If you’re looking to get away from it all with a trip away from home, don’t forget to travel smart. A mishap, mistake or forgotten item can ruin a vacation as surely as bad weather or an unpleasant travel companion. While there are some things you just can’t control, maximize your chances of having a good trip with the following travel tips.
When traveling out of the country, it is advisable to drink only bottled water. This is especially important in countries where the quality of their tap water may be questionable. It’s better to possibly pay a bit more and be safe than risk getting sick because of contaminated tap water.
When traveling, always be prepared to have things stolen. Make advance photocopies of all of your important papers. You can even upload electronic scans of these documents for easy access while traveling. The local American embassy can assist you in contacting those at home who can wire you emergency funds or help in replacing your passport, but not much else.
Be wise about food allergies when visiting a foreign country to avoid dangerous liaisons. If you do have an allergy, you will need to have a good handle on the language of the country you are eating in. You can tell the workers of your condition and inform the doctors if something does happen.
By going on the Internet one can access a large amount of information relating to where one is traveling and about the area one is going. Researching local attractions can help one plan out their trip before it even begins. Having a plan in place and information on the area can lead to a more enjoyable experience.
Travelling by plane can be a way to greatly reduce traveling time, while increasing time that can be spent enjoying the trip. Also, you are free to entertain yourself while the pilots and other staff take care of everything. You can sit back and enjoy the flight, while traveling in comfort.
If you want to escape your daily routine and not have to worry about anything, you should consider going to a tourist resort. These resorts take care of absolutely everything for you and create a safe environment. It is easy to make new friends and keep your children entertained while you enjoy the beach and great weather.
Learn the tipping culture for whatever countries you plan to visit. In some cultures, tipping is automatic, while in others, it does not exist. There are still a few cultures in which tipping is considered a great insult, so mind your manners by checking the customs. You do not want to insult your server.
Winter travel can be quite stressful. Give yourself extra time as you get ready for your winter vacation. Delays are always a possibility. Bring something with you to keep you busy, such as a book, since you may have long waits at the security line or at the departure gate. Be prepared to wait. Cities that get a lot of ice and snow, can have delays of two or three hours or more.
When you are traveling on a cruise ship, wear your key as a necklace. It is easy to leave your key laying around while you are at the pool or in another area of the ship. This compromises the security of your room, so consider attaching your key to a necklace and wearing around your neck.
Think about different transportation modes. The bus has changed a lot over the years. It is relatively inexpensive, and many buses offer free Wi-Fi and other nice amenities. Some bus lines offer passes or discounts that can take the pain out of getting around your destination, so be sure to inquire about these discounts before you leave home.
Plan the amount of clothing you take with you, based on the length of your trip. If you plan to be traveling for several weeks, consider laundry service mid-way through your trip, to lessen the amount of clothing you need to pack. This also reduces the amount of dirty laundry you have to deal with when you return home!
DRINK YOUR WATER! Why when we are traveling do we forget such simple things? Most traveler ills can be firmly laid at the door of dehydration. Keep a liter bottle of water on you, and make sure you drink it all and hopefully a little bit more. Save yourself the pain of headaches, and muscle cramps by keeping that water intake high.
When traveling internationally it is important to keep up with your passport at all times. Many passports are lost or stolen while people are traveling because they do not pay attention to where they put them. It is important to put your passport in a safe location at all times.
Pack only what you know you will use when you are going on vacation. Make a list and be realistic of what you are going to be doing. Check weather reports when you are packing for the days ahead where you are traveling to.
Look for things to do close to home! There are often many very fun things to do that you may not know about within a day’s drive of your front door. This will not only help you save money but it will stimulate your local economy and your state’s tourism!
When checking into a hotel, always request that extra towels be delivered to your room. In case of fire, wet towels placed at the bottom of a door will serve as a barrier to smoke entering the room. Requesting extra towels will also ensure that you have a ready supply for your own personal use if needed.
Now that you’ve read the above travel tips, you’re more prepared to meet your travel destiny with the fearlessness of thorough preparation. Keeping these few simple things in mind whenever you leave home on a trip will give you more peace of mind and make sure you bring home more stories about great experiences rather than about stressful learning experiences.
