If you are just beginning to travel, then there are some guidelines you may want to follow. When you are planning a trip, consider these suggestions to make the best choices you possibly can! Not planning a vacation well enough could lead to some stressful situations and ruin your trip.
When flying, be sure to wear loose fitting clothes and slip-on shoes. This will ensure that your flight is comfortable. Not only that, it won’t take as long to get through security if you can quickly take your shoes on and off. Loose clothing will allow for any short term swelling that you may experience due to air pressure in the plane’s cabin.
When traveling in countries with unsafe tap water, remember other ways that you might be exposed. Close your mouth when using the shower and brush your teeth only with treated water. If you make tea or coffee with the water, allow it to boil for several minutes before steeping. Even a small exposure can make you very ill.
When traveling, even in developed nations, always assume your hands are contaminated. Don’t put your fingers in your mouth and avoid eating with your hands. Chances are good you’ve come into contact with hundreds of people and thousands of surfaces, any one of which could be carrying a disease that you aren’t prepared for.
Long driving trips can be fun and economical, but the cost of stopping for meals every few hours will add up, especially for a family. If you are planning a longish car trip, make sure you have plenty of car food available in advance. You may be able to get away with skipping the hourlong lunch stop, which will not only save you money, but will get you to your destination sooner. If you have a second adult in the car, that person can serve as “lunchmaker,” handing around sandwiches, cutting fruit, and making sure everybody gets their midday meal on the road.
As you plan your vacation, consider taking the bus instead of flying, driving or taking a train. This method of travel is relatively inexpensive, and depending on who you book with, the bus fleets often boast newer models that are clean and attractive. They also include wifi access.
Losing your rental car in large parking lots is no fun. Carry one of those fluorescent foam balls that fit over the tip of your antenna or maybe even a colorful ribbon to tie to the rear view mirror. They take up no room in your luggage and can sure make locating that car a whole lot easier when there are exactly 37 others that look just like it in the same row where you parked!
Learn to take it easy. You do not have to follow a strict schedule when you are traveling. If you feel like you must schedule out your vacation, at least pen in a little “nothing” time, where you are free to follow up on anything that has interested you, or just lay by the pool with a drink.
Do not travel with all of your luggage when you are on a road trip. Keep a laundry basket in the car with you that has most of your clothes. Pack necessities like pajamas and toiletries in an overnight bag. Only carry this bag into the hotel room with you, saving yourself the hassle of bringing in a large amount of unnecessary items.
Great deals that are available are in many cases limited. You can sign up to receive emails from different companies to find out as soon as the deal is offered so you can get first dibs on these deals. Sign up for these emails for your favorite hotels, rental cars, airlines and many other activities that can be done on vacation.
If you are traveling with your pet make a vet visit before you leave. Get a full check-up with your vet. Also make sure your pet is fully vaccinated. It is a good idea to ask your vet if they can refer to someone in the area you going in case you end up needing medical attention for your pet.
Only prepay for packages if you know that there is no way that you will have to shift dates. If you do prepay, make sure that you look into the cancellation policies so you do not lose out on the money that you have prepaid onto it if you should have to cancel.
Carry a list of important toll-free numbers, and keep it separate from your wallet. Make a list of the toll-free contact numbers for your bank, as well as your credit cards. Keep it separate from your wallet, so if it becomes lost or stolen you can quickly and easily notify the institutions and get the cards canceled.
Bring sunglasses with you if you are traveling on an airplane. If you are bothered by the people sitting around you on the plane, simply put on the glasses and your seatmates will usually leave you alone. The sunglasses prevent you from making eye contact with others, discouraging conversation.
Have a better road trip by actually going with people you actually enjoy being around. Don’t plan on traveling this way unless there is some kind of friendly relationship between you and the people who would be going with you. Good companionship makes for a quicker and more enjoyable road trip for everyone involved.
A great travel tip is to check with your hotel if you realize you left your charger at home. Most hotels will let you look through a box of cords and various adapters to help you find the right charger you need. It doesn’t hurt to ask for help.
These tips were designed to give you good insight on getting started with your own traveling adventure. These tips were thoughtfully compiled to help the new travelers learn the basics and some other cool techniques that are simple enough to use for their next trip.
