Though many people consider travel to be stressful and unpleasant, it doesn’t have to be that way. Getting outside of your normal daily activity can be a rewarding experience, and one that can change your life in large or small ways. Following these tips will help make the journey a positive one.
If you’re going to be travelling by air, make sure you don’t put any valuables or electronics in your checked luggage. Luggage handlers aren’t known to be gentle and any electronics may end up damaged during transport. Airlines are also known to lose luggage and you don’t want to take a chance of losing something valuable.
There are a few essentials everyone should have whenever they’re travelling. No matter where you’re going, make sure to bring your photo ID, preferably in more than one form, any medication that you frequently or infrequently need, and a small amount of cash. Everyone has their own personal needs, so think of what yours are before you travel.
When traveling, always make sure you have money and photo ID with you at all times. In the event of an emergency these two items will allow you to access resources that you need. If you take medication regularly be sure to carry a two-day supply on you as well.
Travelers are a common target of theft, but you can protect your luggage with a few simple tactics. Put Christmas bells on your suitcases and carry-on luggage, to alert you if someone tries to take them. Insert your foot through the strap or handle of your luggage when sitting in an airport lounge during a layover. Be aware that a distraction around you may be a deliberate attempt to divert your attention from your belongings.
Carefully choosing your hotel can result in a much better traffic experience. Dont just consider the price – think of what amenities you would like, and what the area around the hotel is like. Don’t just view your hotel as a stopping off point or as a place where you will just sleep.
When you are traveling with your laptop, bring an audio/visual cord with you. Most hotels have high-speed internet access and many also have a nice HDTV in their rooms. If you have an A/V cord, you can hook your laptop up to the TV, allowing you to stream videos or enjoy other online content from a large screen.
Don’t fold your clothes when you pack – roll them. Rolling your clothes into tight cylinders is much more space efficient when packing a suitcase. You will be able to fit more items in your suitcase, which is very important now that airlines charge hefty fees for each bag checked.
On a long road trip get to bed early and start out very early. By leaving in the early morning hours before dawn, you can almost always guarantee that your children will sleep for a good portion of the beginning drive allowing you to be well on your way before any major disruptions may begin.
If you travel with many electronics pack a power strip. Though hotels have electrical outlets available it is not uncommon for each person to have 2 or 3 items that need to be charged every night. A power strip can keep the cords relegated to one area instead of strewn all over the room.
One thing to remember when traveling to other countries is the quality of water may be lacking; therefore, it is wise to pack some bottled water to take on your trip. Some countries do not purify or distill their water, and as a result it is rich in dangerous bacteria. Make sure you use bottled water when choosing to brush your teeth. The tap water where you are staying is very likely contaminated.
When packing flashlights or torches for your trips, make sure that they cannot be accidentally turned on which can waste your batteries during your travels. To do this, just simply take out the batteries and turn them around incorrectly. The fact that they are placed inside incorrect will avoid to accidentally turn on that could drain them. Just remember to turn them around for when you need them.
Try to look into getting a suitcase alarm for your personal belongings. This way, if anyone tries to steal your luggage or bags when you are not looking, an alarm with go off, alerting you of the potential theft. These alarms are not expensive and are easy to find.
Armed with the knowledge from these tips, you can now go out into the world with more confidence and less stress. Take the time to enjoy your new surroundings as you travel and learn from the people you encounter along the way. You’ll return to your everyday life refreshed and with a new appreciation for the things you normally take for granted.
