Adventures of the TravelRest Blanket: Best Uses and Tips for Folding Back Up

The TravelRest blanket is one of the best travel accessories to have for people who need to travel cheap. Nowadays, airlines rarely provide blankets for customers unless you pay the premium to sit in business or first class. It can be very chilly while flying, and the TravelRest blanket offers a perfect solution. Despite its ability to store back in a fairly small carrying case, and the lightweight quality of the micro fleece, the TravelRest blanket keeps you plenty warm on flights and much more. So what can the blanket be used for and in what circumstances will you need it the most?

Ways to Use the TravelRest Blanket

When the blanket is already folded up in the carrying case, it can be used for lumbar support and as a more traditional feeling pillow. Although smaller than a full sized pillow, it still offers the right amount of cushion and comfort to help you get some shut eye.

If you are someone who needs to place something soft between your knees while sleeping, then the folded up blanket can offer you relief.

When the blanket is expanded to its full size you can choose to wear it like a normal blanket, or you can use the hole in the blanket to wear it like a poncho. The poncho style is nice, because it keeps the blanket from moving or slipping after you fall asleep. This method definitely keeps you the warmest, as it creates the feeling of being tucked in bed.

When the blanket is folded in its carrying case, you can also attach it to the outside of your luggage or bag with the small snapped loop on the case.

Places to Use the TravelRest Blanket

1. Car: Long road trip? No problem! Leaving a Travelrest blanket in the car for long car rides, or for your family and friends to take naps in the car has never been easier. Because the Travelrest blanket stows away in such a small and storable case, it will take up barely any space in your car. 
2. Airplane: Like stated earlier, airlines rarely offer blankets anymore. The Travelrest blanket is perfect sized blanket to fit in any carry on bag, and if it doesn't fit it can snap to the bag handle. You'll never have to worry about being cold on a plane again.  
3. Train: Make short and long train rides more comfortable. Trains are often air conditioned and in the summer when you might hop on the train in shorts, having a blanket to keep you warm until your destination will truly be helpful.
4. Bus: Traveling around by bus? Buses can often be the most uncomfortable method of travel. Space is crammed, the seats recline very little, and you have no place to get up and stretch your legs. Having a Travelrest pillow could really help you sleep through the situation, and the blanket would be the extra touch of comfort. 
5. Home: the Travelrest blanket is the perfect stowaway blanket for the couch or living room. It will take barely any space and is great for curling up to read a book, watch a movie, or take a quick nap.
6. Camping: Curl up next to the campfire, or add an extra layer in your sleeping bag! Camping can get a bit cold at night, but no one likes carrying extra weight when they camp. The Travelrest blanket is a perfect solution. 
7. Wheelchair: people who have to use a wheelchair often don't conduct body heat very well due to the lack of body movement while sitting. The Travelrest blanket is great for those who suffer from lack of circulation and body heat. 
8. Beach: Use the Travelrest blanket to keep warm when the beach gets breezy.

Tips for Folding

Check out the video that teaches you to fold the blanket properly. It took me watching the video two times to figure it out. Here are my tips:

• When the instructor says to flip the pocket inside out, that means to make sure its flipped where the Travelrest logo snap is on the outside. 
• If you don't want to fold it nicely, you can simply stuff the blanket inside the pouch. It isn't as flat or comfortable, but it works. 
• After the pocket is properly flipped, fold the blanket along the seam of the zipper but make sure that after you lay it down the pocket is sticking up above the folded blanket like a top hat. 
• After this part, the rest of the instructions are pretty straight forward. 

Contact Us if you have any more questions about how to use the Travelrest blanket or if you'd like to share your most creative places and ways you've used the blanket!

8.5 Hour Train Rides with the TravelRest

Traveling by train has both positives and negatives. Some of the best things about traveling by train is that its pretty hassle free, convenient because train stations exist everywhere in Europe, and you get to see a lot of beautiful scenery on the way.

