Deciding where and how to travel can pose a few difficult questions and problems, even to the most savvy international traveler. This article describes a few sure-fire ways to book accommodations, plan trips, conduct business meetings on the road, and generally make the most of your sojourns outside the country.
Always carry an updated color photo of your child with you. This will come in handy if they are ever lost. Even the thought of losing your child is one of the most terrifying experiences you can have. It can happen to even the most diligent parents. If you have a picture of your child on you then this can come in handy if they ever end up getting lost.
If you’re worried about travelling alone, especially if you’re a female, you should consider taking some self-defense classes before you go. This way you can learn basic ways to get away from a mugger or rapist in the event that you need to. Most areas have a few schools that teach self-defense at reasonable rates.
If you are traveling in a poorer country, consider purchasing a large woven sack, like the type used to transport potatoes or other vegetables. Put your bag into this sack, and it is protected from dust, bugs, and moisture. It also nicely camouflages your possesions against thieves, as they will see a bag of farm goods instead of a tourist’s bag.
One factor that may not come to mind right away when planning travel is weather. By looking up the weather forecast ahead of traveling, or possibly even before deciding when to travel one will know what to expect. If the weather looks bad, it can be prepared for or the trip even rescheduled.
During the winter, in particular, it is smart to keep a couple of blankets, some boots, some matches and a large candle, in the trunk of your vehicle. These could come in very handy if you happen to skid off the road and find yourself lodged in a snow bank with no chance of immediate rescue.
If you melt down your hotel-supplied ice, you can have filtered water for your coffee in the morning. Tap water rarely tastes good, so place ice in the bucket for overnight melting. The next morning, you can brew your coffee with this filtered water.
Always check out a visitor’s center near your destination. They often have a lot of pamphlets on different attractions. A lot of these will even have coupons inside to get a discount. So not only will you find things to do, but you can save money while you do them!
Do not inadvertently recline onto someone. Always check to see what the person behind you is doing, and politely ask if you can recline before doing so. Reclining your seat without warning results in spilled drinks, broken laptops, and injured passengers, so you may want to make sure that they aren’t doing anything important.
If you are interested in traveling comfortably on your vacation, don’t be afraid to upgrade your seat. Most airlines are combining traditional business class and coach seats by offering “premium economy” options. They have larger seats and better legroom, but they often do not cost as much. You can also try to upgrade your seat just before boarding, but you won’t know about the availability of the upgrades if you check in to your flight online.
When you are traveling, try to pack everything in one carry-on bag. Airlines have started charging for things that they used to include in the price of your ticket, including checked bags, snacks and entertainment. There are two airlines that do not charge you to check bags, but they often have long waits at their baggage areas. You’ll save time and money if you can keep everything in a single bag.
Be sure to acquire travel insurance prior to taking a big trip, especially if your vacation is in a foreign country or includes adventurous activities. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your health. Travel insurance can cover you for any medical evaluations, issues or procedures necessary while you are traveling.
When going on vacation with younger kids, try to get a room where it would be easy to eat in. This will make it easier on you and the kids. After a long drive to the destination, the last thing they want to do is sit still and eat. It is nice to be a bit free, even during meal time.
If you are traveling to a hotel that requires payment for internet access, get a room on the first floor. Hotels are located around many establishments that offer free wifi, like cafes or book stores. While a room on a higher floor can not pick up their signals, a first or second floor room should be able to access them.
While they can be bulky to pack, sleeping might be more pleasant on your own pillow. Traveling can mess up your sleep pattern so having your own pillow brings a bit of comfort to a strange location. If you are driving this is easy to do. When flying, try bringing it in your carry on, as you may want to sleep on the flight as well.
Pillow cases can serve many functions during your trip, so bring one or two. If you need a bag for laundry, grab the pillow case. If you need a towel for a quick clean up and none are available, grab your pillow case. If you need a clean or more comfortable pillow case, you just happen to have one available.
By adopting the foregoing strategies, you can make sure that your trips never disappoint. Whether you find yourself worrying about airline rates, ground transportation, hotel fees or any array of other complications, this article can guide you into making the right choices for your particular trip. Have fun, be safe and remember these tips.
