Tips for Your Trip to Washington, DC

1.       Avoid driving.  It is said that the French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant designed Washington's streets to confuse and frustrate enemy troops who might attack the city. Anyone attempting to navigate this city will understand why the legend persists. The city is divided into the four quadrants of a compass – NW, NE, SE, SW. The U.S. Capitol sits at the center of the quadrants, even though it is not at the center of the city, so Northwest is the largest area. The boundaries of each quadrant are North Capitol Street, South Capitol Street, East Capitol and the National Mall. That's where the street addresses start and become numbers and the letters of the alphabet. The lettered streets run east and west and numbered streets run north and south. To add to this directional befuddlement, the city also has many diagonal avenues (most of which are named after states) that run through a series of white-knuckle-inducing traffic circles. And beware the freeway ramps that appear out of nowhere and may take you across a bridge to Virginia before you know it.  

2.        Metro manners. The D.C. transit system prides itself on being one of the cleanest and most orderly in the country. A few simple dos and don'ts will help you navigate the Metro with ease. When on the escalator, do stand to the right and walk to the left, letting those in a hurry pass by. Don't eat or drink on the Metro. Do stand aside and take a moment to figure out where you are going. The direction a Metro train is going is determined by its final destination. For example, an Orange train heading west will say, "Orange Line to Vienna." There are large, clear maps in each station, so you should be able to figure it all out. Don't stop in the entry of the Metro car, but move completely into the car. Also, note the  underground rail system is called the Metro, don't refer to it as the subway.  

3.       Consider visiting in the fall.  Visitors flock to Washington between April and August. The city can be unbearably hot and humid in the summer, which makes walking  around to all those outside monuments a sweltering affair. Remember, D.C. is lovely all year round – especially in the fall.   It is cooler and less people.

4.       Visit your members of Congress.  Call ahead for a visit with your local Representative and Senators. Congressional offices can often offer special services and tips for visitors.  Check their websites as you make your plans for the trip. 

5.       Plan ahead.  You can simply walk into many of Washington's attractions without tickets or reservations, but some of the biggies require a little advance preparation. Visitors interested in taking the self-guided tour of the White House must be part of a group of ten or more and request the tour through their member of Congress.  (Check to see if White will be open for tours before you go!)  Guided tours of the U.S. Capitol are available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Free tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Capitol Guide Service Kiosk beginning at 9 a.m. You must use your tickets when you pick them up. The same-day, free tickets to the Washington Monument can be difficult to get. For $1.50, you can make advance reservations through recreation.gov.  

6.       Be on the Lookout for Important People.  Keep your eyes peeled and you might spot a few Washington celebrities. Classic power spots include The Palm and Off the Record, the bar in The Hay-Adams Hotel. For a power breakfast, visit Bistro Bis on the Hill or the Four Seasons in Georgetown.   

7.      Cheaper Time.  Many of D.C.'s sights are free – the Smithsonian museums, the Washington National Cathedral (they may ask for a “donation”.), National Geographic Society, Library of Congress and so many more. But those aren't the only freebies to be found. Every day, the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage hosts a free performance at 6 p.m. The United States Navy Band performs free concerts throughout the area .  Put your bargain hunter hat on and you'll find there are plenty of free ways to explore the capital.                                                                  (check navyband.navy.mil/sched.shtml for the schedule)

 

 

EXPLORING THE SMITHSONIAN

 

When in DC I would suggest that you make

sure to see the museums highlighted in YELLOW.

 

 

Be aware that the most popular spots – the Air & Space Museum, Museum of Natural History and Museum of American History – are always busy, particularly at weekends and during local school holidays (kids can't get enough of them).
 

For further information on each of the museums, check out the following links (the last two museums are in New York City):

• American Art Museum: americanart.si.edu
• Anacostia Community Museum: anacostia.si.edu
• Arts and Industries Building (currently closed for renovations): siarchives.si.edu/history/arts-and-industries-building
• Freer Gallery of Art: www.asia.si.edu
• Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden: www.hirshhorn.si.edu/collection/home
• National Air and Space Museum: airandspace.si.edu
• National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center: airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center
• National Museum of African American History and Culture (scheduled to open in late 2015): nmaahc.si.edu
• National Museum of African Art: africa.si.edu
• National Museum of American History: americanhistory.si.edu
• National Museum of Natural History: www.mnh.si.edu
• National Museum of the American Indian: nmai.si.edu/home
• National Portrait Gallery: www.npg.si.edu
• National Postal Museum: www.postalmuseum.si.edu
• National Zoo: nationalzoo.si.edu
• Renwick Gallery: americanart.si.edu/renwick
• Sackler Gallery: www.asia.si.edu
• Smithsonian Institution Building (the 'Castle'): www.si.edu/Museums/smithsonian-institution-building
• Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, New York: www.cooperhewitt.org
• National Museum of the American Indian, New York: nmai.si.edu/visit/newyork

A List of Place to See:

Capitol Hill - Items of interest on Capitol Hill.

