Do you remember a trip from your childhood? Traveling could’ve opened up a world of wondrous discovery then. It is easy to regain that perspective. Do your research and figure out where you want to go. Talk to your friends about different ideas. Have the whole family decide. Give some of the following ideas a try.
Plan ahead if you want to travel by air. It can take a lot of time to reach an airport that is located in a major city, because of location and traffic. Have your bags packed well in advance. Prepare yourself well before the flight. You want to do everything possible to avoid arriving late for your flight.
When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Never hand over your original passport, as you might not get it back. Walk or drive your own car to a police station if you are asked to. Always use common sense and never accept a ride from a stranger.
Bring a good digital camera for the vacation that you are taking. For example, a camera with a rechargeable battery might not be suited for backpacking. This will save you a lot of time and hassle on your trip.
If you really don’t want to leave your pet at home, try vacationing in a place where she can accompany you. Pet-friendly vacations are growing more and more popular, and some places offer deals for pet lovers. You may find cat spas, doggy day-care facilities and cruises that welcome pets. Do not be intimidated by the experience and bring your furry friend along.
Carry a doorstop with you to give your hotel stay a little bit of extra security. When visiting underdeveloped parts of the world, it is wise to maintain tighter security during the evenings in your room. If you do not have a door that is equipped with a chain or deadbolt, use a wedge doorstop before retiring at night.
Stay calm and composed. You can waste a lot of time looking for items scattered about your house, like your shampoo and conditioner, power cords and pillow. Buy a storage bin to help organize everything that is related to travel. You can use an under-bed box to make sure they are out of the way and hidden, but easily found when needed for your next trip.
When packing for a longer journey, bring a lightly-lined raincoat. The weather can change at any given moment. You can also use it as a robe or windbreaker.
Consider purchasing a yearly National Park Pass if you plan to visit more than a couple times a year. It’s only $50 annually, and it covers your entry to all the national parks.
Take a break every few hours when driving with small children. Breaks may offer you time to stretch and use the restroom. You’ll also prevent kids from getting motion sickness this way. Your trip may take longer, but reducing the stress can be worth that delay.
A vacation does not mean that it has to be far from home. There are many things to do in your own home state or town. Travel expenses can be greatly reduced by staying in your home state with the added benefit that you will be supporting local merchants, restaurants and attractions. Many great places to visit are right in your own ‘backyard’.
It is very important that you remember to bring along your vital medications. This is vital as it could lead to you getting sick on the vacation if you forget. Your medication may not be available in other countries.
Contact lenses should be in a case when you going on a trip. They are great for packing small amounts of lotions or hair gel.
Consider comprehensive traveler’s insurance when heading to exotic locations. This will protect you if something were to go wrong.
If you want to save on currency exchange fees, don’t change your money until you reach your destination. Chances are you won’t be able to immediately exchange your currency as soon as you land, so make sure you have already exchanged some before you leave.
If you wish to travel to another country, don’t exchange currency via the airport. This is because the exchanges in airports often offer very high rates because they can. Before you travel, look up nearby banks that do currency exchanges, as you will typically be able to find much better rates.
Your luggage should have your name, phone number, and address on a visible label in your suitcase when you are traveling. If the luggage is lost and the outer tags get removed, the authorities can still figure out that the luggage is yours. Losing your luggage can happen any time that you can not see it.
Avoid high luggage fees by traveling by bus. A bus offers more baggage allowances than airplanes. One of the many benefits of choosing bus travel that can come in handy is that you can use them for shipping large parcels, in addition to your typical baggage.
Buy an airline flight that has at least one connecting flight to try to save some money. Still, pay attention to your layovers. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you could miss the next plane. An extended layover may become problematic if there are any delays on your connecting flight.
Remember that hotels house many people. When you stay in a hotel, be conscientious of your neighbors, as you would want them to return the favor, by not slamming doors or being overly loud. Even if it’s noon, someone could be ill, napping or trying to sleep off jet lag. Tiptoeing is not needed but talking softly is greatly appreciated.
Bring the joy back into your traveling by planning well and using some of the advice given here. These tips are a good starting point to make a vacation go more smoothly.