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.
Before going out to visit attractions for the day, always ask someone at the hotel for directions. You may have gotten map directions there, but those directions may take you to parts of town that are unsafe. A hotel employee will most likely be able to guide you there in a way that avoids an dangerous areas.
If you plan on traveling, remember to schedule reliable pet care in advance. If you have a small dog, you can find pet-friendly flights and hotels and bring him along. Large dogs, cats, and animals with medical problems should have a reliable pet-sitter that you can trust. Your furry friends will be grateful!
When planning to travel to a country that uses a very different language or even alphabet than your own, it’s a good idea to get precise, up to date information about exactly how to travel to hotel bookings or sites of interest ahead of time. Often, maps or travel guides won’t go into the amount of detail necessary, so make sure to have a custom map which shows everything you’ll need.
Before one is about to travel they should consider how they are going to pack. When packing one should always think about leaving one bag, suitcase, or other luggage partially empty. By leaving extra space there will always be room for more things that one may pick up while traveling such as souvenirs.
Make sure that your cell phone plan is on a national calling set up before you leave town. If you are normally on a regional or local plan, switching to a national plan, even just for the short time you will be gone, can keep you from getting charged for roaming or long distance.
When traveling outside North America, it is best to bring your own alarm clock. Most hotel rooms in less-developed areas will not supply a clock, and without one, you run the risk of missing the connection to your next destination. Sometimes these can be useful in train or bus stations as well.
If you’re going on a road trip with kids, try bringing some cookie sheets along with you. They’re great to use as lap trays for eating in the car. The having the edges curved up with prevent any spills too and they’re easy to clean off quickly. You can also flip them over and the kids can use them as desks for coloring, writing, or playing a game.
Use vacuum bags to pack more into your carry-on luggage. Trying to fit everything you’ll need for your trip into a carry-on-sized bag can be challenging. To maximize the space, try using travel vacuum bags for your clothes. You insert your clothes, zip the bag, and roll it to remove the air. Just be sure to unpack as soon as you arrive at your destination so that your clothes have time to return to their normal shape.
Not all medical insurance plans cover you when you travel abroad. When making a plan to travel to international destinations it’s a good idea to look into purchasing medical coverage for your trip. So, before you go you may want to research what kind of medical coverage is available to you and what the costs might be.
If you’re traveling with a baby and need to sterilize bottles or teething toys, wash them in hot soapy water, then stop up the sink. Heat some water in the hotel’s coffee maker (without any coffee or tea in it!) and then pour the water over the bottles or teething toys until they’re submerged. Let them sit for about five minutes and you’ll have sterilized them!
If you’re going to be going on a road trip, make sure you pack a tire repair kit! You never know where you might be when you get a flat tire and it’s better safe than sorry. If you don’t have one and have to call of tow truck you may be looking at expensive charges and a ruined trip.
Travel agencies can sometimes clear out a specific airline or hotels inventory. Look in your local paper or other local publications for specials and sales. Sometimes these can be a great way to take a getaway on a budget. There will be limited amounts of these available, so act fast.
If you are flying for several hours, pack a few snacks. Fresh fruits will boost your mood and help your digestion. Since you are taking along some tasty fresh snacks, it will save you from purchasing those expensive airport treats, and have something to share with your neighbor on the plane.
Snap a few pictures of your meals while traveling. The different foods you eat while on your vacation can be as memorable as anything else you do during your trip. Looking back at the pictures years later can be a great way to reminisce about the experience you had and will inevitably bring up interesting stories about the places you visited.
If you have booked a cruise that has “drive-up ports,” consider booking a hotel for the night before your departure. You may find that the hotel will allow you to leave your car there while you are on your cruise, which will save you a lot of money in parking fees, making it easier to be sure to make your departure on time.
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.
