What We're Reading: Jet Lag Tips from NASA

Caroline Costello's travel accomplishments include surviving a 2 a.m. whitewater rafting excursion in the Canadian wilderness, successfully biking from Dusseldorf to Cologne without a map, and gaining access to a covert pizza speakeasy in New Orleans.

Caroline is an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). Her work has appeared on USA Today, the Boston Globe, AOL.com, MSNBC.com, ABC News, TODAY Travel, and CruiseCritic.com, among other publications.

See recent posts by Caroline Costello

This week, we’re reading tips furnished by the experts: Get advice on fighting jet lag from astronauts, and guidance on saving money on food while traveling from Tim Zagat. Plus, read about a new hotel chain in the works from IKEA. (Don’t worry, it’s not what you think.)

IKEA Plans to Build Hotel Chain

Ever wish you could live inside an IKEA store? Me neither. But someone must, as IKEA is building a chain of 100 budget hotels in Europe.

Budget Travel reports that the hotels won’t, to all appearances, have anything to do with IKEA, though. They won’t be stocked with poorly constructed “Billy” and “Flarfull” pieces. This is a new business venture for the IKEA corporation as opposed to an expansion of the store itself.

But if you really want to live inside an IKEA showroom for a few nights, book an Airbnb stay in an apartment in Europe. You won’t be disappointed.

Jet Lag Tips from NASA

Where can you get the best advice on fighting jet lag? From people who’ve traveled farther than most of us ever will—to space. Experts from NASA are dishing out hard-earned wisdom to help you stay alert on your travels. The New York Times spoke to the fatigue management team at the space agency for tips on fighting red eyes and a groggy mind.

The tips are pretty clever—they range from exposing yourself to light at key moments to adapting to the direction in which you’re traveling. Read the story here.

How to Save Money on Food While Traveling

Tim Zagat, founder of the Zagat Survey, shared his strategies for saving money while traveling with NBCNews.com. And while Zagat probably doesn’t need to pinch his pennies while foraging at foreign restaurants, the guy nonetheless dispenses some helpful advice (kids meals are rip-offs; avoid piling extras onto your bill).

Zagat also reveals some noteworthy data on the cost of eating out these days. According to the story, the average price of a meal in the U.S. is $35.65. And the most expensive city in which to dine is Las Vegas, where the average price of some grub amounts to $47.53.

How do you save money while traveling? Share your tips in the comments!

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