So, you spent (mumble) amount of money on your plane ticket, train ticket or gas for the car. You sent out countless emails to make sure everything would run smoothly while you were away from work. You DIDN'T buy that plasma TV because it was that or this trip. And now, you're sick. Falling ill while traveling is one of the most frustrating, "why universe, WHY??!" things that can happen. Try these tips so that it doesn't happen to you and so that you can explore a little more than your hotel room bathroom.

1) Sleep. I know. It is SO tempting to stay up until all hours in a new place to experience the night life and to wake up at the crack of dawn (maybe you haven't even gone to bed yet) to experience that great breakfast spot the locals buzz about. But you won't be experiencing any of that if your lack of sleep tares down your immune system and suddenly, you're sick. Be reasonable about when you go to sleep. Let yourself sleep in a little--it's vacation, after all. And take naps when appropriate! Hey, you've made it to this beautiful beach or lakeside, you've seen the view. Now doze off a little.

2) Watch what you eat. You want to try the local fare, of course. But you don't need to become a local over night. Try maybe one or two new items a day and in small portions so that if you do catch a bug, it's not too bad. Try to avoid street foods, salad bars and raw fruits and veggies unless they have thick peels like bananas or grapefruit.

3) Stay hydrated..the right way. Research ahead of time whether or not it is safe to drink the water at your destination. If not, be sure that buying water bottles is one of the FIRST things you do when you arrive, so you don't get desperate and sip out of the faucet. Better yet, pack water bottles.

4) Take a daily time out. Vacations can perpetuate stress--the opposite of what they're meant to do--if you over do it. Make sure that somewhere in your jam-packed schedule of hikes, tours, local markets, shopping and dining that you set aside some time to just sit at a park or in a local promenade, watching the world go by and not partaking, just for fifteen to thirty minutes.

5) Bring your pharmacy. Almost. Before you pack your cute sun dress or that white linen suit you finally get to wear, pack your prescriptions as well as the actual prescription in case you need a refill. Check the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to see which shots you need before traveling to your destination. Also, bring a medical kit filled with: bandaids, hand sanitizer, antibiotic cream, pain killers, sunscreen, bug bite cream, digestive aids like antidiarrheal or anti-bloat medications, antacids, cold medicine and a thermometer. GET travel health insurance. Do it. If anything goes wrong, it's worth much more than you pay for it.

6) Don't pet anything. You know your neighbor's dog and your boss' ferret back at home. But you don't know what that seemingly harmless looking creature in a new place could be carrying. If you are bitten or scratched by anything, immediately wash the cut out with soap and hot water and go to a medical facility to have the cut examined.

7) Work out! It's easy to forget to do this on vacation (for many, exercise is the antithesis of vacation) but it keeps you healthy at home and on vacation. Do it in fun ways by hiking up to a great view, joining in on a frisbee game in a park or volleyball game on the beach.

8) Wash your hands. Especially on vacation when you might be having a few too many cocktails and forget to wash before leaving the bathroom.

9) Research health professionals in the area. Don't fall mercy to whatever clinic happens to be next to your hotel if something goes wrong. Research ahead of time or even ask the locals while you are still healthy who the best health care provider is in the area.

10) Try the local remedies. Not only for treatment, but for prevention. A lot of homeopathic remedies are very enjoyable. Find out what sort of massage the area is known for, or if there is a high quality spa or a shop known for great homeopathic remedies and products. If anything, it's an experience.

It's a lot of preparation, but so worth it.

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There are two kinds of staycations. The kind where you want to completely relax and treat your city as though you are a tourist in it, experiencing all of the things that are so fill in your city here. And then there is the type of staycation in which you want to feel like you’ve gotten far, far away. As in, to another country, without having spent a dime on airfare and skipping the jet lag. I recently took the latter kind when I realized my dreams of traveling through South America might stay just dreams until my dreams of a larger bank account came true. I took a South American “staycation” in Los Angeles. Here are a few places I “travelled” through.

Coupa Café
If you’ve seen The Social Network, then you’ve seen Coupa’s coffee cup. The original Facebook Headquarters in Palo Alto are right around the corner from Coupa Café’s Bay Area location. Mark Zuckerberg used to refuel his brain on Coupa’s Venezuelan Coffee. A little secret about Venezuelan coffee, it is nearly impossible to find anywhere other than Venezuela and Coupa Café. Coupa has coffee farms in Venezuela that grow coffee beans explicitly for them. I started my meal with the Degustacion—a little taste of many traditional Venezuelan bites like fried plantains wrapped around a light cheese, mini arepas filled with cheese and ground beef, and cachapas—corn griddle pancakes. My main course was the Pabellon—a hearty and dynamic dish of spiced shredded beef, black beans, rice, sweet fried plantains and cheese. As a digestive (or just for something delicious) I had their spiced hot chocolate, melted down from Venezuelan chocolate. This accompanied the only dessert that has ever made me lose all control—their Tres Leches cake, soaked in three types of milk and topped with creamy meringue. Beverly Hills shoppers might be passing by, but in the thick, jungle plants, hand-painted tiles and warm yellow walls of Coupa, you don’t realize Wilshire Blvd is a block away.
419 North Canon Drive Beverly Hills

Pabellon at Coupa Cafe

Tres Leches Cake at Coupa Cafe

Puerto Madero Market
If there is one thing Argentina is known for besides beautiful women, it’s their carnivore culture! They have mouth-watering meats. Puerto Madero market is a clean, well-organized Argentinian market in Santa Ana, complete with a small café. Here you’ll find shining cases of Argentinian sausage, Chorizo, as well as other specialties like Pan Dulce and Empanadas. In the café you’ll find hand-made sandwiches stuffed with the famous meat.
2715 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Redondo Beach

Chorizo

Tropicalia Brazilian Grill
Located near the great Greek theater, Tropicalia is a perfect place to grab some Brazilian grub before a show. Most Americans think formal Churrascarias when they think Brazilian food, but Tropicalia is small and cozy with plate glass windows, wood tables and Los Feliz locals in no hurry. Its romantic wine bar offers over 50 wines by the glass as well as imported Brazilian beers. You wouldn’t expect it, but this restaurant is known for it’s salad—the Salad Brasileira, made with lettuce, toasted cashews, tomatoes, plantains, avocados and hearts of palm with balsamic-dijon vinaigreete. Another favorite is the Braziribs that are barely on the bone to begin with. These are braised for hours and seasoned with a pepper sauce, a combination of BBQ sace and Indian curry, and served with yucca flour on top.
1966 Hillhurst Ave Los angeles

Just like on any ordinary vacation, I gained weight and took long food-induced naps.

