Travel is a lot more than just hoping on a plane to a new place. You may be excited, but remember it is important to do a little organizing first. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Are you ready to get started? If so, below you’ll find some great suggestions to help you along the way.
Be aware of departure taxes. Some countries have departure taxes. You will not be permitted to board your plane until you have paid them. Often a check or credit card is not permitted as payment on these taxes. Make sure you have enough cash set aside to cover them.
Before you leave on your trip, make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations. If you are taking any prescription medications, be sure to bring extra along just in case. There is always the chance that your departure might be delayed, and you don’t want to run out.
Before leaving on a trip, it is vital to make sure that all of your documentation is up to date. This includes identification such as your driver’s license and passport, any necessary immunization or medical records, and credit or bank cards. This way you will not run into any problems when making purchases or during your travels regarding non-matching ID.
Make use of social media when traveling and when planning your trip. Many blogs and online forums have first-hand reviews of the locations you’d like to visit, plus you can ask people directly about their experiences. In addition, if you use sites that allow you to update your status, your friends might have good suggestions on what to do next.
Tip your concierge! Whether it be on a cruise or at a hotel, your concierge will be your go-to guy for reservations, directions and almost everything else! Many concierges have admitted that if someone is willing to tip them well, they will go out of their way to make sure those great tippers, have a fantastic time.
Bring along things to keep your toddler busy. Take a few of their their favorite toys. You might want to purchase a new item for this trip to bring some novelty to the adventure and ensure more time is occupied by the toddler.
Register your travel plans and contact details with the government travel agencies. While it may seem intimidating to have the government know your plans, it is a smart idea. Not only does this enable your family to contact you in the case of an emergency, but it can aid in your rescue if you become lost or have an accident while traveling.
Many of the most exotic, romantic travel destinations are in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Certain disasters are seasonal – late summer and fall are hurricane season in the Caribbean, for example. Travelers headed for areas that may be subject to seasonal disasters should be aware of that fact, just in case they find themselves in an evacuation situation.
As long as you can be flexible with your travel dates, search for flights using the broadest range of dates that you can. This search feature is part of most travel websites and doing a broad search allows you to see if there are certain days that are cheaper to fly on than others. Using this technique could save you a significant amount of money.
Don’t get slammed with phone bill shock when you return home from traveling. Make a quick call to your service provider about what to expect when using your cell at your travel destination. Adjust your rate plan temporarily in accordance can save you massive headaches when that wireless bill arrives.
When packing your bags for a trip on an airplane, always remember 3-1-1. Regulations now limit the amount of liquids and gels passengers can have in their carry on luggage. When you take your bag through security, they will make sure you only have your travel-size toiletries which are less than three ounces and fit into a one quart zip top bag and only one bag per passenger.
Try using the roll technique for packing clothes into your bags for your trips. This generally saves more space and time than with traditionally folding the clothes. You can even fit more clothes in your bag this way. By rolling the clothes up in tissue paper, you can also prevent them from getting too many wrinkles.
Invest in a good pair of earplugs. It is often difficult to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, away from the comforts of your own bed. Add to this unfamiliar noise and you could spend your vacation in a sleep deprived state. Earplugs help you block out noises that might keep you up, or can help you concentrate when in a noisy location such as an airplane or busy terminal.
Put your smart phone to work for you when you travel. Email your itinerary to yourself so you can quickly access it from your phone, from anywhere. Use your phone for photos, text messaging home, checking weather forecasts, keeping track of the time zone and so many more things that will make your travels simpler.
For easy cleanup during a road trip, make sure to carry plenty of garbage bags. You will most likely be eating and drinking in the car and will need to dispose of it somewhere. This will make it so you don’t have to make any stops along the way, just to throw out your garbage.
If you plan to take several trips throughout the year, consider getting an annual policy. It will cover the same things that a onetime policy will cover, but it is going to save you some money throughout the year. An annual policy will save you time and money versus taking out multiple policies.
It should now be apparent that traveling involves more than merely boarding a plane and flying to a different location. It takes planning to make the experience enjoyable. Incorporate the advice in this article the next time you decide to travel.
