4 Collapsible Tote Brands for Travel: Discrete, Packable, & Secretly Huge

You never know when you might need more bag in your bag—that’s my perennial travel advice on one of my favorite travel products: tiny totes.

Totes are a deceptively powerful item to bring with you when you travel abroad.

Need a bag to do a bit of grocery shopping? Take the tote.

Accidentally bought more souvenirs than you can bring back for your journey home? Stuff them into the tote and take them on the plane.

Looking for a place to put your dirty laundry instead of the floor? Straight into the tote!

A travel tote is basically your Swiss Army travel knife.

At least, the collapsible, barely-there variety. A bulky, fashion-forward tote is nothing but a heavy liability. My advice pertains to those synthetic-fabric totes that fold up into the size of a Kleenex.

Ready to revolutionize your packing list? A collapsible tote will make a huge impact. Start with one of my top picks, listed below.

Best collapsible tote brands for easy travel packing

SYZY Travel Tote

Billed as the ‘world’s most compact tote bag’, this SYZY travel tote folds up into a tiny bundle that will fit in your palm. Despite its mini size, it packs a solid bunch, offering two straps for dynamic carrying, reinforced stitching that will carry up to 60 pounds in weight, and a quick-twist lock to make sure it doesn’t re-inflate.

On top of that, this travel tote is slightly larger than others, letting you take your packing needs to the next level.

Baggu

Baggu runs on recycled nylon, and nylon will fold up into a compact shape pretty easily. At Baggu, you can pick between a few different sizes and shapes for their nylon bags with the assurance that they’ll fold up nicely.

However, the Standard Baggu is my first pick. It’s a standard tote that comes in a range of gorgeous prints, ready to be balled up and tossed into another bag whenever you please. I have regularly used Baggu for tiny-tote-travel purposes for around a decade; they’re made to last, y’all.

Junes

The Junes Everyday Tote isn’t just a teeny-tiny, travel-ready tote—it’s also made from Bio-Knit, which is a sustainable fabric… unlike other options on this list. That knit makes this ideal for beach trips, as sand is easier to clean out of a semi-porous bag.

Plus, it comes with inner pockets that make storing items a bit easier. The cherry on top? It’s machine washable.

If I wasn’t already deeply entrenched in the World of Baggu, I’d go for one of Junes’ collapsible totes.

Nanobag

Looking for an XL solution? The Nanobag is one of the newest barely-there totes making a splash. Despite its large size, the straps have additional reinforcement, meaning you can actually stuff this XL option to its capacity without worrying about tears.

There’s also a ‘sling’ option for anyone who prefers a cross-body bag; it’s also pretty sleek and fashionable.

6 Tips on How to Deal with Food Poisoning Abroad

I’m ready to add a third controversial travel opinion to my arsenal

(In case you missed out on the first two: American pizza is better than Italian pizza, and plushies are the only travel pillow you need.)

Ready for the third? Drumroll, please…

If you haven’t browned your trousers or come dangerously close while traveling abroad, you’re not really a traveler.

Now that I’m re-reading that sentence out loud, it doesn’t actually sound controversial.

Americans, like many other Westerners, tend to experience gut trouble abroad. We avoid the tap water in many countries, along with street food. Just look at the CDC’s list of advice for travelers—gut health is one of the main health concerns on our radar when we leave the country.

In fact, it’s been a hot topic since I first started traveling.

On my second time out of the United States, I went on a month-long trip to Cambodia. I was traveling in a group of young adults led by a range of tour guides.

Health was, obviously, an important topic of discussion, and our trip leaders wanted direct information on bowel movements every day to make sure no one was struggling on the squat toilets. No one got through the trip unscathed.

So, consider your raging diarrhea a sign that you’ve ascended the ranks from a casual tourist to a bona fide traveler.

More importantly, know that you aren’t alone in dealing with your stomach bug, whether it’s a regular old stomach bug or a more serious case of food poisoning.

Here’s how to cope, as recommended by doctors and travelers.

How to deal with food poisoning and stomach bugs abroad

Tip #1: Supplements are your best friend

I always bring soluble electrolyte packets with me when I travel. These give me a boost when it comes to vitamins and minerals that keep me healthy, along with electrolytes that keep me hydrated. These types of packets are usually pretty easy to find at pharmacies, so if you notice a sudden bout of nausea or diarrhea, start hydrating with supplements.

