User-friendly, magnetically-aligned wheels
Like a shopping cart, spinner luggage can have a tendency to drift to one side when rolled on all four wheels. The degree of this problem, of course, depends on a few variables: how heavily it’s packed, for instance. Very full or unevenly packed luggage will drift more. Drift doesn’t necessarily mean the bag is poorly made or defective–it’s just physics. Travelpro’s solution to drift is forehead-smacking in its simplicity: magnets. By magnetically aligning each wheel, the bag’s path stays straight–no drifting or wobbling. Making each spinner wheel a double–eight wheels in total–increases stability even more. Best of all, the wheels on all Platinum Magna items can be easily removed with a screwdriver. This means that simple repairs and replacements can be done at home–no need to send it away.

Duraframe system
There’s more, less-visible innovation in Platinum Magna, too. Travelpro’s patented Duraframe system strengthens each bag, allowing more flexibility and shock absorbency in vulnerable areas, like corners. The streamlined design of the frame uses fewer materials and reduces weight–a sought-after quality in new luggage.

PowerScope handle
The patent-pending PowerScope handle, made of aircraft-grade materials, expands and retracts smoothly, with stops at 38″ and 42.5″, to accommodate users of different heights. In luggage, a tough handle is a must–it’s a vulnerable part of the suitcase, and damages to the handle often require extensive repairs or even replacement. Travelpro has also added a comfort-grip handle to Platinum Magna. These specially-designed handles were made just for spinner luggage, ensuring maximum comfort when the bag is rolled upright.

New ideas like these are what keep Travelpro on the cutting edge of the travel industry. Created by a pilot over 25 years ago, Travelpro has long been the preferred brand among flight crews and frequent travelers–and for good reason. The time-tested designs, rugged materials, and fair prices have kept Travelpro rolling through airports around the world for decades.

Featured Travelpro Products

• Travelpro Platinum Magna 21″ Expandable Spinner Suiter
• Travelpro Platinum Magna 22″ Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag

Have a brand or product that you’d like to see spotlighted? Leave a comment here, or email us at webcontent@luggagebase.com. We’d love to hear from you!

Around the turn of the 20th century, a young Colorado native named Jesse Shwayder was working successfully as a New York-based luggage salesman for The Seward Trunk and Bag Company. Though he made plenty of money, Jesse was homesick for the west. In 1910, he took his luggage knowledge and life savings of $3,500 back to his home state to establish his own company. It was after this leap of faith that the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company was born. Without traditional management experience, Jesse based his business model on the Golden Rule, applying “do unto others” to his own employees as well as their customers.

Though the initial $3,500 disappeared quickly, business was steady. In 1917, Jesse turned a profit of over $76,000. By 1925, the remaining four Shwayder brothers–Maurice, Ben, Mark, and Sol–had joined the rapidly expanding team.
Despite the Shwayder Trunk Company’s initial success, Jesse knew he didn’t yet have the resources to compete with his larger, more established competitors. Instead of struggling to offer his merchandise at rock-bottom prices, Jesse took a different approach: let the quality of the product, not the price, take center stage. Though Shwayder luggage wasn’t cheap, it was some of the most durable on the market. On the long, rough trips before the advent of air travel, toughness was a hot commodity. A photo of the five Shwayder brothers standing atop one of their suitcases became one of the most popular and effective ad campaigns of the decade as their luggage was shown to be “strong enough to stand on.”

A Shwayder trunk supporting a half-ton of sugar appeared in the window of Macy’s Department Store in 1918, and just four years later, annual revenue tripled. In less than twenty years, Shwayder trunks had earned the trust and business of thousands of customers across the country. Clearly, Jesse was on to something with his tactic of pursuing quality over cost.

Like most American businesses, Shwayder Trunks struggled to stay afloat in the wake of the stock market crash. Throughout the 30s, the Shwayders offset their losses by expanding to merchandise beyond luggage. Their foray into other markets–including furniture, sandboxes, and license plates–proved just lucrative enough to see them through the Depression. For a brief period, their card tables actually outsold their luggage.

