10Best's "Been There, Made the Mistake, and Bought the T-Shirt" Wisdom for Travelers

•They don't call them "convenience stores" for nothing. 

7-11 operates convenience stores all over the world and trains employees to help customers get the best deals on calling cards. Tell the clerks where you plan to do the most calling, and they will find the best plan, saving you lots of money on domestic and overseas calls. Australian 7-11s also have dry-cleaning services that will launder or press your clothes for a fraction of hotel charges.

•Pack light. 

When 10Best's CEO first began traveling abroad, he took a huge bag and way too many clothes. After years of experience, he learned how to get essentials down to one roll-aboard carry-on, no matter what the length of the trip. The most important thing to remember when packing is to make a list first, including all the extras you'll need, like PDAs, chargers, etc. Then cross off anything you won't really need. Keeping in mind that laundry and dry-cleaning are available in most places, take a minimal amount of clothing (3 shirts, 2 pants, 1 suit or 1 jacket, and 1 pair of shoes other than the ones on your feet). He swears by this method and guarantees that you can manage for a month with the contents of that one bag.

•Don't be afraid to ask for a service even if you think the price is too high. 

During a trip to Bangkok, chauffeured BMWs were waiting outside a hotel, leading one 10Bester to boldly ask the price of hiring a car for an hour. Only $30! For two hours he and his colleague got a guided tour of the city, taking advantage of the chauffeured car's VIP status, which allowed the driver to park incredibly close to temples and attractions.

•Too much planning ahead can be hazardous to your trip. 

One editor's sister had put so much time and energy into planning a trip to Orlando that while she was in the Atlanta airport on the way back from her most excellent vacation, a flight was called for Orlando. She simply got on, having spent so much recent time thinking "Orlando" that she completely forgot that she was actually bound for home. It was not until after the plane was in the air that the mistake was discovered and she had to start the return trip all over again.

•Patience can be like gasoline: It can and will run out. 

On a long driving trip, make sure you and your companion(s) agree on the itinerary, who will drive, and when you will stop – all well before you even get on the road. One editor had to endure a friend's unwillingness to let her drive, near-continual picking of zits in the rearview mirror, an annoying love of unfunny practical jokes, and repeated refusals to turn on the air-conditioning. That would have been bad enough, but the friend did not stop for their hotel reservations, choosing instead to keep driving. Just before the next big city, they stopped again and found not a single empty room due to some festivity. They called ahead to secure a room at the next available town beyond that one, but the friend drove right past that town as well (and the second hotel reservation of the night!). By the time the friend decided to stop for the night, there were no other options but to "sleep" in the car.