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What's the point of traveling half way around the world only to sit in a tour bus and "see" the sights? Next time you travel, don't just sit there, get in there! Ask the tourism bureau about festivals, find out about local favorite activities and foods, then go and experience them! Your vacation, and your life, will be richer because of it. Here's a sampling of what you can do when in Switzerland. But first... how to navigate, and not be afraid of, the amazing train system.

Transportation

Fitness

Trotti Biking Down Mt Titlis
Forget the gym or traditional workouts when on vacation. Instead, hike, count your steps by wearing a pedometer, or hop on a Trotti bike and soar down the mountain like I did! It's a calorie-burning, muscle-toning workout that’s super fun too!

Insect-Eating Plants... Hiking Barefoot through the Moorlands
Did you know that there are carnivorous plants? See them (and feel them at your feet) while hiking barefoot through the Upper Moorlands.

Beauty Secrets

Food

Culture

Summer camp is over for the Swiss cows as they come home from the Alps ready for their milk to be made into delicious Summer cheese, with a slightly more herbal flavor thanks to the fresh grasses and clover in the Alps. But the cows don't just stroll down the mountain and back home... there is serious fanfare! The town of Schüpfheim (Entlebuch) puts on a festival called Alpabfahrt, closing the streets and of course selling local sausages and beer to help add to the festivities. It's quite the Swiss tradition!

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We work and work and work, but for what? Ideally, so we can eventually relax. We work so that we can put a roof over our heads that we can relax under. We work so that we can enjoy beautiful meals at restaurants with our friends. That is why we work. But we can forget that, and we can put off those activities to work some more.

For some, travel or even a massage isn’t always a choice. But, the truth is, if you don’t fit in a few moments of total relaxation every day, your performance at work—and in every part of your life, including relationships—will go down. Taking “me time” isn’t selfish. It’s actually a way to re-fuel so you can do the things you do for others, better. There is a way to make “me time” all the more valuable. Don’t just use those moments to escape your reality. Use those moments to change the way you feel about your reality.

Los Angeles hypnotist Kristin Ellingson helped me do this through Invitation Hypnosis. This is a state of deep relaxation in which you can trick your own mind—so to speak.

Without realizing it, we can be resistant to change. We can tell ourselves, with our conscious mind, that we like partners who are loving and generous, but our subconscious mind takes over and says “no, you like difficult partners who come with turmoil.” We can tell ourselves that we will have a more positive attitude about work, but our subconscious mind says “but everything about this place makes you cringe!”. Kristin can help those who are caught in a stress rut by training the subconscious mind to say what your conscious mind wants it to.

The first hour or so was spent discussing my life and finding what my biggest point of stress was. From there, Kristin asked me to come up with a few words that, if I could embody them, would help me combat that stress. I chose fearless, energized and empowered.

After putting me into a state of deep relaxation through a few mental exercises (not strenuous at all), Kristin encouraged me to envision a body of water, then a gift placed in front of me, and then a building. It was up to me what type of water, gift and structure it would be. And once the image was fully fleshed out, Kristin repeated those words: fearless, energized, empowered. She repeated them at a time when my brain was so relaxed, and my subconscious mind was essentially “off guard” that those words were really able to enter my brain. My subconscious brain wasn’t saying “you’re not empowered, you’re not fearless, you’re not energized” like it usually does. It was accepting the words I wanted it to accept.

Today, when I envision that place (for me, a clear blue Caribbean ocean, a box of black Converse and a sky scraper) I instantly feel those adjectives.

Taking a vacation is amazing, of course. Travelling and exploring new cultures is one of our biggest joys (especially those who read this site!) but one of the best things we get from travelling is a new perspective on our ordinary lives. Everyone deserves to develop that new perspective, even those who don't have the time or can't afford to travel. Through Invitation Hypnosis, you can train yourself to not feel the need to jump on a plane to escape negative emotions. You can take a mental vacation, right in your office, and come back from it maybe even liking your office a bit more.

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You may recall a post earlier this year on plans by soulful folk musician Ben Sollee to embark on a second, two-wheeled tour. That is, a tour on a bike, towing a cello (since he's a cellist). I remarked back then that he'd have to park his "clunky old van" after a road show, and pedal his music for a while. Well, the tour dates have now been announced. And just in time, because his van broke down.

To refresh, Ben is from Kentucky, his newest CD is "Inclusions," and his bicycle trek is officially called the "2011 Ditch the Van Tour." The tour was planned for the summer, but you know how that goes. It's already fall here in the U.S.

The Ditch the Van Tour dates run from Oct. 27 in New Orleans to Nov. 13 in Florida:

• Oct. 27 - New Orleans, LA, Preservation Hall
• Oct. 30 - Gulf Port, MS, The Lynn Discovery Center
• Nov. 1 - Mobile, AL, Saenger Theatre
• Nov. 2 - Gulf Shores, AL, The Hangout
• Nov. 3 - Pensacola, FL, Vinyl Music Hall
• Nov. 5 - Panama City, FL, A&M Theatre
• Nov. 13 - Orlando, FL, Orlando Calling Music Festival.

As the tour name suggests, Ben and his band will be moving by bike from show-to-show, pulling their instruments and gear behind them. Why? Do they just need the exercise?

"Sollee’s goal is not a novelty, or a nod to the green trend," according to a rep, "but a chance to gain a deeper connection to his fans and surrounding communities," which is the inspiration behind his latest musical release.

