Are you ready for your next big adventure but lacking essential gear? I've been there too. From hiking the ancient trails of Machu Picchu to exploring the frozen landscapes of Iceland, having the right equipment can make or break your trip. And who doesn't love a bargain, especially if you don't plan to use the gear often? On my Machu Picchu hike, I wanted pants with zip-off legs that converted to shorts to adjust to the changing temps. In Iceland, water and windproof snow pants and travel towels for the thermal hot springs were on the list. While traveling through Europe, I needed a secure, anti-theft cross-body bag to guard against pickpockets. Let me say that although I wish I got paid to promote these products, I do not. These are just two of my favorite go-to sites for gearing up: 1 . Travelon Travelon products are awesome! Based in Chicago, Travelon sells cleverly designed luggage, totes, wallets, purses, carry-ons, and many more travel accessories. Not only are Tr

In my new career as a travel advisor, I’ve been asked several times how I make money. Let me tell you how it works. Commission Structure Many travel components such as hotels, tour companies, and car rentals, include built-in commissions for agents. Even companies like Expedia and VRBO have agent fees built in.  For example, when you book a hotel stay for $1000 through a travel agent, a percentage of that amount is paid out to the agent by the hotel. Importantly, the guest pays the same $1000 regardless whether they book directly or through an agent. Hotels and other providers often prefer direct bookings—they retain more profit. Airfares and Fees Airlines are a different story. Unlike other travel components, airlines typically do not offer commissions to agents on airfares. Therefore, agents may charge a nominal fee for their ticketing services. This fee covers the agent's time and expertise in finding the best flights and managing the booking process. International trave