Whether making arrangements to travel by car, plane, or train, planning a recreational getaway can be very overwhelming to even the most seasoned traveler. Fortunately, there are millions of seasoned travelers who are willing to share their best travel tips and tricks to make the process more manageable and enjoyable for everyone.
If you have a pet, bring him or her with you if it is allowed. Pet-friendly vacations are growing more and more popular, and some places offer deals for pet lovers. You can go on a cruise or head out to a hotel and spa. Always check to be sure that pets are welcome before making an reservations.
To help you avoid paying excess airline baggage fees on your return trip, when you are more likely to have souvenirs to bring home, pack old clothing and shoes that you might want to give away. Then, when you are packing to come home, you can leave or donate the old clothing and shoes to make room in your luggage if necessary.
If you know you have to fly, do yourself a favor and wear shoes requiring minimal effort to take off. Don’t pick that day to wear your eyelet wingtips with hard-to-tie laces. Women can wear clogs or slip-ons; men should choose a casual shoe style that can be easily slipped on and off with one hand.
Space can sometimes be an issue when you are trying to pack too many clothes into your suitcase. Rolling your clothes up can sometimes decrease the amount of space you use. If you are concerned about your clothes getting wrinkled, roll them in tissue paper as well. This will free up important space in your luggage.
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.
Driving far in a car means consistently changing radio stations for ones that a clear. To solve this, make CDs or tapes with all of the group’s favorite songs so you can jam happily without distracting yourself by trying to find a clear station while driving. This also allows for you guys to listen to music non-stop rather then sit and wait for commercials to end.
Never put your home address on your luggage. When filling out the information card on your luggage, use your business address instead. If you do not have a business address, leave it blank. If you happen to leave your luggage somewhere, only give your contact information to the hotel or airline staff.
When traveling to a foreign country, try to learn at least a few words of the language. Knowing how to say simple phrases like “how are you”, “may I have the check”, or “where is the bathroom” can help tremendously as you navigate throughout your destination. It also helps the locals to see that you are making an effort, which may make them friendlier toward you.
Join a travel forum before you go anywhere. Select the destination that you are going and join a forum related to the area or service you are using. These people have plenty of experience in their travels and will give you helpful advice on where to go, eat and stay.
If you have a smartphone, use it to help with your travel plans, and also, as a handy tool once you arrive at your destination. You can send yourself the itinerary through email, use the GPS feature to figure out where to go, and text message your friends and family. You can also use it as an entertainment device by downloading audiobooks or games. It’s small and convenient to carry, but it can serve many functions for you.
Traveling long distance in a car with children can be challenging. Take along a variety of activities for the kids to play with such as coloring books, crayons, toys, etc. It is also fun to play games with the kids such as trying to find license plates from all the states, or playing I Spy.
Whenever you have to take along plane ride, bring along some snacks. Fresh snacks, especially a juicy apple, sweet strawberries or plump grapes, will break up your voyage and be a welcome change to the heavy airplane food that sits like a brick, inside your stomach. You can save a lot by not buying airport food, and you may have a conversation with your neighbor that is looking at your food.
Do not take any drinks that are offered to you unless it is served by a restaurant or hotel. They could be laced with drugs or other harmful substances. This is because many locals like to drug tourists or lace their drinks in order to steal from them or take advantage of them.
You should always plan on spending money to get quality things when you travel. Cheaper is not always the way to go. This is especially true when you are considering lodging and food. You will likely have a better experience if you do not go cheap on every single thing.
When packing clothes for your trips, only pack what you know you will need. If your trips are over three weeks, you should plan on having to wash while at your destinations. Regardless, you can cut back on clothes by packing ones that are multi-purpose, such as clothing that can be used for day wear and sleepwear.
If you are traveling by plane, look for the opportunity to trade books at the airport bookstore. Many are beginning to allow travelers the opportunity to leave one of their old books and pick up a new one. This service is usually free and gives you something new to read on your flight.
With so many resources available for travelers, there is no reason to let your impending trip leave you stressed out and anxious. Rather than allowing yourself to miss out on the excitement and spontaneity of a recreational trip, remember the advice in this article to make the most out of your time abroad.
