Travel can be one of the most rewarding experiences that you ever grant yourself. There is so much to see out there and so much to learn. However, it’s smart to be prepared before you embark on any kind of travel adventure. Having the correct documents ready is just the first step.
When traveling, it’s important to pack light. Pack items within other items (rolled-up socks and underwear inside your shoes, for example). If possible, bring knitted or microfiber garments that you can roll up tightly in your bag. Always bring clothes you can wash in the hotel sink and hang to dry if necessary. Roll all garments instead of folding.
Many out of the way destinations are often overlooked for vacations. For example, while St. Thomas in the Caribbean is incredibly popular, with very little extra effort one can make a trip to Vieques off of Puerto Rico instead. It has many of the same amenities, is much less crowded, and will make your vacation seem much more special!
Before leaving on a trip, find out and write down the addresses of the American embassies in the countries you’ll be visiting. While the embassy is not a traveler’s aid office, they can help you if your passport is stolen or if you find yourself in some kind of unexpected legal trouble while overseas.
When traveling in countries with unsafe tap water, remember other ways that you might be exposed. Close your mouth when using the shower and brush your teeth only with treated water. If you make tea or coffee with the water, allow it to boil for several minutes before steeping. Even a small exposure can make you very ill.
If you plan on traveling with young children, make sure to stop often on the way there and back. Explain them in details where you are going, and how long it will take to go there. Prepare some activities to keep them busy during the trip, such as coloring books.
No matter what your intentions are, you should always join the airlines frequent travel club. Even if you never fly again, you may receive a perk just for joining. On the other hand, you may fly with them a few times and you will receive benefits every time that you do.
Don’t spend your money in local cheap gift shops. Find out what your travel location is famous for, and invest in a quality item or two. While, gift shops may be more affordable, they build on the idea that tourists don’t know what they’re buying and take advantage of it. You are usually sold items that are poorly manufactured and are sure to fall apart once you get home. To avoid being swindled by locals, invest in something of quality.
If you are traveling to a hot country, remember to pack insect repellent. Insect bites can be not only annoying. They can be also painful, and many countries won’t stock the industrial-strength repellent available back home. While abroad, apply a liberal amount of insect repellent as night approaches to ensure you get an undisturbed sleep.
Young children benefit from having their own personal bag when traveling. A small backpack is fine and the more choice they have in what to put into it the more entertained they will be on the trip. Always take pencils, paper, and crayons. Tuck in a map of your destination, maybe a hand held video game, a set of ear phones, and a snack or too. Another invaluable inclusion in these bags is a package of baby wipes.
If vacationing in an area you’ve never visited before, try to find a local to give you some information about the area. Major tourist attractions are always well marked and you’ll have no problem finding them, but learning about some local favorites can make your trip much more memorable and personalized.
If you will be on a long trip, be sure to pack a raincoat, specifically one with soft lining. Many times it is very difficult to predict how the weather will turn out. You can also use it as a robe or windbreaker.
If you want to get the best price on a cruise vacation, either book your cruise early or at the very last moment. With booking early, you get the widest selection of accommodations plus you save 25 to 50 percent off the published price for each traveler. With booking at the last moment, you will not have the best choice of cabins but you can sometimes save more than 50 percent off the published price of your cabin.
Use melted hotel ice to get filtered water for your morning coffee. If you are worried about the taste of tap water, melt a bucketful of ice overnight. When you wake up in the morning you will be able to brew fresh coffee with decent tasting filtered water.
Bring several clothespins! One of the notorious issues with hotels is the fact that their curtains never close all the way. To prevent that beam of light from hitting you in the wee hours of the morning, simply pin the curtains shut before you head to bed. It’s a cheap and effective way to better your sleep.
Drink plenty of water. Many doctors say that the primary reason people get sick on long flights is dehydration. Cabin air is very dry and in an enclosed space, germs travel much easier. Protect yourself by staying hydrated by drinking lots of water and juice and you may stave off the cold that the woman, three rows back is sporting.
In conclusion, make certain you are armed with the proper information for your trip and your destinations. Travel will be so much more rewarding if you avoid any negative incidents that could crop up along the way. Preparation and knowledge are key ingredients to having a wonderful travel experience.
