Though it is supposed to be about relaxation and leisure, travel can often be stressful and disastrous. Your vacation can indeed wind up a nightmare when you don’t plan properly. Follow the tips below to put yourself in the best position.
If you plan to be travelling for more than a week, make accommodations for your pets. Your neighbor or sister-in-law may assure you that stopping by is not a hassle, but you should not place that obligation on them for any longer than a week. There are many kennels and vet offices that will be glad to feed, play with and even, bathe your pets.
When planning a road trip, don’t forget to budget for the cost of fuel. While many other costs can be easily calculated in advance, the cost of gas is more difficult to figure, and can also add up surprisingly quickly. Online gas calculators can show you where the cheapest prices are and help you get an idea of what you’ll be spending.
Don’t judge a hotel by its name alone. Look for the year it was built or last renovated, which can be very telling. Hotels can take a beating and a newly built budget hotel, may be much nicer than a luxury brand that is showing a lot of wear and tear from not being renovated in years.
If you have many questions for a hotel, call them at night. Most major hotels keep their front desk staffed 24 hours a day. If you have questions about booking your room or special needs you want to discuss, calling late at night ensures that you are less likely to be interrupted for the attendant to tend to a guest.
When travelling on a road trip, make sure you bring a bag with you for trash. Even people who don’t normally eat in the car will during long road trips, especially if you don’t want to stop to eat and add more time to your trip. A trash bag can help you keep the mess and clutter to a minimum.
Airport food can be pricey and not all flights provide snacks while in flight. Its handy to keep a couple of sticks of jerky, a candy bar, or maybe a pack of peanuts in your pocket or purse so that you can get that quick energy boost you need without having to pay an arm and a leg or take the time to buy food at a shop.
Bring a power strip along with you when you go out of the country. This may seem like a silly idea to some, but if you have a room with two outlets and you have two cell phones, two laptops and an MP3 player that needs recharging, what are you going to do? Having a power strip prevents these dilemmas and also, you will only need to buy one adapter for foreign plugs.
Most airlines will overbook their flights during busy times or seasons. In the event that too many people show up for the flight, they will need volunteers to take a different flight at a later time, in exchange for vouchers for travel, food and lodging that can be used at a later date. If you aren’t in a hurry, you can pay for part of your next vacation!
Travel can really help a marriage. It does not have to be an expensive vacation to an island resort. A simple weekend travel adventure to another state or even in your own city can be just what you need to feel reconnected. Spending time alone with just one another can help couples feel good again.
When traveling with kids, make sure that you plan a few activities especially for them. It will make it easier for them to make it through their tenth meal at a restaurant if they will know that the next day they will be going to an amusement park to have fun.
Booking online is a great way to start your vacation planning. Travel websites can assist you in the planning of your trip’s itinerary. You can take care of plane tickets, car rentals, hotel bookings, and more, all without looking up from the screen. You can easily access reviews and photos of hotels for quick comparison. You can also save a good bit of money and make last-minute plans on the cheap by using travel sites.
Taking your credit cards with you on a trip is a great way to have access to any money you may need. In addition, they will help to provide a list of your expenses, and generally offer good exchange rates. However, before you leave for your trip, you should notify the credit card provider about your trip, this is so they won’t block any transactions from the new location.
Before traveling on a road trip, come up with two different routes; one should include a variety of landmarks while the other should give you a direct path to your destination. By having two routes planned, you can be flexible depending on your needs. If you start to run out of time, take the faster route. Otherwise, go on the scenic route and enjoy seeing some of the local landmarks.
Pack one extra outfit in your carry-on bag. Lost luggage could leave you without a change of clothes until they are located. By having one on hand, you will at least be able to change one clean set of clothes. Make sure your spare outfit does not take up a lot of space – a simple t-shirt and lightweight pants or shorts will suffice.
Never be satisfied with the rate you are given when making reservations at hotels or rental vehicles. Many times there are discounts that you may not have thought of and it is not the responsibility of the service provider to list those for every transaction. By asking you can prompt them to check, which they should be happy to do.
Though travel should be relaxing and fun, it can easily become burdensome without some proper learning beforehand. The next time you travel, you can make use of this helpful advice.