A religious man, Jesse Shwayder called his most durable luggage line Samson, after the Biblical strongman. Samson products pioneered innovative features like rayon linings, stronger handles, and specialty fiber finishes–cutting-edge technology for their time. In 1939, the first Samsonite luggage product was introduced: a tapered suitcase reinforced with vulcanized fiber and leather binding.

During World War II, the Shwayder factories were temporarily converted for the war effort, though business resumed as normal by the late 40s. After the Korean War, the brothers began to expand beyond travel trunks and suitcases, creating hardy cases for musical instruments and electronic equipment. In 1956, manufacturing took a turn for the revolutionary when the Shwayders introduced their Ultralite line of luggage. Ultralite was the first in the industry to eschew the traditional wood frame in favor of lighter, stronger magnesium and molded plastic frames. That same year, Shwayder Trunks began expanding outside of North America, with an entire export division handling the European market. Shwayder Trunks ushered in the 60s as an internationally recognized, multi-million dollar corporation.

As consumer demand for luggage became more popular, Shwayder’s company–still manufacturing furniture and automotive parts, as well as luggage–turned its focus to Samsonite, its cash cow. It wasn’t until 1965 that the company officially changed their name to the Samsonite Corporation, and the Samsonite brand as we know it today was created. Since then, the company has changed hands several times–initially staying within the Shwayder family, and being bought, incorporated, and merged with other companies throughout the 70s and 80s.

In 1995, Samsonite changed hands once again, again becoming an independent, publicly-held company under the leadership of Steve Green. Today, both Samsonite and American Tourister, working together under the Samsonite umbrella, are still revolutionizing the way we travel. Silhouette Sphere, Samsonite’s newest line, leads the way in spinner luggage with four spherical wheels. And LIFT, one of the brand’s most popular lines, offers some of the lightest luggage in the industry at a competitive price point.

When Jesse Shwayder left his New York job in 1910, it’s unlikely that he knew what a large impact his ingenuity and imagination would have on the travel goods industry. Though he found his fortune in Samsonite, his legacy lives on through his brand’s innovative and high-quality products that continue to dominate the worldwide market. As consumers, our habits, tastes, and expectations are constantly evolving–and since 1910, Samsonite has always been one step ahead.

Northeast

Applefest (Warwick, NY): Started in 1989 as a small, traditional harvest festival, Warwick’s Applefest has since grown into a massive annual celebration that draws over 30,000 visitors to the picturesque Hudson Valley village one Sunday each October. The festival is held in the streets of Warwick’s downtown, where hundreds of craft, food, and nonprofit vendors set up shop. Standout events include an apple pie baking contest and a carnival. Proceeds benefit the Warwick Valley Community Center, Chamber of Commerce, and assorted local nonprofit groups. For more information, visit warwickapplefest.com.

Norwalk Oyster Festival (Norwalk, CT): Each September, the seaside town of Norwalk bids farewell to summer with its massive, three-day Oyster Festival. Held at Veterans Park, which is surrounded by water on three sides, the event is a delightful taste of maritime New England. Though oyster events and food are still at the heart of the Oyster Festival, regional favorites like lobster rolls, crab cakes, and chowder can be found in spades. An interactive pirate encampment, artisans from up and down the east coast, and big-name bands like the Village People set this fest apart from seafood events everywhere. For more information, visit the Norwalk Seaport Association.

Residents of the northeast are lucky to live in a small region easily accessible by car and train. For a trip to one of these festivals, you can get away with just a bit of luggage–like the Eagle Creek Heritage Weekender. As its name implies, this bag holds just enough for a weekend away. It’s got plenty of external pockets to bring home a souvenir lobster bib, too. Made to adhere to Eagle Creek’s legendary standards of durability, items in the Heritage collection also feature grown-up style, making it quite possibly the last tote you’ll ever need.

