Traveling away from home can be, equally scary or delightful. On the one hand, it can mean leaving the comforts of home and security of knowing the area you are in. On the other hand, travel means getting to see new places and do new things. The outcome of a trip is often determined by the preparation and knowledge going in. This article has tips to help you sway the outcome of your pending travel before you set one foot out the door.
When traveling, whether it’s for a day or a month, don’t advertise your absence on social media sites. If you do, this lets people know that you’re going to be away from home and that most likely your house will be empty. This significantly raises your chances of being robbed while you’re out of town.
Walk when you can. To keep your ankles from swelling and your joints from getting sore, stand up and walk whenever you get a chance. On the plane, get up and go to the bathroom or walk the aisle, once every hour. If you have a layover, opt to take a few laps of the terminal, rather than just sitting at your gate.
When picking a destination, remember to know the lay of the land before you go. You can do some research online or ask people that you know, who have been to the particular destination that you will be travelling to. If you have an idea of what you want to do at your destination, before you even get there, it can help your whole travel experience to be much smoother.
When packing luggage for your trip, store your socks in shoes. If you are packing more than one pair of shoes for your trip, save space back packing your socks and pantyhose inside them. Socks and pantyhose can take up a surprisingly large amount of space in your suitcase if packed separately.
Going on a cruise can be an appealing way to travel for those who want to visit many different locations. They can do so without having to drive themselves or have the hassle of different planes and/or trains. Cruises also have the added benefits of having many quality places to eat, and lots of entertainment, ensuring a good trip.
Always remember to tip housekeepers and bellboys. The bell boy should get a bare minimum of $1/bag, and housekeeping should get at least a couple dollars a day. This will increase the quality of service in your hotel and make your stay more enjoyable.
Young children benefit from having their own personal bag when traveling. A small backpack is fine and the more choice they have in what to put into it the more entertained they will be on the trip. Always take pencils, paper, and crayons. Tuck in a map of your destination, maybe a hand held video game, a set of ear phones, and a snack or too. Another invaluable inclusion in these bags is a package of baby wipes.
A laptop or an Internet capable smart phone is one of the best travel tools you can take with you. By having the ability to go online you have all the maps and other resources you need right at your fingertips. You can research destinations, motels, and attractions while you are on the road.
In you’re on a cruise and you start to experience seasickness, have the room service bring you some green apples and crackers. Both of these are great for soothing your stomach and can sometime be better than medications. And they’re also tasty and won’t leave you with a foul taste in your mouth like some seasickness meds.
Even if you don’t have a digital music player, bring headphones on your flight. Many airlines have in-flight entertainment systems that are free to use but require headphones. Instead of paying $5 for the crummy airline headphones, bring your own and enjoy your flight in comfort and style.
If you enjoy visiting the gorgeous National Parks and plan to do so often, consider investing in an affordable National Park Pass. Each pass costs only 50 dollars and is valid for an entire year at any national park.
When traveling by air with small children, pack a couple of toys that they have never seen before in your carry on baggage. Traveling can be stressful and difficult for a very young child. A couple of new toys can provide a much needed distraction. It also helps to prevent that over tired, or over anxious, crankiness that children sometimes experience.
Staying longer can equal bigger savings. Airlines will offer better rates on round trip tickets based on the amount of time between flights. Hotels as well may offer discounted room rates for three or more days with them. Hotels can offer these rates since a booked room is generating more income than an empty room.
When your travel plans involve a road trip, allocate a “stop” card to each member of your family. You can’t get out at every place that looks fun, but each member of your family should have an equal voice in deciding what attractions you see. If you give each person one “stop” card a day, they know that when they pull it out the family will stop to check out the attraction. This reduces arguing and is fun for the entire family.
To make traveling abroad a stress free experience, make sure to carry copies of your necessary documents. Immigration will ask for your passport, visa and intent of leaving as you exit the plane to enter the country of your destination. You are also required to have proof of where you will be staying. It is important to have back up in case you lose anything while traveling.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, the success of a trip is often determined before you even leave. Keep the helpful hints you read here, in mind, as you prepare for your next journey. With this advice at your disposal, you’re likely to create trips that you return from, with smiles.
