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Learn From theUltimate Expert: ATravel GuidebookAuthor's Top Tipsand TricksMelinda CrowOctober 1, 2014

You can bring your high­tech travel gear but don’t forget yourguidebook (Photo: Marc Volk/Getty Images)

“Who even uses guidebooks anymore?” ”Isn’t there anapp for that?” Travel guidebooks might seem low­tech thesedays. But think of them as really long TripAdvisor reviews withbonus driving directions. They can walk you throughdestinations and activities when your travels take you beyondtechnology’s reach, whether on a mountaintop in Colorado or aback road in West Virginia.

I’ve written four travel guidebooks and I’ve found there is noeasy way to research them. The mile­measuring blur of it is notglamorous; it’s grueling. Fortunately, the time we guidebookwriters spend on the road has made us experts at packing, timemanagement, and finding cool things other travelers mightmiss. I now apply the lessons I’ve learned writing guidebooksto every trip I take. Now, you can too; here are my top 10 secrettravel hacks that can make your trip easier:

1. Go left

People tend to circulate to the right while queuing up at zoos,amusement parks, grocery stores, and parking lots. If left isallowed, going there essentially lets you cut the line. Going leftis more than just moving in a different direction physically; italso means traveling in the off­season, walking when everyoneelse gets on a tour bus, and eating street food instead of a five­star sit­down.

2. Food and gear are more important than clothes

gps­guidebook

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Travel food: more important than travel clothes (Photo: JensLennartsson/Maskot/Getty Images)

Gear gets first dibs on precious luggage space. Food comesnext. And yes, I take food with me almost everywhere. I’vetaken frozen steaks in my luggage to five countries. And didyou know that frozen Taco Bell burritos can be warmed underthe windshield of your rental car?

3. Dress the part

This woman is well dressed for her trek in the PeruvianAndes (Photo: Bartosz Hadyniak/Photodisc/Getty Images)

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Comfort and utility are critical features of travel clothing. Canan item multitask? Think scarves, layered tops and swimshorts. I used to think specialty outdoor clothing wasoverhyped. Today, I wouldn’t dream of traveling withoutclothes designed specifically for the elements I will face.

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4. Take flip­flops

Don’t forget your flip­flops (Photo: P.E. Reed/Stockbyte/GettyImages)

Flip­flops are not a fashion statement. They’re about avoidingthe “eeew!” factor in showers, at swimming pools, and on hotelcarpets. Slip them into your backpack and use them to traversewet places without getting your real shoes soaked.

5. Stay packed

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Big travel tip: don’t unpack (Photo: Vstock LLC/GettyImages)

I hate packing, so I pack for the next trip at the end of thecurrent one. Here’s the drill:

Every type of travel (camping, boating, plane trip) has adesignated bag, box, or suitcase. Associated gear is storedin that travel bag.Clothes get washed upon return from a trip, then put backinto the appropriate bag. I can do this because the clothes Itravel with are not my everyday clothes. I even havemultiple swimsuits so that every bag has one.One “ditty bag” contains all toiletries. It gets replenishedand stored in the bathroom at the end of each trip. I neverhave to worry about packing a toothbrush or hair clips. Aslong as I don’t forget to pack the ditty bag, I’m golden.A first­aid kit that covers everything from upset tummies tobug bites is stored next to the ditty bag in the bathroomcabinet. It’s always stocked and ready to be dropped intothe appropriate suitcase.

WATCH: Brittany’s Travel Hacks: Stop CheckingBags with This Space­Saving Packing Method

6. Plan every turn, then expect to deviate

(Photo: Patrick Strattner/Getty Images)

There will always be roadblocks (literally and figuratively)when you travel. Having a detailed plan that includes alternateroutes, transportation, and alternate accommodations makes iteasier when something cool catches your attention and youdecide to take that “road less traveled.”

7. Map it

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During the early planning stages, I use online maps, but thenswitch to paper maps for a more detailed view of back roads. Iuse a DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer for extended trips to anystate. Then I use Google Earth to get a zoomed­in view ofeverything. I call park rangers and tour companies for generalinformation about an area and specifics about weather or roadclosures.

8. Research, research, research

(Photo: Robert Nicholas/OJO Images/Getty Images)

I use sites like TripAdvisor and HomeAway to get an overviewof a destination but don’t rely heavily on them for the reviews.Management responses (or lack thereof) to negative reviewsare actually more helpful than the reviews themselves.

9. And more research

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Look at the “About Us” pages that hotels and tour providersprovide on their websites; they can give you clues about thevibe of the company. One time when my husband and I were ata popular diving destination, we encountered an unhappy non­diving couple who had booked a two­week stay at a tiny hotelcatering to serious divers. One click deeper on the websitemight have steered them in a different direction.

10. Take notes and pictures

(Photo: Danielle D. Hughson/Moment/Getty Images)

There are usually no do­overs in guidebook researching. Itravel like I will never be in that place again. I use threecameras, two phones, and an old­fashioned pen and paper torecord everything. I record names and locations of hotels andrestaurants I didn’t try, just in case I make it back. It’s easy toget caught up in the whole bucket list thing and ignore thesimple pleasure of returning to the places we enjoyed oncealready.

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Related: Secret Ways to Take the Wildlife Photos ofYour Dreams

Another word of advice: guidebook publishers print revisionsof popular guides every few years, so be sure to check thepublication date to make sure you have current information.Even seemingly static things like campgrounds and access tohiking trails can change.

So have fun in your travels, and don’t forget about guidebooks.They’re great for helping you hike, bike, camp, climb, shop, orjust find your way in a strange place.

Melinda Crow created the entire series of camping guides forFalcon Publishing

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