When you’re about to leave the safety of your familiar home for parts unknown, the last things you need to worry about are causing yourself problems that could have been easily avoided or missing out on opportunities. Check out this collection of tips and become as travel-savvy as you possibly can.
When traveling, increase your safety and your peace of mind by wearing a money belt. This item is one essential that you cannot go without when traveling, and is barely noticeable to wear. Keep your wallet and your passport safe in your money belt so that no matter what happens, they don’t get lost.
When traveling to a country outside of North America and Western Europe, carry cash or pre-purchased traveler’s checks. You cannot count on your credit or debit card to work the same way it does at home, nor is there any guarantee of access to ATMs. Converting your money or buying traveler’s checks before you leave also protects you against unscrupulous money changers.
If you are staying in a country with a high crime rate, treat even your hotel room as suspect. Place a piece of furniture in front of the door to prevent midnight break-ins. Also check that that windows lock securely. You never know which hotel owners might get a kickback from local crime gangs.
Be flexible when making your travel plans. Unless there is some reason that you must travel on a specific day, flexibility will save you money. Allowing a booking website to search for flights near your desired travel dates could save you as much as a hundred dollars per flight, especially if it shifts you off of a weekend flight.
If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.
Before taking an overseas trip, travelers must remember to check their immunizations. Traveling to a destination on a different continent will expose the traveler to germs and potential infections that his or her body is not used to. The wise traveler will check with a health care professional to determine what new immunizations and boosters he or she needs.
Losing your rental car in large parking lots is no fun. Carry one of those fluorescent foam balls that fit over the tip of your antenna or maybe even a colorful ribbon to tie to the rear view mirror. They take up no room in your luggage and can sure make locating that car a whole lot easier when there are exactly 37 others that look just like it in the same row where you parked!
If you are traveling to a developing country and are afraid of flying into the middle of nowhere, there are alternatives. You can land at a Western-style airport and use ground transport, such as the train or bus, to arrive at your final destination. This may be safer than flying through the bush but will still allow you to enjoy your exotic vacation.
If you’re going on a cruise, pack a travel mug with you. They’re great for filling up with coffee or tea while you’re wandering the ship in the mornings. They can also keep you from spilling your drink while in the buffet line. And if you’re going to be sitting by the pool, they’ll keep your drinks nice and cool for you.
Any time you are in a foreign country, drink bottled water. Countries around the world treat their water differently than others. While the water may very well be safe to drink, it may also have additives that your body is not used to, which could cause painful issues down the road. Play it safe.
Bring several clothespins! One of the notorious issues with hotels is the fact that their curtains never close all the way. To prevent that beam of light from hitting you in the wee hours of the morning, simply pin the curtains shut before you head to bed. It’s a cheap and effective way to better your sleep.
When you get to your location, check with the locals for things to do. Locals will know all the best places to go for recreation or for food. This can help you avoid going to less than thrilling places or places that are going to be extremely crowded.
Always leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone back at hom,e so that they can keep track of you. Be sure to include phone numbers and addresses so that they will be able to contact you if needed. You never know what sort of emergency might come up while you are away.
No matter what hotel room you stay at when you are traveling, make sure to examine the alarm clock when you get there. Many have been previously set and may wake you up at an undesirable time. Look at the alarm clock and turn it off if you don’t need to get up at a specific time.
A simple way to save a bit of money on lodging at the beach is to take a room that is not a beach view room. If you are after the romance or have a strong desire to watch the ocean from your room or balcony, then opt for the beach view. However, if you are not as particular, you can put a few dollars in your pocket by taking a room not so in demand.
Following these quick and easy tips means investing energy in having the best travel experiences of your life. Being a more resourceful, more prepared traveler will decrease your worries, increase your happiness, and leave you more energy and time to enjoy all the experiences and opportunities you encounter in your future travels.
