Traveling with a large group of friends can make for a really amazing vacation. There is nothing better than going on vacation with friends, and there are lots of travel destinations that can accommodate large groups. This article will give you some ideas for maximizing your fun on your next group adventure.
Before travelling, make sure you check the projected weather for your destination. You don’t want to be stuck with nothing but winter clothes during a heat wave or only shorts and tank-tops during a blizzard. Purchasing new clothing while on vacation may not only be expensive, but you might not have room in your luggage to take everything home with you!
Search for discounts for all of your travel arrangements. Taking a trip provides you unlimited areas to save money in. In everything from the flight, to the rental car, to a walking tour of the city, discounts abound. Search online taking advantage of packages and check what deals are available to you through your credit cards and memberships.
Use websites that allow you to name your own price on hotel rooms for your next overnight stay. You can save a considerable amount of money by doing this. You won’t be able to know ahead of time what hotel will accept your bid, but the savings more than make up for it.
If you travel a great deal for work, the constant change of venue and planes can be exhausting. Make it a bit easier on yourself by always requesting the same seat when you book a flight (“9A, please, or right over the wing.”) Actually, over the wing is a good spot because the plane tends to be most solidly anchored and less susceptible to vibration. That way, you will feel as though you’re sitting in “your” seat on the same plane back and forth, and you’ll also be accustomed to working in that particular position (window at your left, etc.)
You always want to make sure there is a barf bag accessible to you. People can become nauseous and throw up at the drop of a dime on an airplane. Even if you are not feeling ill, you never know how the person sitting next to you is going to react to the turbulence.
Driving far in a car means consistently changing radio stations for ones that a clear. To solve this, make CDs or tapes with all of the group’s favorite songs so you can jam happily without distracting yourself by trying to find a clear station while driving. This also allows for you guys to listen to music non-stop rather then sit and wait for commercials to end.
If you have young children and are planning to fly, you should remember that they will need something to help “pop” their ears when the plane is taking off and landing. You can bring gum, or if you child swallows gum, tootsie rolls are the perfect alternative, as they can be chewed just long enough to help.
If you are interested in international travel but you can’t afford it, consider volunteering to work at with an international charity. Many charities will allow you to live for free at an overseas location, in exchange for your work at one of their facilities, such as a hospital, school or nursery.
Travel agencies can sometimes clear out a specific airline or hotels inventory. Look in your local paper or other local publications for specials and sales. Sometimes these can be a great way to take a getaway on a budget. There will be limited amounts of these available, so act fast.
Always look up recent reviews to the travel destinations and hotels that you plan on visiting. The more reviews a place has, the more reliable it is and the easier you can figure out if the place is one you want to stay at. If the review has photos, even better. Pictures tell more than words can, most times.
Shopping for airline tickets online isn’t always the best deal. In general, you will find the same price by buying online as you will from the airline itself or from agencies. At times you can find great airline deals online but they are limited and contain restrictions. If you don’t mind the limits, buying your tickets online may be for you.
When traveling with a baby, use the hotel’s coffee machine to sterilize your bottles. Wash all the different parts to the bottles using soap and hot water. Plug up the sink and place all the bottle items in it. Allow the coffee machine to fill with water and then turn it on. Wait for the water to heat up and then pour the hot water over the bottles, nipples and rings. Repeat as necessary, completely covering the items with the water. Let them soak for at least five minutes, and your baby will have a sanitary bottle to drink from.
When you plan to stay in a hotel, bring some candles along. It will add a pleasant aroma to your room. Bringing travel candles along with you on vacation will help the smell of your room, add a romantic ambiance and help you get some well needed rest. There are small candles that do not drip wax.
When packing your luggage, use your extra shoes to hold small items such as socks, jewelry, toiletries, or electronics chargers. The space inside the shoes would otherwise be wasted space. This can also help to keep you more organized if you know, for example, that all of your prescriptions medications are in your shoes.
You may get angry if travel plans fall through. Flights can be delayed or the right car may not be available. Only two people can deal with these issues, which are you and your agent. Each party has an interest in getting the matter resolved, but it can be hard not to let frustration get out of control. Try to maintain your focus at this time. This will make for an easier resolution and less stressful trip.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, there is nothing better than going on a trip with a big group of friends. Traveling with a group opens the door to many different activities that are sure to be a great time. Apply the advice from this article for maximizing your fun the next time you and your friends travel.