Don’t bring extra valuables that you don’t need. Too many items often burden travelers with additional responsibility, which increases the possibility of these items getting lost or stolen.
Planning ahead is important when traveling by air. Remember that it’s easy to hit traffic on the way to the airport, especially if it’s in a big city. Pack your bags the night before you leave on your trip. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for your flight. You want to do everything possible to avoid arriving late for your flight.
Before packing, make a list. Your list should be made well in advance (7-30 days) and should include all of your necessities. Creating a list is a great way to stay organized, and even if you procrastinate, it will be useful to get packing done quickly.
Always keep a picture of your child on you. Losing a child in a foreign place can be very stressful and scary. It can happen to even the most diligent parents. The photograph you have on hand could make a difference in time spent finding them if they are separated from you in a crowd.
When vacationing in a foreign country, be careful what you eat. If you do have an allergy, you will need to have a good handle on the language of the country you are eating in. If you do this, you can avoid ordering anything that you may be allergic to, and if need be, alert medical professionals of any allergies.
Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. Do not let anyone have your passport unless you are sure they are legitimate. If they insist on transporting you to an office, walk with them. Never, under any circumstances, get in a car with an unknown local.
Don’t forget to pack clothespins on your next trip! A couple of clothespins can be very handy when traveling.
Try to work in some physical activity before your flight. Longer flights can be hard on your body. Your back and legs can start to cramp up after sitting for such a long time period. You will be more relaxed during your flight and can help avoid body aches by stretching before your flight.
When you are traveling, it is important to remember to be aware of your vital belongings at all times. Be very aware of keeping a close eye on your purse when you are traveling. Also, do not use bags that someone can easily open on a crowded subway or in another crowded public area. Security should be one of your top considerations when buying a new bag for travel.
The bell hop and housekeeper should be tipped appropriately. You don’t have to overdo it, though, just a simple dollar per bag and no more than five dollars a day for the housekeeper is adequate enough. If you tip well, you are more likely to get good service and be on good terms with hotel staff during your stay.
Travel can be a very educational experience for every member of the family. As long as you’re safe, going to developing countries can educate your kids on how other nations work. Through cultural exposure abroad, your family can build understanding and tolerance for many types of people.
If you are spending a night in a hotel, pack along some travel candles. This can make your room smell a bit better. They can be relaxing, comforting and even romantic. The majority of candle manufacturers have smaller sized candles available, making them convenient to bring along when you travel.
Jet Lag
Stay awake until 8 PM in the time zone you are in if you want to adjust to the time zone you are in. Going to bed too much earlier than normal will just make your jet lag last longer, as your body remains committed to the old time zone. You can get rid of your jet lag quicker by adjusting as soon as possible to the current time zone.
You do not have to go a long distance to have a great quick trip. You can find a lot of great trips in your specific state or one adjoining it. Do your local businesses good by supporting them and staying near home when vacationing. You could be pleasantly surprised when you uncover a local gem.
When traveling, ask for a room located on one of the highest floors possible. This may seem simple, but the security afforded from higher floors is worth it. If you can, request a hotel room that has only windows and no sliding glass doors. Sliding glass doors are, unfortunately, quite easy for thieves to get open.
The cheapest place to exchange currency is almost always going to be at your destination. If you will not have access to a place for currency exchange immediately when you land, exchange a small amount of money before you depart on your trip and wait until currency exchange becomes available in your destination to exchange the rest.
If you are going on a trip and you wear eyeglasses, put an extra pair in your luggage. You don’t want to break your glasses and not be able to replace them because you are away from home. On a similar note, don’t pack your backup items in your handbag since handbags are so frequently stolen.
Keep all of your luggage identified with your name, home address and phone number on a visible, durable label inside each piece of your luggage when you travel. This will help you get reconnected with your luggage should it get lost and have missing external tags. Losing your luggage can happen any time that you can not see it.
If you are camping and plan on hiking, you should make sure that you have some maps of the location you are in. Keep them handy. Better yet, bring your compass or GPS to use if you get lost in unfamiliar woods.
