Vacations are whatever you make them to be, from relaxing by the pool to getting out and about and exploring. But, every so often, a vacation can be defined by the local cuisine and accompanying drink.

So, what’s your favorite vacation drink? 

Is it something, when thinking about it, reminds you of that vacation? And more importantly, can you get this drink here in the USA? Please let us know in the comments box below.

Here’s what our Mobal Members had to say on ‘Which Is The Best Museum In The World’.

The Louvre, Paris (website)

Best museum? Well, if we talk about the quantity and quality of their collections, definitely the Louvre would have my vote; but if BEST could also mean the museum with a very nice permanent collection and the most visitor-friendly personnel and atmosphere (it even has individual lockers and a nice lunch area where you can have your lunch, if you were wise enough to bring it with you), them the Glyptothek in Copenhagen will definitely beat all others.

Oscar Sandoval

The Louvre, definitely. But check out the new Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City if you’re in the ‘hood. It is really spectacular. The architecture is inspired by our awesome canyonlands throughout Utah, and the building is so eco-friendly, it runs on barely 10 cents a day (I may be a bit off on the exact figure).

Reta Oram

I also agree with the Kremlin nomination, only spent 2 hours there, but hope to return for more. For autos, Mercedes Benz, Stutgart. For WWII(aircraft) the Royal Air Museum and the American Air Museum, Duxford UK. For ART, Le Louvre,Paris

Ed Gaven

While I love the Louvre, the Shanghai Museum is a spectacular success in all ways: the quality of the (millennia of) Chinese art displayed, the ways it is shown to best advantage of each piece, the good descriptions, the accessibility (yes, wheelchairs), the availability of cafes and restrooms at each level, and the overall beauty and elegance of the structure.

Lee Carty

Glyptothek, Copenhagen (website)

Best museum? Well, if we talk about the quantity and quality of their collections, definitely the Louvre would have my vote; but if BEST could also mean the museum with a very nice permanent collection and the most visitor-friendly personnel and atmosphere (it even has individual lockers and a nice lunch area where you can have your lunch, if you were wise enough to bring it with you), them the Glyptothek in Copenhagen will definitely beat all others.

Oscar Sandoval

Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, Virginia (website)

My favorite, and that of most folks who are fascinated by airplanes, is the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum in northern Virginia. It’s one part of the Smithsonian Museum. It houses: one of the space shuttles; space capsules; a super-sonic transport; the Enola Gay (which dropped an A-bomb); and dozens of other airplanes (military, civilian, experimental).It also features IMax theaters and a museum store. There is a $15 parking fee but no individual admission charges.

Carl Peters

Museum of Natural History, Salt Lake City (website)

The Louvre, definitely. But check out the new Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City if you’re in the ‘hood. It is really spectacular. The architecture is inspired by our awesome canyonlands throughout Utah, and the building is so eco-friendly, it runs on barely 10 cents a day (I may be a bit off on the exact figure).

Reta Oram

Royal Air Museum and the American Air Museum, Duxford (website)

I also agree with the Kremlin nomination, only spent 2 hours there, but hope to return for more. For autos, Mercedes Benz, Stutgart. For WWII(aircraft) the Royal Air Museum and the American Air Museum, Duxford UK. For ART, Le Louvre,Paris

Ed Gaven

Anthropology Museum, Mexico City (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Te Papa, Wellington (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Museum of London, London (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Evita Museum, Buenos Aires (website)

I study museums around the world. I especially love the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, Te Papa in Wellington New Zealand, the Museum of London, and the Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg. More quirky, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, and the Evita Museum, Buenos Aires.

Elizabeth Weiser

Shanghai Museum, Shanghai (website)

While I love the Louvre, the Shanghai Museum is a spectacular success in all ways: the quality of the (millennia of) Chinese art displayed, the ways it is shown to best advantage of each piece, the good descriptions, the accessibility (yes, wheelchairs), the availability of cafes and restrooms at each level, and the overall beauty and elegance of the structure.

