As a rule of thumb I never pack more than a carry-on when I travel. I learned this practice the hard way during my study- abroad trip in college. Back then, I opted to go for the largest suitcase I could find and to pack it until the zippers were ready to bust. Needless to say, rolling that monstrosity through the train stations of Europe was less than enjoyable.
Since, I’ve learned to be a much smarter traveler and have migrated my packing practices towards the simpler side. In doing so, I’ve picked up a few tricks of the trade on packing tight and light. The most obvious of the tricks–sticking to travel sizes of my favorite products.
San Francisco-born Nini Gueco tells us why she never tires of her City by the Bay
PHOTO: Quoc Ngo.
Welcome back to What I Love About My City—a series in which our favorite single girls dish on everything from the best places for a single girls weekend to the secret spots only the locals know about. If you’re thinking about moving or just planning your next trip, we’ll fill you in with all the essential details on the cities our crew knows best.
Over 30 years in San Francisco, and Avant-Barre‘s founder Char “Nini” Gueco has a palpable love for this fair city. Born in the City and raised in the Peninsula, Nini stayed in the Bay Area to attend Santa Clara University where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. Travel opportunities happened domestically through work (her first career move was as an accountant with a big 4 firm) and internationally through dance (she was a premier soloist with Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble), but she always made her way back home to the Bay. I had the privilege of meeting Nini 27 years ago when I was born her second sister, and she’s one reason I cannot wait to make the move back this summer. After hearing what she had to say about San Francisco, I found a few more reasons to add to my list (one of them is Avant-Barre’s brand new SoMa studio that opens today).
12 Essential Pieces of Travel Gear for Perfect Packing
Planning to jet set for the long weekend ahead of us? There are countless sources available with tips on how to perfect the art of packing. We believe however, that great packing begins with great travel gear. Having the right equipment can eliminate much of the hassle that comes with travel and prepare you for an awesome trip.
Read on for 12 pieces of travel gear we think are essential to add to your arsenal of summer tools and what to look for out of each.
I daydream about the day I can stay at four-star hotels, sharing a king bed with only one other person. At this point in our lives, the majority of us packs Vegas hotel rooms to the brim and crashes on our friends’ couches when we visit new cities. We all know how tiring it can be to live in a popular city and entertain out-of-town visitors. Regardless, it can be easy to forget our manners when the tables are turned. Here are some easy ways to be a gracious houseguest and guarantee an invitation to return.
Welcome back to What I Love About My City—a series in which our favorite single girls dish on everything from the best places for a single girls weekend to the secret spots only the locals know about. If you’re thinking about moving or just planning your next trip, we’ll fill you in with all the essential details on the cities our crew knows best.
Germany as a whole seems to be underrated to us in the States, so after hearing from a few close friends just how amazing the country is I was eager to get the lowdown from someone who lived there for an extended period. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jessica Buenaventura attended UC Santa Barbara and studied abroad in Berlin, Germany. After a semester as an international student, Jessica fell in love with the city and looked for opportunities to stay post-graduation. Here she sheds light on the different layers of Berlin and its inhabitants and dishes on the must-see sights and sounds awaiting us in this German stadt… as well as shares her tips on avoiding inevitable homesickness while living away from your friends and family.
Berliners are the work-hard, party-hard generation whose affinity for travel, impressive knowledge of global politics, and nonchalant hipster style make you ogle at how freaking über cool it is to be living in Berlin.