As for the van, a story at NPR notes that Ben and his crew stopped by to play a Tiny Desk Concert in July. They arrived "after a particularly frustrating couple of days on the road. Their van broke down, forcing them to get towed to their next gig" in Burlington, Vermont.

The first Ditch The Van Tour was in 2010. Besides biking, Ben also will be traveling conventionally. See the tour section on Sollee's site for more info.

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Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceline is still in the works. Still. As some potential passengers jump ship. The latest to give up his ticket is venture capitalist Alan Walton. If you have an extra $200,000, now's your chance to snatch it up.

It seems that even the 1%ers (shameless Occupy Wall Street reference) are being careful about how they spend their dollars these days, based on a report at physorg.com. Walton was among the first folks to sign up for this spaceflight, which involves being sent on a suborbital trip, 60-some miles high, for a feeling of weightlessness (and a potential awesome new Facebook profile photo).

It's hard not to blame the ship-jumper. He's been waiting for seven years, is 75 years, and is concerned about project delays. But all good things, and innovations, take time, right? Also, he got a full refund. That's good customer service.

It was back in 2004 that SpaceShipOne became the first privately paid for, manned ship to make it into space. The first commercial passenger flight was forecast to occur in 2007.

So much for that schedule, and those interested in what you might call the ultimate travel experience. Earlier this year, Virgin Galactic showed off SpaceShipTwo during its first feathered flight.

This month, Virgin Galactic inked a $4.5 million contract with NASA for up to three charter flights on SpaceShipTwo, for engineers, technologists, and scientific researchers to conduct experiments in space.

So there are still those out there who are committed to, and interested in, non-NASA, non-Russian commercial spaceflights.

According to the Virgin Galactic website, bookings are still being taken, for more than 400 astronauts who will make the trip (some day). Maybe if they threw in some sky miles?

According to the physorg.com article, other companies in the space race include XCOR Aerospace, Armadillo Aerospace and Blue Origin, the last of which is headed by Amazon rocket man Jeff Bezos.

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It’s happened to you. Your friend comes back from his travels, gives you a gift, and you think to yourself “he totally got this at the airport gift shop.” But every travelling gift-shopper means well! They just don’t always know where to find the most meaningful and unique gifts because, well, they aren’t in their own town. If you’re travelling and buying gifts soon (which is very likely with the holidays coming up) try these tips so you’re not that friend giving the shot glass from the airport bar.

Support Local Artists
One thing you can be sure will be original is art from local artists. If you happen upon a street fair, or even just one sole artist selling his work on the street, don’t pass by quickly like you normally would with street vendors. Check out his work. It might capture the scenery, history, even sentiments of the place you are visiting. Your true art-enthusiast friends will love this.

Follow That Shopping Bag
If you see a local who has obviously just been on a little shopping spree, ask them where they went! Ask them what items they simple cannot be without in their particular hometown—this could be a kitchen tool specific to the local produce, shoes meant for a sport that is unique to that area, even a bottle of the local’s favorite alcohol.

Photo: Microsoft Images Shopping Spree

Go To The “Boring” Places
What does this mean? Drop into a pharmacy or grocery store. You might find something that to you seems completely novel, but is actually an everyday necessity for the locals. During my travels, I’ve literally picked up antacids just because of the beautiful or even funny packaging. It’s entertaining for me, and it carries the pulse of that place.

Souvenir Shops Are The Last Places For Real Souvenirs
The only tip you might get from a souvenir shop is if you notice a certain place depicted on many of the shot glasses, in much of the replicated art or on postcards. If you see this, ask the shopkeeper where that place is, why it is so special, and go there and get a souvenir.

Actually Develop Your Photos
I know. Who does this anymore? But you brought that camera for a reason. And no uploaded pic on Facebook or Twitter can sit over a mantle, or be a magnet on a fridge. Print your photos and give them away as gifts.

Photo: Microsoft Images Family Photo Album

Make Videos
These aren’t necessarily for your friends—giving them a video of your adventures might just seem very self-involved of you. But think of your parents, grandparents, even siblings who you don’t see often and who are always asking you to write or call more. Don’t just shoot your weekly email or make that monthly phone call. Send them a video. They will feel instantly closer to you.

Trade
You might be wearing a T-shirt or hat that, to the locals, is the funniest or coolest thing they’ve ever seen. Offer to trade. Right there and then. Your t-shirt for the local’s. Your hat for his. This gift is obviously for your more open-minded friends who don't mind a used gift. But it comes with a great story.

Don't these beat any department store buys?

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Planning makes perfect. Or maybe that's practice. If you're planning for a Spring Break trip (me too), you might want to consider these Top 10 Emerging Destinations for Green and Sustainable Travel from a site called Greenloons. 'Loons? It seems they're only loony about guiding people to spots that have been certified as green.

"Traveling sustainably in new destinations helps raise living standards and can create environmental reverence by emphasizing conservation education and advocating sustainable activities that lessen degradation," says Irene Lane, Greenloons founder.

That's right, you can tell that to your friends: I'm not just going on vacation, I'm helping people. And why not? There are worse ways to spend your money. These folks also are in tune with family vacations. If you have (and take) the kids, they’ll be able to give quite a fantastic presentation on “What I did on my vacation.”

So without further delay ...

1. Jordan

Flowers blooming at the Monastery at Petra in Jordan.

Greenloons says Jordan’s “eco-lodges combine local heritage and educational experiences while exploring a mix of modernity, ancient wonders and nature. Think horse or camel safaris, Bedouins, the endangered Arabia oryx, Petra, the Dead Sea and trekking through Dana Nature Reserve.

2. Borneo

Mother orangutan with her baby, Borneo.

Borneo boasts “'jungles, beaches, caves, exotic wildlife and more than 5,000 diverse and endemic plant species are revealed by, among others, trekking the relatively untouched Mt. Kinabalu and exploring the Kinabatangang River, home to wild boar, orangutans, elephants, king fishers, macaque and proboscis monkeys. Award-winning eco-lodges harvest rainwater, use solar power and manage wildlife rehabilitation.”

