Everyone has that feeling when they are about to walk out the door, or sitting on a plane 10,000 feet above ground; did I leave the oven on? While traveling is a fun and relaxing experience, it also has its own myriad of stresses that we hope the following information will help you sort through and prepare for your next big trip.
When flying, be sure to wear loose fitting clothes and slip-on shoes. This will ensure that your flight is comfortable. Not only that, it won’t take as long to get through security if you can quickly take your shoes on and off. Loose clothing will allow for any short term swelling that you may experience due to air pressure in the plane’s cabin.
Bring a bag-of-fun for your kids. Make sure to have enough supplies to keep your kids entertained for the duration of the flight. There’s nothing worse than an, “Are we there yet,” ten minutes into a three-hour flight. Card games, special coloring books, and puzzles work well and, if you can afford one, pick up a portable video player. The hours of entertainment value are well worth the cost.
One of the must haves that I would suggest anyone take on a trip is baby wipes. They can be used to a variety of different ways and are perfect for on the go. You can purchase them in little packs so they can easily slip into a backpack.
The price of food in airports and on airplanes is notoriously expensive, unhealthy and of poor quality. If you have the time to spare, bring some food to eat at the airport or in the airplane, when you travel. Most drinks aren’t allowed through security, but most food is.
If you’re sensitive to the smell of cleaners (or just don’t like them!) try bringing some small candles with you on your trip. This can help mask the scent of the cleaners the maids use and the scents can also help relax you. Some scents can even sooth you and give you a better night’s sleep.
When traveling and sleeping in hotels, considering bringing along a small portable fan. This will allow you to create white noise, should you have a noisy neighbor. It can also help circulate the air in a stuffy room without needing to chill the room to uncomfortable levels using the air conditioner.
Use creative ways to beat flight baggage fees. Buying a large luggage jacket and a cabin max bag will help you to get the maximum amount of luggage onto the plane without having to pay any extra check-in costs. If you don’t want to invest in any products then consider wearing some of the clothes you want to take with you instead of putting them in your suitcase.
When it comes to exchanging your currency, it is all about location. Do not be a last minute currency exchanger running through the airport to try and get your foreign money. Airports can be a very costly source of currency exchange, and the rates may not be to your advantage. Exchanging should be one of the early things you do in your planning, as it also secures the money you intend for foreign spending.
Securing travel insurance should be a priority for your upcoming vacation. Unforeseen accidents, travel hiccups or even weather anomalies, can strike at any time during your trip. Protecting yourself with insurance can relieve much of the distress involved with these types of occurrences and give you some peace of mind.
Travel with clothespins when you are planning to stay in a hotel. Many travelers find it difficult to close the hotel curtains completely, meaning that a little bit of light comes through and wakes them up in the morning. If you have a few clothespins with you, you can pin the curtains shut and wake up when you want to.
If you’re running out of space in your luggage, try rolling up socks or stockings and stuffing them inside shoes. Anything you have that’s hollow – coffee mugs, shoes, boots, etc. – can be used to stuff things inside to give yourself a bit of extra room in your luggage.
If you are looking for a place to eat while traveling, ask your cab driver. They know of all the good local food joints that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to eat at. You can also just look to see which restaurants have cabs parked in front of them. That is a strong indication that the establishment has good food at a low price.
Before going on a road trip, make sure you have your car’s fluids checked (oil, coolant, brake fluid, ATF, windshield washer etc.) This not only saves you time by not having to do it sometime during the trip, but it can also help you avoid disastrous stalls along the way. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the middle of the road far from an auto shop during a road trip.
If you travel often on business or with your family, make sure that you get the most out of the airline miles that you accumulate over time. This can help to pay for a vacation or trip with the people that you love. Using airline miles can save you thousands of dollars.
Save money at your travel destination by employing the local mass transit, rather than taxis. You should be able to map out routes and schedules easily, if you plan in advance. Not only will you save money, but you will see your destination from the unique perspective of the locals.
We can’t promise you that nothing will go wrong on your next vacation, but if you are able to put into place the tips and advice we have given you here in this article, there should be much less that can go wrong and put a damper on your traveling adventure. Bon voyage!
