Go over these tips to find out how to plan the perfect vacation. Find out how to find good deals and go to a place that you will enjoy. Planning a vacation can be a long process, and you should definitely start ahead of time. Reading these tips should help you get started.
Try to avoid calling attention to the fact that you are a tourist. There are many people who earn their living by preying on unsuspecting vacationers. To avoid looking like a potential target, consult your maps and itinerary before you leave, avoid conspicuous jewelry and clothing and keep your camera in your bag when you are not using it – not dangling around your neck.
Invest in a waterproof wallet. You no doubt need your wallet and its contents safe. While traveling, it can be easy to forget about what you have in your pockets. Having a waterproof wallet is a great idea for anyone who plans on going to the ocean or sitting poolside.
Enroll in the loyal customer club. These clubs reward you with a free night after you’ve stayed a certain number of nights at their participating locations. Even if aren’t planning to stay with them again, enroll anyway. Being a member often entitles you to extra benefits–anything from drinks to internet access–during your stay.
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.
When you go on a trip, make sure to keep a detailed travel journal. Write down where you went, what you did, and how you felt about it. This will allow you to reference back to your previous experiences if you plan a new trip to the same destination. This way you can plan a trip including the best parts of your previous trips while also adding new experiences.
When booking a cruise, opt for a balcony room. They are only slightly more expensive, but tend to offer much more space and a gorgeous view. Just remember to securely lock your balcony door when you are finished using it, as thieves are known to jump from balcony to balcony to find an unlocked door.
Weighing your checked bags before you arrive at the airport can save you money and frustration. Many airlines charge an extra $50 or more for checked bags weighing over 50lbs. This can result in spending more money, or having to leave items behind. Put your luggage on a scale at home before you head to the airport to save yourself a headache!
While some car rental companies ask that drivers be at least 18, others require that their drivers be 25 years old. You may also need to bring a credit card with you. Senior citizens aren’t allowed to rent cars in some cities. Ask the company’s age restrictions when making reservations.
Exchange your money at your bank before you leave for your trip. Large financial institutions often have the best exchange rates, and changing your money before you arrive ensures you can avoid long lines at the airport currency exchange or even worse, being left at the mercy of less-scrupulous exchanges which prey on travelers who need local currency fast.
To avoid losing everything if your bag happens to get robbed on a trip, try splitting up your valuable into different locations. This entails placing your various credit cards, debit cards, bank cards, traveler’s checks, etc. in different pockets, bags, and wallets. This ensures that if you are robbed from one source that you won’t be strapped for cash on your trip.
Having trouble sleeping while traveling? You may be suffering from jet lag. This is because of different time zones you may have traveled through. Your body doesn’t recognize new time zones. Try to adjust to the new time zone immediately. Get outside during the day because the sunlight will help you and staying indoors can make jet lag worse.
If you have booked a cruise that has “drive-up ports,” consider booking a hotel for the night before your departure. You may find that the hotel will allow you to leave your car there while you are on your cruise, which will save you a lot of money in parking fees, making it easier to be sure to make your departure on time.
Look into last minute deals with cruise lines. They are a often much cheaper than what they would be if you were to book in advance. The cruise lines are anxious to book their empty cabins and will give a great rate for the last minute booking. These can also be found and booked through travel sites.
If emergency oxygen deploys while you are on a plane with your child, place your mask on first. Parents will instinctively want to help their child first, but if your brain is starved of oxygen you could be rendered useless and put both you and your child in danger.
Make sure that your passport is current and is not going to expire during your travels. If it is getting close to expiring you will need to apply for a new one. This process could take some time to get through and so you should apply for one three to four months prior to your travel date.
Now that you know the theory behind planning a great trip, the only thing to do is apply these tips for your next vacation. Choose where you want to go and organize your trip so that the only thing you need to worry about is having fun once on location.