3. Philippines

The Igorot people in Banaue, Philippines. Credit: Dylan Waters

National Geographic named the Philippines as one of it’s 20 Best Destinations for 2011 and the island of Palawan (top right) as its top eco-destination.

4. Belize

View from the Main Mayan Temple called Caana at Caracol, Belize with the Temple of the Jaguars to the rear of the plaza.

This one has a special place in my heart. A relative went here and, as the saying goes, all we got was a hat.

The ‘Loons say “Belize offers more than 87 distinct types of ecosystems, making ecotourism the lifeblood of its economy. Along with 150 identified species of mammals are rainforests, Mayan temples, the world's second longest barrier reef and an abundance of eco-lodges educating travelers about the fragility of its ecosystem.”

5. Botswana

Lion cubs swimming in the Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Botswana “favors low volume, high quality, environmentally conscious safari travel into the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert, the savannahs of the Moremi Reserve and the forests of Chobe and Linyanta Game Reserves.”

Rounding the (last but not least) bottom of the list are Poland, Croatia, Guyana, Argentina (home to Perito Moreno, one of the world's only advancing glaciers) and Ethiopia.

Ethiopia?

Blue Nile Falls near Bahar Dar in Ethiopia.

Its gems include Lalibela, called one of the greatest spiritual-historical sites of the world.

Have you visited any of these? Either way, this list is something to ponder, especially when you stack it up against more popular destinations. Some of these are pricey, but sound much more memorable than a lot of McResorts out there, if you can afford it.

By the way, Greenloons says it only lists award-winning ecotour operators that adhere to environmental and other standards by numerous recognized third parties, including the United Nations Global Compact. So your money goes to good use, it seems.

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It’s the holidays and you want to see your family! You understand the effects of travel on the environment, but you look forward all year to jumping on that plane to see the cousins, grandparents, aunts, in-laws—whoever—that you haven’t seen in far too long. You can’t always choose how you get somewhere and what sort of carbon footprint that will leave, but you can choose a travel company that keeps the environment in mind, therein counteracting your holiday carbon footprint. These 5 companies have a reputation for planning great green trips and giving back to the environment:

Photo: Microsoft Images Cabin in the Woods

Natural Discovery
This company seeks out and promotes eco friendly accommodations of all shapes and sizes including large resorts, bed and breakfasts and even small, rentable cabins across England, Wales and Scotland. If you book your vacation through the company, Natural Discovery uses multiple methods for offsetting the carbon footprints it encourages like donating energy efficient light bulbs to many of the properties listed on the site. The company also offers a Discovery Break package, which includes information on local history, culture and cuisine.

Nature Travels
Get ready to spend all your time outdoors as this company takes nature enthusiasts canoeing, timber rafting, horse riding and kayaking through Sweden. During the winter, adventurers can enjoy cross-country skiing and dog sledding. Nature Travel donates 4.15 Euros per patron to Climate Care, as well as 2% of its profits to conservation efforts. Only local, small-scale service providers that meet sustainability criteria are used in the packages.

National Geographic Expeditions
This company caters to the adventurous, offering eco-tours, eco-expeditions and National Geographic Expeditions on all seven continents. 100% of the proceeds from the site go to National Geographic research efforts. Tours often include schools, workshops and markets where local artisans sell their products.

Photo: Microsoft Images Rainforest

Small World Journeys
This company organizes trips to some of Australia’s least-touched natural destinations in groups of no more than 10 people. Not only does the small group make for an intimate, up-close experience, but it also lessens the environmental impact of the excursion. The company plants a tree in the Australian rainforest for every single person that books a tour with them and donates 2% of net profits to conservations organizations.

Photo: Microsoft Images Mountain Biking

Pure Mountains
This quaint company hosts patrons in its very own farmhouse located in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park in Andalucia, Spain. Cycling enthusiasts can mountain bike through some of the most pristine mountain regions in Spain by day, and experience fresh meals made from local ingredients by night in the farmhouse.

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Sustainable resort development doesn't have to be an oxymoron. Meet Stanley Selengut, who created Maho Bay Camps, a 114-unit campground on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1976. It was built to be an economically viable and environmentally friendly camp, compatible with National Park mandates. It's now one of the most profitable businesses on the island. And as with any good story, there's more.

Maho Bay was built by locals on hand-dug footings to minimize impacts to the land. How refreshing, and quieter than heavy machinery. Beep beep beep.

Maho Bay is considered a pioneering development by leaders in the ecotourism field. To go along with the resort, there's a "Trash to Treasures Art Center," which focuses on the re-manufacture of waste from the resort into saleable craft items and fine art.

This is all according to the International Ecotourism Society, and another refreshing item. How many times have been been at a resort, and wondered where all that trash goes? Doesn't waste give tourists a bad name, too? Stanley has helped turn this around, and it seems that other resort owners could learn a thing or two.

Stanley was recently the featured speaker at an Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference put on by society in South Carolina, USA. He also was given a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is noteworthy. Stanley sounds like an unsung hero of the sustainable development movement. How about a tip of the hat to him?

A little more on Stanely's background and Maho Bay Camps. The spot now has a sister eco-resort called Estate Concordia Preserve, which takes in 51 acres and features "utility self-sufficient cottages, super insulated villas, solar power, cisterns to collect rainwater, and other green building processes," according to a conference brochure.

Stanley has been telling his story for some time, speaking at schools and conferences around the world, and holding workshops at his resort. He even helped establish the International Ecotourism Society.

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Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. However you celebrate during December, you don't need to fly to do it. Think about it. No airports. No delays, or overpriced foods, or announcements that you can't quite make out, or sitting next to someone you'd rather not. How about getting stuck with the middle seat? Convinced? Try these five green holiday trends on for size, via Greentraveller, with five no-fly holiday ideas.

The list, published recently on the Reuters Business Traveller site, puts an emphasis on the carbon emissions you'll keep out of the atmosphere. But you don't need to be a greenie to appreciate these. Greentraveller calls them Five Green Holiday Trends for 2012.