South

Lexington Barbecue Festival (Lexington, NC): Barbecue? Now you’re speaking my language. Lexington bills itself as the “Barbecue Capital of the World,” so it’s only right that they’d have a massive festival celebrating all that’s meaty, smoky, juicy, and good. Through the years, the October event has been peppered with controversy, mostly relating to which type of barbecue is technically “correct” for the region. Eastern-style barbecue, referring to eastern North Carolina, is a simple seasoning of vinegar and pepper. This version lets the flavor of the meat shine through. Lexington style differs from Eastern style with the addition of ketchup, making it closer to the red sauce that most Americans associate with barbecue. Whichever you prefer, the Lexington Barbecue Festival, with its live music, demonstrations, contests, and vendors, is sure to be the favorite fall festival of any pork lover. For more information, visit barbecuefestival.com.

Florida Strawberry Festival (Plant City, FL): Heralding Plant City’s most beloved crop, the Florida Strawberry Festival is one of the most popular food festivals in the state. Situated the I-4 corridor, Plant City is easily accessible from the Tampa and Orlando metro areas. More than just a strawberry celebration, the festival has grown into a massive cultural event, featuring rides, midway, livestock and horticulture shows, pig races and stemming contests.  Live music headliners like Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, and Alan Jackson make it one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing visitors from across the southeast. For more information, visit flstrawberryfestival.com.

The south knows how to throw a party, that’s for sure. Be ready for a quick weekend getaway with the Atlantic Compass Unite 21″ Expandable Spinner Suiter. Whether you’re driving or flying, the Compass Unite will conserve space and get you there in style. Its bright blue material (also available in black) makes a cheerful statement, and it’s small enough to fit in a backseat or overhead compartment. A zippered wet/dry pocket will keep those BBQ sauce-stained shirts away from other clothes. An all-purpose bag at a fair price. What’s not to love?

Midwest

Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival (Des Moines, IA): A relative newbie to the festival world, the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival started in 2001 as an annual guys’ weekend in Spirit Lake, Iowa. In just 12 years, it’s outgrown its humble beginnings and adopted the Iowa State Fairgrounds as its home every February. Its popular bacon showcase affords attendees the opportunity to sample bacon from local and national farms, and a lecture series allows guests to expand their knowledge of all things pork. What started as a tongue-in-cheek weekend for some bacon loving bros has turned into one of Iowa’s most sizzling events. For more information, check out blueribbonbaconfestival.com.

Marion Popcorn Festival (Marion, OH): Corn-fed midwesterners know that the region’s cash crop is worthy of celebration. That’s why Marion, Ohio’s Marion Popcorn Festival draws throngs of snack-food fans to the small town each September. Kicking off the parade is the Thursday Night Parade, one of Ohio’s largest with over 300 vehicles. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy a large midway with over 250 games of chance and skill, live music, pageants, food, and the Wyandot Popcorn Museum. Fans of good, clean, corny fun are sure to have the time of their lives at the Marion Popcorn Festival. For more information, visit popcornfestival.com.

No-nonsense midwesterners will find plenty to smile about with the Samsonite Silhouette Sphere Weekender Boarding Bag. One of Samsonite’s newest lines, Silhouette Sphere combines sleek design with world-class durability to create the next generation of luggage. With its generously-sized interior and functional front organizer panel, the Weekender Boarding Bag is the perfect accompaniment for an overnight jaunt.

West

Gilroy Garlic Festival (Gilroy, CA): Local breath mint sales hit new heights each year at the end of July. At the Gilroy Garlic Festival, the humble root that forms base flavors in countless cuisines finally gets the recognition it deserves. Established in 1979, it’s one of the country’s largest food festivals, attracting thousands of garlic fans each year. Notable attractions include free garlic ice cream, which is surely worth a try despite the fact that they literally give it away. Gourmet cooking demonstrations, a wine pavilion, and high-end artisans from around the state put a unique NorCal spin on this festival. Don’t forget the gum! For more information, visit gilroygarlicfestival.com.

