Design a pair of free KLM luggage tags

I first heard about KLM Royal Dutch Airlines giving away free luggage tags on Twitter last month, so I had to try it out. Yes, I'm well aware of the fact that I have way more luggage tags than actual luggage, but who can argue with free?

I uploaded a photo that I took of San Francisco's Bay Bridge, filled in the form with my home address, phone number, and e-mail address, and waited for the set of two labels to arrive a few weeks later.

Of course KLM now has my info so since then, I've received some e-mails about fare sales. If you're cagey about giving out your personal info, then these free tags probably aren't worth the spam. Also, I know some people who never write their home address and phone number on these tags. If you prefer to use an office address instead, you can do that as well.

Tips: You'll need one hi-res image, or you can pick from KLM's photo gallery, which includes airplanes (KLM of course), nature (mountains, beaches), and iconic skylines (Paris, Venice, London). The labels will each be printed with the same photo and the same address, and you can only use one name per order. You can also customize a set as a gift, but you'll need your recipient's personal info, including an e-mail address. I'd check with your friend/spouse/relative before giving that out since they'll be the ones receiving the KLM e-mails.

Photo: Amy Chen

Say 'Omm' this Saturday: Free Yoga Classes

On Saturday, hundreds of schools and studios across the country will host free (or nearly free) yoga workshops as part of the 2nd annual Yoga Day USA. Organized by the Yoga Alliance, some classes may request a donation to benefit a charity; others are completely free. Some locations are even throwing in passes for future classes.

I was in Seattle a few weeks ago and saw that the Olympic Sculpture Park pavilion will be one of the participating locations. The free 60-minute vinyasa flow class on the waterfront starts at 11 a.m.; don't forget to bring a mat. Before you show up at any of these classes, it's probably a good idea to check if you need any gear or should reserve a spot.

To find a class near you, check out yogadayusa.org.

Photo: Amy Chen

A Decade of the Best Travel Innovations: My Top 5 Picks

For Budget Travel's 10th-anniversary issue back in 2008, we polled our readers about their picks for the 10 Best Travel Innovations of the past decade (give or take). Surprisingly, the roller bag emerged as the winner.

As this decade wraps up, it only seems fitting for me to share my own Top 5 picks.

5. The roller bag -- it's hard to believe that the wheelie only became popular in the last decade or so. Companies like Samsonite, Eagle Creek, and Timbuk2 are constantly improving their lines: the latest lightweight options are easier to handle, and the Rollerblade-like wheels glide silently.

4. Google -- From Google Maps to Street View, you can suss out the neighborhood where your hotel or vacation rental is located before committing.

3. User-generated reviews -- TripAdvisor heralded an era where every opinion counts, if you don't mind wading through every gripe and every superlative: is it really the best? You be the judge, and then tell everyone about it.

2. Digital cameras -- I once only shot film; those days are over. Now you can pick up an entry-level digital SLR like the Nikon D3000 for about $600, which is the same that I paid for the Nikon Coolpix S4 point-and-shoot back in 2006.

1. Cell phones/smartphones -- Remember the days of buying prepaid calling cards, or being punctual? If you said you'd meet someone outside the Louvre at 2 p.m., you had to be there. Now you can call or text if you're running behind, which frees you up to embrace spontaneity just a little more: "I know we said the Louvre, but I just stumbled on the cutest cafe. Meet me here instead?" The iPhone alone has revolutionized the way we travel. As long as I can connect to GPS and Yelp reviews, I can show up in a new city with very little advance planning. And then I can tell everyone about my discoveries along the way.

Here's to another decade of innovation!

Photo: Nikon

More Self-Service Kiosks At Airports, Please

It's been a rough week for air travel. First, a blizzard blew through the East Coast and Midwest, canceling hundreds of flights. Now a thwarted terrorist attack aboard Detroit-bound Northwest Flight 253 on Christmas Day has renewed interest in (and criticism of) airport security.

In the past three weeks, I've been in and out of four airports. And not that I'm counting or anything, but that's two delayed flights, one canceled flight, and several phone calls to get rebooked. Not horrible, all things considered.

Maybe it's because I've spent too much time at JFK lately, but I'm now intrigued by self-service kiosks from companies like Best Buy and Sephora. I used to wonder who would be suckered into buying anything from those kiosks. But with increased security measures on the way, I know I'll be looking to leave more things at home, even if it means having to buy items after the checkpoint or at my final destination.

The Sephora kiosk, for example, sells this Philosophy travel-size set for $35, the same that you'd pay at a Sephora store or at Sephora.com.

I hope to see more affordable brands roll out similar self-service kiosks in airports. Better yet, I'd love to buy travel-size toothpaste and contact lens solution from an airport kiosk one day.



Photos: Amy Chen

Matching Luggage: Tacky or Classy?

Whenever I'm waiting at an airport, I play a game that I like to call Luggage Spotting. You see, I have an unhealthy obsession with luggage. I drool over wheelie bags the same way other girls collect designer handbags. Never mind that my Samsonite has survived more than 10 years of abuse—in the event it finally gives out, I want to be prepared with a replacement.

So I survey other people's luggage at airports, taking note of duffels, spinners, carry-ons, and totes that seem to be doing the trick. I also empathize with people who struggle with bags that always tip over. And I confess that I dream of having enough closet space to warrant one day investing in new pieces, preferably a matching set.

That dream (hey, don't knock my dream) screeched to a halt last weekend when I saw this guy at JFK with a set of matching Tumi luggage. A bit tacky, no? Not unlike perfume or jewelry, a little Tumi can go a long way...

Photo: Amy Chen