Travel can mean the exhilaration of seeing new places or the nightmare of not having the comforts and security of home. Like anything, travel goes much more smoothly with a little bit of knowledge and preparation. Keep reading for some sound advice from seasoned travelers on making your journeys pleasant memories.
Be aware of scams that attempt to prey on unwary travelers. In many poorer areas of the world, it is safest to assume that anyone begging for money or trying to stop you for just about any reason could be a pickpocket. Don’t ever show or hand over your wallet to anyone, even if they claim to be police officers.
When traveling abroad, you should make sure to carry a photocopy of your passport and other important documents in a separate location from the originals. Having a copy of your passport will greatly speed up the process for getting it replaced at the local U.S. consulate or embassy. You may also want to leave a copy with a friend at home.
When planning a major trip, you should always purchase travel insurance. This protects you against loss on big ticket items like international flights, as well as helping you recover the costs of lost baggage or other emergency expenses. Travel insurance covers you if you have to cancel your trip or if your trip has to be ended early.
Try to add travel price watcher to save money. You can enter any destinations so that you can keep track of changes in travel prices and grab the best deals. Once your fare or hotel rate drops to where you want it, you will receive an email notification. The alerts eliminate the need for you to constantly follow up on the prices.
When eating at a restaurant where you are still unsure of the culture, pay attention to the habits of the other diners. Not only will copying them help you decide what to order, it could even prevent you from committing an embarrassing faux pas in front of the other diners.
Replace the lock on your luggage with a combination lock. Many pieces of luggage come with locks and keys. Keys get lost. Not that it matters. The locks are so cheaply made, they can be broken right off. It would not be a bad idea to discard them entirely and replace them with a sturdier combination lock.
If you are traveling to a hot country, remember to pack insect repellent. Insect bites can be not only annoying. They can be also painful, and many countries won’t stock the industrial-strength repellent available back home. While abroad, apply a liberal amount of insect repellent as night approaches to ensure you get an undisturbed sleep.
Next time you’re out on the town and looking to grab a bite, consider chowing down at the nearest Japanese restaurant. Fresh sushi and sashimi are full of protein, very low in fat, and also incredibly delicious. Salmon, for instance, is amazingly rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.
Jet lag is a common side effect of traveling across time zones. There is no way to completely avoid it. But, if you keep yourself hydrated, it may help, since some of jet lag’s side effects are related to being dehydrated. If you will avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages and drink a lot of water during your flight, that should help.
To avoid crowds and high prices, you should try to plan your vacation for the off-season of your destination. For example, you should avoid visiting Europe in the summer because during the summer you will face crowds, booked hotels, and tons of tourists. Visit during the off-season for an authentic experience.
Use the E-tracking option that is available through some travel sites. This feature keeps you updated with the lowest-priced traveling options. Email alerts will be sent to you if your travel interests has had a price drop or can be found elsewhere at a cheaper price.
Do not carry your passport around wherever you go, leave in a safe place in your hotel room. In the case that you were to use your belongings or get robbed, at least your passport will not be taken. You cannot come back to the country without your passport.
When planning a trip to a foreign country with children, try immersing them in the culture with a lot of information about the destination prior. You can easily accomplish this by buying books about it, movies that feature the places, etc. This can help them get excited about the trip.
Sometimes staying away from home during travel can be stressful because of new surroundings. Bring along a few comfort items such as your pillow or a favorite family photo. These items will make unfamiliar accommodations seem more friendly. If you need to block out unfamiliar noises, request a fan or set a radio so all it plays is static.
If you’re flying with a lap baby, ask if there is an empty seat before you board. If an empty seat is available, airline staff will often let you bring your car seat on board. This can provide a safer and more comfortable trip for you and your child.
A great traveling tip is to collect as many different restaurant menus as you can when you’re traveling abroad. Collecting local restaurant menus can be a great way to get a souvenir. You can also use them as future reference if you ever return to the same location.
Talk to any road warrior and they can tell you both stories of great trips and disaster journeys. Some of the things they have learned have been shared in this article. Keep these tips in mind in preparing for your future travels, and you are sure to come home with great memories rather than headaches.