National Lentil Festival (Pullman, WA): Health-conscious foodies and those who just want to have fun will find their niche at the National Lentil Festival in Washington state. A 5K fun run and “Tour De Lentil” bike ride make this one of the country’s healthiest food festivals, but the grand parade, beer garden, and world’s largest bowl of lentil chili keep the fun factor high. True to form, all food vendors (and there are plenty) are required to serve lentils in some form or another. Start the day off right at the Lentil Pancake Breakfast, stroll around the Lentil Marketplace, or enter your best lentil recipe in the cook-off. Get the family together and show the lentil a little love this August. For more information, visit lentilfest.com.

Westerners will appreciate the edgy designs and elegant function of California-based brand Oakley. Their Mechanism Duffel, with its ample storage, is the ideal companion for a road trip up the coast or through the mountains. Carry it traditionally with its durable handles or sling it over your shoulder with the detachable padded strap. No matter how you wear it, you can carry it all in style and still have room to spare with the Mechanism Duffel.

Photo credit: katybird / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Tip #65: Don’t drink the water

There are basic precautions that everybody can take to minimize risk when away from home. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Don’t trust hotel safes. Don’t keep all of your money in one place. But, at the risk of sounding alarmist, some risks are unpreventable or simply overlooked. They range from minor annoyances (spilling mustard on jeans that were supposed to last you four wears) to potentially life-altering crimes (RFID identity theft). It’s true that nothing worth doing comes with zero risk. But with a little foresight and a few key accessories, traveling doesn’t have to be one big paranoid headache.

Problem: “I spilled [bulgogi/bruschetta/biryani] on my shirt, and I need to wear it a second time.”
Solution: Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets
No matter how luxe the trip, we sometimes feel a little not-so-fresh by day five or six. Odors and stains can strike at any time, and if you’ve packed light, it’s imperative that you get maximum use out of each garment. Hotel laundry facilities, if they exist at all, are often pricey and annoying to use. But if you have access to clean water, you can have fresh clothes with the ingenious Travelon Laundry Soap Sheets. One sheet (they come in a pack of 50) washes one garment, so you don’t have to worry about waste. Once they come into contact with water, each sheet dissolves in a matter of seconds. Hand-wash your clothes in the resulting sudsy water, then rinse them out and let them air-dry for a daisy-fresh outfit when and where you need it.

Problem: “My hotel lost power, and I have to be up at the crack of dawn for a kayaking trip.”
Solution: Lewis N. Clark Digital Alarm/Flashlight
Brush your teeth, read a book, lay out tomorrow’s clothes, and be sure you’ll be up on time with this convenient multi-tool. Aside from emergency situations, it’s perfect for camping, backpacking, long-haul flights, or anywhere an outlet isn’t readily available. Its backlit display illuminates the time, date, and even the temperature at the push of a button. Though the built-in LED flashlight is a typically overlooked just-in-case travel item, it’s nice to have if you need to let your roommates sleep while you get ready in the morning or find an unobtrusive place to relieve yourself in the middle of the woods. Its loud, easy-to-program alarm wakes up on time for meetings, tours, and flights. Of course, it’s quite possible that you’ll never need to use it, but you’ll always be glad you have it.

Problem: “I have a money belt, but I’ve heard it’s not enough these days.”
Solution: Travelon RFID Blocking ID and Boarding Pass Holder
Unfortunately, you heard right. Newer passports, credit cards, and IDs now contain RFID (radio frequency identification data) chips that store your personal information. While the use of RFID chips has made traveling and day-to-day business transactions more efficient, thieves can easily extract your personal data without your knowledge by using an easily attainable, relatively inexpensive RFID scanner. Though these crimes certainly aren’t the norm, they do happen. Happily, it’s easy to prevent them with RFID-blocking items like this passport case. Using special materials, the ID and Boarding Pass Holder effectively blocks scanners and keeps your information safe. Wear it around your neck for a low-tech boost of extra security.