Places with a * in front are not to be misses.

*Capitol Visitor Center (East Plaza of the Capitol between Constitution and Independence Aves.)

Guided tours of the Capitol begin at the Orientation Theaters on the lower level of the Capitol Visitor Center. “Out of Many, One,” a 13-minute film, illustrates how this country established a new form of government, highlights the vital role that Congress plays in the daily lives of Americans, and introduces you to the building that houses the U.S. Congress.

http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/
 

Senate Office Buildings

The Richard Russell, Everett Dirksen, and Philip Hart Senate Office Buildings are located on Constitution Avenue on the north side of the Capitol.  These buildings house the offices of all the Senate's members and  committees, and are the site of most of Senate Committee meetings. 

Schedules for Senate Committee hearings and meetings are posted daily online. These buildings are open to the public.

 

http://www.senate.gov

House Office Buildings

The Joseph Cannon, Nicholas Longworth, and Sam Rayburn House Office Buildings are located on Independence Avenue on the south side of the Capitol grounds.  The buildings provide offices for all House of Representatives members and committees are the site of most House Committee hearings and meetings. Schedules for House Committee hearings and meetings are published daily online.

http://www.house.gov/

 

*The Library of Congress  (First Street and Independence Avenue, SE )

Each of "America’s Library buildings", named for a U.S. President (Adams, Jefferson, and Madison), contains millions of cataloged books and other print materials on 530 miles of shelving is a world-renowned research center for scholars easily accessible to both Congress and the public. Special exhibitions —including a permanent display of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed with movable type—make the Library a favorite tourist attraction.

http://www.loc.gov

 

*The United States Supreme Court  (First and East Capitol Streets, NE)

“Equal Justice Under Law” is the promise on the portals of the Supreme Court building. Court sessions begin the first Monday in October and continue two weeks per month through April. Courtroom seats are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis when the Court is in session. Twenty-minute courtroom lectures are available every hour on the half-hour when the court is not in session. Group tours are available and must be made in advance.

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/

 

United States Botanic Garden (First Street and Maryland Avenue, SW)

Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the conservatory features more than 20,000 plants, including exotic flowers and fruit species.

www.usbg.gov

 

Museums and Galleries

 *Ford's Theatre and Museum  (10th and E Streets, NW)

The theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated while watching a performance of "Our American Cousin," has been restored as a center for the performing arts. The president’s box remains as it was on the night of April 14, 1865.  The Ford's Theatre Museum offers a variety of exhibits, including exhibits highlighting Lincoln's life in Washington and Civil War milestones and generals. It is home to artifacts such as the clothes President Lincoln wore the night of his assassination, John Wilkes Booth's derringer and knife, and much more.  Just across 10th Street is the Petersen House, where the wounded president was taken following the shooting and where he died in a second-story bedroom.

http://www.fordstheater.org
 

U.S. Marine Corps Museum and Historical Center  (18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 22172 )

 

Situated on a 153-acre site adjacent to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia this museum serves as "a Monument to Honor, Courage, and Commitment". Opened in November 2006, the National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines--past, present, and future.

 

http://www.usmcmuseum.org

 

National Gallery of Art and East Wing  (4th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW)

 

World masterpieces reflecting the stylistic evolution of art from medieval to present day, adorn the National Gallery.  Included are major works by Botticelli, Cezanne, da Vinci, Raphael, Renoir, and many other masters. 

 

The East Wing highlights contemporary art, beginning with the building designed by I.M. Pei. Since its opening in 1978, the East Wing, a gift to the nation from Paul Mellon, has been recognized as a major exhibition place for Matisse, Calder, and other fine contemporary artists. 

 

http://www.nga.gov

 

 

Folger Shakespeare Library  (201 East Capitol Street, SE)

 

Housing the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, the Folger Shakespeare Library is a center for scholarly research and a venue for exhibitions, cultural programs, and the performing arts. The library is home to an authentic Elizabethan Theater.

