Careful planning is important if you’re going to travel for any reason. Here are some tips to help you.
Make a packing list. Make your packing list weeks before you leave for your trip. Even if you actually pack the stuff at the last moment, you can still be organized and avoid packing unnecessary stuff.
Choosing a seat on the aisle will open more options for you. A view is one of the only benefits of a window seat. Aisle seats offer unrestricted access to baggage, restrooms and airline staff. You will also have one side of you that can move around without hitting the person next to you.
Only bring the absolute essentials when you travel. You won’t have to drag around as much weight or keep track of as much stuff. The more you pack, the more you may have to carry, pay excessive luggage fees for and then keep up with. Take with you only the essentials, and try to avoid stuffing your bag with too many heavy pairs of shoes.
If you wind up traveling through a small airport, look online ahead of time to find out what services are offered there. One of the main reasons for this is charter flights, which often service flights through smaller airports but aren’t listed. You can find some sweet deals this way.
A good safety tip for a hotel stay is to bring along a door stopper. Greater security can help you sleep better. If your hotel room door is lacking an adequate lock, you can use a wedge-shaped doorstop to hold it in place.
Always prepare for an emergency when going to a foreign country. This includes coming up with a plan for losing your passport. The US State Department is one place that can help you prepare ahead of time for traveling abroad. You should visit the website of the Department of State, which will show you the locations of US Embassies in foreign countries and provide a number for contact. Take this documentation on vacation. Generally, a replacement passport can be prepared in a matter of days.
Before you travel, make budgeting easier by finding out about currency exchange rates beforehand. Knowing how much your dollar is worth when traveling can help you see what to spend and make an itinerary that can help you save, too. By doing so, you will maximize your fun and minimize overspending.
Go green on your next trip by securing services that are responsible to the environment. A number of hotels have linen reuse programs, recycling bins, energy efficient lights, low flow plumbing, alternative sources of energy and so on. Tour operators, car rental companies, restaurants and many other travel service providers are also finding and implementing new ways to allow travelers to travel green.
If you have a child with you on your road trip, be sure to get out of the car every couple of hours. These stops can be used for leg stretching and bathroom breaks. Having a child exit the car regularly will also avoid motion sickness. Your trip might take longer, but having less stress is worth the delay.
Many people experience jet lag when traveling to faraway destinations. You can’t avoid it, but you can start shifting your sleep and wake times before you leave. Sleeping during the flight can help too.
Pack a couple of travel candles for your hotel stay. Candles will make the room smell good. The smells can be relaxing, the lighting romantic and it can help you feel more at ease in an unfamiliar hotel room. Many companies make these candles in convenient small sizes and without any waxy drips.
You may get angry if travel plans fall through. You may not get the right vehicle or flights may be delayed. When this happens, you will have to work with your travel agent to sort it out. Even though things start out civil, one of you can easily lose patience. Do not lose your temper. You can get more accomplished this way.
The best way to ensure that your plane leaves on time is to take the earliest flight possible. Because airports are generally full, if there is a delay in one plane, that delay spreads to later planes because they must wait for gates to come free. If you take the first flight of the day, you reduce your chances for a delay.
Car Seats
If you need a rental car when going on a trip with small children, make sure the car seats are packed. You may not be able to get quality car seats at the rental office, so plan to bring your own just in case.
Make sure that the alarm in the room is not set. By checking the alarm, you can avoid being awakened unexpectedly if it was already set, and you can avoid oversleeping if you find it is broken.
Take extras of anything you absolutely need on your trip, like eyeglasses or contacts. This way, you will have an extra pair in case you break or lose your glasses. It is important to keep the extra glasses out of your carry on bag or your purse. These bags could easily be stolen and you would be left without a spare pair of glasses.
It can be strenuous to take a long international flight, particularly when it comes to jet lag. To avoid this, plan your flight to your destination first thing in the morning when you would generally awaken. You can also take Tylenol PM to help you fall asleep fast. ) and sleep as much as you can. Be ready to take on the day.
You will be comfortable when you are prepared. Not only will it reduce your anxiety, but you can also be sure that once you get there you will understand what there is to do and see.
