archives: Articles & How-Tos
Review Series: Rosetta Stone TOTALe – Part 1
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I must confess. My previous relationship with Rosetta Stone was a quick stop at an airport kiosk to check out their offerings, followed by a quick das More »
How to Recycle Your Gadgets
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The problems posed by e-waste are widely understood, but the frustration of trying to figure out how to recycle electronics often causes people to tos More »
Field Guide to Buying Your Perfect Laptop
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The process of purchasing a laptop is as intensely personal as shopping for a wedding ring. More »
11 Unusual Japanese Beauty Products
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Imagine becoming fair as Snow White with large anime character eyes, pink nipples, and super soft feet... complete with larger breasts just by eating More »
10 Gadgets to Unleash Your Inner James Bond
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Introducing real-life gadgets that trounce some of 007's most outrageous toys. More »
6 Gadgets to Make Your Life Greener
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There's been a lot of recent talk about e-waste and mass consumption, and their effect on the environment. More »
Photo Essay: Taking Two Small Bags Around The World
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Ernest White II of the popular Fly Brother blog is currently on a comprehensive More »
How to Access Your Home Data While Traveling
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Reducing what you take when you travel not only saves your shoulders from having to lug them around, it also drastically minimizes the chances of loss More »
10 Reasons Why A Scarf Is A Must Pack
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There are two things I never travel without. One is a journal in which to record my thoughts while away from home. The other is a scarf. More »
Gift Ideas: Unusual, Intellectual, and Downright Scary Walking Tours
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Consider treating your favorite traveler to a gift certificate for a walking tour of their next destination. More »
Choosing the Right Sanitizer for You
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Between an increase in PDA and cell phone use, more people jumping on board with public transportation, and recent flu scares, the need for a good por More »
7 Mountaineering Essentials
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Once you have the gear for winter camping and the More »
10 Cheap (Or Free) iPhone Apps For Travelers
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Since we last recommended iPhone apps More »
Shopping for a Stand Up Paddle Board? Size Matters
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Somebody mentioned the other day that it still feels like winter in Hawai‘i. He wasn’t referring to the persistent rain or the uncharacteristic no More »
How to Pack Your Camera and Lenses for Travel
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There are few sights more horrific than finding the expensive camera gear you've packed ruined due to poor packing technique. More »
Survival Gear for Your First Month Abroad
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When in Rome, do as the Romans do...easy to say, but what if the Romans don't think deodorant is necessary? More »
How to Pack Everything Into Your Carry-On
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Learn how to pack light in under 3 minutes. More »
7 Essential Travel Sized Items for Metrosexuals
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Finally, you can still look totally GQ while trekking deep within the Laotian jungle. More »
5 More Creative Ideas for Souvenirs – Set II
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Editor's Note - This is the second installment of two solid articles dedicated to helping you think outside the box when it comes to buying souvenirs More »
5 Creative Ideas for Souvenirs – Set I
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Editor's Note - This is the first installment of two solid articles dedicated to helping you think outside the box when it comes to buying souvenirs d More »
8 Items Guaranteed to Help You Survive a Big City Trek
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A day out in the city can be just as exhausting as a few hours hiking through the Pyrenees. Here are eight items to bring on your day out in a foreign More »
5 Unique Gift Ideas for Father’s Day
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Looking for out-of-the-ordinary gifts for extraordinary dads? More »
10 Essential Items For Backcountry Travel
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Former Summit Steward of Alpine Meadows, Shannon Belt, highlights the essentials you need to enjoy the backcountry and avoid becoming a statistic. More »
Essential Gear for the Traveling Musician
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Packing for long-term travel overseas is tough as it is, but for musicians there’s even more to think about. If you’re taking your guitar, bass, d More »
Telecommuters: 5 Essential Tools You Need for Stress-Free Telecommuting
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Her lights twinkling beneath the damp evening fog, London invites me to come out and play. Though tempting, I can’t. I’ve got a conference call to More »
5 Things You Should Know When Traveling With Musical Instruments
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Planning on schlepping that guitar or bass overseas? Here are five things you need to know to get prepared. More »
Armchair Travel: Embrace the Bizarre
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Across the network this week, we've been bringing you entertaining articles that spotlight the offbeat nature of man - from the bizarre to the just pl More »
Highway Blues: Essential Tunes for a Delta Roadtrip
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Headed out on the road for a Delta blues adventure? Matador editor Eva Holland rounds up some classic tunes from Mississippi boys who made good. More »
Book Review + Giveaway – Nepal: 25 Classic Treks and 12 Climbing Peaks
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With beautiful photographs, color maps, and detailed information about Nepal's most popular and least traveled trekking routes, this book helps would- More »
Book Review – Fuera de Cautiverio (Out of Captivity)
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To a casual reader, Out of Captivity provides an insight into the horrendous conditions that “prisoners of war” in Colombia are subjected More »
What’s In Your Backpack, Tricia Huffman, Jason Mraz’s Tour ‘Joyologist’?