 

http://www.folger.edu

 

 

Corcoran Gallery of Art  (500 17th and M Streets, NW)

 

Known for its extensive collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th- century painting, sculpture, and photography the Corcoran Gallery of Art displays art of our time and times past.

 

http://www.corcoran.org

 

 

Daughters of the American Revolution  (DAR) Museum (1776 D Street, NW) 

 

The DAR has collected and preserved a remarkable array of over 33,000 objects which vividly recall America's Revolutionary War era. A chest from the Boston Tea Party and rare furniture from President Monroe's time in the White House are on permanent display along with other early American furniture, ceramics, and paintings.

 

http://www.dar.org  

 

 

*United States Holocaust Memorial Museum  (100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW)

 

The museum preserves and memorializes the details of the holocaust in its three story permanent exhibition; of special note are the Tower of Faces, an actual barracks from Auschwitz, Remember the Children- Daniel's Story, telling the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of children, and the Hall of Remembrance. Admission to the museum is free, but passes are required for entry between the months of March and August.  

 

http://www.ushmm.org/

 

 

The Newseum  (555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW)

 

The Newseum is an interactive museum of news. Visitors are taken behind the scenes to see and experience how and why news is made. Visitors can be reporters or television newscasters; relive the great news stories of all time through multimedia exhibits, artifacts, and news memorabilia; read headlines from around the world at the outdoor exhibit Today's Front Pages. There is a cost.

 

http://www.newseum.org

 

 

Monuments and Memorials

*Lincoln Memorial  (23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, NW West Potomac Park) 

 

Construction for the Lincoln Memorial began on February 12, 1914 and was dedicated by President Warren G. Harding on May 30, 1922. Dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, this memorial is one of the most impressive sites in Washington. The giant seated figure of Lincoln overlooks the Reflecting Pool, the Washington Monument, and the Capitol.  It looks distinctively dramatic in the night lighting. Memorial walls are inscribed with passages from the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s second Inaugural Address.  

 

http://www.nps.gov/linc

 

 

*Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial  (West Potomac Park, located on the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial.  The Entrance is on West Basin Dr.)  

 

This memorial was dedicated to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) on May 2, 1997. The memorial, dedicated on May 2, 1997 traces 12 years of American history through a sequence of four outdoor rooms portraying each of his four terms in office. This memorial serves as a tribute not only to a man, but to a world-wide leader who guided America through the Great Depression and World War II and changed the course of the nation and the world.

 

http://www.nps.gov/fdrm

 

 

*Korean War Memorial  (Located at the base of the Lincoln Memorial.  Westbound Independence at 23rd Street, SW ) 

 

Dedicated July 27, 1995, The Korean War Veterans Memorial honors the Americans who worked and fought under the trying circumstances of the Korean War and especially those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom in that war.

 

http://www.nps.gov/kwvm/home.htm

 

 

Washington Monument (15th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, on the Mall ) 

 

The cornerstone was laid July 4, 1848, and it quickly rose to 152 feet. When funds ran out in 1853, it remained unfinished for nearly 25 years until President Ulysses S. Grant approved an act authorizing the federal government to complete the project in December 1884.  The famous marble obelisk, honoring America’s first president, is the tallest structure in the nation’s Capital and will remain so by law.

 

http://www.nps.gov/wash

 

 

*Jefferson Memorial (14th Street, East Basin Drive, SW) 

 

The monument was dedicated on April 13, 1943, marking the 200 year anniversary of Jefferson's birth, and the 4 year anniversary of Franklin Roosevelt laying the monument's corner stones. The Jefferson Memorial celebrates his architectural as well as governmental influence in America.  A 19-foot bronze figure of Jefferson dominates the interior, and the walls are inscribed with famous writings.  Included are excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.

 

http://www.nps.gov./thje

 

 

*Vietnam Veterans Memorial  (21st Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Constitution Gardens) 

 

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial honors the men and women of the armed forces that served in the Vietnam War.  The names of more than 58,000 who gave their lives or remain missing are engraved on black granite panels. The ground was formally broken on March 26, 1982, and the memorial was dedicated on November 23, 1982.

 

www.nps.gov/vive

 

*The Women’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial  (21st Street and Constitution Avenue, NW, Constitution Gardens) 

 

Congress created the Vietnam Woman’s Memorial Project on November 15, 1988 for the purpose of honoring “women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam era.” The memorial was dedicated on November 11, 1993.

