Travel can mean the exhilaration of seeing new places or the nightmare of not having the comforts and security of home. Like anything, travel goes much more smoothly with a little bit of knowledge and preparation. Keep reading for some sound advice from seasoned travelers on making your journeys pleasant memories.
If you are traveling overseas or even to a part of the country you’ve never visited before, it’s a good idea to let your bank and credit card company know. Many credit cards are equipped with fraud protection, which could block transactions that the company isn’t sure the card holder authorized. Travelling far from home is an almost certain way to trip these sensors.
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.
Sanitize your area. You may get a few sideways glances, but in the confined space of a crowded aircraft, you are just asking to get sick. Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer or some sanitizing wipes and wipe off your tray table, armrests and any buttons, as soon as you sit down. Be sure to also use it on your hands and try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
Make sure you plan out your traveling ahead of time by checking the weather. You don’t want to travel on a vacation to somewhere where the weather is not favorable. Choosing what season to explore a city is crucial to taking in the true experience that particular city has to offer.
As you plan your vacation, don’t be shy about using your frequent flyer miles for a wide variety of traveling perks. Stockpiling your miles isn’t a good idea, because no one knows if they will be worth anything in the future. Go ahead and trade them in for a free flight or anything else that would make your traveling experience a little easier.
Every traveler should know by now that joking around isn’t the smartest thing to do while waiting in check in and security lines any more. Airport personnel are simply too concerned about terrorism to take jokes lightly. Progress through these lines politely and in a businesslike manner. You’re more likely to be treated accordingly.
If you’re going on a cruise, make sure you bring a small day bag with you. You’ll find that your luggage won’t be available right away when you board the ship. So you’ll want to have a bag with a swim suit, a book, an extra change of clothes in it, and anything else you might need right away.
American travelers who have not left the country in several years should be aware that they definitely need an up-to-date passport. For a long time it was possible for US citizens to visit Mexico and Canada without such documentation. This is no longer the case, with modern security concerns. American travelers should have their passports in order if they intend to visit any other country.
Don’t rule out indirect flights to your destination. By booking indirect flights with a stop-over you can sometimes save a lot of money. If money is more important than time, use online flight search engines to search for indirect routes as well as direct routes then chose the cheapest option.
If you travel a lot then you could save money by purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. Buying travel insurance for every single trip you take can be expensive and take up a lot of time. If you take more than 5 trips per year, consider investing in an annual travel insurance policy to save both time and money.
If you’re a novice flyer and you find yourself about to board an airplane, bring some gum and a music player. When the plane is taking off and landing, slip your headphones on and chew some gum. The music will keep you calm and relaxed while the gum will prevent your ears from popping.
Always pack a small pillow and also a blanket when you travel. This will make you more comfortable, no matter what your method of transportation. Airlines usually provide them, but they can run out. Make sure that it is sanitary though if you use it.
When you are traveling and want to purchase a souvenir, focus on things that you can use to decorate your home. Too many people bring back items that clutter their rooms and eventually get thrown away. Instead of buying a lot of little things, invest in one or two nice items that you will enjoy decorating your house with.
When filling out your luggage tag, do not put your home address on it. Instead, fill in your business address. This is beneficial should your luggage get into the wrong hands– you do not want a thief to know your home address. Also, put your business phone number on the tag instead of your home or cell number.
Many of us read the book “Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon. It gave a fascinating look at the back roads of America, and is worth remembering when you are planning a trip abroad. Finding those charming out-of-the-way places can give you rich experiences that you will remember for a lifetime. (But be sure to keep safety in mind, also.)
Buy your Disney t-shirts and clothing before you get to the park! The clothing inside of the park is out of this world, expensive and you will be relieved that your child already has a Mickey shirt when he wants one,as you see the prices at the gift shops!
Talk to any road warrior and they can tell you both stories of great trips and disaster journeys. Some of the things they have learned have been shared in this article. Keep these tips in mind in preparing for your future travels, and you are sure to come home with great memories rather than headaches.