Problem: ”I can’t lock my suitcase anymore because the TSA wants to snoop around in it.”
Solution: Eagle Creek Travel Safe TSA Lock
Well, yeah, they do want to snoop. A few bad apples ruined it for everybody, so we can’t help you with that. But you can still keep your belongings from falling into the wrong hands with a TSA-compatible lock. TSA locks allow you to set the combination yourself, just like regular locks, but they also feature a keyhole that only the TSA can access. This particular model features a resettable three-digit combination, so you’re free to change it to something that’s easy for you to remember. You don’t know what happens to your luggage after you check it. (Really, does anybody?) But you can restore some pre-9/11 peace of mind with a TSA lock like this one.

Photo credit: Daniel Gasienica / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

It’s no surprise, then, that the tourism industry has caught on to this newfound awareness. Agritourism, sometimes referred to as a farmstay, provides visitors with an opportunity to spend their next vacation on a real, working farm. For rates comparable to a typical B&B or inn, visitors receive room, board, and, often, hands-on demonstrations of activities specific to their farm. At a dairy farm, for example, you may learn how to make cheese or milk a goat. At a berry farm, you might spend a leisurely afternoon picking blueberries and enjoying them later that evening in a delicious dessert that you helped bring to fruition (pardon the pun).

Hundreds of farms across the US offer a farmstay option, so there’s something for everyone–from an active family with young children to a retiree who’s long overdue for a relaxing weekend. Whether you choose to rise with the sun and help with chores or spend your visit at your own pace, there’s never a shortage of things to do, see, and learn during a farmstay.

Find a farm close to you at farmstayus.com.

Packing for a farmstay, however, offers its own unique set of challenges. Rugged conditions, bulky clothing, and puddles of dubious origin can all wreak havoc on luggage that’s not up to the task. Zero Halliburton, a brand synonymous with toughness, passes the “farm test” with flying colors.

In addition to being highly impact-resistant, Zero Whirl’s hard polycarbonate exterior can be wiped clean with a simple solution of water and dish soap. And speaking of colors, it comes in four lovely shades, making it “the fun one” in the Zero Halliburton family. Four spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver over smooth surfaces, but comfortable top- and side-carry handles enable you to carry it when the going gets tough. Its lined interior is stain-resistant and features tie-down straps, so its contents stay organized no matter what.

If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty while you get a few new experiences under your belt, a farmstay might just be the perfect choice for your next vacation. But if you prefer to slow down, relax, and enjoy the scenery (or a good book), then a farmstay might also be the perfect choice. Imagine that! No matter how you spend it, a Zero Halliburton Zero Whirl suitcase is right at home down on the farm.

Photo credit: chiptape / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Pre-recession, business travel had a luxurious reputation. Though it often came with grueling schedules and red-eye flights, employers tried to sweeten the pot by picking up the tab on business class seats, room service, higher-end rental cars, in-flight cocktails, and more. Lately, though, they’ve been cutting back–some going as far as mandating that all employees fly coach, regardless of job title. As a result, they’re saving millions. According to a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, the North American division of T-Systems International, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG, has done just this–and cut company spending by a third.

If business travel is on your agenda this year, you can have a first-class experience even if you’re relegated to coach with the rest of us vacationing plebs. Travelpro, one of the travel industry’s favorite luggage brands, recently released Executive Pro, a line of suitcases, briefcases, and laptop bags intended for the wandering professional. 

The Checkpoint-Friendly Computer Brief fits laptops up to 17″, and is a perfect, easy-to-tote size for shorter flights or minimalist packers. “Checkpoint-friendly” isn’t just a marketing gimmick, either. It’s a real term, designated by the TSA, that indicates that the bag is designed in a way that enables you to leave your laptop inside of it during security screenings. Leaving your laptop in the bag minimizes last-second fumbling as your scramble to remove your shoes and find your boarding pass–certainly not the professional, put-together impression you were trying to make. Checkpoint-friendly bags also minimize potential damage to your computer, reducing the risk of dings and scratches caused by constantly taking it out.

For those with a little more on their plates, the Deluxe Rolling Computer Brief is a good fit. Though not checkpoint-friendly, it rolls for easy transport, and has a designated pocket for documents and folders–even legal-sized. With a padded laptop compartment and individual pockets for pens, business cards, and other small accessories, you can think of it as a mobile desk. Now you can take work anywhere! Your boss will be thrilled.

