People worldwide enjoy traveling to different destinations. Some of the reasons people love traveling is because they get to try new food, learn about other cultures, and see different architecture. There are many tips found below which will better your travel plans.
To really get a feel for where you are vacationing, follow the locals. Many top vacation spots start to feel very generic and touristy. By asking around and finding where the people who live there hang out, you will get a more authentic feel for the area, and as a bonus, avoid the price markups that plague tourist hot spots.
When traveling internationally on a budget, consider taking flights rather than trains to your destinations. While trains are perhaps the more traditional mode of transportation for backpackers, many airlines offer discount flights that are much cheaper than train tickets. This way, you can travel to more places without adding to your budget.
If you are a woman traveling overnight on business, be sure that the blouses and underthings you wear and bring can be washed in the sink and hung up or blow-dried. Missed luggage and/or connections can mean you arrive at a hotel late at night, with only the clothes on your back to wear the next day. Lightweight, wrinkle-free polyester or microfiber blouses and tops can be washed and hung up, and will be dry in the morning, as will all your lingerie.
If you’re going on a road trip with kids, try bringing some cookie sheets along with you. They’re great to use as lap trays for eating in the car. The having the edges curved up with prevent any spills too and they’re easy to clean off quickly. You can also flip them over and the kids can use them as desks for coloring, writing, or playing a game.
For a trip to wine country or just a beach getaway, if there’s a chance you’ll be drinking wine, pack a waiter’s corkscrew. This tool will come in handy for the bottles you buy at the winery and can make picnics and hotel drinks much easier. A corkscrew can be especially difficult to buy when traveling abroad, so plan ahead and toss one in your suitcase to make life easier.
Something you should never do is place an important document in the pocket of the seat in front of you. Most likely, it will slide down to where you will not be able to view it anymore and you will forget all about it. Then you will get off the plane and realize too late that you don’t have it.
Pack a multi-tool knife in your luggage. The scissors can cut through zip ties, and the corkscrew is perfect for impromptu wine tastings. When you reach your destination and unpack, make sure this multi-purpose tool goes with you wherever you go. Don’t put it in your carry-on though, as the airline won’t allow it on your person in flight.
Challenge yourself to pack only one bag. The more bags you have, the more weighed down you will be making it harder to move from one location to the next. A great way to meet this challenge is to map out your clothing needs prior to packing, and then consider ways to mix and match clothing to do double and even triple duty.
When traveling with kids, make sure that you plan a few activities especially for them. It will make it easier for them to make it through their tenth meal at a restaurant if they will know that the next day they will be going to an amusement park to have fun.
Stay healthy while traveling by remembering not to overwork yourself. Travel itself can be a strain on your body so make sure you aren’t scheduling in activities for every waking moment of your trip. Include ample down time when trip planning so you can recharge your batteries and stay at your peak for the duration of your travels.
You should make a copy of your passport, visa, and credit cards and keep them in a safe place in your luggage. If you were to lose these important items while traveling having a copy of them can make it easier to get replacements or to cancel their services.
Make sure to crunch numbers when getting ready to invest in a car rental. Even if the trip is a tad bit less than a week, the weekly rate can still be incredibly low. So, it is suggested that you go ahead and rent the car using that rate and then turn it in early.
Stay safe when traveling by carrying a form that contains all of your medical history with you on your trip. It should include everything about your medical history such as your name, address, phone number, your parents’ numbers, your blood type, and any diseases and ailments, along with what prescriptions you are currently taking.
Ask for directions prior to leaving your hotel. Your concierge is going to be able to give you the best directions to find the places that you would like to go during your stay. If you happen to get lost while you are out, ask directions from a family or a woman with children.
For smokers who are looking at long travel times, you can chew nicotine gum or wear a nicotine patch. Although it may not be the same as actually having a cigarette, it should help to curb the urge to smoke. You can also bring lots of gum, and every time you crave a cigarette, pop a piece of gum into your mouth.
A great travel tip is to bring clothespins with you when you’re staying at a hotel. Sometimes, the curtains in hotel rooms won’t close all the way, which can make it really annoying when you’re trying to sleep and there’s a ray of light getting inside. Clothespins can close curtains for good.
As the above article mentioned, traveling can be quite enjoyable for everyone. To get the most out of your experience, careful planning is necessary. Enjoy making your travel plans by using the above advice.
