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TIP! Do not bring anything valuable that you will not need. An excess of valuables will make you an obvious target for theft.

Before you begin traveling, you need to find some great advice on where to get started. The following tips will help you plan trips more effectively and make better choices once you’ve reached your destination. By planning ahead, you create more time to enjoy yourself at your vacation destination, so check out these helpful tips.

TIP! Create a packing list for your trip! You can start your list anytime before you travel. By having a detailed list of what you need, you will take the stress out of packing.

When traveling by airplane, it is important that you think ahead. Many airports are located in major cities, and reaching them in congested traffic can be difficult and time consuming. Always have your suitcase packed the night before your flight. Make the necessary preparations prior to flying. Missing your flight will cost you precious time and money.

TIP! If you are traveling with your child, carry a photo of your child just in case he or she gets lost. It can be a very scary thing to lose your child.

Be aware of certain food allergies when going to a foreign country in order to avoid bad liaisons. The more severe your food allergies are, the more important it is to learn key food terms in the local language. Doing this, you can tell restaurants what foods you can’t eat or at least be able to tell medical professionals what’s wrong.

TIP! Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. You should never give anyone your original passport no matter who they purport to be, or you could end up stranded in a strange land.

Be aware that in some foreign cities many criminals will pose as policemen. Do not give over your personal information, as you could end up with no identification fast. Walk with them if they want to transport you to a nearby office. Don’t ride with someone you don’t know.

TIP! If your travel takes you to amusement parks or any other place that requires tickets, purchase them online. Many times you can print them at home and save some money, too.

If you have to drive a distance to the port to get on a cruise,drive there the night before and stay at a hotel that has free parking. You can check with staff at the hotel for unpublished parking deals.

TIP! Put in a good workout before boarding your flight. This can reduce the monotony of a long flight.

Purchase tickets on the Internet in advance and print them at home when you have a specific destination, like a theme park, in mind. Sometimes there is a ticket fee, but already having your ticket means you don’t have to stand in long lines, so the fee is totally worth it. If your destination offers timed entry, printed tickets can also be used to get around the admission line.

TIP! When traveling by air, be sure to wear light shoes that are extremely comfortable and easy to kick off. Remember that shoes need to come off at the security checkpoint.

Try to work in some physical activity before your flight. Longer flights can be hard on your body. You will be sitting in one spot for a long time, and this may cause back and leg cramps. You can have more energy at the end of your flight when your warm up and stretch before takeoff.

TIP! Stores often overcharge for such products, and the space you save is minimal. Try to find a better and more space efficient way to pack your clothes.

The price per unit for these conveniently sized products is disproportionate compared to the amount of space that you save. Use techniques such as rolling your clothing or make use of vacuum packaging. Doing this can give you a surprising amount of space in your suitcase.

TIP! They can provide you with some amazing vistas and a level of plant life most people have never experienced. Everyone should experience the majesty and austerity of the desert at some point in their life.

Deserts are a place unlike any other, with sunny weather and a unique ecosystem. There is something especially memorable about deserts for the first-time visitor, and no one should go their entire lives without experiencing the austere majesty of the desert.

TIP! Sleeping pills can get you through a red-eye flight. Many people find it difficult to sleep on an airplane, between the unfamiliar surroundings, uncomfortable seats, and passenger and aircraft noise.

Always check expiration dates on of all of your passports. Many countries have rules concerning passports. Many will not allow you entry into the country if it expires soon. As long as the passport is not set to expire within the next six months, you should be fine for most countries; however, certain countries require eight months, or even up to one year.

TIP! Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Some countries have very specific rules regarding passports, including when they expire.

Determine if you will need a Visa in order to go to the foreign country you are traveling to. Sometimes a visa can be time consuming to get, so it is always a good idea to begin the process of applying for one as soon as you can. If you do not take care of the paperwork, you will not be able to travel freely.

TIP! The National Park Pass is cost effective to purchase if you intend to visit National Parks on a regular basis throughout the year. For fifty dollars, you can visit all the parks all year long.

When you are planning a vacation, doing it online is very efficient. Travel sites will help you plan your travel itinerary with minimal effort. Many of these sites enable you to simultaneously book your flight, lodgings and a rental car. You can easily access reviews and photos of hotels for quick comparison. These websites also include special deals when your flight and hotel are booked together in a single package. They also offer discounts when vacancy is high or when you are traveling at the last minute.

TIP! Make sure you don’t fall asleep before eight pm so you can adjust faster to a different time zone. Although you may feel sleepy, if you go to bed to soon, you are only protracting your jet lag because your body is going to remain in its usual time-zone mode.

