Blog Carnival #3: Practical Pointers from the Travel Pros

Traveling isn't as easy as hopping on a plane. There are bags to pack, vaccinations to endure, red tape to cut through, endless lines to wait in -- all before you step out of the airport. Then there's getting acclimated to a new city, or even a new country. Not to mention the possibility of an emergency (hurricane!) or even just an unpleasant surprise (where's my bag?).

But take it from me -- and the rest of About.com's travel writers -- the destination is usually worth the "travel" part. Especially if you know the travel tricks. Such as how to rush a passport when you need to, or the top 10 items to pack, or what steps to take when you've lost your luggage. And when you get there, you know what to do if there's an earthquake, or how to avoid pickpockets and petty theft.

The About.com Travel Channel's third Blog Carnival, hosted by the Guide to UK Travel, is filled with this kind of information. Because About.com's travel guides travel for a living, we know the best ways to streamline any trip. We've even got location-specific tips like How to Use a Squat Toilet in China and what to do If You Get Lost in Sydney. Take a look at About.com's Practical Pointers from the Travel Pros!