowed over. We were constantly looking up at the sandstone colored houses and buildings that line the streets. And just when you forget where you came from, boom, there’s the crazy high limestone mountains erupting from the edge of the town.
With our day (and access to a car) quickly disappearing on us, we made our final stop at the Adriatic Sea. B and I both prefer mountains and old cities to sunbathing by the beach, so we didn’t make the ocean a priority. However, one does not travel to the Adriatic without dipping one’s foot in it. So our driver took us to the fashionable town of Budva. We walked along a small beach and splashed a little through the lovely blue water.
Were we the partying types, Budva would also have been a good destination to dance at some discotheques. This region is called the Montenegrin Riviera and is the most popular tourist destination in Montenegro. As it was, I felt sufficiently unfashionable next to the beautiful bikini-clad 20-year-olds, so I was okay not spending too long here.
If you pronounce the capital of Montenegro ‘Podgoricka,’ then you will get corrected by a rather presumptuous whippersnapper. Or at least I did. It is actually pronounced ‘Podgorizza.’ Like rhymes with pizza. Nobody has much good to say about this capital city, so B and I didn’t allot any time other than evenings to spend here. However, I think this town might be getting unfairly critiqued.
We spent two evenings wandering around downtown. The nightlife scene seems to be hopping, tons of people were out and about starting around 9:00 p.m. We mainly saw people gathered in outdoor restaurants and bars, but I imagine there are also clubs around. It is very safe, in fact, our hotel lady actually laughed at us when we asked if it was safe to walk around. As B and I are usually tucked into our hotel rooms by 9:00 p.m., I consider the fact that we stayed out much later than that to be high praise for Podgorica.
Prior to visiting this less-traveled area of the world, we did some research into transportation options. I’ll give it to you straight: the options weren’t great. Unlike other parts of Europe, public transportation is old and a little sparse. To hit the five Montenegro must-sees we wanted to go, we would have to rent a car and drive it ourselves, or rent a driver and have him take us around. After reading some scary stories about the roads, we decided to seek out a driver.
I couldn’t find any private tours on the internet. There were a few taxi companies with websites in English, so I sent out a few emails. I had looked up highlights of the area and listed where we wanted to go in one day and asked for a quote. A gentleman named Radoslav responded with a price of 100 Euro. Since we didn’t really have any better options, so we agreed and told him where to pick us up. This was a bit of a leap of faith, yes, but it worked out just fine for us. Sure, the little English the driver spoke seemed to be (good-naturedly) mocking me. And sure, we had to get creative about explaining what we wanted to do. If this is out of your comfort zone, you might want to think about a car rental. Anyhow, our driver arrived on time and off we went to our five Montenegro must-sees
The Balkan countries are much less visited than their Greek and Italian neighbors. This is beginning to change, though, as people hear about lovely countries like Montenegro. It would be terrific to be able to spend more time here, but if you only have one day, we highly recommend hiring a driver and visiting the above five Montenegro must-sees.
Mostly for kicks and giggles, I thought it would be interesting to experiment and conduct a wool sock comparison for travel to see which ones I should take on my next trip. Here at Jane Sees the World, we have been quite vocal about our …