For a fun day trip or a last-minute weekend getaway, don’t assume you need to hop on a plane. Many times you can enjoy yourself right in your own state or a neighboring one. You will spend less money traveling if you stick close to home and support the local economy. You may even find something really fun nearby that you had never known of.

TIP! You don’t have to wander far from home to enjoy a fun weekend get-away. Your home state or neighboring ones can offer great getaways at a fraction of the cost.

One thing to remember when traveling to other countries is the quality of water may be lacking; therefore, it is wise to pack some bottled water to take on your trip. Unfortunately drinking water in most countries will cause you to get sick because it is not purified. Use bottled water when you brush your teeth. The tap water is just as likely to make you sick.

TIP! Be sure to allow for changes in weather, as it can completely change your plans without notice. Be sure to check the weather for your planned destination as your trip date approaches.

If the site you are using offers an online tracking feature, use it. The send out alerts for good deals and save you a ton of money. You will be sent email alerts if a flight you have shown interest in lowers it price and can now be purchased at a lower rate. If you have already booked a flight, you will also receive an email alert if the price of the ticket has dropped.

Always bring a contact case wherever you travel. You can keep just a small bit of hair gel or lotion inside to last through the trip.

TIP! If available, try requesting a room on an upper floor. As negligible as this appears, if you live on the ground floor or bottom floor, robbers can enter your room easier.

Whenever you plan to hike, be it on a camping or other trip, make absolutely certain that you carry area maps with you. You’ll need a compass to make sense of the maps, but a GPS would be the ultimate safety tool.

TIP! You should buy an electrical adapter from a discounted electronics shop before traveling to another country. They are generally 3-4 times the price when you purchase them in a tourist area or in an airport gift shop.

The tips you just read most likely helped you figure out the best way to effectively plan for an upcoming trip. 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.

TIP! It is important for you to be conscientious of food allergies when you travel to foreign lands. If you are allergic to certain foods, you should know what the name of the food is in the native language.

Most people will travel to some place far from home at least once in their lives. You can gain a lot by learning about travel, even if you are not well traveled or have been traveling for years. By reading on, you will be able to obtain some information that could come in handy during one of your trips.

TIP! The bell hop and housekeeper should be tipped appropriately. It is usually acceptable to pay $1 for each bag that you have, and about $2-$5 each day for housekeeping.

List what you intend to take with you on a trip. You should begin creating the list of things to pack a few days or weeks in advance. If you are delayed in beginning your packing, having a comprehensive list will make the task quicker, easier, and with less clutter.

TIP! The markup on these small products is ridiculous. Try rolling shirts instead of folding them to save room and lessen the chance of wrinkles.

If you have known food allergies, be very careful about food when traveling in foreign countries. If you have had severe reactions to certain foods, learn all the foreign words for those foods. 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.

TIP! When you travel try your best to educate your family as much as you can along the way. With the right choices and precautions, there are many places in the world you can go and educate your children by opening the world to them.

Be aware that in some foreign cities many criminals will pose as policemen. Do not let anyone have your personal documents, such as your passport or license. If they want you to come with them to a police station, make sure that you walk there. Don’t enter a vehicle with a local you don’t know.

TIP! The stark views offered by a desert have their own unique beauty, and you will enjoy experiencing their exotic flora and fauna. Someone who has never experienced a desert will likely find their first exposure very striking.

When taking a flight, you should not assume that your airline will be able to provide everything that you need, regardless of the length of the flight. If you feel like it, bring sleeping items like a pillow or headphones. It is also wise to bring some snacks, so you will have food that you enjoy eating if you are hungry.

TIP! When you are planning a vacation, doing it online is very efficient. The site you book your travel through should offer sample itineraries for your convenience.

If you drive to any port city prior to going on your cruise, you can find hotels that offer free parking upon arriving the night before. Ask the hotel’s staff when it comes to parking deals even though none are published.

Pack clothespins on your upcoming trip. While not on your typical travel list, a handful of clothespins can prove very useful.

TIP! Try to get a hotel room on a upper floor. It may sound deceptively simple, but if you are on the ground floor, potential thieves will have an easier time accessing your room.

You will pay more money for these projects that do not save you as much space as you think. A different way to save space is to fold your clothes more efficiently. Doing this can give you a surprising amount of space in your suitcase.

TIP! If you are going on a road trip, bring your favorite music to listen to while you ride. After a while, the radio will keep turning to static as it goes in and out of different broadcast areas; your own music allows you to have something to listen to the entire trip.

The stark views offered by a desert have their own unique beauty, and you will enjoy experiencing their exotic flora and fauna. Deserts are a special kind of place that everyone should get to experience at some point in their lives.

