Whether it is for pleasure or business, traveling can be a lot of fun. It can also be more than a little bothersome. Planning for transportation, packing and finding a place to stay can add up and become incredibly stressful. Here are a few helpful tips to ease the burden a bit.
If you are traveling to Europe with electronic gadgets, remember that the voltage for household outlets is going to be different than in North America. This means that you’ll either need to bring a converter so that you can plug American goods into European power, or find appliances that can handle a range of voltages.
Be sure to confirm your reservation at the establishment you will be lodging in. Hotels are well within their right to give your room to someone else if you do not confirm your reservation. A quick phone call can ensure that you don’t find yourself without a place to stay, when you arrive.
When traveling to tropical areas, always keep your dirty laundry in a closed bag. Hotels and homes in tropical parts of the world aren’t as bug-proof as most American homes. Dirty laundry will attract insects, especially ants, meaning that clothing that was simply dirty, is now completely unwearable for the rest of the trip.
Use soft-sided carry on luggage, instead of a hard-sided case. When trying to cram your luggage into the overhead bin, soft-sided cases will have more give and be more easily stowed. There is no chance that a hard-sided case that is too big will ever fit. It will have to be gate checked and you won’t be able to access it until you deplane.
If you are staying at a hotel while traveling, be sure to figure out where all of the emergency exits are located. You never know when there might be a fire drill or even a fire. Your map reading skills aren’t going to be at their best when you are woken by the alarm at 4 AM, so it’s better to know in advance.
Bring your own toilet paper! In many countries, toilet paper is either not used, or not provided. Put a small amount of toilet paper in a plastic sandwich bag, and carry it with you, or simply grab a travel pack of facial tissues. You do not want to get stuck without any!
Make sure you make the most of your destination vacation. Many hotels will book travel excursions for you, including picking you up at the hotel and dropping you back off. Tour operators are usually affiliated with the hotels so you may rest assured that you are in good hands.
After you decide on a travel destination, be sure to check user reviews on local hotels before you secure your reservations. Gather these from multiple sources, including magazines, websites and guidebooks. Also ask the hotel to send you pictures of the type of room that you will be staying in. Doing your research will help you avoid unexpected surprises when you get to your destination.
Join a travel forum before you go anywhere. Select the destination that you are going and join a forum related to the area or service you are using. These people have plenty of experience in their travels and will give you helpful advice on where to go, eat and stay.
If you are trying to pack lightly but still want to be able to bring some souvenirs home, you can pack clothing that can be thrown away after it has been worn. This tip works especially well for old underwear or socks that are due to be thrown out anyway. It can also apply to shirts or pants.
There are cheaper ways to sleep when to travel to a new country than than the typical hotel. Try to find people renting out rooms in the towns and cities you will be staying in. Not only is this much cheaper than a hotel, but this provides you a great opportunity to really experience the culture of where you’re staying.
When traveling with your pet, there are several items you need to remember to bring with you. You need to make sure your pet is always wearing a collar with your name and phone number on it. You will also need proof of vaccinations and any proper licenses. Last, but not least, you should travel with your pet’s favorite toys.
When you are traveling, do not throw out any of the brochures or visitor guides that you accumulate on your journey. When you get home, cut them up into words and phrases. Use the slips of paper in your scrapbook as a way to accent the pictures that you took on your vacation. They will help you remember details about your trip years later.
Always allow yourself extra time when deciding to go on a road trip. You never know when things like weather conditions and unexpected detours may put a damper on your “good timing” hopes. You also never know when some cool attraction might just be there along the way, so make some time to enjoy your journey to your destination.
When you are going to travel, using samples can save you time and packing space. Sample products are significantly smaller than commercial products, and they are perfect for taking with you on the go. Best of all, you can find tons of samples on the internet and they are free.
When traveling, make sure to have your affairs in order at home. Consider updating your will, have insurance documents in order, and leave power of attorney with a trusted friend or family member. If you have children, you may want to arrange a guardian for them in case something happens to you.
Hopefully, these tips have given you something of value – or at the very least – something useful to mull over. Above all else, it is important to stay safe while traveling. Aside from that, try to just push the stress aside and have fun. Enjoy!