What do you think you know about traveling? Have you developed a plan for your travel? Is your preparation adequate? Do you have a plan if an emergency or some other unexpected event come up? If you cannot answer these questions confidently, look at the tips below.

Make a list of things you need to pack. You should start this list at least one week in advance, preferably earlier than that. The list should include all of your necessities for the trip. However, even when packing at the very last second, this list will assist you in staying organized, and you can avoid any excess clutter.

Be wary of people who tell you that they are police offers or government officials when you are traveling in a strange city. Keep your passport on you at all times, and do not hand it over to anyone. If an officer or official asks you to come to their office, do so on foot. Do not ever agree to go somewhere with someone you don’t know.

If, to get to your cruise travel port, you need to drive your car into a city, consider arriving the day before and finding a hotel with free parking. Be sure to ask about parking deals in case they are not published.

Hit the gym before you board your flight. Long flights are found to be hard to sit through. Sitting the same way for a long time can cause your legs or back to cramp. Stretching or doing a quick workout prior to flying can eliminate or lower your risk of getting soreness or leg cramps.

Always be kind, and tip your bell waiter and housekeeper daily. This will make your stay much more pleasant. Standard tipping rates are a dollar per bag carried, and around $2-5 per day to the maid. You will find that this simple act will make your stay overall that much better, and the people who work there will go out of their way to please you.

Stores tend to overcharge for these items, and the space saved is minimal, so save the money. Fold your clothes with a more efficient technique when you are packing them. Some of these techniques can give you much more room in your bag.

You will be able to observe incredible animals and plants. Deserts are a wonder of nature that should be experienced by anyone who wants to feel the vastness and variety of our world.

Pack some travel candles if you plan on staying in hotels during your trip. This can help the smell of your room. Depending on the scent of the candle, it could help you to fall asleep more quickly. The majority of candle manufacturers have smaller sized candles available, making them convenient to bring along when you travel.

Jet Lag

If you want to adjust quickly to an unfamiliar time zone, don’t allow yourself to fall asleep until nighttime locally. Even if you feel like you must go to sleep, avoid going to bed too early when you travel across time zones. If you do, you may prolong your jet lag as your body will not have adjusted to the new time. Adjusting to local time is best way to defeat the effects of jet lag.

A vacation does not mean that it has to be far from home. You may enjoy yourself right around your home or in a neighboring state. You can significantly reduce travel expenses and support local businesses by remaining close to home. You may find surprising, fun places right in your own area.

Bringing your own bottled water to countries with dubious water supplies is recommended. In many countries, potable water has not been thoroughly cleaned, and can be responsible for a wide range of ailments. Use bottled water to brush your teeth with. It is quite possible to become ill if you do not use it for this type of personal hygiene task.

Try to avoid exchanging currency when you are in a new country. There is an easier way to obtain your foreign currency. Get your foreign currency out of a bank’s ATM. A lot of times these machines offer better exchanges rates, and are cheaper than using an exchange.

Ask to be placed in a room on an upper level, if at all possible. This may seem simple, but the security afforded from higher floors is worth it. You should also opt for a room without sliding doors whenever possible. Rooms such as this can be broken into easier.

Road trips are a great excuse for bringing your favorite music along, so you can enjoy the ride. As you travel further away from your home, you may experience annoying static and poor reception from your favorite radio station; bringing your own music solves this problem.

If you wear them, have an extra pair of eyeglasses with you when you travel. If those items are accidentally broken or lost, at least you will have a backup. Put them in your suitcase, so that if your bag was stolen, you still have them.

Brushing your dogs before travel is a great idea. This will help reduce the amount of hair that flies around. Don’t forget to pack the daily necessities for your dog, including water and food bowls and bags for picking up waste.

Local Customs

Learn about any unusual laws and customs that may affect your destination plans. Things that are acceptable in your local customs may be inappropriate, offensive or illegal in other countries. Behave appropriately when you are traveling, and respect local customs.

While you are ordering your airline tickets look for ways to ensure your flight is comfortable. Perhaps you are able to select specific seats on the plane. It is often possible to choose the exact seat you want online, though this option is not offered by every airline. Once your flight is booked, keep an eye on your booking site to take advantage of this option when it becomes available. You are sure to be happier with a seat of your choice, rather than having to take any seat that is left.

Do you have the relevant information needed for travel? Make sure to have a detailed plan about your time you will spend traveling. Are there certain things that you can change that fit within your budget? Are you aware of how you will handle an emergency or unexpected event? Hopefully you are better prepared to answer these questions after having read this article.