Kara Birkenstock

GAL Travel Tips Summer 2011

Summer travel season is officially here! If you’re looking to find a great deal but don’t know where to start, read on to discover a fantastic new site that will certainly make searching for flights easier! And after you’ve saved so much money on airfare, discover which must have fashion and beauty items you’ll need to make your trip complete!

Travel Deals Made Easy

With all of the new travel search engines and websites available, it’s difficult to know which ones to trust. One of the most innovative to hit the web lately is Bing Travel, a portal dedicated to locating the best deals in travel. Not only can you search for flights, hotels, and packages, but you can compare hundreds of search engines at one time, eliminating the need to jump from site to site. But by far the coolest feature of Bing Travel is their Price Predictor tool, which tells you if you should buy now or wait, depending on whether the fares will increase, stay the same, or decrease. According to research, Bing’s Price Predictor tool is about 75% accurate, saving customers an average of $50 per transaction. Other nifty features of Bing Travel? Their Rate Indicator tool tells you if hotel rates are a good deal by comparing current and past rates. There’s also a fantastic travel blog, feature articles and photo gallery, definitely worth checking out!

Functional Fashion

Deciding what to pack for vacation is never easy. How many outfits will I need and for what occasions? For those that want to keep it light, opt for a convertible dress, many of which can be worn 8 ways or more. These brilliant designs are versatile, comfortable, fashionable, and the perfect neutral palette to accessorize with shoes and jewelry. Wear a convertible dress like this GAL find by Mossimo (Target, $23.99), as a cover up when you’re lounging poolside and then as a sexy halter dress for night. Some styles can even be worn as skirts like this GAL find by Elan (Amazon, $32.99), which would look great paired with a basic or embellished tank. The possibilities are truly endless! Not only are these dresses fashionable, but they’re practical as they take up little space and can be worn so many different ways. Once you have your convertible dress, all that’s left to pack are a couple pairs of shoes, jewelry, a few other basics, and you’re good to go! This is one fashion item that every savvy traveler should own!

Travel Sized Beauty

If you can’t live without your daily moisturizer or luxury shampoo while on vacation, but don’t want to lug around a full size version of your favorite product, then 3floz.com is for you! This genius website offers more than 50 well known companies’ hair, skin, and body products in TSA approved 3 oz. packages, the perfect size for your carry-on luggage! From Alterna to Ole Henriksen, you’ll find all your favorites in one convenient place. Select as many travel sized items as you want for your customized carry-on, or purchase a kit from some of the most coveted beauty brands in the business. With products from women, men, and baby starting at $5, the whole family can stock up on essential beauty items without breaking the bank!