If you have a train pass like I do in Europe, then you probably want to get the most out of it that you can. Train passes aren't cheap, but they are definitely worth your money if you make trains your main form of transportation. That stated, you may opt for a pretty long train ride somewhere over a plane flight in some cases. In one particular case on my way to Croatia I chose to take the 8 and a half hour train  ride from Munich to Zagreb. It was the longest train ride I had encountered since I began my trip, and didn't know whether the train cars would be old or new. Well, the the train was pretty old, the seats were rather rigid, and the seats were also too short in height to be comfortable. 

Yet another moment when the TravelRest saved the day! I set the pillow up so it was partially attached to the headrest, and the bottom half would be used freestyle. I shift around in my sleep, so this method of using the TravelRest pillow is great because the pillow will automatically adjust with my varying positions. One exception is that it won't automatically shift to the other side of your head. We're still trying to figure out how that might be incorporated one day. 

If you haven't tried this using the TravelRest pillow like this, definitely give it a try and let us know what you think :) Or if you ever have feedback for us, we would love to hear from you so we can improve your experience with the TravelRest! Email us at info@travelrest.net

On another note, it might be beneficial to bring the TravelRest blanket with you on a European journey too. I've encountered hostels where providing your own blankets is expected. Almost all the trains I've ridden completely lack lumbar support, and the TravelRest blanket is a great way to support your back and keep from ending up in a slumping position. 

Sevilla and Ronda, The Gems of Spain

The entire Andalucia region of Spain beautiful. The picturesque white houses surrounded by reddish brown dusty mountains is a typical sight in these parts. Two of my favorite places were Sevilla and Ronda, and these cities also turned out to be my favorite in all of Spain. 

(Photo: Royal Alcazar Gardens)

Sevilla holds a lot of history for Spain. The Royal Alcazar is Sevilla's most popular sight, but don't let the idea of a crowd deter you. When I visited, there was barely anyone around. The Alcazar was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen in my life. The tiles, carvings, paintings, woodwork, and architecture of the palace was breathtaking. Every inch of the place had incredible detail and this made it impossible to really absorb the intricacies of the Alcazar. You could easily spend a whole day here. The gardens behind the palace are 4 times as vast, and each new section of the garden transports you to a different country through the style the garden was created. Endless fountains, a maze, benches, walking paths, different plant life, and even peacocks exist! I highly recommend the Royal Alcazar to anyone visiting Sevilla. 

(Photo: inside the Royal Alcazar)

Another must see is the Plaza de España. It's difficult to describe how huge and marvelous the Plaza is, so you'll have to see for yourself. You can take a small rowboat in the tiny canal in between the plaza and the huge half moon shaped building in the plaza, which is a nice way to enjoy the scenery. Otherwise, there are plenty of benches around to soak up the Plaza, but you should really get up close to appreciate the intricacies. Like the Alcazar, there was a lot of detail put into the Plaza de España. D

There's also a great park nearby!

(Photo: Plaza de España)

Ronda is a small town easily accessible by train from Sevilla. Despite its small size, there's plenty to see and do. The famous Puente Nuevo bridge is amazing, but the best views of it are a short walk down the hill. The signs for the viewpoint aren't that obvious so be sure to ask your hotel or hostel reception for a map. There are also ruins of some baths you can visit, hanging gardens, churches, a small museum on the history of Ronda, and the bullfighting museum. Ronda is actually the birthplace of modern day bullfighting so this is a must see! 

 (Photo: Puente Nuevo)

(Photo: moonrise over Ronda)

Make sure to have some tapas while you're visiting Spain. There's a great place called Dos De Mayo in Sevilla where the atmosphere is lively, and the tapas are delicious! It's quick, easy, and very cheap too! You have to go to the counter to order and pick up your food, then pay at the counter after too, so this isn't your typical sit down restaurant. I highly recommend this place!