Tip #2: Don’t you dare leave your hotel room

It’s tempting to head to a nearby attraction when we feel we’re ‘able to’, but you’ll only exhaust yourself and make it harder to recover from food poisoning or a stomach bug.

I know you might want to power through a more minimal case of food poisoning, especially if your trip is short. But the best thing you can do is power down, hydrate, and let your body digest.

Remember: most cases are minor and resolve in 24 hours—assuming you let your body recuperate.

Tip #3: If you’re able to, eat bland

Hydration and rest are your two best friends while you give your gut the chance to recover. But if you’re hungry, don’t shy away from a meal—just make sure you stick to bland foods, like rice, broth, toast, crackers, and plain pasta.

Avoid foods that are spicy, fatty, fried, and high-fiber foods like veggies and rice. They’re a little harder for your system to digest and could cause added inflammation.

Tip #4: Know when it’s time to call a doctor

Like I mentioned above, most cases of food poisoning and stomach bugs resolve within a day (or two). While it’s normal for your symptoms to keep you confined to the bathroom, or nearby, some cases require medical intervention.

When we travel abroad, we’re exposed to new types of bacteria. Some are stronger than others, and these can take you out for a lot longer than day or two. But bacteria isn’t the only threat your gut faces.

Some stomach bugs are actually viral. I had a nasty bout of what I thought was food poisoning in Costa Rica, which worsened over the course of a week. Eventually, I needed to see the doctor. They prescribed antibiotics to deal with what was actually a viral infection—one that might have coincided with minor food poisoning, aka a bacterial infection.

Here’s how you know it’s time to go to the doctor: your stomach cramps prevent you from walking, you’re seeing blood somewhere where there shouldn’t be blood, you have a fever that’s getting worse, and/or you can’t keep down fluids.

Tip #5: If you’re on your own for a few days, make a DIY electrolyte packet

If you’re out in the boonies on a camping trip and don’t have immediate access to electrolyte packets, medical advice, and over-the-counter medications, know that you can bootleg a basic rehydrating drink.

All you need is a heater or a fire, a pot, water, a tablespoon of salt, and a tablespoon of sugar. It’s not going to cure you—but it will hold you over until you can get the help you need.

Bonus tip: how to set yourself up for success

I’m leaving this as a bonus tip for anyone who wants to (hopefully) avoid getting sick abroad. You can set yourself up for success by boosting your immune system with supplements like vitamin C and zinc, along with eating the right foods on your flight.

Aside from giving your body a fighting chance, here’s how to avoid getting sick in the first place.

Focus on eating foods that have been cooked at a high heat, as this minimizes the chances of bacterial growth. That means no fresh fruits and no dairy, in most cases.
Eat where you see others eating—especially locals.
Only go for street food if you can see that it’s being prepared over heat right in front of you.

3 Lesser-Known Attractions in London That You Can’t Miss

Cities like London are top of mind for travelers, but they’re difficult to dig into.

With almost two thousand years of history under its belt, this capital is massive, ancient, and ready to be discovered. It’s also incredibly modern, home to larger-than-life establishments, contemporary gardens, and so much more.

In short, even those who stick around for a full week (or four) might find that they don’t have enough time to really dig into London’s underbelly.

Sure, we all want to wander the halls of the Tate Modern, catch a glimpse of Big Ben and the Tower of London, then go on a spooky little Jack the Ripper tour. We want to catch a ride on the Eye of London, then head to a concert at the O2 Arena.

But one of the best ways to really get to know a city is through its more idiosyncratic sites—those places that locals adore and tourists rarely see.

In a place like London, you won’t be short on those types of destinations… but you need to know where to find them.

I’ve selected three lesser-known attractions in London that showcase the city’s long history, modern sensibilities, and endlessly fascinating rabbit hole-like side streets.

3 lesser-known attractions in London worth your time

Walk into the past at Dennis Severs’ House

Dennis Severs was an English artist born in 1948. He occupied this Georgian home (built in 1724) from 1979 until his death in 1998. During that twenty-year stint, Severs began painstakingly restoring the home room by room into a historically semi-accurate depiction of life in the 18^th century.

Specifically, Severs was creating a dream-like vision of how a family of Huguenot silk weavers would have occupied the home. The result is a ten-room bonanza of ‘swag’ from the 1600s and 1700s, laid out in painstaking fashion.

There’s even a ‘Victorian poverty and squalor’ room in Dennis Severs’ House, which smells appropriately disgusting.