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Her one-of-a-kind job description is to "keep the positivity flowing, keep our bodies clean and limber......" More »
DSLR Camera Owners: 3 Lenses You Need To Pack While Traveling
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If you're interested in some serious travel photography, you need to have these three lenses on you. More »
What’s In Your Backpack, Lara Dunston, Professional Travel Writer?
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From a couple different cellphones and SIM cards to various day bags which help her blend in as a local, writer Lara Dunston shares her gear with us. More »
5 Montana Coffeetable Books
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"A good landscape photo should draw you into it. It should make your spirit fly"....Salvatore Vasapolli More »
Book Review: Backpacking with Brian
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Matador Contributor David DeFranza gives a raw, honest review of this travel journal-turned-paperback. More »
Is It Safe To Drink The Water?
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From leaky taps in Queens to crusty ladles in the Sinai, this question is largely answered by chance. More »
Back Up. And Running: How to Back Up Your Digital Goods on the Road
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Ever wonder how the pros back up their photography? Professional travel and editorial photographer Terence Carter shares his backup plans with us More »
CD Review: No Line On The Horizon
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Can a self-proclaimed, biased U2 fan be truly objective? More »
What’s In Your Backpack, Samantha Brown, Travel Channel Host
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From pastoral dirt roads in Nicaragua to the busy streets of India, without fail, these are the items Samantha Brown needs with her while she shoots t More »
From the Editor: Practicality Rules!
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If I honestly can't envision our readers using or buying a certain product, I don't recommend it. Period. More »
Book Review: South Carolina (On the Road Histories)
The bulk of South Carolina reads like a popular history book. That makes sense; the author is a professor of American History who lives in My More »
Essential Gear for Your Patagonia Trip
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Planning a trip to Patagonia—the southernmost reaches of Chile and Argentina—can be daunting for the novice trekker. More »
5 International Phone Plans for Telecommuters
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Digital nomads, telecommuters, location independent professionals (LIPs), flashpackers....here are some excellent cost-saving phone plans for you. More »
What’s In Your Backpack, Craig Martin, Travel Podcaster
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What do you really need to make superb travel podcasts while on the road?
Photo by Jordan Hoskins
Matador Goods caught up with podcaster extraordina More »
10 Sets of Sheets to Get Between on Valentine’s Day
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Who says romance is dead? Check out these modern day tales of love. More »
Book Review: Wanderlust and Lipstick for Women Traveling to India
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Matador Pulse Editor Eva Holland reviews this popular niche travel book. More »
Inside Her Suitcase: Samantha Brown’s Must-Haves For A Romantic Getaway
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With over 10 years’ experience as a travel show host, Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown has packing down to an exact science.
