Taking a step into the great big world of traveling for the very first time might feel a tad bit scary, but by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself traveling like those more experienced travelers, who go on many trips, every year.
Travel can be a fun-filled activity, but always remember to learn at least a few words of the native language. ‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ are a must, but phrases such as ‘I’m lost’ and ‘Where is the train station?’ will prove invaluable in the event you actually need them. It’s much easier than trying to act out complicated activities!
Before traveling make sure you get enough sleep. For many people, the few days before their vacation are filled with either stress or excitement, sometimes leading to a lack of sleep. When this happens, you tend to ‘crash’ when you reach your destination, meaning that you waste vacation time because you are already exhausted. A good night’s sleep before traveling will mean that you arrive invigorated and upbeat.
Keep a group journal in your hotel room while traveling. Invest in something as inexpensive as a spiral notebook, and allow the people you are traveling with to write in it during down time. This will provide an interesting read later and will be a nice keepsake from your trip.
When going to foreign countries, be smart about food allergies. Studying the language, especially the words in which you need to know to explain your allergy, is a very important thing to do when traveling abroad. That way you can ask the waitstaff if their selections have the allergen in their ingredients.
The lighter you pack the easier you travel. This is the closest thing there is to an absolute rule in travel. Pack the lightest clothing you can, and restrict yourself to only the clothes you are sure you will wear. The less you pack, the less you carry and the less tired you will get.
Pay attention to your intution when traveling. If a specific store, person, or neighborhood gives you “bad vibes”, just walk away. Your intuition might be telling you something that you haven’t consciously noticed. Even if you’re wrong, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your safety.
Try using bubble wrap when packing. There is a good reason things get mailed in bubble wrap. It keeps fragile objects very safe. When you travel, your luggage goes through a process very similar to being sent via the postal service. Bubble wrap isn’t difficult to come by and is a great choice when packing breakable possessions.
One factor that may not come to mind right away when planning travel is weather. By looking up the weather forecast ahead of traveling, or possibly even before deciding when to travel one will know what to expect. If the weather looks bad, it can be prepared for or the trip even rescheduled.
Space can sometimes be an issue when you are trying to pack too many clothes into your suitcase. Rolling your clothes up can sometimes decrease the amount of space you use. If you are concerned about your clothes getting wrinkled, roll them in tissue paper as well. This will free up important space in your luggage.
If you’re going on a cruise, pack a snorkle with you. Then when you stop at one of the locations, hit the beach and do a bit of snorkling. You’ll be amazed at what you can see while snorking, especially if your cruise is in the Caribbean. And buying a snorkle is a lot cheaper than paying for a snorkle tour!
Lost luggage is common when traveling, so prepare beforehand by packing some essentials in your carry-on luggage. A change of underclothes, one outfit and a bathing suit enable you to carry on with most of your plans while you wait for your luggage to be located. To cover all bases, buy travel insurance that covers your luggage whether it is lost, stolen or damaged.
When you are traveling by plane, consider bringing bottled water and hand sanitizer in your carry-on bag. Sanitize your hands after you wash them in the plane’s bathroom and make sure to drink as much water as possible. Both of these things will help to keep you from getting sick. Also remember not to touch your face and not to get ice included with your drinks. The water on planes has a lot of bacteria.
When buying airline tickets, purchase them as far in advance as possible. Two months in advance is when the cheapest flights are available through the airlines. If you know you are traveling for the holidays, it is especially important to buy your airline tickets as early as you can to get the cheapest tickets.
Now that you’re done with this article, you know a thing or two about traveling. You learned what to do, and now you can apply it. You are now equipped with more of the knowledge and confidence that you need to begin your journey.