Lee Carty

The Henry Ford, Michigan (website)

The Henry Ford in Dearborn Michigan. The museum and Greenfield Village make up America’s greatest history attraction. Together they are called The Henry Ford.

Robert Hofmann

Do you agree or disagree with this selection of the best museums in the world? Have you visited any of these yourself? Have we missed another contender for the Best Museum in the World? If so, please leave a comment…

We want your travel tips! If you haven’t already, take a look at the article ‘The Best Travel Gadgets 2012′ and let me know what your essential travel gadget is.

This can be anything at all, from electric toothbrush to an MP3 player, it may not even be electrical.

So, what’s your essential travel gadget. Please let us know in the comments box.

There’s no wrong or right time to visit Europe, it really depends on what you want to get out of your vacation here. Our trusty Mobal Members have shared when they traveled and what they experienced when visiting Europe.

If you’ve been to Europe and want to have your say, please share your experiences in the comments box…

Spain

My wife and I took a two week trip to Italy and Spain during the first two weeks of October. We rented cars in both countries and drove extensively. Venice was extraordinarily crowded during the first week in October. We should have avoided it then. Although we have regularly rented cars in Europe in the on the past as well as on this trip, we will never do so again. The drivers in Italy are reckless and driving there is frightening. In Spain, parking was so expensive (50 Euros for one night in Malaga and 25 Euros per night elsewhere), the cost of our trip was much greater than expected. In the future, we will either take tours or travel by train or bus.

Allan F. Hershfield

England

Europe is wonderful at any season. However, London in December was magical. The city was sparkling with Christmas decorations, there were concerts and visitors and locals alike were in festive moods. The “Santa Day” also known as “SantaCon” was amazing. The weather was chilly but bright. A lovely time to visit.

Loretta

Italy

Last July, I took my son and granddaughter to Italy. I NEVER to to Europe in the summer; but granddaughter is in college, so it is the only time she could travel. We rented an apartment in Venice for a week, in Dorsoduro – perfect location, close to everything. Actually it wasn’t too crowded, possibly because of the economy. Then drove to the Dolomites and climbed lots of mountains, rode mtn bikes, etc. Ended up in the Cinque Terre – beautiful. Great trip!

Jeanne Ragan

Italy in Nov is beautiful. Olive harvesting and the weather is till pleasant. The locals are tired from the summer but happy to see travelers. No crowds and a leisurely pace make for a fantastic trip!

Smitty

Oct and November in Italy Tuscany region was awesome. I have never been their in summertime but the places we visited wern’t crowded. Be careful driving in Rome and Tuscany region the daily driving makes driving in the Bronx a walk in the park. They have more round abouts in one small town than we do in the whole County of Westchester don’t move without a GPS.

Duane Martin

I don’t think there is an off-season in the Italian cities. Venice and Florence were still horribly crowded in November. But the countryside is relaxed, gorgeous and welcoming.

Anne

My wife and I took a two week trip to Italy and Spain during the first two weeks of October. We rented cars in both countries and drove extensively. Venice was extraordinarily crowded during the first week in October. We should have avoided it then. Although we have regularly rented cars in Europe in the on the past as well as on this trip, we will never do so again. The drivers in Italy are reckless and driving there is frightening. In Spain, parking was so expensive (50 Euros for one night in Malaga and 25 Euros per night elsewhere), the cost of our trip was much greater than expected. In the future, we will either take tours or travel by train or bus.

Allan F. Hershfield

Denmark

Denmark: While there is really NO good time to travel in Denmark because it is SO expensive there, here are some of our observations as frequent visitors to Copenhagen. September is really the best month because of reasonably good weather and it is the end of the real tourist season. Prices are lower, weather better, and all the neat places to visit are still open. Sometimes renting an apartment is more economical than hotels but the success of this is their location and approximation to transportation and local stores. Use the internet for searches. Copenhagen is a cool town to visit with lots of diversity in things to see, do. Dont need a car anywhere as local transportation is so cheap and convenient. Buy the Copenhagen Card.tourist pass–it covers nearly everything.