French Riviera in Summertime

The French Riviera is a must see if you are touring around France. It has something to offer everyone, but is the most beautiful during the summer when the beaches are lined with picturesque blue and yellow umbrellas. A few of the most accessible and best towns to visit are Cannes, Nice, and Monaco. I visited all three but enjoyed Nice the most, so let me offer you my thoughts on Nice.

By far the largest tourist destination of the three cities I listed, Nice can often be portrayed as too commercial or overly crowded. In some areas, you may find that true. But Nice has authentic charm and can offer solitary relaxation if you know where to go. The old town of Nice will have you oohing and awing around every corner as you weave through narrow cobblestone streets lined with cafes, boutiques, and specialty shops. Much of the old town finds its charm in the mix of French and Italian history that you can find out more about if you take a guided tour. A tour is definitely recommended for Nice because the major sights don't have any plaque descriptions of their historical significance. Walking in the old town you may pass by a gelato stand called Fenocchio, which offers 100+ flavors and its definitely worth trying some of their unique ones like avocado or lavender. If you go during the height of summer then you'll see that a gelato break is a great way to cool off a bit.

A must see in Nice is the flower and fruit market in the old town that happens 6 days a week, and the other day is a flea market. Make sure to check out the lavender and soaps at the market. The region is known for lavender and you'll see it everywhere. Buy some fruit, bread, vegetables or whatever you'd like and then take a walk to the end of the old town where you'll find stone steps leading to the top of a hill. This spot is a great place for a picnic! It has the best panoramic views of Nice and has a beautiful waterfall just below the top. It's a great spot to take some photos!

If you're looking for a place to relax, then head past the hill beyond the old town to a smaller sandy beach in VilleFranche Sur Mer. You'll notice that the beaches in Nice are pebbles, and that's not always the most comfortable. Not to mention, few people venture toward this other beach. The best way is to get there is by taking the bus, which has a stop right behind the hill for the picnic and view of Nice. You can also arrive by train, and I believe it's only one stop away. Local tip: take an umbrella and beach mat, and your TravelRest Pillow! The TravelRest came in handy in the French Riviera because sandy or pebbly, the beaches were still uncomfortable. The TravelRest pillow gave a little bit of extra comfort to laying on such a stiff surface. 

The reason I preferred Nice to Cannes and Monaco is because there is much more to see and do. Cannes is a beautiful day trip, with big label shopping stores and cafes and a nice sandy beach. If you love to shop, then Cannes is definitely your spot. The beach is taken up mostly by hotels and private beach clubs, so public areas are limited. Monaco is also a wonderful day trip, and the number of mega yachts and expensive cars are enough to keep anyone wide eyed. If that doesn't thrill you then, there's a fun garden in the outskirts of Monaco that has a huge array of cactus and other plants. Some small museums and art exhibits are scattered throughout too. But be prepared for a larger budget in Monaco, because nothing is reasonable there. 

Transportation Choices and the TravelRest Pillow

Traveling around the United Kingdom, I took mostly trains and buses to get from place to place. Not only is it the cheapest way to travel, but traveling by train can be the fastest too. If you do decide to travel by train around the UK or Europe, then make sure you book tickets in advance. Like plane tickets, the train tickets get more expensive as you book them more last minute. Buses are definitely the cheapest form of transportation, but you lose a lot of time for exploring cities since bus trips almost always take longer. 

Traveling is also exhausting, and I'm beginning to notice that I fall asleep most frequently on trains and buses. That's when the TravelRest pillow comes in handy! 

On a particular bus trip, I was especially happy to have my TravelRest with me. The woman in front of me was trying to lay down across two very uncomfortable seats with her head jammed against the bus wall and legs hanging off the edge into the isle. I luckily had my TravelRest pillow with me and within the minute I had my pillow set up and was ready to take my nap. After getting off the bus, I overheard the woman in front of me telling her husband that her neck was hurting from the position she was in and that she didn't get a wink! That was one of those moments where I was very thankful for my TravelRest pillow. 

It's so hard to find comfort while traveling, but the TravelRest pillow is one of those things that allows me to feel rested even when I'm in the most uncomfortable places.