Whether traveling for work or traveling for play, there are many steps you can take to ensure that your trip goes smoothly and pleasantly. An inexperienced traveler may not know how to find the cheapest flight, the best hotel rates or those off-the-beaten-track vacation spots that are a must for anyone with children. All the do’s and don’ts, ins and outs, and ups and downs of traveling are outlined for you in the following article, so you can have a safe, economical and exciting trip from start to finish.
Pack lightly when traveling. People always tend to pack much more than is necessary, and end up using only about half of what they take. Choose a few items that you can wear multiple times, and try to coordinate everything. If you forget to pack a particular item, you will probably be able to find something appropriate at your destination.
Don’t let the bedbugs bite. Bedbugs have become prevalent at hotels and motels. When you arrive at your hotel room, instead of tossing it onto the bed or sofa, put your luggage on a hard surface like a dresser, table, or luggage stand. This will prevent bedbugs from crawling into your suitcase and traveling home with you. Also, before you tuck yourself in, do a thorough check of your sheets for signs of bedbugs.
Spend more money on a better hotel than the one that’s cheap, but may be in a bad area. Cheap prices draw customers, but remember they also draw shady people too. Spend a few dollars extra and book a hotel that is in a better area with better reviews to boot.
Before you leave on a vacation, get as much sleep as possible. Being well-rested will give you the energy you need to enjoy your vacation, as well as helping prevent jet lag. You aren’t going to want to sleep in and waste your vacation time once you leave, and you may have trouble sleeping in a new place, so it’s better to be prepared.
While Spanish is the lingua franca in most countries in the Western hemisphere, remember that Brazil is not one of them. Brazilians speak Portuguese. If you intend to visit Brazil, learning a little Portuguese can turn out to be a lot of help; learning Spanish will be considerably less valuable to you.
Always ask for upgrades. You can’t get it if you don’t ask. No one is going to offer you a free upgrade just because they like your shirt. When you check in with airlines and hotels, even car rental companies, ask if there are any upgrades available. If it is a special occasion like an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday, make sure to make mention of that.
Many people are born, raised, live their entire lives and die in the same place. If one is afforded and allowed the opportunity to travel and explore the world outside of their hometown then the advantage should be taken. Learning about new people, places and things allows one to grow and learn about different lifestyles, ways of living, ways of viewing the world.
Do research on whether certain vaccinations are recommended or required prior to traveling to a foriegn country. This is as much to protect yourself as it is to obey the requirements of the country. You can check with your doctor, visit the website of the country you are visiting, or do a web search for the information.
If you need a rental car while on vacation consider renting an eco-friendly car. Zipcar and Flexcar are both “green” car-sharing programs which offer travelers low fees and convenient drop off and pick up. You will be able to reduce car emissions by renting the smallest car you can or a hybrid car.
Traveling long distance in a car with children can be challenging. Take along a variety of activities for the kids to play with such as coloring books, crayons, toys, etc. It is also fun to play games with the kids such as trying to find license plates from all the states, or playing I Spy.
Foiled travel plans lead to frustration. You may miss your flight or not get the car you reserved. In these situations, only you or your travel agent can handle them. At the beginning, you both want to deal with the issue, but it is simple for one party to lose control. Relax, be professional. You’ll reduce your stress and be more likely to get what you want.
From driving to the next state to flying overseas, traveling is fraught with potential perils. Preparing yourself for the unexpected is one of the key elements of having a successful trip. The tips and advice presented above can teach you all the tricks of a well-seasoned traveler, whether you’re going on your first family vacation or your 100th business trip.
