Traveling is something that most people would like to do. A lucky few get to travel to exotic places around the world. Try saving a little bit of money and set a goal. It doesn’t matter if you plan on going somewhere domestic or international. A piggy bank is a great way to start. Spare change adds up fast! If you have no money to spare don’t fret. A hike in the woods or a short trip to view local sites, can be just as fulfilling!
If you’re going to be travelling by air, make sure you don’t put any valuables or electronics in your checked luggage. Luggage handlers aren’t known to be gentle and any electronics may end up damaged during transport. Airlines are also known to lose luggage and you don’t want to take a chance of losing something valuable.
Study up on the language of the area you are planning to travel to before you leave. Language barriers can be tricky. Obviously, you can manage in a foreign country without speaking the language. Even so, it is always a good idea to brush-up on important words like “police” or “hospital.”
Asking for a better hotel room when you are checking in will most probably get you one! If you would prefer a better view, a quieter room or maybe one closer to the ice-machine, chances are very good that one is available. It takes but a moment to ask and will most definitely improve your stay.
Make sure that you fill any prescriptions that you take on a regular basis before you leave town on a trip. Running out of medication while visiting a new place can be both stressful and expensive as you have to track down a pharmacy that can fill your prescription for you.
Look beyond the touristy souvenir shops. To find a souvenir that will remind you of your travels and actually comes from the place you visited, shop with the locals. In grocery stores, markets, and other stores that are off the beaten (tourist) track, you’ll find things that locals actually use instead of the mass-produced trinkets.
Do not bother packing your entire makeup case. Makeup cases are bulky and often take up a lot of room. Instead, put any makeup you anticipate needing for your trip in a simple ziplock bag. Put it in your suitcase’s side pocket. This will save a lot of room when packing.
You already know you can’t take drinks with you through security at the airport. But you can definitely take a water bottle as long as it’s empty. Save yourself the two dollars on water you’re going to buy immediately after you get through security – just bring an empty water bottle from home and fill up with icy-fresh fountain water once you’re through.
If you have young children and are planning to fly, you should remember that they will need something to help “pop” their ears when the plane is taking off and landing. You can bring gum, or if you child swallows gum, tootsie rolls are the perfect alternative, as they can be chewed just long enough to help.
Register your trip with the US State Department. Doing so will give them a way to contact you or your family in the event of an emergency. The State Department provides this service free of charge to American citizens who are traveling to foreign soil, so it doesn’t make sense not to take advantage of it.
Youth hostels are a valid option for cheap, no-frills travel lodgings in Europe. What some travelers might not know is that similar hostels are available all around the world, even in the United States. While the hostel system is most thoroughly established in continental Europe, a little research will find decent hostels in almost any large city in the world.
While traveling, do not bully your body into believing you will be sick no matter what. If you suffer from motion sickness, then worrying will only exacerbate the problem. Additional stress should be avoided while traveling. Stress can lower your immune system. Try not to let delays, crying children, or your own imagination get the best of your temper.
When deciding on which National Park you would like to visit, keep in mind some parks see bigger crowds than others. There are National Parks that see millions of visitors every year. If you don’t mind crowds, then this will not be a consideration you have to take. In most parks, even though there are lots of people, there is usually plenty of room.
It is important to plan your plan for a rental car beforehand. This is because the price of a rental car will increase rapidly if you wait until last minute. Also, when you arrive at the rental car company, there is a chance that they may be sold out of cars.
Search for an airline that will credit you the difference in cost if the ticket that you have booked drops after you have bought it. There are some airlines that will match the lowest price of the flight if it was to decrease between the time that you book the flight and when the flight actually departs.
Traveling can be easy and something that works for everybody, no matter what the budget looks like. Things that require little effort, yet are satisfying, are often the best way to go and traveling can fit that bill! So plan a trip, set a timeline and make it happen. You can find something enjoyable to suit you!
