Travel

It's an all too familiar scene: you arrive at your destination bright and early, but all you want to do is go to the hotel and crawl in bed. You should be excited, but instead you're tired, grumpy, dehydrated, and undeniably jet lagged. While an instant cure for jet lag doesn't exist yet, there are things you can do. Here-ten tips to help get your body clock up to speed before it's time to board your return flight home.

Get a good nights sleep.
While this may seem obvious, it's surprising how many people don't heed this advice. Researchers warn against short-changing yourself before leaving for a trip and advise to get at least 15 extra minutes of sleep each night for three days before lift-off. The extra sleep can pay of ten-fold, especially if you're traveling west and need to stay awake longer than you're used to upon arrival. Getting enough sleep beforehand can also reduce the risk that you'll feel the need to nap once you've landed, saving you an even bigger time loss.

Tire yourself out.
Whether it's running on a treadmill or rushing to do some last minute packing, moving around can help you beat jet lag. Aside from helping you sleep better on that long flight, a study done by the University of Toronto suggests that exercise can reduce the length of time that jet lag affects passengers by...

You've been dreading it since the day you booked your tickets: the never-ending flight that stands between you and your perfect trip. With airlines cutting back service and more people being crammed onto each plane, making peace with a long flight is harder than ever. Read on for survival tips that can make the long-haul seem almost pleasurable, even when sleep isn't an option.

1. Dress for the occasion. Many travelers make the mistake of dressing for their destination, which for the warm-weather bound could mean sporting shorts in January. Instead, passengers should wear loose-fitting clothing and dress in layers, so they can adjust to the planes varying temperatures, which can drop uncomfortably low–especially when flying overnight. Travelers should also avoid wearing comfort-compromising accessories like belts and large jewelry while in flight. A general rule should be: if you won't be comfortable sleeping in it, don't wear it.

2. Come prepared. Flying can put undue stress on the body–passengers have to battle dry cabin conditions, changes in air pressure, and a lack of space. Make the trip easier on yourself by anticipating and preparing for your flight before you ever leave the house. Packing TSA approved containers of eye drops, lip balm and lotion can help combat onboard dryness caused by outside air being circulated throughout the cabin, and having hard candy or gum on hand can help relieve ear pressure...

It used to be that when you first arrived in a new city, whether you were moving there or just visiting, you only had two potential sources of information -- guide books and friends or family already familiar with the area. But thanks to the Internet and smart phones, it's much easier to find your way around and figure out where to go.

Google Maps -- Google Maps not only provides driving directions, but walking directions, and even public transportation info in some major cities. Google maps will also link you to reviews and websites for businesses and attractions, and users can share custom made maps including points of interest. You can even take it with you thanks to the mobile version available for most smart phones.

Where -- Available on most carriers and on most smart phones Where uses GPS to track down restaurants, ATMs, Starbucks, and even movie times near you. It's handy not only when visiting, but to help you get acquainted with a new hometown.

Urban Spoon -- It's built specifically for helping you find someplace to eat. You can look up things by price, cuisine, or location, or you can just have the app pick out something random nearby. The iPhone app will also provide pricing info and reviews of any search results,...

If there's one thing that can sour a vacation, it's thinking about your furry friend caged up in boarding while you're laid out on the beach. In the past, it was hard to find a pet-friendly hotel, but these days it's hard not to find accommodations that welcome pets. According to an American Hotel & Lodging Association survey of 8,000 hotels in the U.S., 60 percent welcome pets. Here's a roundup of ten of the most easily found pet-friendly hotels in America.

Best Western: With more than 1,000 hotels nationwide that accept pets as overnight guests, you'll be hard pressed to be stranded with Fido at your next destination. Each has its own fee per pet -- from free to $50 a night. Check with individual locations to find out what their fee is and if they have any size restrictions.

Choice Hotels: 2,500 accommodations within the Choice family, which includes Comfort Inn and EconoLodge, allow pets in their rooms. Since each hotel is individually owned, make sure to visit Choice's website for pet-friendly franchises.

Kimpton Hotels: For those with large dogs,...