 

http://www.nps.gov/archive/vive/memorial/women.htm 

 

 

Iwo Jima Memorial  (U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, George Washington Memorial Parkway and I-66, Arlington, VA)

 

This memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United States since 1775. This statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II and it stands as a symbol of this nation’s esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps.    

 

www.nps.gov/gwmp/usmc.htm

 

 

The United States Navy Memorial  (Pennsylvania Avenue, NW between 7th and 9th St.) 

 

This memorial honors the men and women of the U.S. Navy, and centers on a circular plaza bearing a 100-foot diameter map of the world.  A seven-foot statue called the “Lone Sailor” stands on the map and represents all who have served or will serve in the Navy. The Naval Heritage Center contains impressive artwork, a ship’s store, and an interactive video display of every ship and aircraft in the Navy.   (if you go downstairs into the memorial look up my father in the computer log they have - Roger C. Adams)    

 

www.navymemorial.org        

 

 

*Arlington National Cemetery  (Memorial Drive, Arlington, VA)  

 

Here is the final resting place of thousands of American soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Including the grave of celebrated General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, and the tomb of the unknown soldier with its precision-drill honor guard.  President John F. Kennedy is buried here, his grave adorned with an eternal flame.  President Taft is also buried in this cemetery.  Arlington House, the home of Civil War General Robert E. Lee, crowns the hill.   On October 18th, 1997, the “Women in Military Service for America” memorial was dedicated and became the nation’s first major memorial honoring all women who served and will serve in defense of the United States. The memorial is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.   (I suggest you take the tourmobile!)  

 

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org       

 

 

*Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial  ( 1850 West Basin Drive SW, Washington, D.C. 20024; Intersection of West Basin Drive SW & Independence Ave. SW  

 

The Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial was dedicated on August 28, 2011 the same day as the 48th anniversary of the groundbreaking march on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Made of solid granite, this monument is a testament to the strength of Dr. King's leadership and drive for the realization of freedom and liberty for all citizens without regard to race, color, or creed.   

 

http://www.nps.gov/mlkm/index.htm         

 

 

*National World War II Memorial  ( East end of the Reflecting Pool along 17th Street between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.)   

 

The World War II Memorial honors the service and sacrifice of those who served during World War II and the support of countless millions on the home front. The memorial was dedicated on May 29, 2004.  There are daily tours of the memorial every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. The memorial is open daily from 9 a.m. until 11:45 p.m.    

 

http://www.nps.gov/nwwm/index.htm                   

 

 

Cathedrals and Churches

*Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception  (400 St. and Michigan Av., NE)  

 

Measuring 459 feet long and covering an area of 77,500 square feet, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is among the 10 largest churches in the world. It also stands as the largest Catholic Church in the United States beckoning hundreds of thousands of visitors and pilgrims each year. The building is a combination of beautiful architecture, chapels, and stained-glass windows.  Guided tours are available Monday through Saturday.  

 

http://www.nationalshrine.com     

 

 

*Washington National Cathedral  (3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW)  

 

Contained within the walls of this 14th century-style Gothic cathedral, designed by Pierre L'Enfant, are gardens, shops, and an observation gallery that offers a spectacular view of Washington.   President Woodrow Wilson is buried here - the only president buried in DC) Guided tours are available by appointment only.  

 

http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral     

Government Buildings of Interest

 

The White House - The home of the president attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The tour includes such celebrated rooms as the East Room, the Senate Dining Room, the Red, Green, and Blue Rooms, and the President’s Library.    http://www.whitehouse.gov

State Department Building - This headquarters of American foreign policy features displays of fine 18th-century furniture and an Americana collection in the eight diplomatic reception rooms. Public tours are available by reservation only.   http://www.state.gov

 

*The Pentagon - The Pentagon is currently closed to the general public.   You can see *9/11 Memorial.