Learn about rock royalty on Eel Pie Island

This island is set in the center of the Thames—and you might recognize the name if you’re a fan of classic rock. During the 1960s, Eel Pie Island was home to a popular venue for jazz and blues.

That, eventually, became one of the first performance venues for some of the world’s top rock acts, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Pink Floyd.

Today, you can explore the remnants of the venue, which is now one of the lesser-known attractions in London because it burned down in the early 1970s.

Just take the newly restored footbridge onto the island, then follow the plaques to learn about its history. I’m not the biggest fan of rock music, so I’d probably spend my time learning about why the island got this name.

Get medicinal at the Chelsea Physic Garden

I don’t usually associate Victorian London with health. In fact, I remember one of my tour guides in London describing a type of Pea Soup Fog that would overtake the city, slowly poisoning its residents with each breath.

But that’s just one side of the story.

Welcome to the Chelsea Physic Garden, which was established back in 1673 by a society of apothecaries in order to grow medicinal herbs. It’s not just a cool historical site, though—it’s one of the country’s oldest botanical gardens.

For centuries, the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries preserved and maintained the gardens. Today, it’s home to over 4,500 medicinal and edible plants. When you take a tour of the gardens, you can learn about the history of medicine and botany in London, along with modern plant-based medical practices.

5 Gorgeous Road Trips in West Virginia: Welcome to Mountain Rides

When I think about West Virginia, I think about natural beauty.

Though the Appalachian Range is beautiful from tip to tip, West Virginia has some of the most unspoiled byways where you can cruise between those ancient, gorgeous peaks. From the New River Gorge to the Allegheny Mountains, there’s a hike for every mood.

But if you want to dive deep into the state’s most gorgeous settings, the best way to do so is on a road trip.

Not only can you forge into some of the state’s quietest corridors, but you can also pass through some of West Virginia’s quaintest towns along the way.

But don’t take my word for it.

The state’s tourism board has put together five heavenly road trips in West Virginia that showcase its natural wonders, called Mountain Rides.

Ready to rediscover West Virginia? Choose one of the road trips below. Though they’re great for travel during any season, I’d recommend planning your road trip during summer or autumn.

5 ‘Mountain Rides’ road trips in West Virginia

Road trip #1: Birdeye Bend

4.5 hours, 173 miles

Cruise through some of the highest altitudes in West Virginia as you weave through its mountaineering country. This route includes a balance between larger cities, like Morgantown and Elkin, historic towns like Parsons and Rowlesburg, and unspoiled parks like Cathedral State Park and Canon Hill State Park.

Road trip #2: Capitol Circle

Almost 6 hours, 200 miles

An aerial view of the West Virginia State Capitol Building and downtown Charleston (Getty)

Zip around some of the largest cities in West Virginia, including the state capital of Charleston. Despite the focus on larger cities in the Metro Valley, including Fayetteville, you’ll still be treated to parks and reserves that are worth pulling off the road for. Fayetteville, for example, is close to the famous New River Gorge.

I also recommend following the West Virginia Waterfall Trail. You can download the route, along with a passport that you can mark off as you hit each waterfall. Those little activities go a long way in giving structure to your road trip and making it more memorable.

Road trip #3: Cranberry Corridor

5 hours, 200 miles

Aerial View of the rocky Long Point Peninsula at Summersville Lake, West Virginia in the summer (Getty)

Did you know that West Virginia is home to a ‘Little Bahamas of the East’, aka Summersville Lake? Me neither. This mountain lakes route takes you through some of the lushest forests in the state, including a stop at Summersville Lake. Its known for its hyper-clear water that brings to mind the crystal tides of the Caribbean.

But don’t forget about Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Like the name suggests, it’s home to cranberry bushes—but that’s not all. This region is home to some of the US’s most unique plants, including carnivorous varieties. Tread lightly!

Road trip #4: Heritage Highway

5 hours, almost 200 miles

If you’re more focused on charming towns than delving into the wild, the Heritage Highway should be your first pick. While Birdeye Bend includes plenty of suggested stops in small towns, this loop route is a who’s-who of West Virginia’s cutest settlements.

In Beckley, you can learn about the state’s coal-mining past; in Princeton, you’ll learn about important railroad stops and get to see a caboose from the mid-1900s; in McDowell County, you can learn about the famous Hatfield-McCoy rivalry.

Personally, I’d stick to the ATV trails in the Hatfield-McCoy mountains. It will give you access to an unusual, intriguing blend of history with a dose of high-octane action.