1. Trips to the Mediterranean, by train and ferry. Although the site originates in the U.K., an idea like this can be done stateside, too. See a previous PlanetGreen trend post on Traincations.

2. Ride a bike. The Summer Olympics are coming to London next year, so get started early, Greentraveller advises. This one probably applies best to those living in warmer climates, and not Michigan, where this post is being typed. Kayaking also is an Olympic sport, along with swimming. Again, for warmer climates, unless you enjoy a Polar Bear Plunge, a popular semi-sport in winter country.

3. Look at the stars. You don't need to be an astronaut (although NASA is hiring) to do this. Greentraveller suggests a train trip to a ski resort. You also could make plans for the Northern Lights, which made a Must-See list earlier this year.

4. Hire a bike. That is, find a rental bike and tour your favorite city (especially handy when your car doesn't have a bike rack). The U.K has an electric bike network, too. Places like San Francisco also peddle electrics.

5. Hoof it. Take a foot tour. You can find a few ideas via another Planet Green post, on Atlas Obscura.

Whatever you do, have a great end of 2011. And get planning now for 2012.

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If you're familiar with the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you may want to pick up "Redwood to Deadwood," a book by Colin Flaherty about hitchhiking across America. Hitchhiking? In this day and age? And living to tell about it? Now that's an adventure.

That may be the cynical Detroiter in me (I grew up down there). Or maybe I've seen too many hitchhiker horror movies.

According to author from Wilmington, Delaware:

"Before I tucked my thumb in for the final time, I’d run with wild horses, visit a pot farm, hunt big game, poach big game, get chased by a helicopter, get into family feuds, ride in cop cars, reconnect with old friends, make new ones, get tired and exhilarated, scorned and accepted, kicked out and invited in.

I know how to cook muskrat, squirrel and rockchuks. And, oh yeah, I almost got murdered."

Like I said, hitchhiking can be dangerous. The book includes stories from and rules of the road --- for those thinking of taking their own adventure. Flaherty, 53 at the time, spent three months on the road for this book.

Several critics and regular ol' readers have given a thumbs up, or sideways, to this book about "thumbing it."

A favorite, from Dr. G at Amazon.com: "this book will entertain and inform you ... it may even inspire you to go out there, roll the dice, stick out your thumb and give it a shot yourself. I mean, he lived to tell the tale, right?"

For those interested, there's also hitchwiki.org.

Just don't forget to bring your charger. "Would you mind if I plugged this into your cigarette lighter for a bit?" This is strictly an e-book, for those new-fangled e-readers like the Kindle Fire. You also can read it on your computer or laptop.

What do you say? Have you hitchhiked? Is it a new way to see the world? Or is it a mode of travel that is passé?

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The Most Beneficial Vacation You Will EVER Take
An Interview with Neil Pasricha of '1000 Awesome Things'

I’m the first to admit that an out-of-town attitude includes skipping out on my regular workout. But that’s the great thing! It's your opportunity to try something new, work new muscles, and maybe even LOSE, as opposed to GAIN weight! I know... the holidays can be brutal for your diet. You're too busy, tired, and full to do your entire regular workout routine. Instead, slip in several quickie workouts into your day, every day, to keep your metabolism stoked and naturally burning off even more calories for you.

When it comes to holiday travel, immediately get your head in a fit mindset. Here's how:

BURN CALORIES JUST GETTING THERE
The surprising fact is that you start racking up calories burned even before you arrive to your destination. Yup, the hour it takes to pack (or unpack) your bags burns up about 118 calories. Then just the act of travelling (lugging your bags through a busy airport, negotiating the signs in a foreign train station) can burn an average of 117 calories per hour. You can even burn calories while waiting around at the airport! Here’s how:

Carry-On Bag Curls-
Do curls with your carry-on or purse to tone your biceps, shoulders, back, even your core. It can be a total upper-body toning session. Don’t worry if you tire yourself out, you’re about to be sedentary on an airplane seat for the next several hours. May as well make the most of your freedom of movement now!
Terminal Lunges-
You may look like a bit nutty lunging around the terminal, but honestly, who cares? It’s not like you are ever going to see these people again. With generally an hour to kill, why sit around and twiddle your thumbs when you could be getting a good leg and butt workout?
Calf Raises-
Feel the need to be a little more discrete? I get it. Calf raises are a great way to tone your legs without being too obvious. It’s perfect for those long boarding lines. You don’t have anything else to do, so why not work out?
Wall Sit-
No available seats? Great! Instead of sitting on the disgustingly dirty floor, pretend to take a seat with a wall sit. Push your back up against the wall, step your feet about 2-feet from the wall (the length of your quad muscles), then bend your knees so that your hamstrings are parallel to the ground (as if you’re sitting on a chair). Hold this position for as long as you can- which will likely be only about 60 seconds.

More Pre-Flight Quickie Workouts:

Mile High Quickies
More than pre-flight workouts, when in-flight, don’t just sit there, burn some calories! These seated exercises will help you to get your metabolism pumping, your blood flowing (& so you don’t get blood clots in your legs).

Hotel Room Quickies
Staying in a hotel or taking up a small space within a relative's house? You can STILL slip in your workout (you can even do it on a bed!)! Try Hotel Room Quickie Workouts to burn calories without going anywhere!

For traditional workouts, try yoga. It’s the perfect vacation workout because you can do it in your hotel room or even on the beach. I make up my own routines. I also like to explore the destination that I have traveled to by walking it (instead of driving it). Forget sightseeing in your car, ask the concierge for the best walking routes. You get in some exercise and get acquainted with the place at the same time.

Because I'm a big believer that you can indulge on vacation and Not gain weight.

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Laurel House is a Fit Living Expert, 3x published author, and believer in living a life of balance. See more of her "Quickie Tips" on her website QuickieChick.com. Her 4th book- "QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget" (St. Martin's, May 2012) is available NOW for PRE-ORDER.

