Have you traveled a lot before? When you travel are you prepared? If you do, are there ways on which you can improve it? Do you have a plan if an emergency or some other unexpected event come up? If you feel that you are unsure of any of these questions, read the tips listed below to guide you to an answer.
Valuable Items
Take a minimum of valuable items with you when you travel. Having valuable items with you on a trip is just asking to have them lost or stolen.
When traveling abroad, be on the lookout for criminals who may be posing as law or government officials. Do not ever give someone your passport; they may steal it. Also, if you have to go somewhere with this person, be sure to walk along with them. Do not get into a vehicle with strangers at home or abroad.
Make sure you are prepared to take care of yourself, even on longer flights. Be sure to bring a blanket, headphones or pillow if you think you’ll need them. You may also want to pack along a few snacks so you can have something substantial to eat during your flight.
Watch your important belongings when traveling. Don’t let your purse dangle off your shoulder. Also avoid pocketbooks which are easily opened by others on a busy street or subway. Keep these things in mind when you’re looking for a useful travel bag.
Always remember to tip housekeepers and bellboys. For these services, a good tip for housekeeping would be from $2-$5 per day, and $1 per bag of luggage. Doing so will ensure that you have a nice relationship with both during your hotel stay.
When traveling by air, wear loose, comfortable shoes that can be removed easily. Security staff at checkpoints will ask you to remove them. Your comfort should be a priority. You do not need particularly supportive shoes as you will be spending most of your time sitting. Sandals and flip flops make great travel footwear.
Deserts have great views and interesting plants and animals. Someone who has never experienced a desert will likely find their first exposure very striking. Life is not too short to include a peek at the unique environment of an arid region.
Sleeping pills or tranquilizers can help you through those long red-eye flights. For many people, sleeping on a plane is almost impossible, between the uncomfortable seats and the noise level. To get through your flight as painless as possible, take a sleeping pill to help ensure you can fall asleep. Your best bet is to wait to take the pill after the plane takes off. If a delay should occur, you don’t want to feel exhausted before your flight takes off.
Determine if you will need a Visa in order to go to the foreign country you are traveling to. Make sure you allow enough time for your visa to be processed, since there is sometimes a delay. Keep in mind that you can’t enter some countries without a valid visa.
Pack a couple of travel candles for your hotel stay. You can make a generic hotel room smell more like home with use of scented candles. Also, it creates a romantic and relaxing atmosphere and could get you to fall asleep. A number of companies offer conveniently sized candles that don’t drip wax.
You do not always have to travel far to experience a great day trip or weekend getaway. Enjoy a staycation by visiting attractions in your local area. Support your area businesses and save money at the same time by taking local trips. You never know, there could be a hidden gem right around the corner.
Travel with bottled water when traveling outside of the country. Many countries do not purify their drinking water and this water can cause many different illnesses. Do not forget to use bottled water for teeth brushing as well. It is quite possible to become ill if you do not use it for this type of personal hygiene task.
Make use of the E-tracking option found on some travel sites have. Use it to keep up with the least expensive way to travel. It also emails you when the flights you like have dropped in price.
Foreign Currency
Avoid waiting until you arrive to obtain local currency. If you need foreign currency, there are easier ways to get it. Get your foreign currency out of a bank’s ATM. If you are able to use a bank ATM machine, you will be able to find a more affordable exchange rate and less fees.
A road trip is the perfect opportunity to listen to playlists of your favorite music, so do not forget to bring your CDs or MP3 player with you. 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.
Before you go on a trip, ensure that you have copies of your important papers. Photocopies of your passport, insurance, and other travel documents should be stored separately from those that you are carrying with you. Also, have someone you know keep a set of copies, too. This helps if all copies in your possession are lost.
Always bring a contact case wherever you travel. If you are only using a small bit of these products, carry them in one of these containers.
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. You should also consider taking a long a GPS unit or compass in case you lose your way.
Do you feel more confident in your travel contingency plan? What is your strategy for planning a trip or vacation? Are there additions to include that will work with your budget? Have you made preparations to deal with emergencies or unexpected expenses? These tips will help you keep the essential questions in mind when traveling.