When it comes to travel, whether for business or just pleasure, you should always make your plans well in advance. The following techniques will help a lot.
If you know that you are going to have a long layover in a city, check what there is to do beforehand. A 3 hour layover in Washington D.C. can easily turn into a quick tour of the Washington Mall or a long sit in Minneapolis can become a quick shopping trip to the Mall of America!
Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport. You can save on cab fare and long term parking fees. Many people will be happy to perform this favor for you, especially if you are willing to reciprocate later on down the road, when they are taking a vacation.
If you plan on traveling with young children, make sure to stop often on the way there and back. Explain them in details where you are going, and how long it will take to go there. Prepare some activities to keep them busy during the trip, such as coloring books.
If you plan on traveling to a different continent, make sure you get the necessary shots before going. Your body might not be used to these foreign diseases and you would find yourself extremely weakened if you got sick, not to mention that certain diseases are lethal. Ask your doctor about what kind of shots you should get.
If you tend to travel a lot, a great thing to do is buy a postcard from every new location. Collect your postcards in a photo album (they are the same size as the average photograph) and write the dates on the back when you went there. Doing this will make your trip memorable and give you some nice pictures to look back on.
Taking a long road trip can be fun, but getting lost is not. Before starting your trip, stop by your local market and buy yourself an affordable road map. While a GPS device is great, a map will always be accurate and is much safer on the road. This will ensure that you arrive at your destination in a perfect frame of mind.
Always try the local cuisine when you visit a new destination. Part of a country or localities culture and lifestyle is in the food. You can’t completely experience these places without trying all that their food has to offer. Seek out the experience of locals and ask for their favorite lunch and dinner spots, then make several of those must-do’s of your list.
Pay special attention to the holidays of the countries you are traveling to. Different countries celebrate different holidays, and if you do not know when these are, you can give yourself a headache. Many restaurants and businesses will close on holidays, so look them up before you travel to save yourself the trouble.
As you make your travel arrangements, consider using the bidding features that are available on several websites to secure your hotel accommodations. You can bid on hotel rooms at drastically reduced prices, but you don’t know which hotel you are staying at until they charge your credit card. You can often get at least 50 percent off the regular rate of the room using this method.
Convert your money a few days before your scheduled departure. Also, confirm with your bank or credit card holder that your cards can be used when you’re traveling to a foreign country. It’s also helpful to let them know that you will be traveling so they won’t “deny” a foreign transaction. Have some traveler checks on hand that can be used internationally as well.
One thing to remember when traveling to other countries is the quality of water may be lacking; therefore, it is wise to pack some bottled water to take on your trip. Drinking water in foreign countries is usually not purified and can make you very ill. Use bottled water when you brush your teeth. Although it may seem inconsequential, you could get sick even from the small amount of water used when you brush your teeth.
Consider swapping souvenirs when you are traveling. Many people in other countries are interested in hats, shirts and a lot of other items that come from this country. If something catches your eye in a vendor’s stall, see if they would like to make a trade with you. You will also have the opportunity to talk to local people and create interesting stories for your friends and family back home.
When attempting to travel overseas, a passport is an absolute necessity for anyone. Aside from being required by law to have in possession, passports are useful, as they provide identification about you and where you are from, which can be really useful if you ever become lost in a foreign country.
When traveling, it is usually a good idea to pack your belongings the day before. This way, you can avoid the last-minute stress that causes you to rush out the door with half of your necessary items still left in the house. Save yourself some stress and pack beforehand.
If you are traveling with a baby, hide your valuables in the diaper bag. Most thieves will not think to steal your diaper bag first. If a thief does try to pick pocket your diaper bag, there are many pockets and so, your valuables can remain hidden.
Before you travel, make arrangements for pets at least two weeks in advance. Kennels and vet boarding often fills up, especially if you’re traveling on or near a major holiday. If someone is coming to your home to feed your pet, make sure they’re available in advance so you’ll have time to look into other options if your pet sitter isn’t available.
Whether you travel for work or for pleasure, you can make the most of your trip. You’ll feel less anxious since you’ll know what to expect when you get to your destination.
