I'm a great fan of National Geographic Traveler magazine, one of the most organized, incisive, and illuminating travel publications in the market place. At www.national geographic.com/traveler, under Resources you'll find "The Little Book of Travel Wisdom," a thoughtful, comprehensive compilation of 45 bits of advice for the novice as well as veteran globetrotter.

Here are some of my picks for the top tips.

Essentials to go: Among handy items to pack, you'll find that Ziploc bags are the most useful — good for wet swimsuits, medication, shampoo bottles, soap and dirty laundry. Duct tape (wrap a few feet around a pen for later use) comes in handy if the strap on your favorite sandals breaks or the handle on your suitcase snaps. Avoid camera calamities and pack extra batteries in addition to extra film; also an extra watch battery. A Swiss army knife (keep it in your checked luggage) has multiple uses on the road, and a pocket calculator helps with figuring out tips and taxes on local purchases. Take antibacterial pads to wipe the phone, TV remote, and light switch in hotel rooms, even in five-star hotels. A lint roller will freshen up your dark clothes, and spot remover will save you from a trip to the dry cleaner. A small, portable white noise machine with earphones is great for long plane rides and noisy city hotels. Bring a copy of your medicine and eyeglass prescriptions in case you need to refill them during your trip. Other things to have on hand: Deet-based bug repellent, antacid tablets, 24-hour non-drowsy cold and flu medicine, and Band-Aids. Finally, bring an extra shoulder bag to carry purchases home.

Don't be a pack rat: Sharpen your packing skills and save yourself travel stress. Pack your bags a day before your trip, then remove five to 10 items. Choose light, wrinkle-free fabric clothing. Make sure that some of your clothing does double-duty: a sarong can be used as a skirt and beach cover-up. Have your clothes laundered at a hotel or wash them yourself (use hotel shampoo). Not enough room in your suitcase? Try PackMate VacuSacs ($18 for two). Place clothes in a plastic bag and squeeze out excess air. Always pack a swimsuit, and wear layers on the airplane (which saves room in your suitcase). And remember: You can usually buy needed clothing on the road.

One room, three prices: You have to shop around to find a great rate on a hotel room, Start with discount Web sites, such as Quikbook.com, but also go to the hotel's Web site to compare, then call the hotel, and inquire about available promotional rates or discounts for AAA, AARP memberships, or credit card programs. Also ask if they have a best-rate policy, where they guarantee other outlets won't beat them. If you do book through a third-party Web site, always call to confirm your reservation directly with the hotel before arriving.

Travel insurance: Most trips have steep penalty charges for canceling at the last minute. If you think there are reasonable odds that you might not make the trip (medical condition, unstable situation in your destination) or if you're traveling with a group of friends, travel insurance is a smart option. Base your decision on the amount of money you're spending, your tolerance for financial risk, and the cost of the policy. Read the fine print carefully because each policy is slightly different. Most policies include medical coverage, trip protection, baggage loss and medical evacuation. But policies differ in coverage of weather disasters, terrorism and preexisting medical conditions. No policy will refund your money if you change your mind about taking a trip. Policies cost between 5 percent and 7.5 percent of the trip's cost.

Hidden hotel costs: Inquire about the local tax rates on lodging and food when considering the budget for your next trip. Hotel occupancy tax can be as high as 17 percent (Houston), and taxes on restaurant meals in the United States can be as high as 11 percent (cities in Virginia).

In-flight wisdom: Spend your in-flight hours smartly and you'll arrive at your destination refreshed. You might even avoid jet lag altogether. Wear layers on the airplane to weather cabin temperature changes and for pocket space to store handy items like snacks, glasses and medication.

Stretch in your seat, breathe deeply, and amble up and down the aisle. Avoid the seduction of in-flight movies: Eight hours of cinema might sound tempting, but sleep will undoubtedly prove more rewarding. To aid personal comfort while cabin-bound, bring skin cream to ward off dry air, Blistex to moisten lips, earplugs to aid sleeping, and saline solution to keep eyes lubricated.

Foreign travel etiquette: When traveling in countries where English is not the first language, learn how to say these five expressions in the local tongue: hello, goodbye, thank you, please, and pardon me. It's amazing how far these words will get you when spoken in a person's language, even if he or she knows the English equivalent.

Safety: Travel is an improvisational art: Hope for the best, but be prepared for complications. Always carry your passport, and bring along photocopies — in some countries, hotels hold your passport during your stay. Keep all trip information (reservation numbers, itinerary and telephone numbers, including that of the local U.S. Embassy) as well as relevant health information (a list of medications, allergies, blood type, and an emergency contact number) with you at all times. Blend in by dressing like the locals; leave labeled T-shirts and baseball caps at home. Watch your pockets and purse, and keep cameras, computers and other gear concealed and close at hand. Carry enough local currency for cab rides, and regardless of what country you're visiting, always keep $100 hidden in your wallet or security belt for emergency purchases.

Light eating: At resorts, where meals can cost you up to $70 to $100 per day, consider spending extra money and booking a club-level hotel room. Amenities usually include a breakfast buffet and hors d'oeuvres and cocktails in the evening, which might just save your bottom line in the long run. You'll also have an opportunity to mingle with other guests on your floor. If you want to try a fancy restaurant, the breakfast and lunch menu will be cheaper than at dinnertime; or in large cities, ask the tourism office for dates of "restaurant weeks," when some eateries offer deals on prix fixe lunch and dinner menus.

Check it out: Examine your hotel bill carefully before checking out to make sure you were billed the quoted rate, particularly when your stay spans both a weekend and weekday, which are often billed at different rates. Mistakes are common (which is a good reason to avoid the express checkout service).

Irene Croft Jr. of Kailua, Kona, is a travel writer and 40-year veteran globetrotter. Her column is published in this section every other week.