Traveling can be pretty intimidating to someone that has never gone on a trip before. It can easily lead to a bit of information overload because of all of the resources you can access. Below are some tips to help you in organizing this information so that you can start traveling smarter and safer.
When traveling, you can avoid hassle and reduce travel dangers by blending in. Don’t wear expensive jewelry or location-specific designer brands that mark you as a tourist. Instead, try to dress like the locals do, and don’t draw attention to yourself. Locally-owned businesses and lodging are less likely to be a target for terrorists and pickpockets alike.
If you’re going on a trip where you expect to be doing lots of walking, break in your new shoes in advance. This will prevent blisters and help keep your feet from becoming sore. Good shoes can be the difference between the most enjoyable walking tour of your life, and a torture session.
If you are traveling in a poorer country, consider purchasing a large woven sack, like the type used to transport potatoes or other vegetables. Put your bag into this sack, and it is protected from dust, bugs, and moisture. It also nicely camouflages your possesions against thieves, as they will see a bag of farm goods instead of a tourist’s bag.
Make sure to research what the weather is going to be like in your destination. This will allow you to pack more appropriately. If it will be cold, you will need to take lots of layers. If it will be warm, then you know you can pack a lot of light weight clothing and sandals.
If you are planning on flying or riding a long distance with school-age children, consider investing in a small portable DVD player. The least expensive ones can run as low as $75, and the peace of mind it buys you on that nine-hour international flight is more than worth the cost.
One simple tip for hotel safety is to carry a small rubber door stop with you. It can pack easily inside a shoe or even be carried in a jacket pocket if you’re short on space. This door stop can be wedged under the door at night, to prevent midnight visitors.
Sometimes long flights can cause you to sit and sit and sit. Don’t be afraid to get up and walk down the aisles every once in a while. Exercise is great for you and when the plane reaches its’ destination, you won’t feel so lousy and you will avoid the stiff feeling in your legs.
If you’re going on a cruise either by yourself or with only one other person, consider getting the smallest room available. It’s usually a lot cheaper and you can put that money to good use. You’re not going to want to spend a lot of time in your room except when you’re sleeping or washing, so why should you spend a fortune on it?
Hopefully, these tips have provided you with some very valuable information, as well as given you a way to organize all of the thoughts and information you may have already had on traveling. Keeping these tips in mind when you start traveling can help you enjoy more of your trip.
