Take a break from your daily routine and plan an amazing vacation by yourself or with your family. These tips contain everything you need to know to be prepared, save money and have a great time. Get ready ahead of time and make sure you enjoy your vacation.
When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.
If you are staying in a country with a high crime rate, treat even your hotel room as suspect. Place a piece of furniture in front of the door to prevent midnight break-ins. Also check that that windows lock securely. You never know which hotel owners might get a kickback from local crime gangs.
When booking flights for travel, always select your specific seat in advance. This ensures that you will get the seat you want, be it aisle, window, or emergency exit row. It also helps prevent you from getting bumped to standby in the event of an overbooking, since your seat assignment is locked in.
If the hotel chain you will be staying at offers a loyalty program, join up. Even if you’re only planning on staying one or two nights, there are many perks to these programs. On the top of the list, is the fact that loyalty members are less likely to get bumped, if the hotel overbooks.
If you know you have to fly, do yourself a favor and wear shoes requiring minimal effort to take off. Don’t pick that day to wear your eyelet wingtips with hard-to-tie laces. Women can wear clogs or slip-ons; men should choose a casual shoe style that can be easily slipped on and off with one hand.
Spend more money on a better hotel than the one that’s cheap, but may be in a bad area. Cheap prices draw customers, but remember they also draw shady people too. Spend a few dollars extra and book a hotel that is in a better area with better reviews to boot.
Choosing the right time to leave can make a big impact to how your trip starts out. By choosing a time to travel that will guarantee that the roads will be mostly clear of people one can avoid traffic. This makes a big difference especially when taking a road trip over a long distance.
Keep your wallet in your front pocket, and wrap a rubber band around it. Both of these tactics will allow you to feel if someone is attempting to steal your wallet. Keeping it in your front pocket is a big deterrence anyway, because it is more difficult for you to be distracted.
Carry a mini notebook with you wherever you go. It is much easier to write the name of your destination and have someone understand you, than it is to make wild gestures while trying to say a difficult town name. Carry the notebook and write in it when you feel necessary. You will be much better understood.
If you want to make conversation with the locals, learn a little magic trick. Magic is something that is almost universally understood. If you perform a tiny trick for someone, you will open the door to having an actual conversation with the person. Simple tricks are easy to learn, so look one up!
When traveling by car in the winter it is important to make frequent rest stops. Driving in the winter is more tiring than driving in the summer. You will want to make time to stop to stretch your legs. Taking a few minutes from driving will make a great amount of difference in improving your alertness behind the wheel.
Joining a travelers club like AAA will help keep money in your pocket through discounts and specials. Many hotels, restaurants and other organizations will offer moderate to steep discounts to members of travelers clubs. With little research and questioning, you can target companies that offer these discounts and save a bundle.
If you are traveling in a car, bring a roadside geology book with you. They have a variety of maps, mileage logs and geologic primers that will make your trip a little more interesting. They also contain beautiful collections of photographs that will make the scenery around you come to life.
When traveling with small children, try to bring some food, drinks, and snacks that they enjoy. Most children do not like the food and drinks that the airline offers. Also, make sure to bring toys, games, and activities that they will enjoy for the whole flight so they will be entertained.
Traveling is not only an enriching experience, but a frustrating one sometimes as well. Whether for business or pleasure, you have to come prepared. Making a list before you go can be very beneficial. Make sure you know the weather of the place you’re going and pack accordingly. Also read up on the prohibited items list at the airport of your choice as it can be a bummer to have to leave something behind.
A great travel tip if you’re planning on taking a cruise it to book a room with a balcony. Even though a room with a balcony is a bit more expensive, it’s definitely worth it. There’s nothing more romantic than gazing at the open sea from your own balcony.
Make sure to get your credit cards in order while traveling. Check your limits and meticulously stay below them- Americans have been arrested for accidentally exceeding their card limit while traveling abroad. Also be sure to know in advance how to report a stolen card; an 800 number will not work overseas, so you’ll need to know an international number.
The quality of a vacation is greatly influenced by how well prepared and informed you are. Reading these tips is just the beginning and you still have some work to do. You should still learn as much as possible about where you are going and be sure to make your reservations on time. Enjoy your vacation!
