Travel, no matter where and when or for what purpose, is very exciting, but you can’t forget about all the things you must consider, as you are preparing for a trip. If you are going abroad, there are cultural issues to consider, including culture shock and others. With tips like these, you can will be better prepared for successful and fun travel.
If you will be traveling to a foreign country where English is not the primary language, please make the effort to learn at least a few basic phrases, and make sure your pronunciation is as close as possible to the real thing. If you start out in THEIR language, most non-English speakers will quickly realize that you don’t actually speak their tongue, and will meet you more than halfway in a helpful attempt to communicate. Starting out in English, on the other hand, sends the message that they need to communicate on your terms, which is impolite.
Make sure to drink plenty of water when travelling, especially when travelling by air. During busy, hectic days of travel, many people neglect to stay adequately hydrated, leading to feelings of nausea compounded by the stress you feel when travelling. Always have a bottle of water on hand.
If you’re sensitive to the smell of cleaners (or just don’t like them!) try bringing some small candles with you on your trip. This can help mask the scent of the cleaners the maids use and the scents can also help relax you. Some scents can even sooth you and give you a better night’s sleep.
If you’re going on a cruise, pack a snorkle with you. Then when you stop at one of the locations, hit the beach and do a bit of snorkling. You’ll be amazed at what you can see while snorking, especially if your cruise is in the Caribbean. And buying a snorkle is a lot cheaper than paying for a snorkle tour!
Participate in loyalty programs if you are a frequent traveler. You may not anticipate being able to cash in, but these programs often accumulate faster than you realize. Companies are fighting against a sea of competition and want to keep your business. If you typically choose the same company, find out what kind of rewards they have in place for your loyalty.
Bring a gift for the flight attendants to gain special treatment. Flight attendants are generally treated very poorly, and if you bring them a treat, like a store-bought pie or something similar, they will recognize your generosity and treat you accordingly. Remember to thank them for doing their jobs. They are working for your safety, not as your maid.
To save money on baggage fees, you should weigh your baggage before leaving home. You can buy a good luggage scale for less than twenty dollars, and it could help you save big on airline baggage fees. If your bag is over the weight limit at home, it is easy to move things around or take something out, but it is much harder to fix a weight problem once you are already at the airport.
National Parks are usually open all year, but it is best to check with the park you are wanting to visit to confirm that it will be open when you are planning on going. During the summer and winter the parks are generally more popular. If you want to avoid crowds, go in spring or fall.
Taking advantage of programs for frequent fliers is essential to reducing the cost of travel. From hotels to credit cards and other consumer services, the savings can be huge. By flying with certain airlines and targeting service providers that enhance the mileage earned you can, in many cases, take the cost of flying out of the equation.
Want to relax early in the morning when you travel? Check the alarm clock as soon as you check in. Often the alarm was set by a previous guest, or possibly even the hotel staff. Not checking it can mean a six a.m. wake-up when you’re hoping to sleep until eight.
Instead of purchasing souvenirs when you are traveling, consider asking the hotel where you are staying if you can take home a sheet of notepaper and envelope as a memento. These items usually have the hotel’s logo and address written on them, and are great backgrounds for albums. You can also write memories of your trip on them, and place the note in your scrapbook.
Adjust your schedule to your destinations timezone a day or two before leaving. If you will be traveling to a location where morning is three hours earlier than you are used to, set your alarm to start the routine early. Get to bed earlier to match the timezone as well and you can acclimate your body to the ritual.
Use the airline miles you have accumulated to save the cost of the flights to a destination. There is really no good reason to save them if you are looking to make some travel plans, but look into the conversion of cash to airline miles. If your flight costs less than $300 you may want to go ahead and pay for them with cash.
Protect yourself from potentially catastrophic loss of personal documentation by making photocopies of all of your passports and identification. Anything can happen in the course of an excursion far from home. Place a copy of these things in your carry-on bags as well as your checked luggage. This way you have a few options should something go awry.
When traveling overseas, stay away from food that is not served hot. Standards for preparing food are not the same in other countries and could make you sick. In particular, stay away from cold sauces and desserts. These foods are often a few days old, meaning that bacteria has already begun to grow on them.
Traveling safely and with all the considerations that are important, in mind, relies on your ability to prepare the right way, even for those cultural differences you will encounter. As you prepare for a trip, no matter where you plan to go, make sure that you read these tips to start.
