Expanding your horizons with travel will inevitably widen your world view. As fun and educating as it is, it can be costly and chew up a ton of time. This below article provides some advice so that you can save as much of your money and time as you possibly can when traveling.
When you travel, it’s important to stop for the cheese as well as the big-time monuments. What that means is this: Go to Mt. Rushmore, sure. But first, you need to stop at the Jolly Green Giant Statue in Minnesota and get your picture taken. You need to actually go see the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, and Wall Drug. These places are kitschy, and that’s exactly why they’re essential. America is both a place of great beauty and great silliness, and both should be celebrated by the traveler.
There are a lot of options when it comes to travel today. If you are planning a trip to a country you have never been to before, you may want to consult with a professional travel agent. They will be able to alert you to any special information you may need such as customs, weather patters, and needed vaccinations.
If you plan to be travelling for more than a week, make accommodations for your pets. Your neighbor or sister-in-law may assure you that stopping by is not a hassle, but you should not place that obligation on them for any longer than a week. There are many kennels and vet offices that will be glad to feed, play with and even, bathe your pets.
Make arrangements for your pets while you will be away. Have a neighbor or friend come over to feed, walk and check in on them, at least once per day. They will feel more secure knowing that they will have fresh food and water and will be less stir crazy than if they were left alone for a long period of time.
While savvy travelers know that buying tickets directly from airlines saves them money, they also know that package deals from online travel agencies are an opportunity to save. By getting a single deal that includes airfare, hotel stay and car rental, a traveler can save money overall, even if certain portions of the package could be bought more cheaply on their own.
When traveling to tropical areas, always keep your dirty laundry in a closed bag. Hotels and homes in tropical parts of the world aren’t as bug-proof as most American homes. Dirty laundry will attract insects, especially ants, meaning that clothing that was simply dirty, is now completely unwearable for the rest of the trip.
You already know you can’t take drinks with you through security at the airport. But you can definitely take a water bottle as long as it’s empty. Save yourself the two dollars on water you’re going to buy immediately after you get through security – just bring an empty water bottle from home and fill up with icy-fresh fountain water once you’re through.
When you travel to visit friends or family, be a courteous guest and do not assume they will make all your sightseeing plans for you. Many people assume they are there to be entertained, which is of course an incorrect assumption and generates bad feeling. Instead, do your homework ahead of time, let your hosts know what you’re planning to do, invite but don’t oblige them to accompany you, and spend your time together in good will, knowing you are being a gracious guest.
If you want to bring back souvenirs with you, make sure you take an extra empty suitcase. You should also research ahead of time if there are any restrictions on certain products, such as alcohol. You might be allowed to bring home with you only a certain quantity of food and beverages.
If you are traveling in an unknown territory, you can check out reviews of restaurants and hotels online. Having access to the internet on your smartphone, can be a really useful thing when deciding what hotel to spend the night in or where to dine. This can help you avoid bad areas and neighborhoods or really low rated restaurants.
When making travel hotel accommodations make sure you call ahead and actually speak to someone at the hotel. Ask about their pet policy to find out if they allow pets and if they charge extra fees for pets. This enables you to choose a hotel that fits well for you whether you are traveling with pets or allergic to pets.
Plan road trips so that you do not get stuck in rush hour traffic. If it’s not possible to avoid rush hour, take a break during that time. The kids can stretch their legs or you can all eat something.
Protect your children when traveling by making sure they are prepared in case they get lost. For older children, arrange a convenient meeting place where your family can regroup if separated. Younger children should carry a card with their name, the names of their parents and a contact number. Additional information regarding medications and allergies is also helpful. Instruct your children to give the card to a police officer if they get lost.
Try not make yourself look like a tourist. Robbers will think they can take advantage of you if you are not from their country. You can make yourself inconspicuous by not taking out a map and pulling out large amounts of money. Make it look like you know where you are going.
Sometimes it is hard to stay on track with a healhty diet while traveling. There are times you may have to stop at a fast food restaurant. If so, there are a few things you can do to cut calories. First, order your burger with no cheese or condiments. Also, if possible, choose grilled meats and the salad bar.
You should now be able to use the advice form this article to help plan your next trip. Whether your destination is to a neighboring town or a foreign country, you are now better prepared. Traveling can be very interesting and you will not know what you will come across, go and do it!