*The National Archives - The National Archives is the repository for legislative documents and historical records of Congress, as well as the entire federal government.  In the Rotunda see the Charters of Freedom Exhibit, which displays the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence. The Public Vaults exhibition allows the visitors a chance to walk into their archives' vaults and stacks giving them access to recently declassified documents and other public records.  http://www.archives.gov/index.html     

Bureau of Engraving and Printing - Over 70 billion dollars in cash is produced in this building every year. Tours of the Bureau leave every fifteen minutes and feature the various steps of currency production. http://www.moneyfactory.gov/
 

 Other Historic Sites

 

Old Post Office Building Observatory and Pavilion - Once described as “the old tooth” and slated for demolition, the renovated Old Post Building now offers a spectacular view of the nation’s capital from atop its 315-foot clock tower. Go up in the bell tower – great view.   http://www.nps.gov/opot


*Union Station - The building was closed for restoration in 1978. Ten years and $160 million dollars later, the doors reopened in 1988 with a gala celebration. It was the largest, most complex public/private restoration project ever attempted in the U.S. Union Station now attracts more than 80,000 visitors daily. Its renovated halls contain an assortment of specialty shops, movie theaters and eateries, as well as, the Union Station Metro and Amtrak terminals. 

http://www.unionstationdc.com

 

Tips for Air Travelers

You may not pack liquid or gel substances in your carry-on unless they are in individual three-ounce containers, enclosed in one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag per passenger. Any larger containers of liquids and gels must be packed in your checked luggage.

Be aware of restrictions on the size and number of bags you may bring onto your flight. Many airlines now charge a fee for every checked bag or have lowered the maximum permitted weight limits for checked luggage. For a clear overview of what the airlines are charging for checked bags these days, and how large and heavy your luggage is allowed to be, check the airline’s web site. .

Do not lock your checked bags except with TSA approved locks; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside.

Do not over pack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles.

If you still use film - carry all film with you onboard, as screening equipment for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.

Place any packed belongings you don't feel comfortable with strangers handling in clear plastic bags.

Do not stack books and other documents on top of each other; instead, spread them out throughout your bag.

PACKING TIPS

Packing Methods
When packing your clothes, you don't want to neatly fold them individually as you would in a dresser. If you do, they will crease when compressed. Here are a few alternatives:

Rolling Your Clothes
Backpackers swear by this method. Rolling works well with pants, skirts and sports shirts. Lay the item face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up.

Fold Clothes Together
Take two or more garments, for example trousers, and lay half of one pair on top of the other. Fold the one on the bottom over the pair on the top. Then take the other and fold it on the top. This gives each pair some cushion where you've folded it so it's less likely to crease or wrinkle in the folds.

The Bundle Approach
This ingenious method of packing, which we learned from Judith Guilford, co-founder of the Easy Going travel store and author of the "The Packing Book," has now become our favorite. It's a bit difficult to explain without a demonstration, but we'll do our best. You need luggage that opens up and lays flat to do this. You will also need a flat, soft, pouch-like rectangular "core" with dimensions that are at least 1/2 to 3/4 the size of your luggage compartment. This can be a pouch filled with underwear or something similar.

Start with your sports jacket or the longest, most wrinkle-prone item you have. With the collar or waistband flat, place it against the bottom edge of the bag and drape the rest of the garment over the opposite side of the bag. Take another garment and place it in the opposite direction, flattening and smoothing out both garments in the bag and draping the remainder over the side. If you have trousers or other narrow items, do the same with them in the narrow direction of the bag. Keep alternating your items, ending up with the most wrinkle-resistant clothes you have.

When you finish, place your "core" in the middle. Now you're going to start folding the garments over the core and each other in the reverse order you put them in. If you fold something over and there's excess draping over the sides of the bag, tuck it underneath the bundle you are creating.

What you will end up with is a bundle of all of your clothes that looks like a pillow. You can pick it up in one piece. It's compactly packed and doesn't waste an available space in your luggage. Plus, because of the way things are folded, your clothes will wrinkle less.

To find something in the bundle, lay it flat and unwrap until you reach the layer you want. Take the item out and refold the remainder. If done properly each layer should result in a self contained bundle at each layer.

Tissue Paper
For delicate items, try tissue paper. Lay the item face down and place tissue paper on top. Fold it up with the tissue paper inside. Use additional layers of paper as you fold the garment so it is completely wrapped in and around paper. This is easy enough the first time you pack, but becomes a pain if you have to keep repacking. We only use this approach for evening clothes that we don't want to crush.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING

Be curious -- and humble.

It may sound morbid, but one of the most interesting (and usually free) ways to learn about a city is to explore its cemeteries. These spaces are often beautiful and can offer insights into the history, architecture, art and religious beliefs of a city. Major cemeteries are usually full of elaborate monuments, interesting folklore and even celebrities (their headstones at least). 