If you wish to travel into the countryside, a car is much more convenient to use but look at the major cities to see if there are options for easier transport-i.e., busses, public transportation.

Often we go to Denmark the first /second week in December on package tours thru Expedia or Travelocity as the airfare plus hotel packages are really economical. It is not particularly cold there and in Copenhagen, only the Danes can decorate their city in such beauty and recreate the beauty of Tivoli with its many boutiques, entertainment venues. Still, it is an expensive adventure but if you like to travel to neat countries and avoid the heavy pressure of tourists, Scandinavia in December is a great experience.

Stan Nielsen

Czech Republic

Prague in November was fabulous! No crowds and even though the weather was damp and a bit cool, it was a great trip. No lines anywhere and the concerts were just wonderful. Wear sturdy walking shoes and you will be fine. People are just so nice, too.

Veronica Richardson

Germany

Germany in September and around the first week in October is great. It’s not so hot and humid anymore and all the flowers in the window boxes are still blooming. Just beautiful and sooo green….and very clean! Also the Octoberfest is going on in Munich All the children are back in school..makes it nice for grown-ups to travel!

Gee

Rhine and Mosel river area of Germany are fantastic in early October… Harvest festivals – it is a party everywhere.

Anne

Some General Advice…

My wife and I have found the “shoulder season” is the best time because it combines lesser costs with decent weather. The summer months carry higher prices and you are competing with the Europeans for vacation space, especially in August. May and September are less crowded and the costs are down. The weather is usually pretty good then too.

Tom Peloquin

Thank you to everyone that commented, and to all of you that will share your experiences with us in the comments box below. Our Mobal Members get to use their Mobal World Phone whilst traveling to Europe, which allows them to keep in touch with family and friends back home.

Most of us have been to them, but we’d like to know which Museum you feel is the best in the World.

With so many, it may be hard to decide so try and think about the following things:

- Location: How easy was the Museum to travel to?

- Facilities: Did they have a store? Wheelchair access?

- The X-Factor: Did you leave wanting to visit it again?

So, where have you been? What Museums would you recommend to the Mobal community?

All recommendations are welcome… Just leave your comments in the box below…

To our beloved Mobal Members, we need your help!

There are many destinations in Europe that almost require you to visit at some point, but as you may have discovered it’s all down to timing. So, we’d love to know…

…where you went when you last went to Europe and when did you go? Why was it good, or bad?

Your experience and comments will help your Mobal Members get the best out of their next vacation to Europe.

All advice is welcome…

Please leave your comments in the box below…

Here at Mobal, we feel that the best people to give advice about traveling is you. They say knowledge is power and we believe that we should all share our thoughts about how we all stay safe while traveling.

Please make a comment and leave your Top Tip for Staying Safe when Traveling.

At the end of the month we’ll put this altogether for everyone to see in a lovely article.

Not great advice if you like your drinks hot, but if you do like a cold bottle of beer, glass of wine, or even your favourite soft drink chilled please read on.

If you are a traveller on a budget the best advice would be to stay out of bars, opting for buying your drinks from grocery stores instead. This can really help conserving your funds. But if it’s the social aspect you enjoy of being in bars, why not join a group on the beach, in the mountains… even your hotel.

So, how do you keep drinks cold whilst travelling? Surely all the transport, movement and/or hiking will raise the temperature of your drinks?

Well there is a way! And it can be explained using Science!

If you ever see other travellers pulling a beer out of their back-pack and it’s covered in wet toilet paper, there is a reason why… and that reason is to keep it nice and cool. Unbelievable? Is it? Well here is ‘Science’ to explain how it works:

When a human sweats it is not the excreted water — in and of itself — that cools you. It is this liquid evaporating on the surface of your skin that lowers your body’s temperature. The water — in this case, sweat — requires energy to evaporate, and it takes this energy from your skin, essentially stealing its heat and lowering its temperature in the process.

Apparently, this same principal also works for beer and other beverages. Just wrap up the bottles in a blanket of wet toilet paper (or another material that retains water but also allows for it to dry) and wait for the water to evaporate a little. The drier the paper gets (the more the water evaporates) the cooler your beer should get.

