Seeing the world from a fresh perspective is what traveling is all about. Traveling can be entertaining, educational and adventurous. There are enough places to travel to to make everyone happy. Here are some travel tips you can’t live without.
Watch prices even after you book. Some airline and hotel companies offer you a refund if the price of your reservation drops after you book it, so keep an eye on the price. Alternatively, set-up an account with a price watcher site. After you enter the reservations you made and the price you paid, it will alert you when the price has dropped by the minimum amount required for a refund.
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.
Upon arrival, check your hotel room’s alarm. You don’t want to get awakened by a set alarm. Make sure you check the alarm clock and make sure it’s set for a time that is good for you;, otherwise, you might find yourself off to a terrible start on your vacation.
Get to the airport early to get a good seat choice. Most airlines ignore seat selections made when purchasing your ticket. When you get to the counter to check-in for your flight you can request the seat you want without too much hassle. This also helps you to be seated next to people you are traveling with.
Check the local news for the area you are planning to visit. Whether it is finding out about fun, local events, holidays which may impact local attractions, or serious political matters that may affect foreigners, it is always a good idea to be informed on what is currently going on in your destination city, area, and even country.
Mix things up a bit and travel to somewhere you haven’t been before. You want to go to as many diverse and interesting places while you can on this planet. You might even consider traveling internationally. If you decide you want to travel internationally make sure you get your passport and funds ready, as well as look into the currency exchange rates for different countries.
Camping is a great way to see the country, or even the world, on a budget. Instead of springing for expensive hotels, look for camping sites along the way of your trip. Many of them have amenities like plumbed bathrooms and showers. You can even avoid having to cook by continuing to eat out, as you would if staying in a hotel.
If you have a laundry list of questions to ask about the hotel that you’ll be staying in, call the front desk in the late evening or overnight. Hotels are significantly less busy during these times, and you are more likely to speak with someone who isn’t especially rushed or trying to check five people in all at once.
A beach or city may look beautiful in the many pictures that are on the travel site that you are booking your site through. Make sure to look into as many resources online to make sure that the one that you are planning to visit is clean and safe for you and your family.
Creature comforts can make the difference when you are traveling. Bringing your preferred brand of tea or coffee can help with relaxation and help you decompress. Detergents, shampoos and soaps can also be of benefit to avoid using products that will leave you wishing for the feel of home.
When traveling, it’s not always necessary to stay together. Let Mom take the kids one day while Dad enjoys a round of golf. The next day Mom should relax in the spa while Dad and the kids enjoy some pool time. Splitting up allows each parent to enjoy a much needed break during travel time.
If your flight is long and includes a meal, then be sure to ask for a kosher meal, because you will most likely be served first. Although you might get glances from your neighbors, you won’t have to wait for the entire plane to be served to start enjoying your food.
One important factor to remember is when more than one person is traveling, separate belongings amongst all of the suitcases. This ensures protection against lost items. If something gets lost, you won’t lose everything. As an added measure of protection, each traveler should carry one change of clothes in carry-on luggage.
When you are traveling outside of the country you do not need to waste money on buying traveler’s checks. In most countries there are ATM’s available with the option to get money out of your bank account and it automatically converts it to that country’s money! There are fees but they are not as much as buying traveler’s checks.
If your suitcase doesn’t have a divider, a firm piece of cardboard can make an excellent divider. Just put the cardboard in the middle of your suitcase. Pack some clothes on one side of the cardboard and some on the other. This will help to keep your clothing organized and easy to unpack.
Pack solid shampoo bars and powder toothpaste. Though this might not be what you normally use, it can add to the convenience factor when traveling. Avoiding liquids will make your trip through security easier. It will also speed up any baggage checks. In addition, you can pack larger quantities of these items in your carry on than you can liquid items.
Now you can make the travel plans that take you afar. There is no limit to the things you can see. The aforementioned tips will help ensure your trip is stress free and fun. Don’t forget to write!