Business travel is bouncing back, but it might not carry the same excitement that it once did. No matter who you are, travel like a CEO with Travelpro.

Photo credit: thinkpanama / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

If you’re outdoorsy people, camping is a natural option. Spend the day lakeside with a good book, or enjoy an invigorating hike in the mountains. But save your energy–after sharing a s’more, you’ll want to turn in as soon as the sun goes down. Can two adults fit in a one-person sleeping bag? That’s for us to wonder, and you to find out.

For rustic expeditions, Eagle Creek is your brand. Built with adventure in mind, Eagle Creek products are travel-tested and match beautifully with the great outdoors. The EC Adventure Weekender Bag is sized perfectly for a weekend away. An interior divider and lots of pockets keep you from digging around endlessly, ensuring that the bear spray is close at hand when you need it. Plus, it has “Adventure” right in the name. I mean, come on. For heavier packers, the No Matter What Large Duffel handles all kinds of abuse–go ahead, test its limits. Compression straps stabilize whatever it is you’re hauling, and a storm flap protects the main compartment from the elements. Two-way lockable zippers keep unwanted hands (or paws) out of your stuff when you’re away on a marshmallow run.

Find the perfect campground for you and your sweetie at campgrounds.com or koa.com.

For some, bug spray and skewered hot dogs aren’t exactly synonymous with romance. For couples who appreciate the charms of running water but still want to get away from it all, a bed and breakfast is a classic choice. Quality B&Bs are located in large cities, rural towns, near the beach, in the mountains, and all points in between–so it’s easy to find one that has precisely what you want. These days, they’re not all frills and flowers, either. Many have been recently updated to suit the changing tastes of guests, with luxury linens, jetted tubs, and wi-fi (if you must). Even the “breakfast” part has changed–many now feature vegan, local, and gluten-free options. If you haven’t taken a look at B&Bs in awhile, now’s a good time to revisit the idea.

The Briggs & Riley Baseline 20″ Large Travel Satchel is stylishly equipped for a weekend away. Its clean, sophisticated appearance belies its quality craftsmanship and generous packing space. Tuck a couple of outfits, your favorite book, and a bottle of wine into its roomy main compartment–what else do you need for a relaxing weekend with your sweetheart? For an afternoon walk into town, the Baseline Large Shopping Tote is an ideal companion. Pack a picnic, browse at an antique store, or visit the farmers market–it’s the perfect size for a 19th Century hand mirror, a loaf or local bread, or just your lunch.

Find a B&B near you at bedandbreakfast.com.

But if you really want to pull out all the stops for your beloved, then a luxury hotel in a haute destination is where it’s at. Breakfast (and lunch, and dinner) in bed? A two-person marble shower? “Ooh la la” would be the understatement of the year. Slip into something flashy and paint the town red–or slip out of whatever it is you’ve got on and spend the evening “reconnecting”–it’s your weekend. Heavy-hitters like NYC’s Conrad, San Francisco’s InterContinental and New Orleans’s Hotel Monteleone are sure to please your favorite person.

Style comes and goes, but real luxury is timeless–like the aroma of fresh-cut flowers waiting in your room, the bliss of sinking into a hot bath in an oversized tub, and the feeling of butter-soft leather at your fingertips. The Piel Leather 22″ Wheeled Traveler houses everything you need for a weekend dressed to the nines in enduring style–and at 22″, it makes a great carry-on. Fill the Leather U-Zip Toiletry Kit with your favorite products–its water-resistant liner keeps the leather looking fabulous, even if something spills. Now you’re ready to put your best face forward, wherever your Valentine’s weekend takes you.

