Whether traveling for work or traveling for play, there are many steps you can take to ensure that your trip goes smoothly and pleasantly. An inexperienced traveler may not know how to find the cheapest flight, the best hotel rates or those off-the-beaten-track vacation spots that are a must for anyone with children. All the do’s and don’ts, ins and outs, and ups and downs of traveling are outlined for you in the following article, so you can have a safe, economical and exciting trip from start to finish.
When traveling internationally, do not keep all your valuables in one place. Separate your passport, identifying information and cash and travelers checks from each other. Unfortunately, tourists tend to keep these items together, and in the event that they misplace a bag or are the victim of theft, they lose all their essential documents.
Use plenty of plastic when packing. Putting your clothes, toiletries, and other items in clear plastic bags is always a smart way to pack when traveling. Not only does it help you organize, it also keeps your possessions safe. If the bag should be exposed to the elements on the tarmac, the contents of your bag will stay dry.
If you are traveling overseas or even to a part of the country you’ve never visited before, it’s a good idea to let your bank and credit card company know. Many credit cards are equipped with fraud protection, which could block transactions that the company isn’t sure the card holder authorized. Travelling far from home is an almost certain way to trip these sensors.
If you are traveling into a malaria-prone area, in addition to anti-malaria pills, bring a mosquito net or find a room with a large ventilation fan. The net is best as it can almost completely stop mosquitoes from getting to you at night. The fan works because mosquitoes cannot fly as well into the wind, but it is not fool-proof.
When booking a hotel stay, be sure to ask when the hotel was last built or renovated. A low-cost motel that’s brand new might be a better option than an older building attached to a good name. Stay away from lower-end and mid-range hotels that haven’t been renovated in more than five or six years.
Look for a hotel that offers free parking and stay the night before leaving from a port city, on a cruise. You may want to contact the hotel administration about potential deals that they offer on parking even if it doesn’t look like any are available.
Before you go through airport security, make sure you put the extra change or your car keys in your carry-on. Keeping the line backed up because you have to take change out of every cargo pocket is a nuisance but easily avoidable. With that said, loosen your shoes laces before you get to the bin area so you slide your shoes off.
If you’ve ever traveled with young children you’ve undoubtedly been asked far too many times how much further it is. One way of solving this is to get each of the children a map and instruct them how to read it. They’ll be entertained, and you’ll be teaching them a skill that they will use the rest of their lives!
If you take prescription medications, plan for your vacations. Carry enough of your medications with you to cover your entire trip plus an additional week. You will most likely not be able to fill prescriptions while traveling, plus you want to be covered if you are delayed at any point during your trip.
Bring several clothespins! One of the notorious issues with hotels is the fact that their curtains never close all the way. To prevent that beam of light from hitting you in the wee hours of the morning, simply pin the curtains shut before you head to bed. It’s a cheap and effective way to better your sleep.
If you’re going to be going on a road trip, bring a power inverter with you. A power inverter is a handy device that you plug into your car’s cigarette lighter and then lets you plug anything into it. It’s great if you’re traveling with kids since you can plug video games or a laptop in.
Fanny packs are back! These trademarks of the 80’s had their day in the sun and then were quickly shunned. As a lot of things do, these have now come back into style. They are perfect for travel as you can keep a lot of important things at your finger tips including ID, passport, money, and even snacks.
While traveling, do not bully your body into believing you will be sick no matter what. If you suffer from motion sickness, then worrying will only exacerbate the problem. Additional stress should be avoided while traveling. Stress can lower your immune system. Try not to let delays, crying children, or your own imagination get the best of your temper.
When traveling by air with small children, pack a couple of toys that they have never seen before in your carry on baggage. Traveling can be stressful and difficult for a very young child. A couple of new toys can provide a much needed distraction. It also helps to prevent that over tired, or over anxious, crankiness that children sometimes experience.
Look into restaurants in the area that you are going to be vacationing in. You can gather very useful information about the different places to eat through online travel sites where others who have dined there leave very helpful reviews that can save you time and money by avoiding the places with bad reviews.
From driving to the next state to flying overseas, traveling is fraught with potential perils. Preparing yourself for the unexpected is one of the key elements of having a successful trip. The tips and advice presented above can teach you all the tricks of a well-seasoned traveler, whether you’re going on your first family vacation or your 100th business trip.
