Since the airline liquid ban in 2006, savvy retailers have been "minifying" their toiletries and beauty products in response to liquid allowance rules, and the unfortunate airline luggage downsizing and pay-per-bag trend. Although mini toiletries help us pack light, bring less and lower the weight of our carry-on bags, it would be nice to have the option to bring a bottle of perfume/cologne that wouldn't otherwise be used by confiscated at security.
End of an Era? It looks like our mini toiletry toting days might be coming to an end. On Monday, before a 6-day day meeting in Montreal, the secretary general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (IAOC) announced "the (liquid) ban will end." Predicted to come into effect in two years, it is still unclear if the ban will be completely lifted, or lifted but with limitations. Think how much bottled water you could bring on the plane, or not dump out/feverishly gulp at security. Bye, bye dehydration!
Why Will the Liquid Madness Stop? If they can make a controversial machine to scan your body for explosives, I would hope they could make one for liquids too. It turns out they can, and hope to have it installed at most security checkpoints by 2012.
What Will you Do? After 5 years of downsizing my packing, I'm so used to the large liquids ban, I don't know that I'll go back. Given my preferred packing medium involves a carry on, in order to maximize the bag's real estate, bringing regular-sized liquids like shampoo, creams, etc. doesn't make sense, except for extenuating circumstances when I check a bag. What will you do?
Until the ban is lifted, here's what you can and can't bring on a flight originating in Canada or the US. If you're travelling outside of Canada or the US, check the country's regulations, they could be different!
[image by klyphord]
[trip style = camping + glamping]
Pampering yourself in a permanent-esque shelter at provincial, state or private campgrounds provides a happy medium between fumbling with tent poles and staying in a hotel. What's great about this type of accommodation is you can partake year-round: most yurts---even those at campgrounds---have heating. Two years ago my husband and I had our first yurt experience in mid-November when we went surfing with friends in Oregon. At first I was scared that the cold weather and chilly waters of the Pacific would never allow my body temperature to reach normalcy, but within minutes of getting back to our yurt, we were warm and toasty thanks to its heating system.
> Renting yurts and canvas tents at campgrounds ranges from $35 in low season to $89 in high season.
Don't be fooled, luxe camping isn't always cheaper. Some hotels offer this type of accommodation at a premium for people who want an authentic rustic experience in the wild, like at the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, which is 
I love this time of year! Autumn colours and showers prompt most people to cozy-up and prep for the coming cold. Not me. The turning leaves remind me of low season travel deals, and the falling rain motivates me to plot---or trip style---my fall and winter escapes!
In the initial stages of hotels going green it was enough for them to communicate "if it's okay with you, we aren't going to wash your sheets and towels everyday." Circa 10-15 years ago, they may have also put a brick in the toilet to conserve water! Times have changed, but one thing's for sure, hotels going from green to greener is a trend that's not going away. Green has morphed from a nice to have to a full-blown expectation with guests leaving perturbed if basic green initiatives (different for everyone) aren't followed.
You probably don't even know you need---okay want---these little travel helpers, but these smart looking and intelligent cases, kits and bags will make you wonder how you lived without them!