Photo cour More »
5 Quality Point-and-Shoot Cameras Under $300
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A good camera is a must have for every traveler. More »
Snowed In: 5 Winter Travel Movies that Beat Reality TV Marathons
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Take a snow-day, order in Chinese, and camp out on the couch with these movies. More »
Pimp Your Skype Experience
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Take your Skype calls to the next level with these gadgets More »
Lowepro Flipside Bag Review
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You have a DSLR, four lenses, a flash, batteries, chargers and cords: Everything but the kitchen sink. The world awaits, possible adventures hijack yo More »
10 Photography Books You’ll Never Get Tired Of
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Every one of these amazing and diverse photography books belongs on the coffee tables of photographers and photo lovers alike. More »
Essential Cookbooks for the Culinary Traveler
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The fastest way into the heart of a culture might very well be through its local cuisine. More »
What Every American Should Know About the Middle East
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Today’s recommendation comes from Matador Video Editor joshywashington, who recently sat down with Melissa Rossi, a special correspondent for Ne More »
5 Items Guaranteed to Get You Out of Trouble While Traveling
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Whether backpacking in the woods or traveling the world in luxury one hotel at a time, here are some universally helpful items that are simple and che More »
5 Reasons You’ll Be Addicted To The Wire
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Catch up on one of the most critically acclaimed TV series of our time More »
Book Review: First Stop in the New World
4 Comments
Mexico City, The Capital of the 21st Century. More »
8 Bollywood Movies to Watch
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Move over Hollywood! Bollywood provides a unique fusion of traditional Indian culture and mainstream entertainment. More »
Three Essential Medical Books for Travelers
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Fill up on handy medical information to help you while traveling with these books. More »
Essential Gear for the Nomadic Travel Photographer
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Are you a serious travel photographer constantly on the move? Check out these essential gear. More »
2009 Forecast: Gadgets for Travelers
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We're betting these practical gadgets will be popular with budget travelers this year. More »
Book Review: Walking to Guantanamo
There’s no shortage of travelogues penned by restless travelers on journeys they hope will help them resolve a midlife crisis.
Photo by Paul Kelle More »
2008 in Review: Innovative Gadgets for Travelers
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From mini camcorders to lightweight electronic readers, here are some devices (electronic and non-electronic, new and old) that appealed to avid trave More »
What is Mumbai Reading?
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The top 10 most popular books on nightstands in Mumbai, India.
Here in India, students and professionals alike can almost always be spotted with a boo More »
What’s In Your Backpack, Tom Gates, Matador Editor?
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Matador Life Editor Tom Gates lies amidst the innards of his backpack.
Matador Goods is starting a “What’s In Your Backpack?” series and I’ More »
5 Handheld GPS Receivers
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Navigating has never been easier with these handheld GPS devices. More »
10 Gift Ideas Under $40
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The thought is what counts most. Nothing is truer when faced with the Christmas gift-giving season. More »
Films that Misrepresent Colombia…and Some Which Don’t
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Remember that guy in the pub or the frat house who would always point out the inconsistencies and errors in a movie?
Photo by mattlemmon
How about tha More »
Book Review: Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman
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Bias declared: Kelsey Timmerman is a Matador community member.
So of course we’re thrilled to see his first book, Where Am I Wearing?, hit book More »
10 Spiritual and Philosophical Books to Take Traveling
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Fuel your inspiration and spiritual core with these books while on the road. More »
4 Best Travel Laptops
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Lightweight, portable, and durable, you can't beat these travel laptops. More »
5 Classic James Michener Novels
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Theodore Scott introduces you to an iconic American author. More »
5 Best Surf Films of All Time
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These classics will inspire you to hit the waves More »
10 Films to Watch Before Travelling to the UK
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Be sure to check out these movies before hopping across the pond More »
Bicycle Touring: A Solid Setup
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If you’re considering going on a bicycle tour, don’t leave home without these essential gear.
Despite the relatively low profile of cycle More »
12 Stocking Stuffers for Travelers
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For the travelers on your list, we've got plenty of creative ideas that won’t break the bank More »
8 of the Greatest Adventure Stories Ever Told (Fiction)
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Not being in some exotic location doesn't mean you can't travel. More »
8 of the Greatest Adventure Stories Ever Told (Non Fiction)
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The call of adventure has motivated travelers for centuries. More »
10 Essential Items for Female Travelers
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A few extra items female travelers should bring along. More »
Packing and The Mantra of Minimalism
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Just how much gear can you fit into a Kelty Redwing backpack? More »
8 Items You Need for Off-Piste Skiing
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Do double black diamond trails look like bunny slopes to you? Are you an insatiable fiend for fresh powder? Hate crowds? More »
Book Review: Party Across America!
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101 of the Greatest Festivals, Sporting Events, and Celebrations in the U.S. More »
Armchair Travel: Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain
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Ah, the running of the bulls. It's an event that captures the imagination, that draws travelers from around the world. More »
Coffee Gear for Coffee Fanatics
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Downing a double espresso in Rome might do the trick pronto, but there are times when you need to brew your own to make it through the day More »
Plastic or Pills? Choosing an option for treating your water
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Choosing to treat your own water cannot only help lessen your impact on the environment, but work out cheaper and more convenient.
