Traveling is becoming more and more accessible to more and more people. In order to make the most of your travel, though, you should learn as much as possible.
Before you leave on your trip, make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations. If you are taking any prescription medications, be sure to bring extra along just in case. There is always the chance that your departure might be delayed, and you don’t want to run out.
Staying calm and collected on board your airplane can help you avoid a major breeding ground for travel stress. Conditions are cramped and unpleasant, most flights are boring, and everyone is eager to get the ordeal over with. The way to keep these stress factors from getting to you is to focus on the fact that they are inevitable. When you eventually arrive at your destination they will melt away; try not to obsess over them on your way there.
When traveling to tropical areas, always keep your dirty laundry in a closed bag. Hotels and homes in tropical parts of the world aren’t as bug-proof as most American homes. Dirty laundry will attract insects, especially ants, meaning that clothing that was simply dirty, is now completely unwearable for the rest of the trip.
Peruse the blogosphere. Bloggers are everywhere, and there is most likely one, if not many, bloggers blogging about your destination. Their blogs are a great resource for finding information about hidden gems of the city–restaurants, hotels, attractions, and more. Don’t be shy. If you contact them, many will be happy to answer your specific questions as well.
If you are traveling to the beach or staying at a hotel with a pool, pack your swimsuit in your beach bag. It can sometimes be difficult to sort through everything you have packed. To save time, pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and anything else you might need for the beach or pool in a beach bag.
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.
If you are traveling on a plane, pack snacks that are non-liquid. Fruit, nuts or granola make excellent options. This can save you money and give you something great to eat.
When traveling with a baby or toddler, be sure to bring a blanket from home. It is nice to have something that will smell a little bit like home for your baby. Everything will be so different and new that the smell of home will be very soothing and may help calm your loved one a little bit.
When dining out during your travels, take the opportunity to choose one meal completely at random. You may wind up having the best meal of your vacation and you are sure to have a little fun in the process. If you are worried about this technique, try it on a day that you will be visiting multiple restaurants, so you can fill up somewhere else if you don’t like your dish.
Photocopy all your essential documents before leaving. Keep copies of your passport, insurance papers, and other documents in a separate place than the ones you travel with. Leave a set at home with friends or relatives as well, just in case the worst should happen.
Plan the amount of clothing you take with you, based on the length of your trip. If you plan to be traveling for several weeks, consider laundry service mid-way through your trip, to lessen the amount of clothing you need to pack. This also reduces the amount of dirty laundry you have to deal with when you return home!
Update your friends on any social networking sites you use as to the city or cities you plan on visiting during your vacation or business trip. You might get some helpful advice on the best places to eat, the best nightclubs or family entertainment in the area. See if the area you are visiting has its own page on your favorite networking site and read the comments for advice.
Safety when you travel is a bigger concern than ever. Social unrest is erupting in many places–and you do not want to be in the middle of it. So be sure to check with a consulate and/or the State Department about the place you are planning to visit. Though it was safe when you visited five years ago, it may not be now.
Make sure your passport is filled out. You need to be prepared when traveling outside the country for any possible event. Life is unpredictable. The first thing you can do to avoid delay, should you need help, is to fill out all of the emergency contact information within your passport.
If you get into any trouble overseas, your closest embassy can help you. They can call relatives for you, help with lost papers, help you with medical care, and provide you with a list of legal representatives that work in that country. They are a valuable resource when you travel.
If the trip involves taking a flight somewhere, choose to fly a less known or newer airline if they are available. You can be confident that they are built around keeping the customer satisfied. Services such as extra leg room and personal television sets are sometimes provided for free.
Consider renting a car, rather than using public transportation when traveling to a foreign country. Public transportation can sometimes be dangerous. It is full of pick pockets and thieves. If you have your own reliable transportation you will not need to worry about this problem. Just be careful when navigating the roads.
Now you have a good idea of what traveling entails, and it is time to start thinking about destinations. Travel changes just like everything else, so stay up to date on the subject.
