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Cool tools really work.
A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted.
This Lifehacker article on how to avoid mosquito bites when you're enjoying the summer weather on your deck is refreshingly concise. I'd add treated Insect Shield clothing to the list for an extra layer of protection, but it's easy to remember a breeze and the right sprays. "DEET really works, and so do picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. If a mosquito repellent spray (especially a 'natural' one) doesn't have one of these ingredients, it’s probably no good." I usually go for a higher percentage of DEET than they recommend, which you can find online or at sporting goods stores.
Bad Behavior Fines in Europe
I’ve frequently discussed new travel fees popping up all over, but this article showing all the things you can be fined for in Europe was about five times longer than I expected. You may think Europe is more laid-back about showing skin, but you’d better not walk around in swimwear in parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, or Croatia, with some fines exceeding $1,500. Unruly behavior, smoking in public, eating next to a cultural monument, or even taking a selfie in the wrong place could hit your wallet hard. And don’t pull out a dashcam for your rental car in Austria: it’s illegal there.
How Many Passports?
Now that AI is answering our questions, sometimes even giving the right answer, you don’t see many articles like this answering a single search query like “How Many Passports Can You Have?” The answer, according to this Travel + Leisure article, seems to be “plenty” if you want to go to the effort. There are even circumstances where you could have two for your home country.
A weekly newsletter with four quick bites, edited by Tim Leffel, author of A Better Life for Half the Price and The World’s Cheapest Destinations. See past editions here, where your like-minded friends can subscribe and join you.