Road trip #5: Seneca Skyway

6.5 hours, 300 miles

Traverse the Potomac Highlands on this short-and-sweet road trip—which includes a stop in Lewisburg, one of West Virginia’s must-see small towns. Just make sure that you download the route map beforehand—this is a more remote stretch where service is spotty.

Don’t miss out on Beartown State Park, which is an official Dark Sky Park. If catching some unsoiled night sky views is high on your priority list, spend a night near the Dark Sky Park. And don’t forget about Seneca Rocks, a gorgeous rock formation, which is where this road trip takes its name from.

4 Unbeatable Sports Travel Packages: NFL, PGA, & More

One of my most enjoyable travel experiences was watching Wisła Kraków play in Poland a few years ago.

During a week-long trip to the country, my partner and I signed up to see a soccer match in the national league. Tickets for visitors are hard to find, so our best option was to tag along with a local who takes visitors to games via Home Game.

We got tickets and signed up, then were forewarned that Wisła Kraków is renowned around the country for its rowdy ultras.

Undeterred, we met up with our host and were ferried away on a drinking bonanza that lasted at least twelve hours. (NFL tailgaters would have felt at home.)

I have fleeting memories of the soccer game—I remember eating a hot dog, learning the Wisła chants, and watching the team lose.

After the game ended, the experience was over. In reality, our night was just beginning. We’d gotten along with our host and his friends, and stuck with them. We spent the rest of the evening eating pizza, singing karaoke, and getting to know Kraków’s late-night underbelly.

The next morning, it was time to pack up and head to the airport. Correction: it was time to try our best to pack up and head to the airport. It’s not that I had a little hangover—it felt as if a powerful, darkly spectre had taken hold of my body, mind, and soul.

Despite the gravity of that hangover, it introduced me to a brand new world: sports tourism.

While sports fans are usually happy to watch their favorite game live, there’s nothing like showing up in person to a major event. The higher the stakes, the more impactful the experience.

Even if you don’t enjoy watching sports, you’re likely to run into spirited locals who are eager to welcome a new fan to the club.

The big question is… how can sports fans find these types of sports travel packages? My experience in Krakow is just the tip of the iceberg—and a very casual one, at that.

If you’re a sports fan who dreams of traveling to watch a tournament or match live, then I suggest you let a professional team put together your trip. Not only will they handle the details, but they can also set you up with exclusive experiences.

Here’s your short list for some of the coolest sports travel packages available to Americans from two popular companies, On Location and Sports Traveler.

Best sports travel packages

NFL International Series

While it’s debatable whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will get that rumored London franchise off the ground, NFL fans can still catch a live game in London.

In Autumn 2025, the NFL International Series is heading to London, along with Dublin, Berlin, Madrid, Sao Paulo, and Melbourne.

Though the NFL hasn’t announced which teams will be playing, all matches are real regular-season games, not exhibition shows. Keep a lookout for the announcement—and keep On Location on your radar.

On Location is the official hospitality partner of NFL, and they make it easy for you to buy tickets and exclusive game experiences.

Explore On Location NFL International Series options.

Daytona 500

Don’t feel like busting out your passport? Maybe NASCAR’s crown jewel will woo you instead. The Daytona 500 is the US’s premier motor racing event—yes, it outperforms both Grand Prix F1 races.

Plus, it’s located near Florida’s famous Daytona Beach, making it a great choice for those who are escaping the depths of winter elsewhere.

Once again, On Location is an official NASCAR partner that can hand you the reins to an unforgettable experience. You can choose from official hotel packages that let you stay close to the action, along with on-location packages that give you Fanzone access and more.

Explore On Location Daytona 500 ticket packages.

The Masters

Of all PGA Tour events, The Masters in Augusta, Georgia is the most high-profile. Each year, the world’s top golfers head to the grounds at Augusta National with the hopes of donning the green jacket.

Given how prestigious the grounds and event are, it’s a bucket list trip for PGA Tour fans—but it’s also one of the trickiest to attend, with added rules and regulations for spectators.

The best way to get in on the action with Sports Traveler. Their Masters packages give you several choices to put together a memorable experience.

If you’re just after a hotel-and-entry package, that’s on the table. Or if you want to go all-in with access to the area’s finest golf courses, you can easily build a play-and-spectate trip.

Explore Sports Traveler Masters Golf Tournament options.

FIFA World Cup 2026

It’s a bit early to start talking about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is going to be hosted in Mexico, Canada, and the United States—but if you have hopes of attending a match, you should consider buying tickets sooner rather than later.

