When you have decided upon a trip for yourself or for your family, there are so many things that you will need to consider in the time leading up to your trip and the items that you will need to bring with you. This article is helpful with rich tips full of information that will make preparing for your trip much easier.
Before leaving on a trip, it is vital to make sure that all of your documentation is up to date. This includes identification such as your driver’s license and passport, any necessary immunization or medical records, and credit or bank cards. This way you will not run into any problems when making purchases or during your travels regarding non-matching ID.
When traveling to a country outside of North America and Western Europe, carry cash or pre-purchased traveler’s checks. You cannot count on your credit or debit card to work the same way it does at home, nor is there any guarantee of access to ATMs. Converting your money or buying traveler’s checks before you leave also protects you against unscrupulous money changers.
If you want to bring back souvenirs with you, make sure you take an extra empty suitcase. You should also research ahead of time if there are any restrictions on certain products, such as alcohol. You might be allowed to bring home with you only a certain quantity of food and beverages.
Use melted hotel ice to brew your morning coffee. The tap water might not be that tasty, so try filling an ice bucket and letting it melt overnight. Upon awakening in the morning, you can use that water to make fresh coffee that does not have an offensive taste.
Mix things up a bit and travel to somewhere you haven’t been before. You want to go to as many diverse and interesting places while you can on this planet. You might even consider traveling internationally. If you decide you want to travel internationally make sure you get your passport and funds ready, as well as look into the currency exchange rates for different countries.
Bring a power strip along with you when you go out of the country. This may seem like a silly idea to some, but if you have a room with two outlets and you have two cell phones, two laptops and an MP3 player that needs recharging, what are you going to do? Having a power strip prevents these dilemmas and also, you will only need to buy one adapter for foreign plugs.
Always ask for upgrades. You can’t get it if you don’t ask. No one is going to offer you a free upgrade just because they like your shirt. When you check in with airlines and hotels, even car rental companies, ask if there are any upgrades available. If it is a special occasion like an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday, make sure to make mention of that.
Instead of purchasing souvenirs when you are traveling, consider asking the hotel where you are staying if you can take home a sheet of notepaper and envelope as a memento. These items usually have the hotel’s logo and address written on them, and are great backgrounds for albums. You can also write memories of your trip on them, and place the note in your scrapbook.
If the cruise ship you are traveling on has a shore day planned, ask the staff to make you lunch for the day. You may not want to try and find a restaurant and spend a lot of money when you are having fun hanging out on the beach. Call room service before you get off the ship and order a sandwich and some side items. Pack it and have fun!
In order to truly enjoy traveling during a vacation it is very important to bring only what you need. It is hard to travel when there is unnecessary baggage. Another thing that this brings is that you will spend more time enjoying your vacation rather than pulling along that bulky bag.
If you are traveling with small children, visit a small hospital beforehand. They can give your child an identification bracelet so that if your child gets lost, their personal information is available. If you are traveling to another country, get the identification tag in the language of the country you are visiting.
Bring your camera, wallet and other valuables wherever you go. For instance, if you are visiting a beach when on vacation, do not leave your belongings on the sand if you go in the water. This makes it very easy for anyone to steal your possessions when you are not looking.
Car Rentals
Always continue to search for travel deals on hotels and car rentals, even after you have secured your reservation. These companies often drop prices significantly to make sure their inventory is used, so keep looking. Make sure that you understand the cancellation policy before you try to switch out your room or car.
When renting a car for a trip, try renting one from a location away from the airport. Many times the car rentals at an airline include items like taxes and additional fees that can really jack up their prices. Usually the off-airport car rentals will send a shuttle to pick you up in, which may be faster and more convenient.
Plan your trip early and use the time to sign up for newsletters from hotels, car rentals and airlines. Use a junk email account to handle the potential clutter but take advantage of any specials that might come your way. These newsletters will often offer discounts and specials that are not available to the general public yet.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, typically it is difficult to identify all of the things that you need to accomplish before a trip and to remember when you are preparing for your trip. Apply the advice and the helpful suggestions and tips outlined in this article to make your traveling process simpler.