Alison Levine has been lured by arresting mountains and snow capped peaks. Though she climbed Mt Kilimanjaro, trekked up Mt. Everest as team captain of the Ford sponsored American Women's' Everest Expedition, and cross country skied the arctic circle to the North Pole (her first time on cross country skis)- the “top of the world,” she considers “extreme sports” a relative term. As she says, “For some people it sort of conjures up visions of skiers flying off of huge drop-offs and ledges -- doing all kinds of things that ‘regular’ people don’t really do. I feel like many of the things I do are things that anyone with a desire to push themselves a bit could do. It’s just about getting out there and trying something new.”

For Alison, anything that is out of her comfort zone she considers “extreme.” “When I think about extreme sports, golf comes to mind. Really. The thought of spending all day walking around chasing after a little ball and trying to swat it into a little hole seems ‘extreme.’ I don’t think I could ever do it. To me, that is crazy. But I do realize that walking 100 miles across the Arctic Circle (which I just did in April) might sound crazy to other people. But anyone who can withstand the cold could do this trip! You just need to be able to drag a sled and a hefty sense of adventure along with you.”

Mt Kilimanjaro

Alison immediately caught the extreme sports itch, burning through her frequent flyer miles and climbing everything she possibly could. Before she knew it, she had climbed the highest peaks on 6 of the 7 continents. “I like to say that I "accidentally" climbed the highest peak on 6 continents, since it just sort of happened without really planning for it,” she confessed. “Though I hate to use any derivation of the word "accident" in the same sentence with climbing.”

Cross Country Ski Across the Arctic Circle

“One of the most challenging parts of skiing to the North Pole was dealing with the ocean currents carrying us in the wrong direction. Since we were crossing the polar ice cap there is no land, only floating ice – so we were traveling across an ice mass that is always drifting. And, unfortunately for us, we were usually drifting in the opposite direction of where we were skiing (go figure). Mentally it was very tough to spend 11 hours moving in one direction, only to wake up the next morning and discover you were further away from your destination than you were when you started out the previous day. But, we finally managed to reach the Pole. It was both exhilarating and exhausting.”

When You Know It’s Time To Take Up Golf

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Laurel House is a Fit Living Expert, 3x published author, and believer in living a life of balance. See more of her "Quickie Tips" on her website QuickieChick.com. Her 4th book- "QuickieChick's Cheat Sheet to Life, Love, Food, Fitness, Fashion and Finance on a Less than Fabulous Budget" (St. Martin's, May 2012) is available NOW for PRE-ORDER.

“Welcome to the United States!” I was home. Well, almost. The friendly Customs agent sat in his booth in the muggy Oahu airport. “Hello Ms. House,” he said with a warm smile, “where are you traveling from today?” “Palau,” I replied, via “Guam.” He asked me a series of routine questions then scrunched his nose as his smile twisted to a frown. “Is there a problem?” I asked with a lump in my throat. “Yeah, there is actually,” he responded, not even looking up. “A problem” is probably the very last thing that you want to hear from a Customs agent, especially after 22 hours of travel… He then picked up a phone and called for assistance. An hour and a half later, after the Agriculture agent verified that I wasn’t attempting to contaminate this country with bug-infested fruits and vegetables from overseas- an unusual search that consisted of opening bottles of Aspirin, anti-anxiety Chinese herbs from my reputable Santa Monica, California purveyor, reading letters in my journal, looking through photos and pulling out every article of clothing (yes, even the embarrassing and dirty unmentionables) from my bag and placing them on the conveyor belt for all to see; a seemingly endless investigation by a drug-sniffing dog; a private-room interrogation consisting of invasive questions and an (in my opinion) unwarranted thorough search of my body; followed by yet another grilling by two plain-clothed Homeland Security officers demanding answers to personal and intrusive questions; and, finally, I asked the all important question: "Am I being arrested?" (something I learned form watching too much "Law and Order"). The answer was no. They didn't have enough evidence to detain me. So, having rights, I asked why I was being searched. FINALLY I was given the information that this whole production was prompted by: the suspicion that I was trafficking ecstasy into the United States! Apparently, I fit the description of a mule- what a compliment! Since they uncovered not one illegal item, I was released from the intimidating, and rather unwelcoming, clutches of the United States government.

I must say, my run in with our country’s guardsmen slightly tainted my trip to one of the most beautiful and untouched countries I have ever visited, but, somehow- now that I am removed from the whole incident- it was all worth it. Here’s why…

Paradise Found

The hotel was filled with other like-minded adventure-seekers, some of whom were scheduled for 10 days worth of guided dives to many of the world’s most illustrious spots, like “Big Drop Off,” which Jacques Cousteau hailed as the best dive wall in the world. I was there to kayak!

Kayaking the "Secret Spots"

We sat and waited. It was time, Ron announced. We had to book it to a cave that, at only certain hours during the day, allowed access to a lake that was usually locked within the walls of an island. A hole linking the ocean to the lake was exposed only during very low tide, and only for a few hours. There was about a foot and a half (maybe) of air space between the water and the ceiling of the cave- just enough room to lay back in our kayaks and slowly push ourselves through. Once we reached the other side Ron opened his storage space and pulled out lunch- a plate of rice, meat, and vegetables (which turned out to be a traditional Palauan lunch amongst the locals), followed by a meal-size plate of fresh islands fruits!

Swimming With Sharks

On the other side, with the sun gently beating down into the water, illuminating a garden of coral that most can’t even imagine exist in such colors, the images of “Jaws” were instantly erased… to the point that I completely forgot about the sharks. We casually swam for an hour before returning to the cave, where, at about the same midway point in the complete darkness of the rising cave water, I felt something brush past my foot. SHARK! Yes, again, I went into frantic mode, actually allowing a scream to burst through my snorkel as I kicked my way to the other side of the cave and jumped into my kayak with such zeal it flipped over. At which point I couldn’t help but hysterically laugh at myself, while tears of residual fear poured from my eyes.

WWII Hideout- A Stuck Moment in Time

Dolphins, Monkeys and Bettlenut

I survived- both Palau and Homeland Security. Paradise lost, was found.

If there is one thing I have learned from being a travel writer, it’s NEVER CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE (except for extreme circumstances where lots of luggage is a must). Why?
1st of all, many airlines now charge you to check.