Tens of millions of hardcore soccer fans are going to descend on the US during the tournament.

Once again, I recommend Sports Traveler, this time for your World Cup needs. They offer one of the coolest tournament options I’ve seen: the chance to follow your team from the start to the finish.

That means they’ll purchase tickets and arrange transportation throughout the tournament so you can city-hop to catch your team in every city. Register for the Sports Traveler World Cup updates to stay informed.

The Best Airlines in 2025: Affordability, Reliability, Safety, & More

Who doesn’t want reliable, updated information on major airlines?

Usually, Americans have two options at their fingertips: legacy airlines or budget airlines. Throw in a third for private and semi-private airlines, if you’re bougie.

We’re concerned first with price, reliability, rewards programs, and things like seat size and pitch.

Usually, our preferences are guided by experience.

But that doesn’t mean the rankings for best, worst, safest, and other superlatives don’t shift. Every flight matters, and some airlines have gone above and beyond to start a clean slate. (Looking at you, Spirit Airlines!)

Looking for a shortcut on the best airlines in 2025? Let’s dig into WalletHub’s official rankings, which are based on price, safety ratings, delays, baggage handling, pet travel, and more.

At a glance: best airlines in 2025 according to WalletHub

Best airline overall: Spirit Airlines (weighted from all other scores)
Most affordable: Spirit Airlines
Most reliable: Delta Air Lines
Most comfortable: JetBlue Airways & Hawaiian Airlines
Best for pets: United Airlines, Skywest Airlines, & Envoy Air
Safest overall: Spirit Airlines

The official rankings for best airlines in 2025

Most affordable: Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines gives you plenty of bang for your buck. In fact, though Spirit tends to be the brunt of many airline jokes, they famously saved me from missing a wedding when American Airlines was in a flight-cancelling frenzy. For $200, Spirit Airlines got me from Miami to New Orleans at the very last minute.

For budget flyers, Spirit Airlines remains unbeaten. Its bare fares won’t make you feel like you’re in a spa by any stretch of the imagination, but when you need the get from Point A to Point B without clearing out your bank account, Spirit Airlines is there.

Frontier and SkyWest placed behind Spirit Airlines in terms of budget rankings. I’ve also had great experiences with Frontier Airlines booking last-minute save-me flights.

Most reliable: Delta Air Lines

Delta reported the fewest incidents of delays, cancelled flights, mishandled luggage, and denied boarding. I can personally vouch for Delta, which is my preferred legacy airline.

On a recent trip between Saint Louis, Missouri, and Barcelona, Spain, my luggage was misplaced during a layover at Atlanta. Without a single call, text, or message from me, Delta righted the mishap and had my luggage on the next flight into Saint Louis.

That’s a big deal for two reasons. One, Delta likely wasn’t responsible for the mishap; airport ground crews handle luggage, not airlines. Two, it took a huge weight off my shoulders to know the situation was being handled, as I could remotely track my luggage.

JetBlue, United, and Hawaiian Airlines placed next in terms of reliability, respectively.

Most comfortable: JetBlue Airways & Hawaiian Airlines

If you read my piece on seat pitch and width, you might already know the answer: thanks to those slightly-larger seats (including in economy), JetBlue is the comfiest airline serving Americans. But that’s not all.

Wallethub’s comfort ratings also take into consideration in-flight amenities like free snacks and beverages, extra legroom, and Wi-Fi. For almost ten years running, JetBlue has put on a master class of getting cozy at 35,000 feet.

In the WalletHub study, Hawaiian Airlines was a close second, followed by Alaska Airlines, respectively.

Best for pets: United Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, & Envoy Air

No matter how comfortable you are flying with your pet, it’s always worth it to book with airlines that have experience with handling pets.

If you’re digging into the WalletHub study, their pet-friendly metrics are a little confusing. Just know: the higher the animal incidents, the more successful the airline was in transporting pets.

United, SkyWest, and Envoy Air have closed out the last few years with sterling pet care—including animals transported in cargo.

Safest overall: Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines placed first in terms of safety, followed closely by Frontier Airlines—which are also the most affordable airlines, for those keeping track. To rank safety, WalletHub took into consideration things like fatal injuries, aviation accidents, and fleet age.

Despite shelling out some of the cheapest tickets in the air travel world, Spirit and Frontier come out ahead thanks to fewer incidents that led to less injuries. Importantly, they also have slightly younger fleets than some legacy airlines. Though you’re flying cheap, you’re also flying safe.