Whether your trip is last-minute or an exotic journey with months of planning, the small details can determine how much enjoyment you get from the trip. The suggestions found in this article will help you gain a better travel experience.
When traveling abroad, rather than doing local currency exchanges, use ATMs to make withdrawals. The banks generally have access to superior exchange rates. The amount will vary; however, this can save you a lot of money.
Be aware of people pretending to be officials in a foreign country. Do not ever give someone your passport; they may steal it. If you are asked to travel to any offices, insist on walking. Do not get into a vehicle with someone that you do not know.
When you go overseas, be careful of the taxis you take. You want to ensure it is a real taxi. It doesn’t take much to place a “taxi” ad on a vehicle, but you really don’t know who you might be dealing with or what their intentions are.
If you absolutely cannot leave “Fluffy” at home, find a vacation that will let you bring her! Vacations that are pet friendly are becoming quite popular, and many hotels even offer special deals for those traveling with their furry companions. These include cat spas, dog daycare centers and pet-friendly cruises. Do the necessary research ahead of time to find these places, and you and your pet will have a wonderful time!
Door Stopper
A fine safety idea is to pack a door stopper in your luggage for hotel stays. You may need extra security at night at your hotel, especially when traveling to less developed countries. If the door on your room doesn’t have an extra deadbolt or chain in addition to the main lock, place the door stopper beneath the door before you head to bed.
Always go out of your way to tip any bell station and housekeeper appropriately. People generally recommend a buck per bag for the bellhop and $2-5 per day for the maid. Doing so will ensure that you have a nice relationship with both during your hotel stay.
Try keeping everything together. Don’t spend too much time searching for common travel items. Try buying a type of plastic bin and keeping all the traveling items in a single spot. If it can fit under your bed, that it is even better.
Make sure you keep a matchbook, business card or some other small item from the hotel when you’re going out. This one little item can save you and get you back to where you need to be in case you get lost in a foreign land. This is especially useful if you don’t speak the language fluently.
They can provide you with some amazing vistas and a level of plant life most people have never experienced. Visiting the desert for the first time can be an especially exciting adventure; it’s something you should do at least once during your lifetime, just to experience the awe and wonder of the desert.
When traveling on the road with kids, take along some cookie sheets. These sheets make a great flat surface for kids to color on or play cards. You can also bring magnets to play with on them.
Contact Information
You always want to be prepared for unexpected emergencies when traveling, such as losing a passport. The State Department has contact information on the website for your destination’s U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Dept. of State has a website at usembassy.state.gov that has contact information fro the US Embassy our consulate in foreign country of your destination. This information should be with you at all times. Usually, you can get a replacement within a couple days.
If you are visiting a country in a different time zone, you may experience fatigue. It cannot be entirely avoided, but getting lots of sleep before your trip can definitely mitigate things. Additionally, sleep during the flight as much as possible.
Bring non-liquid snacks on plane rides. Fresh fruit and the like will help to make the flight more enjoyable and keep hunger at bay. You’ll save a lot by staying away from the pricey airport food, and you’ll have something to talk about with your seatmates when you pull out your awesome snacks.
Plan for stops when traveling by car. You may encounter long stretches of highway with no gas station in site. When planning your route, look for possible service stations that will be able to service your vehicle. Keep those numbers on hand for quick reference.
The best way to ensure that your plane leaves on time is to take the earliest flight possible. Airports tend to be at full capacity, so one plane delay creates a chain reaction throughout the day. Early morning flights are far less likely to be delayed.
When you plan to use air travel, make sure your children are seated far from the aircraft’s aisle. Either you or other responsible adult should be between the child and aisle. You don’t want your little one sticking their arms and legs out, because it could be dangerous for the crew. Your child could also get hurt if they get hit by a cart. Plus, it makes it more difficult for them to run around in the aisles if you are blocking their access to the aisle.
If your road trip involves children, have plenty of snacks available. You should pack more than you think they will eat. This will keep them busy and happy so that they won’t cause too many problems on the trip. You can even make an exception to your junk food policy if you would like.
As previously stated, whether you travel a long way or a short way, you can plan things out to enjoy your trip. Use the advice found above, and your trip can be a true joy.