2nd, I don’t like to have to stand with the masses waiting for my luggage to finally come slowly creeping around the luggage carousel…

3rd,… if it ever does come. Yeah, lost luggage isn’t just a thing you “hear” about. It has happened to me and it’s not fun.

4th,... it's greener! If you don't check, that means you are being careful with the amount of luggage that you are bringing, which means less weight, which means less fuel.

5th, because it’s quick! Not checking means that you don’t have to wait in line to check your baggage. Just check-in online, print your boarding pass, get your fab behind to the airport and deliver yourself directly to the security check-in line. Ok, yes, now you have to unload insane amounts of contents onto the belt- your computer in its own bin, your liquids in another, and of course heave ho that huge roller bag up so it can be thoroughly scanned. But really, all of that doesn’t take much time… if you’re prepared for it (which is why having a designated place for each item in your bag is ideal). Then on the plane, just place your roller in the overhead compartment and your shoulder bag w/purse under your seat and you’re golden! Another Quickie Tip: get a seat as close to the front as possible so you can be one of the first off the plane and on with your life!

What does "never-checking" translate to?
Technically:
1 carry-on bag
1 personal bag

Here’s the QuickieChick way:
-1 carry-on (this is a rolling carry-on)
-1 shoulder bag
-1 purse (I make sure to leave room in my shoulder bag to stuff my purse in it when going through security and getting on the plane. They are sticklers about this)

WHAT'S IN THE BAG:

Rolling Carry-On
-Sneakers plus enough exercise socks for every day
-Havaianas flip-flops (to walk around in- obviously, but also in case the hotel room floor is nasty)
-Exercise shorts or pants (enough for half the trip- you can always double wear them)
-Panties (enough for everyday, plus 2 for exercise and 1 sexy panty… you never know)
-Bras (both exercise and daily wear, plus 1 sexy… you never know)
-James Perse cozy t-shirt and boxer shorts to sleep in (plus for a Quickie Workout in Bed)
-Go-with-anything chunky necklace
-Lavender and flax-filled eye pillow
-Bathroom bag filled with non-liquid essentials, as well as a solid deodorant (doesn’t count as a liquid). This bag also includes a mini stain-remover, an array of just-in-case medications, pain reliever, Benadryl, tampons, band-aids, tweezers, razor, and urinary tract infection pills (just in case).
-Oh… and wear your wedges on the plane. They aren’t the most ever comfortable, but they are bulky and take up unnecessary space in your bag, plus you can take them off on the plane anyway.

Those are my musts. Beyond the basics are up to you based on where you are traveling to. Be strategic with you packing. Plan your outfits, then have 1 alternative in case you feel puffy or have a change of plan. DO NOT over pack- you don’t have the space.
*Tip- Roll your clothes (even your underwear). Somehow this folding alternatives saves a ton of space. Then stuff your socks into your shoes.

Shoulder Bag
-I always pack my computer because I have the inability to travel and not work. Up to you.
-Baggie of in-flight and arrival essentials including: Green Tea bags, EmergenC, Airborne, lavender antibacterial hand wipes, protein bars (enough for every day away).
-Kindle (or another ebook reader)
-Whatever actual book I am currently reading
-At least 2 magazines- generally a fitness magazine, plus a “trashy” magazine- can’t help but love the gossip.
-Baggie of carry-on liquids (for easy access to pull out during security). I love Naturopathica and Burt’s Bees travel packs (I also have the full size versions)
-Chargers and electronics cords
-Business cards (you never know when you will meet someone)
-Flip cam (in case I need to shoot a Quickie Workout like this one that I shot on a trip to Maui)

Purse
Keep in mind that you want the purse you bring to match most of the outfits you have planned. Bring whatever you would normally bring in a purse, but slimmed down a bit. Just make sure to include:
-Makeup (for touch-ups in case you need to look decent upon arrival)
-Antibacterial Handwipes (Herban Essentials, for Urban Disorders)
-Tissues
-Gum (I always carry at least 2 flavors)
-Ginger chews…. I love the sweet, savory, spiciness
-ipod and headset (to shut everyone else out)
-Wallet- obviously
-$60- at least! You never know…
-Business cards (you can never have enough. I keep them in every purse)
-A pen

What's in your bag?

As your friends start cluttering their Facebook walls with Spring Break pictures, you don’t need to feel left out just because you couldn’t get out of town! No matter the location, all those pictures have the same thing in common: exuberant meals, exotic landscapes, silly looking cocktails, cute furry animals from the local zoo and maybe a coconut bra. And you can accomplish all that in your own town. Here’s how:

Photo: Microsoft Images Kids playing with a dog

Pet Shelter
It’s not quite a zoo, but your kids will love it even more. If you’ve been meaning to get your children a dog, Spring Break is the ideal time to do so. Your kids will be home for at least a week, meaning they can get accustomed to walking the dog, cleaning up after it, and being part of the potty training process if necessary. Not to mention, Spring time weather is perfect for potty training!

Microsoft images Popsicles

Make frozen treats
Find BPA-free popsicle molds. Get your favorite frozen fruits, organic juice and vanilla ice cream if you want a creamy variety and blend them all up. Fill the molds and stick them in the freezer for a couple hours. For the grown up variety, skip the popsicle molds and pour the blended contents over some rum for unique flavored daquiries.

Photo: Microsoft Images Hikers

Finally go there
Have a unique spot in your own town that you’ve toyed with the idea of visiting but always decided, “Forget it—it’s a whole day’s thing”? Take that day, now! Go visit the hiking trail that takes you to the top of town, or the nearby waterfalls, the explorable caves. Whatever your town has to offer, that you’ve always kicked yourself for never checking out, check it out now.

Photo: Microsoft Images Farmer's Market

Farmer’s Market Buffet
Most vacations include a pretty impressive spread of food. Patronize your local Farmer’s Market and don’t just get the stuff you need. Ever notice how many exotic and innovative items there are there? Of course you have! But you pass them up because you ask yourself, “When am I going to use plum flavored honey sticks?” Get them now! Get all the funky foods you’ve always wanted to try there, and set up a home buffet. Your family will feel spoiled.

