While traveling can be exciting, it may also be stressful. Fortunately, there are several easy tips that can make the experience easier. Below are some great pointers that will help you have the best possible time.
When flying, be sure to wear loose fitting clothes and slip-on shoes. This will ensure that your flight is comfortable. Not only that, it won’t take as long to get through security if you can quickly take your shoes on and off. Loose clothing will allow for any short term swelling that you may experience due to air pressure in the plane’s cabin.
If you have a fear of flying and need a drink to help you relax on the plane, always make sure that you add two drinks of water to that one alcoholic beverage. The worst thing you can do is drink too much on a plane and get sick or dehydrated.
Don’t miss the bus. If you need to travel a moderate distance to your next destination, use the bus instead of more expensive taxis or rental cars. Many buses, especially in major cities, are quite clean and modern. Not only will you save money, but you will get an excellent chance to people-watch and get to know the locals.
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.
When traveling abroad, make sure to take care of your health. Check to see if there are any vaccinations that you need before heading away, pack a good supply of any prescription medications you might need, and locate a hospital or physician near your destination, in case of an emergency. Staying healthy will allow you to focus on the scenery and fun, not being sick.
When traveling by car in the winter, it is best to pack a safety kit. Make sure you have the essentials for a safe road trip. You should have a cell phone and charger, tow rope, jumper cables, ice scraper, first aid kit, sand or cat litter, which can be used to help with traction, flashlights, matches, blankets, emergency candles and a portable radio, in your safety kit.
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.
Consider buying a portable shower before you travel on a road trip. You will invariably stop the car to check out a local site, and sometimes you may engage in a physically strenuous activity. Getting back in the car when you feel unclean makes it hard to relax and enjoy your trip. A portable shower allows you to feel refreshed for the next leg of your journey.
Allow time in your travel plans for diversion. When you are planning events and activities during your trip, separate some of these plans with an hour or two gap in between. This allows for extra time at an event or the opportunity to explore some of the local scenery that you might not see otherwise.
Get a jump on ridding yourself of jet lag. Plan activities that will have you outdoors for your first couple of days while abroad. When you are outside being active the exercise, fresh air and plenty of sunlight (if available) will do wonders for defeating the lethargy of jet lag. Taking a quick power nap upon arrival to the hotel can help as well.
While traveling, when you are in a crowd of people, you do not want your valuables to be noticed by others. Take a re-usable coffee cup with a lid, place your valuables inside of the coffee cup and “sip” on your coffee from time to time. This way your valuables are stored in such a manner, that most people will assume this is your beverage. Keep the coffee cup in your hands at all times.
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 are traveling to another country, make sure to check out their basic laws and regulations. Each country has their own set of laws and rules, and things that may be legal or a small offense in your country may be illegal or a major offense in another.
Avoid iced drinks if you are traveling in an area with questionable water. Most people are aware that they should stick to bottled water in certain countries, but they often forget that a getting a soda or tea with ice is just as bad. Request your beverages sans ice to avoid potential stomach discomfort.
A great travel tip that can save you a lot of money is to do a little bit of grocery shopping while you’re on vacation. Having enough groceries that will allow you to make a few homemade meals can save you tons of money, because you won’t have to eat out every single day.
When traveling internationally, it is important to make sure that you have your passport taken care of way before you travel. If you wait until the last minute to get your passport you will either not be able to go on the trip when you planned on going, or you will have to pay extra money to get your passport expedited.
Don’t let the potential downfalls of a trip keep you from having the time of your life. Remember this advice the next time you travel so that you can really enjoy yourself. Don’t let travel worries zap your enjoyment. Concentrate on the wonderful memories you will create instead.