Chatting with travel experts around the world every day, we get an overwhelming influx of information varying from the ideal holiday destinations, to tried and true packing tips, to the best apps to use while travelling. Conversations occur in real-time during Twitter Chats using various travel hashtags, such as #luxtravelchat (our favourite for obvious reasons), #RGChat and #ttot, or over longer periods of time via blog posts and their subsequent comments back and forth by the travel community. We're keeping a sharp eye on it all and will try share as much of the useful stuff with you here so you can make the most of the experts' experiences! 

Ever wonder how you could just pack better for every occasion? Not pack too much but not too little either? Well this is what those doing it day in and day out suggest:

During the #luxtravelchat, @LuxuryTravelMom asked, what is the one thing you can't leave home without:

• Antibacterial wipes 
  • ​@kateejamieson uses them for cleaning trays and armrests on planes. I think they'd definitely come in handy when there is no soap in a bathroom, a common occurrence! 
• Portable battery pack 
  • Suggested by @mulia. These are great for charging phones, laptops and other devices when outlets are low in supply - make sure it's fully charged itself before leaving the house though! We suggest Anker products which are light and compact.
• Alpine FlyFit ear plugs 
  • @amberlair brings these along on every trip to prevent ear pain caused by pressure differences and surrounding noise. 
• Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
  • ​A bit bulkier than ear plugs but certainly worth the luggage room, @siamac uses these as they do what they say on the tin! No flight (or any journey really) will ever be the same.
• A Kikoy 
  • @thesafaririch brings this versatile garment to be used as a headscarf on a quad or as a wrap on the beach. 

In our business we get to meet the most interesting, talented and fun people. Case in point: Chantelle, personal stylist to London's (now) best dressed. Chantelle, using her handle @CZnideric, and I, using handle @Concierge_99, had a chat over Twitter where I got to ask her all sorts of probing questions about her life and work and in return heard so much about the business of Personal Styling in London...and remember: all questions and answers within a 140 character limit!

​With nine years of experience, she certainly knows what she's doing - you're going to want to read this and book a session with her immediately afterwards. You too could be among the best dressed in London! :D 

First a little blurb from Chantelle's own service offering: 
As an award-winning personal stylist renowned for her creative flair, Chantelle's sole objective is to enhance her clients' individuality as well as increase their confidence and inspire self-belief by advising on key styles, suitable colours and wearable trends, ultimately achieving an exceptional outcome to discover the best-ever versions of themselves beyond their highest expectations.

Her international clients are discerning individuals ranging from busy mums and entrepreneurs to corporate professionals and high profile individuals with super busy lifestyles.

Chantelle's fun yet relaxed approach aims to take the stress away from shopping for those unique key pieces or that effortlessly stylish capsule wardrobe.

Available for taster (2 hour), half day (4 hour) and full day (6 hour) sessions. By appointment only.

How long have you been in the Personal Styling business?
​Chantelle: I’ve been running my style consultancy now for 9 years – it seems like yesterday I took the plunge!

What’s your favourite part of Personal Styling?
Chantelle: I get huge satisfaction helping my clients create their own style and feel confident. Love that each day is varied not 9 to 5
Concierge99: love that idea. Everyone gets styled professionally by you but in their own unique way :) Cool!
Chantelle: Absolutely! Everyone is unique and special to me.

Who are your favourite types of clients? 
Chantelle: My fave types of clients have an open mind! :) Men are also fun to work with and very receptive
Concierge99: They must appreciate you doing all the hard work for them while reaping all the rewards! I know I would
Chantelle: Yes!! Clients love the personal shopping and styling experiences! 

Do you have any unusual skills when it comes to Personal Styling?
Chantelle: I’ve got a great ability to understand my clients' objectives quickly and enhance their uniqueness through style

What’s the most interesting job you have taken?
Chantelle: Too many to list! Been many surreal experiences; I’ve had to pinch myself sometimes to bring me back to reality.
Concierge99: You have really piqued my interest!! Sounds like great fun whatever/whoever they were!
Chantelle: Sometimes I get some bizarre requests but it's part of the job... To accommodate different style dilemmas

Taking part in the #Adventurechat Twitter conversation on Mondays is like being slingshot straight into the week with a bang. Think immediate comraderie with essential strangers spread worldwide with one thing in common: their love for travel and adventure, and an infectious enthusiasm for wanting to share stories from the road (ok, that's two things). So meet @monicagoesshow, the fun, friendly and vivacious host of the chat posing all the questions and helping us answer them too, with her wealth of knowledge and experience from travelling the world. (See her website here.)

@monicagoesshow kicked off the chat with an easy one: 

What is the longest trip you've ever taken?

@muddleandjoy (what a cool Twitter handle :D) started off with: "Went on a 2-week road trip through Colorado with my family. Easily my all-time favorite vacation!"
Road trip with family - impressive patience I say! 

@IBBTravel saw either a whole lot or nothing at all (just kidding) in 100 days: "Longest was 3.5 months of backpacking through Europe. It was a whirlwind trip - hit 22 countries!" 
That's an incredible journey to take anyway.

Others added images and way more time onto their answers, showcasing some serious travel experts:

Some Twitter Chats we take part in involve lots of ongoing side conversation and related topics, and when we blog about them, we have plenty to say in our commentary. However, sometimes the information coming out of these chats is just too valuable not to share succinctly and clearly. 
This is one such chat - all about Food, Wine and Travel. There are so many excellent recommendations and tantalising accompanying pics that I'll let the content do the talking. Enjoy and let me know in the comments where you've decided to go since they will no doubt inspire your next holiday!

#TravelSkills chat was hosted by @cjmcginnis & @JohnnyJet with the help of sponsors @VikingRiver.

Favourite food destination(s) in the world?

Answers poured in covering all participants' favourite destinations including: Mexico City, Paris, Lyon, Italy, NYC, Peru, Portugal, New Orleans, Honolulu, Singapore, Tokyo, Greece, Thailand, Morocco...

Here are some of their legit reasons below:
@HCTravels: "Paris...for wine & patisseries. NYC...for anything you can think of. Italy...because, well, Italy"
@micheleherrmann: "Italy. Pizza, pasta, gelato, roast chicken, fish, Bocci."

And some expert Travel Tips from the chat creators who know their stuff:
@JohnnyJet: "TIP Only eat at street vendors that have long lines w/ a mix of locals and expats so you know they’re good & safe"