New worlds await you, whether near or far, and travel is the way to open the door to unexpected sights, sounds and experiences. Though it can be intimidating on some levels, travel need not be stressful if you take some tips beforehand from those who have tread the paths before you. A few bits of knowledge will go a long way in preparing you for an unforgettable trip.
If you have to wear a suit on an overnight trip make sure it’s the right one. A wool suit will arrive fresher than one made of any other fiber. Hang it up in the bathroom when you arrive, turn the shower on hot, and close the door; let it steam for a while and all the wrinkles will drop out. It will look as good as new.
When packing, make sure you split up your valuables. If you are packing multiple bags for a trip, spread your more expensive items out between them. Always avoid putting all your valuables in one bag in case this bag is lost or stolen. Losing only one bag is still terrible but might not ruin your trip.
When going on a road trip, always bring a camera with you. You never know when you may come across something that you’ll want to take a picture of to remember. It doesn’t have to be something expensive and fancy, any basic camera will do. You definitely won’t regret capturing your memories on film.
If you are traveling with a laptop and plan to spend a lot of time in your hotel room, pack an A/C cable in your laptop case. If the room features an HDTV, you can use the cable to connect your computer to the television. This allows you to stream movies from Netflix or Hulu to your laptop, then watch them on the larger screen. It is definitely cheaper than paying five bucks a pop for video rental.
If your travel plans involve taking a red-eye flight, eat your meal at the airport and then take a pill to help yourself sleep after your flight leaves for your destination. Make sure that you only take the sleep aid after you are in the air. If you take it before then, you may have difficulty if the plane has to go back to the gate. These two steps can help you make the most of a difficult flight.
Adjust to a new time zone faster by spending time in the sun. When you arrive at your destination, try to get plenty of sun exposure on your first and second days. This will help “set” your circadian rhythm to be in line with the local time zone and help you get over jet lag faster.
Now that you’re wiser about the ways of the world, you can pack your bags and be on your way. Remember the suggestions you’ve read here, then relax and go with the flow. The world is an open book and it’s time for you to add a few pages of your own. What are you waiting for?