Travel is something we all look forward to. It is a break in the monotony of every day life. It is a chance to relax and live stress free for a week or two, away from work and all responsibilities. Here is some advice for the next time you go on vacation.
When traveling, it’s important to pack light. Pack items within other items (rolled-up socks and underwear inside your shoes, for example). If possible, bring knitted or microfiber garments that you can roll up tightly in your bag. Always bring clothes you can wash in the hotel sink and hang to dry if necessary. Roll all garments instead of folding.
When flying, always have a bottle of water handy. Drinking plenty of fluids will ensure that your body stays hydrated during the flight. The air inside the cabin is extremely dry, playing havoc with your body. Don’t substitute alcohol or caffeine for water, as this can make dehydration worse.
Make use of social media when traveling and when planning your trip. Many blogs and online forums have first-hand reviews of the locations you’d like to visit, plus you can ask people directly about their experiences. In addition, if you use sites that allow you to update your status, your friends might have good suggestions on what to do next.
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.
Allow a family member access to your travel itinerary. That way, someone at home will know where are are at all times. Maintain contact via the Internet to ensure someone is always aware of your plans. They won’t worry if you stay in touch with them.
Remember, when traveling abroad it is better to avoid drinking the local tap water. Most visitors will be unaccustomed to the local water, and can get quite ill. It’s much easier to go to the local supermarket or grocery store, and buy bottled water instead. It cuts down your chance of sickness, as bottled water is usually produced to the highest of standards.
Tired of the same boring road trip? Next time you have to pack up and go to an out-of-town event, try something different. After you map your main driving route, pick a few random places off the beaten path to stop at along the way. It could be a small mom-and-pop diner, a state park or maybe your first visit to a comic book store. Not only will this break up your drive, you will have added memories to keep forever.
As you make your travel arrangements, consider renting a vacation home from the residence’s owners. There is a large selection of properties online, and owners are usually very willing to negotiate the price of the home. At a hotel, the employees can’t always authorize those types of changes to the rate. Always ask for references and make sure that you look at a lot of pictures of the home before you book your vacation.
Making a photocopy of your passport before your trip can save you from trouble on your travels. If you happen to lose your passport while traveling internationally, take the copy to your embassy. Having a copy handy will help expedite getting a replacement.
When trying to adapt to a different time zone quickly, stay up until 8pm or later. Even if you are tired, the earlier you go to bed, the more difficult it will be to get settled into your new time zone. Do your best to adjust to the new time as quickly as you can, so your jet lag will fade and you can enjoy your vacation.
When you plan on hiking during your trip, avoid doing so alone as it can be unsafe, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Do not rely on what knowledge or skills you think you may have. Remember you are responsible for yourself and anybody who is with you, so be smart and cautious.
For those travelers that are extremely paranoid about the invasion of bedbugs, check out the online Bed Bug Registry. It is where other travelers have taken the time to report the hotels that they have stayed in that have had bed bugs. You will learn what hotels have had bed bug problems so you can avoid them.
If you are traveling with children, purchase disposable cameras for them. They do not cost a lot of money, and they will keep your child busy throughout the trip. Ask your kids to snap pictures of anything they want to remember from the trip, and you may end up with some pretty interesting pictures.
A great traveling tip is to be aware of the value of the currency that you’re using so that you leave an appropriate tip whenever you need to. This sounds like common sense but many people make the mistake of leaving a poor tip because they forgot they were dealing with a foreign currency. A good tip will result in better service.
Taking photos of your luggage can be a lifesaver if you lose any of it. In the event that you lose your luggage at an airport, it can be very difficult to describe how it looks and how it is different from all of the other luggage bags! Also, if you are traveling to a foreign country with a language you do not speak, it can be downright impossible to describe your luggage without a picture.
Taking a trip is something that is always fun because it is a new place and a new experience. Oftentimes, it is a vacation from work or from our kids. With the right amount of money and a little bit of research, you can have the best trip of your life and hopefully, this article provided the knowledge. Now you just have to get the cash.
