Proper preparation is the key to traveling well. This gives you the very most for your time as well as your cash — and gives you the best time. The tips below can help you get this.
If you’re traveling with kids, it’s tempting to let them all tune out with their own mp3 players, but consider bringing along some books on CD. Having something literate and interesting for the whole family to listen to is not only entertaining and interesting, but provides a common experience that each family member can take forward with them into life (“Hey, remember when I was ten, and we listened to Black Beauty on the way to Maine?”). It’s the stuff of which fond memories are made.
Don’t judge a hotel by its name alone. Look for the year it was built or last renovated, which can be very telling. Hotels can take a beating and a newly built budget hotel, may be much nicer than a luxury brand that is showing a lot of wear and tear from not being renovated in years.
Before heading off on your vacation, make sure to go online and check out the wide variety of travel forums that are available. These sits allow travelers to answer other user’s questions about various destinations. They can provide a wealth of information on restaurants, hotels and attractions.
If you plan to travel for more than a weekend, inform your bosses two weeks prior to leaving so that they can find someone to cover your responsibilities before hand. This way, you are not relying on someone who merely says they will cover for you and you have respectfully informed them the reasons of your absence.
If you’re planning on taking a cell phone with you on your trip, make sure to call your cell phone provider to ask them about roaming charges. The familiarity of your cell phone may make you feel better, but it may cost you a lot more to use it on foreign soil. A good alternative is buying a local SIM card and using it while you’re there.
If you have young children and are planning to fly, you should remember that they will need something to help “pop” their ears when the plane is taking off and landing. You can bring gum, or if you child swallows gum, tootsie rolls are the perfect alternative, as they can be chewed just long enough to help.
Making the necessary preparations will make a big difference before a trip. These preparations range from ensuring that one has packed everything that is needed to using the bathroom before leaving the house. Having everything prepared and in place before traveling will give one more time to relax and enjoy themselves.
To save money you want to plan your trip as far in advanced as you can. Both plane and hotel tickets will most likely be cheaper if you purchase them months before your trip takes place rather then a couple of weeks before. You can use the money you saved to enjoy yourself better on your vacation, or you can save it to go on another.
If you are traveling by air, it is vital that you remember to drink enough water. Travel is stressful, and the running around can deplete your body of water. The recirculated air on airplanes and in most airports will further dehydrate you. Buy a refillable water bottle after you go through security to help with hydration.
If you need to travel across the country but are on a limited budget, consider traveling by bus. In the past, bus travel was viewed somewhat unfavorably, but today major players like Greyhound, have made major improvements to attract the growing number of travelers who can’t afford plane tickets. Today bus lines are a more civil experience. Cleaner, newer buses are the norm and most stations offer free wireless internet access and sundries.
When visiting America’s National Parks, don’t just drive around the park. Get out and explore by foot. It is a great experience to visit the park, and see all that it has to offer. The only way to do that is to find a hiking trail and explore the area.
If you are traveling on a cruise ship, always tip the maitre d’ when you get on board. It can be very difficult to secure a table for two in the dining room. Talk to the maitre d’, and let him know that you would love an intimate table one evening. Thank him for listening to you, and give him a tip for his time.
Try locating airlines that are not popular. Many smaller airlines do exist and many are great, cheaper alternatives to the larger more popular airlines. Many of these exist for international, but you can find some domestically as well. Try getting on a flight that stops at your destination, but goes a little further too.
The information here should apply to just about any type of travel. Keeping these travel tips in mind can help you succeed with your plans to have a stress-free trip.
