There’s nothing better than getting away and experiencing new sights and activities, but traveling often presents stressful demands. Use these tips to travel and have a great time.
To prevent injury or illness from ruining your trip, check that your medical insurance policy applies when you are away from home – especially if you are planning a trip abroad. If you find out that you are not covered, don’t worry. Check with your travel agent or online for vacation insurance.
When traveling to a country outside of North America and Western Europe, carry cash or pre-purchased traveler’s checks. You cannot count on your credit or debit card to work the same way it does at home, nor is there any guarantee of access to ATMs. Converting your money or buying traveler’s checks before you leave also protects you against unscrupulous money changers.
Bring an empty water bottle. We all know that bringing a full bottle of water through security is a big no-no. If you don’t want to be stuck paying a premium for bottled beverages after security, bring along your own empty bottle to fill at a water fountain. If the tap water is less than appealing to you, bring a single serve packet of drink mix to add to the bottle.
Traveling light can make the difference is a great vacation and a tortuous experience. Think about it. If you don’t take it with you can almost always buy it there. There are exceptions of course but even with those just a little bit of thought while packing can greatly reduce your load and make your trip much more enjoyable.
Count doors before you count sheep. When you arrive at your hotel, count the number of doors between your room and the stairs. In case of a fire with heavy smoke, you will be able to feel along the wall and know when you’ve reached the exit. This most likely will not happen, but, as always, you’re better safe than sorry.
Flexibility pays when it comes to booking your plane ticket! If your arrival or departure dates aren’t set in stone, you can often times find better deals on tickets. Likewise, if you’re willing to depart from a variety of airports in the area, you can often save big bucks.
Always look up recent reviews to the travel destinations and hotels that you plan on visiting. The more reviews a place has, the more reliable it is and the easier you can figure out if the place is one you want to stay at. If the review has photos, even better. Pictures tell more than words can, most times.
When you are traveling by plane, consider bringing bottled water and hand sanitizer in your carry-on bag. Sanitize your hands after you wash them in the plane’s bathroom and make sure to drink as much water as possible. Both of these things will help to keep you from getting sick. Also remember not to touch your face and not to get ice included with your drinks. The water on planes has a lot of bacteria.
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.
If you have diabetes and are traveling, plan ahead. Get a doctor’s note explaining that you have diabetes or wear a medical alert bracelet. Take enough insulin with you and even some extra, if possible. Pack snacks, such as juices, peanut butter and sugar cubes or packets, for emergencies. Dress in comfortable and loose clothing and shoes.
Try to look into getting a suitcase alarm for your personal belongings. This way, if anyone tries to steal your luggage or bags when you are not looking, an alarm with go off, alerting you of the potential theft. These alarms are not expensive and are easy to find.
Make your own soundtrack for your road trip. This way you don’t have to worry about relying on the radio while you drive.
When traveling with an infant, pack a change of clothes in your carry on bag for both the baby and yourself. Messy spills or diapers are bound to happen. When they do, your baby might not be the only one who needs to be changed. Having clothes handy will make both of you more comfortable in the event of an accident.
The logistics involved in planning and executing a vacation can make you question why you wanted to take the vacation in the first place; but once you are there and experiencing the fun of your vacation getaway, you will be glad that you read and implemented these tips for putting together a great vacation.
