I'm all about getting sporty on my trips. When I was training for the NYC marathon, I had to visit Washington, D.C. at a crucial point of my training. Instead of halting training or spending hours running on the hotel treadmill, I hired a running guide through City Running Tours who took me on a sightseeing run through our nation's capital.

So when I heard about a physical fitness event  -- again, in Washington, DC -- coming up on October 11, I thought I would share it with you. Bike for the Heart is a day-long event put on by the Sister to Sister organization, a group dedicated to educating women about heart health and risk prevention and providing free heart health checkups.

The day consists of four events:

 - a family-friendly five-mile bike ride around our nation's capital (this would be my choice)

I recently returned from a trip to Vietnam, where I had a bespoke wardrobe made for less than $100. And here's a confession: it wasn't my first time.

Since then, I've received a surprising number of emails from people also considering a trip to Asia---must be because it's one of the few places still relatively cheap in the face of the weak dollar---and wondering how to go about getting their own custom clothes made. In case you're one of them, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. By far the best---and cheapest---place to have that three-piece suit whipped up is Hoi An, Vietnam. You can fly into Danang International Airport and pick up a taxi (for around $13) for the half-hour journey to the Seamstress Capital Of The World. Another alternative---and one a little easier to reach? Bangkok. Head for Rambuttri Road in the city center and you'll have to fight the tailors off with a stick.

Take a look around your home or work area, and how many vacation souvenirs do you see? Just glancing around my desk, I see a moose-head pencil, a bottle of Alaskan gold dust, a wooden box containing a cigar, butterfly wind chimes, a teensy stuffed koala bear holding the Australian flag, a magnet depicting tango dancers with what looks like the Washington Monument in the background, and a cruise-ship picture frame, just to name a few.

The souvenir is such a beloved staple of the travel experience.