While travel can be a rewarding, fun experience, it can also be dangerous and daunting! If you’re planning a trip and aren’t sure what to expect, read on to find out what everyone should know before setting off on a trip, whether it be for vacation or another reason.
Be sure to create a list for packing. Create this list either a few months to a week before your trip. Even if you put off packing until the last minute, you can look at your list to avoid taking too much, or worse, forgetting something vital.
Get local menus online while you are traveling. There are often countless restaurants located around hotels. If you have an internet connection where you are staying, use it to look them up online. Often you can find menus on their websites. You can also find directions and relevant reviews.
Make sure to choose a type of vacation that suits your personality. If you hate being outdoors, you shouldn’t go to the beach! Personality styled vacations are becoming increasingly popular these days, with everything from adults-only cruises to geek-friendly trips. Search for a vacation that you will truly enjoy.
Be sure to pack a rubber door stopper in your bag to add a measure of safety to your room security. You may want extra security if you are staying in a country that isn’t as developed. Put a doorstop under your door if there isn’t a deadbolt.
Do not park your car at the airport. Parking lot fees can be steep and leaving your car in a parking lot for an extended period of time can make some people uneasy. Have a friend or family member drop you off at the airport. Alternatively, you can use the airport’s shuttle service.
It’s easy to get bored while waiting in airports or at bus stations. One of the best items you can carry along is a small hand held computer or a smart phone. Before the trip you can pack it with games and even books so that you will always have something to do while waiting on your ride.
Don’t rely on ribbons and bows to make your luggage stand out from the rest of the pack. These adornments can very easily be torn off in transit. Instead, opt for luggage in a bright, unusual color or vivid pattern that stands out on its own and can’t be removed.
If you are staying at a hotel while traveling, be sure to figure out where all of the emergency exits are located. You never know when there might be a fire drill or even a fire. Your map reading skills aren’t going to be at their best when you are woken by the alarm at 4 AM, so it’s better to know in advance.
When traveling, always make sure you have money and photo ID with you at all times. In the event of an emergency these two items will allow you to access resources that you need. If you take medication regularly be sure to carry a two-day supply on you as well.
Melt the ice that you get in a hotel for better quality water. Rather than using the less tasty tap water, fill up an ice bucket and allow it to melt overnight. Upon awakening in the morning, you can use that water to make fresh coffee that does not have an offensive taste.
If you really do not like packing, have a toiletry bag ready. Put all your needed bathroom items in it and just keep it prepared for travel. This way you can can cut down on time spent packing.
Travelers without children should not be too quick to judge or get angry with small children on a public mode of transportation. Traveling with children is quite stressful for the parents as well and they are usually highly embarrassed by their child’s behavior. Try to remember that you were once a child as well and if in a plane, recognize that high altitudes are quite hard on a small child’s inner ears.
Consider buying a portable shower before you travel on a road trip. You will invariably stop the car to check out a local site, and sometimes you may engage in a physically strenuous activity. Getting back in the car when you feel unclean makes it hard to relax and enjoy your trip. A portable shower allows you to feel refreshed for the next leg of your journey.
If taking a plane trip, bring snacks. Fresh snacks, especially fruit, can break up a trip and can provide a nice change to heavy airline food that often feels like a brick in your stomach. You will save lots of money by doing this too.
If you experience a problem, it is easy to get annoyed. Delays and scheduling conflicts occur every day. When this happens, only you or the travel agent can resolve the problem. You may get frustrated while trying to sort out the problem. Stay calm and be polite. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
Give your travel information (including where you are going and the name and number of the hotel where you will be staying) to multiple friends and relatives. This way, if something were to happen when you are away, it will be easy for your loved ones to get a hold of you.
When traveling on a road trip with children, be sure to pack games for the ride. The items should not weigh too much or be too difficult to clean up. Dry erase boards, cards and activity books are all excellent choices. You are much more likely to have a peaceful, enjoyable ride if your children stay entertained.
Traveling, as you now know, is a complicated task that requires careful planning and plenty of precautions. Now that you’ve read what needs to be done to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, you’re ready to get on with planning your trip. Remember to be safe and always prepared!