TIP! If you are traveling for an extended amount of time, make a point to get up and stretch your legs at least once per hour. Sitting for hours is bad for your circulation and you might experience pain in your legs if you do not stretch.

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Many countries have specific rules concerning your passport. If it expires within a certain time frame, they will not allow you to come into their country. Typically if your passport is due to expire in 3-6 months you will be denied visitation. However, this time frame can extend to 8-12 months.

National Parks

TIP! Write your contact information including name, telephone number and home address on a label visible inside your luggage when traveling. If your luggage should get lost and the exterior tags are gone, your information will still be available.

It’s a good idea to get National Park passes if you often visit National Parks. It is relatively inexpensive, $50 total, and it gives you open access to all national parks for a year.

TIP! Do not trust emails advertising great travel deals. Don’t open unsolicited emails from travel companies.

Consider using E-tracking when it is available on a travel site. This will always keep you updated with inexpensive travel options. You will receive email alerts if the flight that you have booked or shown interest in has dropped the price and is available at a cheaper rate.

TIP! Make sure you have a map of the area with you if you are planning on any outdoor adventures. It’s also not a bad idea to have some kind of GPS device or compass with you and to know how to use them if you get lost.

Any time you plan a trip in a rental car, with children that are under eight years old, be sure to plan to bring their car seats. Use your own car seat if renting a vehicle.

Always bring a contact case wherever you travel. The case sizes make excellent containers for any creams you may want to take with you.

TIP! Keep in mind that you are not the only one at a hotel, and there are others who want to enjoy their vacation as well. Be a good travel neighbor by exercising common courtesy.

When you travel, it is a smart idea to tuck a tag inside of your suitcases with your address, name and telephone number. This is good in the event the bag is lost, since it will help pinpoint who the owner is. If your luggage ever escapes your sight and gets lost, this can identify your property and provide information on where to return your luggage.

TIP! Look into the local laws and customs prior to getting to your destination. Even if you would not view it as a problem, you could find yourself in trouble when you do something that is deemed offensive and illegal.

If you are planning on leaving the country, buy a voltage converter or electrical adapter. Waiting until the last minute will leave you vulnerable to highly inflated costs at airport gift shops or those located within a hotel zone.

TIP! If a hotel is fully booked, you may still be in luck; ask for a room that is listed as out of service. Sometimes the only thing wrong with these rooms is a broken piece of furniture or a hole in the wall.

Taking a pet on vacation with you requires extra preparation for your mode of transportation and your lodgings. Make sure that these places will allow you to have a pet with you. Look into many places before choosing one, so you end up at one that your pet will love.

TIP! If at all possible, book a specific seat when you purchase your plane ticket to ensure that you are comfortable during flight. Although certain airlines allow you to pick your seat, others don’t.

One thing you can do on an international trip to make things easier is get your money exchanged before you depart. It can be difficult to get local currency after hours, which can be a problem depending on when you arrive. You should go to your bank and ask about foreign currencies, or go to a change agency before your trip.

TIP! Keep your cool if you find that your checked luggage did not make it to your destination. Ask any airport official where the lost luggage office is; have your documents from the flight and identification cards handy and fill out the appropriate paperwork.

It is important to remember that many people stay in hotels. Avoid being loud or slamming doors as to not bother your neighbors in a hotel. Even if it is the middle of the day, there may be someone catching a nap or recovering from jet lag. You don’t have to sneak around; however, it’s only polite to behave with a certain amount of decorum.

TIP! Pack dark clothes when you are planning to travel. Dark colors can hide dirt and wrinkles, which are common on clothes when you are away from home for a long time.

If you are told a hotel has no more rooms available, ask if they have a room that is out of service. Out-of-service rooms may have minor problems like peeling paint that would cause the hotel not to wish to rent them.

Falling Asleep

TIP! Make sure your kids have identification when traveling with them. Give your kids enough cash to call a cab or make a call in an emergency.

When driving for long periods, rotate drivers. Rotate drivers before you get tired, so that you will be awake enough to keep the other driver engaged in conversation. Take some breaks; don’t drive until you’re falling asleep at the wheel. You should have someone replace you at the wheel every three hours. That way neither driver will run the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

TIP! A lot of airports are being designed and remodeled with play areas and can give your kids something to do during any long waits. This will make your stay in the airport less tiresome and actually put a smile on your face.

Overall, traveling is an activity most do at least once. That is why, by learning information regarding traveling, you will be prepared for whatever travel experiences may come your way. Keep the tips above in mind any time you consider traveling in the future.