Photo credit: joshua alan davis / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

1. Go it alone. We’re not saying you have to take six months to backpack through Europe or hike the Appalachian Trail to “find yourself.” (Though how cool would that be?) A weekend getaway to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit can be just as illuminating. What would you do if you only had to worry about yourself? Linger in a museum, take a long walk to nowhere, try a crazy new food, or experiment with the settings on your camera–the possibilities are fabulously overwhelming. If vacationing on your own just isn’t in the cards, take a couple hours for yourself on your next family trip. You’ll return relaxed, refocused, and hopefully with a great story to share with your loved ones.

2. Use your vacation days. Though Americans receive fewer vacation days than other industrialized nations–only 12 on average–we actually use even less. It could be because we’re worried about how the boss will respond; or perhaps we just don’t think we can swing it financially. But those days are there for a reason. How you use them is up to you–just don’t spend them at work!

Invest in a swanky new luggage set for your year of adventures–the American Tourister POP 3-Piece Luggage Set and the Swiss Army Luggage Spinner Lite 3 Piece Set are solid choices. Durable and attractive, three pieces of luggage instead of just one ensures that you’re ready for anything, whether it’s an overnight at a B&B or two weeks in Australia. (And we love the color options of the American Tourister set. A bright blue suitcase is hard to miss on the luggage carousel!)

3. Break out of your comfort zone. A  cruise or resort trip can be tempting, for sure–and they both have their merits. But how many times can you visit a beach before they all start to blend together? This year, try something you’ve never tried before. You don’t have to possess the gastrointestinal fortitude of Andrew Zimmern to get the full effect, either. Tackle a challenging hike if it promises a great view. Haggle like a local at an open-air market. Visit a place of worship that’s different from your own. Ask questions. Keep an open mind. Be curious. Challenge yourself. After all, isn’t that why we travel in the first place?

4. Cross the language barrier. Don’t let a different language–or a different alphabet altogether–keep you from visiting your dream destinations. Obviously being fluent is helpful, but locals won’t expect an outsider to be completely conversational. Master a few key phrases before you go, and use them often–even if you suspect that your conversational partner knows English. It’s much more acceptable to make an effort, even a mediocre one, than it is to assume the rest of the world will accommodate you.

5. Relax. Things will go awry on even the most meticulously prepared trips. Flights will be delayed. Weather will be uncooperative. Lines will be long. Maps will be outdated. You won’t see everything you wanted to see–and that’s okay. It’s understandable to get frustrated once in awhile, but don’t let it ruin your (or your companion’s) trip. Make peace with the circumstances, reevaluate your priorities, and try to find the upside to every situation–there’s always at least one, even if it’s merely the promise of a great story to tell later on.

6. Say “yes” to adventure. “YOLO” may have jumped the shark, but the sentiment is still as relevant as ever. Even if you’re strapped for cash or time, opportunities to travel are always there–if you’re open to them. Volunteering, homestays, couch-surfing, and hostels are all economical (and eye-opening!) options. Even a mundane business trip can offer adventure–ever seen “Up in the Air”? Though the really intrepid can close their eyes and pick a random spot on the globe, most of us have to be a little more prudent. Don’t forgo common sense in the name of adventure, but remember that no great story ever started with “no.”

Photo credit: Werner Kunz / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
Photo credit: michale / Foter / CC BY

Up against huge corporations and a largely unregulated market, it’s easy for consumers to feel powerless. We may feel as though we have few options–besides just driving to our destination, which, depending on the circumstances, is impractical at best. In May of 2013, the Department of Transportation will decide whether or not to require airlines to fully disclose all fees and taxes to outside services (think Orbitz and Expedia) and consumers. Doing so would make it easier for prospective travelers to comparison shop. Sure, that $100 fare from LAX to JFK is a steal, but the odds that you’ll only pay $100 when all is said and done are quite slim indeed.

Until the DOT makes their decision, there are options. For one, travelers can invest in larger, more space-efficient carry-on luggage. The Eagle Creek Travel Gateway 2-Wheeled Upright 22 is a vast improvement over an overstuffed, disorganized duffel that would require divine intervention in order to fit under the seat in front of you. At 22″, it’s the maximum size that most airlines will allow for carry-ons, and it’s loaded with extra features that make it special.