A beach vacation
If you struggle to stay away from errands, chores and regular, non-vacation, tasks, be a real tourist and book a room at a boutique beachside inn in your town. Or a cabin if you live in the mountains.

Apple and Strawberry Picking
It’s the season! Pack a picnic and drive to the nearest strawberry patch or apple orchard.

Volunteer
This is a great time to teach your kids the importance of volunteer work. It’s hard to get them into it after a long day of school. Also, if your kids have been complaining about not getting to go on a vacation like their friends, it might be a good dose of reality to get them to volunteer at a unity shop, a soup kitchen, or an organization that puts their life in perspective!

Read More About Fun Things To Do This Spring:
Outdoor Adventure: Take Your Kid(s) Snorkeling
Get Your Skin Ready For Spring With These Easy Recipes
Spring Cleaning: Kitchen Garbage To Crafty Goodies

So, what's happening? Is Planet Green going away?

PlanetGreen.com will remain online, while on television, Planet Green will become Destination America.

Will I still get PG on my TV?

Planet Green will continue to be available on television until the official launch of Destination America, which takes place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012, though elements for Destination America may be seen on air as early as Thursday, May 24. After the switch, viewers will see Destination America in their program guide instead of Planet Green.

Why is this happening? Why not keep Planet Green on TV?

Planet Green was launched in the midst of an exciting environmental trend in the U.S. and what we found is that while consumers enjoy sharing information and best practices with other like-minded fans, they prefer to do that via online tools and social media.

Does Discovery not care about the environment? Where can we find environmental news and information moving forward?

While Planet Green won't be on TV, Discovery outlets will continue to be a great source for news and information about important environmental issues. Planet Green's sister site, TreeHugger.com remains the internet's leading source for news and information related to environmentalism and sustainability. Discovery News is another great place to find similar information. Discovery also plans to continue to invest in environmental programming and initiatives, such as the epic series, Frozen Planet. And if you want to view past Planet Green content and videos, you can still access those on PlanetGreen.com and Planet Green's YouTube channel.

What is Destination America?

Destination America is a network that celebrates the people, places and stories of the U.S. Original series will cover such diverse subjects as American food from Tex Mex to barbecue; American mysteries from Jesse James' lost fortune to Area 51; America's heroes from those who embody the values of our past to those who invent the technology of our future; as well as never before seen footage of America's iconic landmarks, including Yellowstone National Park to the Everglade swamps. For more information about Destination America, please visit: destinationamerica.com

When will the network switch happen on my TV?

Destination America debuts on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012.

I'd like to purchase episodes from Planet Green shows. Where will those be available?

Some programs that aired on Planet Green will be available in iTunes under the show name.

Please contact viewer relations at http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations with any comments and questions regarding Destination America.

It's National Parks Week on Planet Green, and we're celebrating! Take a look at our top online features exploring the splendor of our nation's natural majesty, then tune in April 23 - 27 on TV for a fantastic programming lineup capturing the preserved wilds of our country. Help us preserve the national parks through the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks: check out nationalparks.org.

Top 5 National Parks Features

1. 9 Most Picturesque National Parks from East to West (SLIDESHOW)

2. Are You a National Parks Wiz? (QUIZ)

3. 10 Best National Parks for Hiking

4. 10 National Parks Boasting Exotic Wildlife

5. 5 Ways You Can Support National Parks Now

The programming line-up for NATIONAL PARK WEEK is as follows (all times are 8-9pm E/P):

Fearless Planet: Grand Canyon – Monday, April 23
Following the life story of the Grand Canyon – from the moment of its birth to a painstaking period of growth over billions of years, and through the dramatic events that created this massive and breathtaking landscape – viewers get a rare look at how this powerful sight came to be.

National Parks: Extreme Maintenance – Tuesday, April 24
There’s more to national parks than wilderness. This one-hour special explores another side of frontier activity happening behind the scenes as the National Park Service preserves and protects in ways you wouldn’t expect.

Secrets of Hawaii’s National Parks – Wednesday, April 25
Hawaii is the epitome of an island oasis that every American dreams of. With lush land of astounding contrasts and ongoing creation, from pools of paradise to black sand beaches, viewers will be whisked away on a romantic ride.

Wonders of the National Parks – Thursday, April 26
From the world’s largest concentration of natural arches and a grand tapestry of canyons to the ongoing pyrotechnics of a volcano, a grizzly gathering and an international biosphere reserve, these definitive wonders are too awe-inspiring to miss.

Secrets of Denali National Park – Friday, April 27
We’ll uncover a back country Mecca for all who seek solitude and vast open tundra where wildlife roam free. Adventures include rappelling from the icy edge of a glacial crevasse to reveal a glorious frontier.

For more on the preserving and enjoying the national parks, visit nationalparks.org.

Planet Green, soon to be named Destination America, and National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks, have partnered to spotlight the country’s natural marvels during NATIONAL PARK WEEK. Beginning on-air on Monday, April 23, Planet Green will host five nights of programming from 8-9 PM (E/P) dedicated to highlighting the wonders of national parks, and hoping to inspire viewers to visit the breathtaking landscapes themselves. NATIONAL PARK WEEK runs from April 21-April 29, inviting people everywhere to enjoy, explore, learn, share, and give back to America’s nearly 400 national parks with free admission to parks across the country. For more information about celebrations, volunteer opportunities, and park deals happening nationwide, visit www.nationalparkweek.org.

Check out our Top 5 National Parks Features.

As previously announced, kicking off on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, Planet Green will become Destination America – the first network to celebrate the people, places, and stories of the United States. This National Park Week event serves as a preview of the natural history-themed programming to be featured on the network in the coming months, continuing a commitment to discover the untamed beauty of America’s majestic grounds.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
You are the owner of 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured memorials, landscapes, ecosystems, and historic sites -- all protected in America’s nearly 400 national parks. Chartered by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow. Join us in supporting your national parks -- this is your land. www.nationalparks.org.