frenchbuddha

Now that I’ve spoiled myself by traveling once with only carry on luggage, I’ve decided that I want to avoid checking my luggage again at all costs.

I have beautiful T. Anthony classic duffles that measure the maximum 45″ total diameter that is allowed as a carry on. Because they’re soft-sided all around, you can really squeeze a lot of clothes inside. Much more than in a hard-sided packing case. Because there’s no frame or wheels, they’re also very light. The only problem is carrying them.

Luckily, I just discovered the folding wheeled utility carts made for travel. They’re hard to find, but perfect to pile your luggage without wheels and handbag or briefcase on! Once you’re on the plane, they collapse to almost nothing. They’re so inexpensive, too. Duffles are much less expensive than wheeled packing cases in the same line, too, so the combination of duffle and utility cart allows you to splurge on a duffle from your favorite luxury line. The pieces from top lines like T. Anthony, Louis Vuitton, Goyard and Globetrotter can last a lifetime as well.

Bon Voyage!

The secret to avoiding tourist traps while traveling is doing your own research and contacting your hotel directly to schedule a car, driver, and tour guide.

I find the best rates for the most luxurious or hip hotels. After booking, I do research on the web to find the most interesting places to visit. Then, correspond with the hotel’s concierge via emails to get their feedback as well as planning a car, driver, and tour guide if needed. So many foreigners are looking for work in this economy, and a private tour can be less expensive than a group because you are cutting out the middle man. Only book through a five-star hotel.

Before vacationing two weeks in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sydney, and Hong Kong, I spent a couple weeks doing just this. For our stay in Bangkok, I booked the Peninsula Hotel. While researching, I found that just about every tour group descends in droves upon the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about one hour outside of Bangkok. Even worse, you have to get there by 6:00 am if you want photos that have more Thais than tourists.

I found an obscure floating market about one and a half hours outside of Bangkok that began at 3:00 pm. Even better, once it was dusk, you could take a boat ride along the canal to view the millions of fireflies that light up the trees.

We arrived in paradise. We were the only tourists. Small boats bobbed in the water along the canal’s banks, selling their wares. We ordered pad thai that was made in the boat. We had corn that was char-grilled on an open fire. Then, we had a magical boat ride along the canal to view the fireflies.

We piled back into our private Mercedes Benz van with driver and enjoyed a relaxing ride back to our hotel.

Our little jaunt was at just the right time of day and completely private with the delightful guide. We avoided all the dreadful throngs of tourists and amazingly spent a fraction of the typical tour group prices!

Bon voyage!

Amphawa Floating Market