The hotel you want is sold out? Find out when cancellation penalties set in for the date you want to arrive, then call the property on the morning of that day. You can scoop up rooms made available by people who've just canceled.

I put almost every dollar I spend on my Discover card that gets me cash back.

When going out of the country you should always carry a copy of your passport, but more important is keeping that copy safe. In the event your bags are lost or stolen, what are you going to do if your passport is in the bag? Keep a copy of your passport in the sole of your shoe. Most tennis shoes have removable inserts - tuck the copy of your passport under the insert. You won't lose your shoes if you're wearing them, and if you're robbed in a foreign city, the mugger won't go after your tennis shoes - so you'll still have a copy of your passport.

Always pack zip-lock bags. They are ideal for packing things tighter, separating wet from dry and managing small items like batteries. I always pack a few bags in a variety of sizes before every trip.

Question charges like resort fees or valet parking at hotels. Often they will be removed from your bill if you question them at check-out.

You will always get more in-depth information in the guidebook with the narrowest scope. If you're going to Rome, the Rome book will be better than the Italy book, and that will be better than the Europe book. Guidebooks are not necessarily updated every year, so choose the one with the most recent publication date and know that the book was written at least six to nine months prior to publication (i.e., things may have changed). Also, three guidebooks are better than one - consider bringing only one or two travel guides and photocopying pages out of the rest, which you can toss when you move on to the next destination or head home.

Don't assume your way is the only way.

Saving money on a rental car has to be the most mundane and least thrilling secret I could offer, but there's nothing dull about saving a dozen to a few hundred dollars every time you travel -- money that can be put toward something a whole lot more exciting. I learned that rental car rates behave unlike almost any other sale in the travel business. Whatever price you are quoted at first, you can work the system such that you pay a mere fraction of the quoted price.

Before you start your trip, take a photo of your luggage. Put yourself into the picture, standing next to the bag. (This will give a good idea of the bag's size.) Keep the shot in your camera, and also print out a copy. When your bag goes missing, hand over the copy (or show the in-cam shot) to the baggage folks at the airport. This can really help with finding your luggage.

Take an extra, minimalist outfit in your carry-on. Luggage, inevitably, will get lost at some point.

Divide each person's belongings amongst all luggage. This is especially important for traveling with a baby, but good for everyone too. That way no one is out of luck if one bag is lost.

Book your accommodations directly on the hotel's own web site. Join the hotel's mailing list and reward program. You'll get the guaranteed lowest rates without booking fees and burdensome cancellation polices. When booking packages, you can sometimes save a few hundred bucks by using a travel agency web site.

Place a plastic bag under the screw caps of soaps and shampoos and tie the bag around the bottle. This way if the cap opens, the bottle spills into the bag, not on your clothes.

Book your flight on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Most of the airlines roll out their online sales in the beginning of the work week - especially the domestic discount airlines - so this is the best time to take advantage of limited-time fare sales. And if you see a good sale from an airline, keep an eye on its competitors. Airlines regularly publish similar promotions at the same time.

To prevent leaving your phone charger in your hotel room when you check out, unplug the charger every time you remove your phone and put it back in your luggage. On a similar note, ensure that you don't leave anything in your room safe when you check out by putting something essential for your day of travel (purse, coat, shoe) on top of the safe.

Be ruthless with your shoes. It's no secret that shoes are a major space hog, and with outdoor and sporting stores suggesting a different shoe for each activity, it's easy to believe you need an arsenal of footwear. Trust me, you don't. One pair of broken-in walking shoes and a street-friendly sandal are usually all you need.

Low-cost airlines aren't always the cheapest. The ticket price may appear to be a bargain, but take a minute to tally the additional expenses. These include items such as booking fees, check-in baggage fees, advance seat reservation fees, and food and drinks on board. In addition, low-cost airlines often fly to secondary airports that are much further from the final destination than the main airports. This adds an extra transport cost, not to mention the inconvenience. Take the time to do a bit more research, as there may be a better deal out there.

Remain FLEXIBLE and have BACK-UP PLANS. Expect things to go wrong - the rental agent not to answer his phone; delays that keep you from getting to town before the restaurants close; your wallet to be stolen; your passport to be lost. That way you won't spend precious hours freaking out - you can simply move to Plan B.

Never forget that it's your vacation and there's no wrong way to do it. There's no such thing as a must-see attraction. If you want to travel all the way to Paris and order room service, that's your business. Do what feels fun to you.