Whether you are leaving town for a weekend getaway, or heading off to a foreign location for weeks on end, traveling brings with it a certain amount of worries and trepidations. Hopefully the ideas we have for you here will help to put your mind at ease, and lead to happier, safer trip.
When traveling, pack plenty of snacks and munch on them throughout the day. Snacks that keep you fuller longer are best. Some good ideas are almonds, dried fruit, cashews, whole wheat crackers, and beef jerky. When you pack snacks that fill you up, you spend less money on meals. Additionally, it sustains your energy so you can do more sight-seeing during the day.
When you are traveling to a foreign country, learn something about its customs ahead of time. It will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes in local etiquette. It can also help you understand and appreciate the culture a little better. In a way, you will be representing your country in a foreign land, so you would want to make a good impression.
If you are traveling to an area that has a liquid-restriction on all liquids you might be packing, invest in bar shampoos and tooth powder. Believe it or not, you can actually find bar shampoo and toothpaste available in powder form online. These items are a great way to get around liquid-restrictions.
Make sure you carry a bottle of water with you. Whether you find yourself out in the wilderness or in a bustling city, having a bottle of water on your person at all times is never a bad idea. These are especially easy to keep handy if you carry a purse.
If you are traveling in an unknown territory, you can check out reviews of restaurants and hotels online. Having access to the internet on your smartphone, can be a really useful thing when deciding what hotel to spend the night in or where to dine. This can help you avoid bad areas and neighborhoods or really low rated restaurants.
You have several insurance options when traveling. When you book a trip, you should decide, first of all, what kind of traveler you are and your appetite for risk, and then determine which policy or policies you should purchase to cover contingencies on your trip. The sooner you make these insurance decisions after booking, the less money you will pay and the more options you will have. You may buy trip cancellation insurance, a popular option; insurance against loss of your luggage; insurance against medical emergencies; or even weather contingency insurance.
Traveling to foreign lands can be fun, but make sure you don’t go at it alone. A good piece of advice is not to travel alone. Many people tend to get caught up in the wonders of being a tourist, but forget that the locals may not be as kind as they think they are. The world is vast and not everyone is nice. Traveling with someone else or going as a group, prevents you from being the target of the next crime.
If you travel a lot then you could save money by purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. Buying travel insurance for every single trip you take can be expensive and take up a lot of time. If you take more than 5 trips per year, consider investing in an annual travel insurance policy to save both time and money.
Don’t get slammed with phone bill shock when you return home from traveling. Make a quick call to your service provider about what to expect when using your cell at your travel destination. Adjust your rate plan temporarily in accordance can save you massive headaches when that wireless bill arrives.
Travel “green” by traveling by train instead of by plane. Train rides not only offer scenic views, but there will be not long security lines or lost luggage. For example, if you are traveling to Europe or Asia, they offer great rail travel that will allow you to save money and explore multiple places one trip.
When renting a car, be aware of the charges the rental companies set. There are generally four basic rates, each of them will specify if the miles are additional, given in the price or unlimited. Rates will vary depending on the the size and style of vehicle you choose. Ask about promotional rates, especially over weekends, but be sure to request these in advance.
If your schedule allows it, leave yourself one day after your vacation before going back to work. You never know what kind of surprises you will encounter when you get back home. Plus it will also allow you to transition into reality and your daily grind a little bit easier.
When you fly across time zones jet leg is very common, although there is nothing you can do to completely avoid it, if you eat light on your flight it can help. Eat lightly and avoid rich foods for the first few days of your trip that way your body can focus on getting used to your new surroundings instead of digesting a lot of food.
Any time you plan to travel, ask the hotel if they’ll give you the same rate as given to ‘locals’. You will find plenty of local hotel deals in your area because they are trying to have a full hotel. If you are friendly with a person who lives in the city you plan to visit, contact them too see if they are aware of any special deals. This approach can help you save a lot of money.
If you follow the advice we have laid out for you in this article, you should be able to take at least some of the stress out of your trip. Every trip comes with its own ups and downs and elements you can’t control, but armed with good advice and shrewd tips, you can minimize your worrying, and maximize your relaxation and fun.