Corner bumpers and a Bi-Tech nylon bottom help protect it from obstacles it might encounter from the parking lot to the overhead compartment. A padded, zippered front pocket is great for e-readers, tablets, travel documents, or anything else you might want quick access to in-flight or at the airport. Contrasting accents make it easily identifiable in a sea of black bags, and padded top and side handles enable you to carry it if the terrain doesn’t permit rolling.

Inside, a mesh pocket is perfect for undergarments and accessories, while compression straps keep your clothing organized and wrinkle-free. The main compartment is expandable by up to 15% for the extra space that souvenirs or bulky jackets require. If your getaways tend to be less than a week or during the warmer months, it’s entirely possible that the Eagle Creek Travel Gateway 22 will be the only piece of baggage you require, putting less stress on you as well as your bank account.

Delta pulled in over $230 million just in baggage fees during this year’s third quarter. In 2013, make a resolution to carry on your luggage, avoid ridiculous fees, and vote with your wallet.

Photo credit: caribb / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

But some of us crave seeing the un-see-able. We want to challenge ourselves in the midst of history. We want to have a great story to tell. We want to know that we were there. Luckily for us, there is still some mystery left in the world–and one of the best places to explore it is in North Korea.

It’s formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or the DPRK, and it’s referred to as such within the country without a trace of irony. Though the tiny dictatorship has been cloaked under self-imposed isolation since the Korean war, outsiders know a bit. Defectors have talked of unimaginable human rights violations taking place in its prison camps, of widespread, years-long famine exacerbated by government corruption,  and of systematic, lifelong brainwashing initiated by the late Kim Il-sung. (His son and grandson, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un, have carried on the tradition.)

On a trip like this, your luggage should have the strength to stand up to the unexpected. The Briggs & Riley Baseline 27″ Wide Body Upright is made of 1680 denier ballistic nylon and sized generously to haul your souvenir propaganda posters back home. Ballistic nylon was originally developed to be used in jackets for World War II airmen, but these days it leads a much more low-key existence as material for high-end luggage. If ballistic anything seems like overkill when it comes to luggage, consider that the Korean War isn’t officially over–it’s simply in the midst of the world’s longest ceasefire.

Though the country is open to tourists, the only way for intrepid outsiders to see the DPRK is through a state-sponsored guided tour. Calling North Korea image-conscious would be an understatement; because of this, most tours will take place in Pyongyang, the capital city that houses wealthy government officials and other high-ranking citizens. There are museums and monuments throughout the city dedicated to the accomplishments, both real and fabricated, of the Dear Leader and Eternal President (Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung, respectively). During your trip, it is advisable that you remain respectful of the country and polite towards your guide (gifts of chocolate, cigarettes, or Scotch are appreciated and will often pay off in the form of off-the-beaten-path sights and experiences), even when it’s difficult to do so. To disparage the country, its leaders, or its people may result in dire consequences for your guide. It is likely that your hotel room will be bugged, and any phone calls or internet access are heavily monitored. As a westerner in North Korea, it’s best to assume that you’ll be under constant surveillance–and act accordingly.

Another popular site is the DMZ, or demilitarized zone, the heavily guarded border which separates North and South Korea. The DMZ can be accessed through both countries, and regardless of how you visit, the experience is extreme. Photography and cell phones are prohibited, and tensions run high on both sides. Outsiders often comment on the size disparities between North and South Korean soldiers–as a result of a life of sporadic bouts of malnutrition, North Koreans are often measurably shorter than their Southern kin. The North may be obsessed with touting themselves as a utopia of Juche idealism, but seeing the disparity firsthand leaves plenty of room for doubt.

Your trip to North Korea is an excellent opportunity to reflect on humanity’s extremes, freedom and isolation, the psychology of power, and to assign real faces and voices to the 24 million faceless and voiceless North Korean citizens. We may never know how North Korea truly feels about its leadership–dissent is punishable by death, and citizens are encouraged to report each other–but seeing it in person before its inevitable collapse is truly a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.