I’ll leave you now, in the knowledge that you too can keep your drinks nice and cold. Cheers!

1. Save your airline socks

My husband and I keep the stretchy slipper-socks some airlines provide.  (We’ve gotten them on Virgin airlines economy class and on almost all airlines in business class.)  They’re great to use when packing shoes: Just slip each shoe into a sock and you’ll prevent clothes getting marked by the soles.  As a bonus, you’ll have slippers to where when you’re away from home.  The socks are machine washable and can last for many years.

Parker Carveth, Encino, Calif.

2. Best Western hotels can be free Wi-Fi hotspots

While working out of my car for more than a year, checking email was always a problem.  One day I found out that all Best Western properties in North America offer free Internet access, often with Wi-Fi in public areas.  That meant I could write all the emails I needed to and store them in my outbox.  Then when I saw a Best Western sign, I just pulled up off the highway, parked next to the lobby, turned on my computer and sent the emails and received any new ones.

Parisa Chico, Bridgewater, Va.

3. There are lots of uses for wet wipes

I don’t go anywhere without individual packets of antibacterial wipes.  I slip some in my carry-on or daypack, and shirt pocket.  They’re very convenient when you can’t find any running water with which to wash your hands.  And because they’re antibacterial, they’re also great for cleaning cuts, and the alcohol from the wipes helps stop the itching when you rub them on insect bites.

Monica Chun, Alsip, Ill.

4. Pack a scale

Few hotel rooms are equipped with scales.  So bring your own—the portable kind that fisherman use—and you can weigh luggage before you get to the airport.

Michele Clancy, Richmond, Calif.

5. Kids can have fun and learn on long road trips

In order to keep my children entertained on a long journey, I bought each of them a plastic pencil box and a clipboard to stick in the seat pouches of our car.  Before we left home, I filled the boxes with machine washable markers and attached games and puzzles (all free online), to the clipboard related to where we were traveling.

Meredith Cockerham, Rio Rancho, N.M.

Got you’re own travel tip to share? Leave it as a comment below…

1. Are you tired of catching colds while traveling?

Take along a travel-sized package of Clorox wipes.  Disinfect the tray table and armrests on the airplane, and the telephone and TV remote in your hotel room.

William Alabaster, Rochester, N.Y.

2. Keep your passport information handy

On international flights I used to fumble through my belongings—often having to retrieve them from the overhead bin—after a flight attendant appeared with the landing card, (I don’t know of many people who have their passport number and date of issue memorized.)  Now I write all my information on the bookmark of whatever I plan to read on the long flights so I don’t have to dig out my passport.  I can then fill out the card quickly—giving me more time to loan my pen to people who never seem to carry one.

Wendy Anderson, Orange, Conn.

3. Don’t toss out old prescription glasses

Whenever my husband and I get news of eyeglasses, we relegate the old ones to our luggage, along with an inexpensive repair kit from the drugstore.  If something happens while we’re away from home, we can hopefully fix the glasses ourselves.  If they’re beyond saving, we have the backup pairs to get us through the rest of the trip.

Wayne Babcock, Chandler, Ariz.

4. Even the disposable-camera lenses should be protected

They scratch just like any other lens would.  Place a small piece of painter’s tape (or another that won’t stick too much) over the lens to protect it from contact with other items in your purse of backpack during travel.

Ursalene Baker, Santa Cruz, Calif.  Suzanne Barr, San Diego, Calif.

5. Secure any small electronics to a bag

I’m a gadget freak and I don’t like to travel without things like my digital camera and my iPod.  On one trip though, I put my camera down in a crowded restaurant and then, distracted, forget to put it back in my bag.  By the time I remembered where I’d left it, the camera was long gone.  Now, I attach those kinds of items to my daypack with a lanyard.  They’re still easy pull out and use, and they never get left behind.

Susan Beagle, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Got a travel tip to share? Leave it as a comment below…

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• Flight Survival Guide: Tips to Airplane Comfort (abcnews.go.com)
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