Travel presents so many options, so many opportunities for fun and memorable experiences, and very many possibilities for trouble and disappointment too. Here’s a few facts and astute tips that will help you to make your next trip a wonderful one.
Create a packing list for your trip! Between one week and three months before you leave for a trip, sit down and write down every item you are going to take with you. Even if you actually pack the stuff at the last moment, you can still be organized and avoid packing unnecessary stuff.
Buy airport carry-on sized toiletries when flying to your next travel destination. Store them in zip lock bags in your luggage and you won’t need to worry about security confiscating them.
For some the road trip is the only way to travel. If you’re going to be taking a road trip do this simple things before hand so you don’t end up stranded half way across the country. Number one, be sure to get an oil change! Number two, have your mechanic give your car a once over before you depart. The last thing you need in the middle of no where are easily preventable mechanical failures.
When traveling by plane make sure you take every precaution you can to ensure smooth travels. You first want to make sure your luggage does not exceed the maximum weight requirements by the airlines. You also want to label all of your luggage so that there is no confusion with other passengers who have similar luggage to yours.
When traveling overseas to other countries it can be very critical to know the culture of the area one is going to. This knowledge can prevent situations that may be akward, embarrassing, or even downright dangerous. Potential disasters can be avoided and one will have a better experience with the people in the area they are traveling in.
You can save a lot of room in your suitcase depending on the way you arrange your clothing. If wrinkles are not necessarily a problem upon the arrival of your destination, using the rolling method can help save many inches of square space. Simply fold your clothes into a long, narrow strip, and roll them as tightly as you can.
Rental cars come in all colors and all models. The problem is that they all look basically the same! Make sure you note your car’s precise location before you leave it in a parking lot to go into a large discount store or anywhere else where it could be lost in the sea of other cars.
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.
Double check your reservations. It may seem obvious, but there have been many cases where reservations suddenly disappeared from the databases, leaving you and your family with no place to stay. To prevent this from occurring, check with your hotel several times throughout the process to make sure that your reservation is still right where it should be.
You can save yourself a lot of time and avoid hassles by traveling as light as possible. If you just take carry-on luggage and don’t check any bags, you won’t have to waste your time standing around the baggage carousel after your flight and you’ll never have to worry about the airline losing your bags.
Be aware of the potential for bedbugs while traveling and always check the bedding as soon as you get into your room. Do not put your luggage on the bed. Bedbugs are more likely to come home with travelers that allow their bags to touch bedspreads or mattresses. Instead, place your bag on a chair or other piece of furniture that is not upholstered.
In order to get your body to get used to a different time zone, it is recommended that you do not go to bed until 8 P.M. or later. If you go to bed early, even if you’re tired, it can make your jet lag stay longer because you keep your body in sync with the time zone from home. If you can quickly adjust to the new time, you will beat jet lag.
Make plans to participate in a scavenger hunt if you are traveling on a cruise ship. When going on vacation with a large group of family or friends, take the time to divide everyone up into teams and challenge them to find items or information. Not only will you have a good time, but everyone will learn a lot about the ship.
Always make sure to book your flight as far in advance as possible. That way, you can be certain that the flight of your choice won’t be sold out. Also, if you book a flight far enough in advance, you can pick your own seat. The pickings are better if you book your flight earlier.
Check the weather for your destination prior to packing. You are sure to be able to find the information about the weather on the internet and it will help you to pack a little lighter. Many airlines will charge for luggage that weighs too much so only take what you need with you for your trip.
If you make as much preparation as you can for a trip, and you follow sensible advice (and a few notes or a task list can be indispensible) there’s no reason why you can’t avoid most of the stress that many people bring upon themselves when traveling. Be determined to enjoy your next traveling experience, and act on the advice you’ve read here.
