How informed are you about travel? Have you developed a plan for your travel? And if you, would you like to make it better? Have you considered and planned for emergencies that may arise? If you find yourself unsure of the answers to these questions, keep reading.

Before packing, make a list. Put together a list of things you must take with you. You can start doing this a couple of months out, but should be finished about a week before your trip. Even if you won’t have time to pack until the last minute, having a list will keep you organized.

Provide yourself with what you need to be comfortable on a flight rather than counting on the services of your airline. A flight is often more comfortable when you bring along comfort items; such as a blanket, a pillow or your own set of headphones. You should also think about bringing some snacks with you.

When traveling by car to a port prior to cruising, search for lodgings where you can park at no cost and make reservations for the night before departure. Even if they don’t publicize the service, it can’t hurt to ask about free parking deals at your hotel.

Pack a small bag of clothespins for your next trip. You would be amazed at how useful these will turn out to be.

Exercise before you get on the airplane. Long flights are hard on your body. Not to mention the effects sitting for long time can have on your body. If you get a quick workout before boarding the flight, it can help to reduce the chance of getting leg cramps. If nothing else, try stretching a little.

Keep your most important information and items close to you at all times. Keep your purse tucked under your arm. Avoid storing important things into the outside compartments, even if they are zippered. Thieves may access it in a crowd without you realizing it. You may also try sewing Velcro into the compartments or even your pockets. The loud ripping noise that it makes is quite a deterrent and thieves will usually move onto an easier target. These are all points to be considered when selecting the bag you wish to take on your travels.

Bell Hop

Hotel staff like room service staff and the bell hop are paid meager salaries and tips are very much appreciated. You should tip the bell hop around one dollar per bag that they carry. This will keep your relationship with the employees a cordial one and your stay pleasant.

Select a pair of shoes you will comfortable in and can remove easily for air travel. You will have to remove them for security checks. The number one concern is comfort. Do not worry about serious foot support; you will be doing a lot more sitting than walking when you travel by air. Flip-flops or sandals are ideal air travel footwear.

A desert typically contains beautiful vegetation and animals that often are not seen anywhere else. Visiting the desert for the first time can be an especially exciting adventure; it’s something you should do at least once during your lifetime, just to experience the awe and wonder of the desert.

Make sure your passports are up-to-date by checking the expiration date. Many countries have rules concerning passports. If your passport is expired or close to expiring, some countries won’t allow you to enter. Time frames can run anywhere from three months to a year.

If you travel to a foreign country, it can be a good idea to bring your own bottled water. The water of foreign countries is often not purified and could cause your to get sick. Also, when you are brushing your teeth, use the bottled water. It’s possible you can get ill from using the tap water in that fashion.

When you enter a new country, avoid exchanging currency. You can get a better exchange rate at home. Get your foreign currency out of a bank’s ATM. Often you will find that these machines have a better rate and will be cheaper overall than going to a currency exchange.

Road trips can be fun if you bring along a few of your favorite tunes. Since you can never count on radio reception when you are traveling, this is a great way to ensure that you have music to listen to.

If your travel time is a long one, make sure to get up at least once an hour to stretch your legs, even if it means taking an unnecessary trip to the bathroom. Being in a sitting position for a long time can do harm to your muscles and even cause blood clots.

Affix a label containing key contact info to the inside of your luggage. This label should include your name, your cell phone number, and your address. If your luggage happens to get lost and there are no external tags, you will have ones inside. This can decrease the risk of your luggage becoming lost forever if it happens to get misplaced or stolen while not in your possession.

Don’t fall for spam or scams when looking for travel bargains. It is important to only open emails from travel companies with whom you know you have been asked to be added to their mailing list.

These cables can be used to connect your computer with the television that is in your hotel room. This means that instead of paying for expensive hotel movies, you can enjoy Netflix and other streaming video services just like you would at home.

Before you land at your destination, you should do some research on the local laws and customs. If you don’t, you could possibly get yourself into trouble if you do something that could be illegal. Even though you may not think you are breaking the law, you could be. Respect the local authorities when traveling.

Do you have the knowledge you need to travel? Do you now have a revised plan? Are there certain things that you can change that fit within your budget? Are you prepared for any emergencies which may arise? These tips will help you keep the essential questions in mind when traveling.