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7 Items to Pack for Winter Camping
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Camping in the cold can be a challenge, but with the right gear and preparation even the coldest nights can be enjoyable. More »
5 Essential Gear for Telemark Skiing
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Before leaving telemark tracks along the slopes, make sure you've got the right gear. More »
10 Gadgets Bonafide Flashpackers Should Carry
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Today's backpackers are currently redefining what it means to rough it on the road. This new wave of travelers now called flashpackers still forge on, More »
5 Items to Set Off Your Obsession with Digital Photography
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Here are a few items to channel your obsession with photography down the right path.
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10 Items Women Should Pack To Stay Fashionable on the Road
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From a few “mix and match” pieces to a convertible dress, this packing list will keep you stylish and your luggage light. More »
18 Essential Items for a Trip Around The World
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What you decide to take on a round-the-world trip ultimately depends on the activities you plan on partaking in and the places you plan on visiting. More »
Responsible Adventures with Wend Magazine
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By blending adventure sport and responsible travel through thought provoking stories and inspiring narratives, Wend Magazine seeks to cultivate enviro More »
Princess with a Backpack by Lauren Resnick
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Read if you're a bonafide princess, are about to go backpacking overseas for the first time, and you’re genuinely clueless as to where to start.
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5 Sony PSP Games to Pack on Your Trip
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The Sony PSP is very versatile with an array of impressive games available for the system.
Here are five of some of the best games to bring along on y More »
10 Indispensable NYC Guidebooks
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A New Yorker who's skeptical of guidebooks applies her critical eye to Amazon's vast selection of NYC guides and chooses the 10 best on the market. More »
12 Gadgets That Harness the Power of the Sun
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From purses to water bottles, here are 12 solar powered gadgets you've probably never heard of. More »
Environmentally and Socially Conscious Consumers’ Guide: A Profile of Odwalla
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When it comes to nourishing fresh products, Odwalla delivers More »
10 Ways to Make Your iPod a Powerful Travel Accessory
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Get more mileage out of your iPod by installing Rockbox More »
5 Gadgets You Can Pack for Long Flights
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Long flights can take a toll on travelers, but you can wile away time with these gadgets More »
12 Bizarre Election 2008 Merchandise
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From action figures to condoms, we bring you some of the most bizarre products from Election 2008.
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/12_B More »
Top 10 Adventure Gear Companies You Should Know And Why
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All adventure gear companies aren’t created equal. In addition to giving you solid outdoor gear, these companies give back to the environment.
P More »
12 Items That Will Make Your Travels Greener
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You’ve booked an eco-tour, bought offsets for your flight’s CO2 emissions, and found a hotel that’s environmentally friendly.
Mountainsmith Ph More »
The Samsung BlackJack – AT&T Review
Today’s travel gear review comes from Matador Pulse editor and community member, Julie Schwietert.
Let’s get a few details and disclaimers out of More »
5 Small Luxuries to Pack for Long-Term Hosteling
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Following up on 5 Essentials for Long-Term Hosteling, Craig Martin expands with some luxuries that always make it into his pack.
These are all super- More »
5 Essential Items to Pack for Long-Term Hosteling
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Experienced shoestring travelers know what to pack for a hosteling jaunt, but for those setting off for the first time, don’t forget to pack the More »
10 Quirkiest Travel Gear
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Bottle-opening sandals? GPS rings for your fingers? Check out these bizarre travel items.
Here are ten odd, even downright outlandish travel items tha More »
10 Multi-Use Items You Should Consider Packing
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Next time you hit the road, pack these reusable, space-saving, and lightweight items.
It seems like airlines are placing new restrictions on luggage e More »
10 Tested and True Green Companies
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Following up on her article, 10 Brands That Don’t Deserve to Declare Themselves “Green”, Marica Sutic introduces us to ten green com More »
10 Brands That Don’t Deserve To Declare Themselves “Green”
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[Photo credits displayed at end of article]
As consumers become more interested in the need to protect our environment, corporations recognize this a More »
