Travel can be an excellent opportunity to expand your horizons and refresh your world-view. It can also backfire on you if you don’t take the time to prepare for the inevitable culture shock, whether your journey is domestic or international. Follow these tips and tricks to get the most out of your travel experience.
When travelling out of the country, make sure someone back home has a detailed copy of your itinerary. Make sure they know where you’ll be staying and have a way to contact you in case of an emergency. This is also good on the off case that something happens to you they can find you.
If you are traveling with children, a backpack or other bag packed with new and interesting toys and activities is a good idea. Make sure that these are things they are not normally allowed to play with, or special things for trips only. It will give them something to look forward to and they will be entertained longer.
When traveling to tropical areas, always keep your dirty laundry in a closed bag. Hotels and homes in tropical parts of the world aren’t as bug-proof as most American homes. Dirty laundry will attract insects, especially ants, meaning that clothing that was simply dirty, is now completely unwearable for the rest of the trip.
If you are traveling to a developing country and are afraid of flying into the middle of nowhere, there are alternatives. You can land at a Western-style airport and use ground transport, such as the train or bus, to arrive at your final destination. This may be safer than flying through the bush but will still allow you to enjoy your exotic vacation.
When you book a hotel online,(especially when you don’t book directly through the hotel’s own website), it is important to call the hotel directly to confirm your reservation. Calling ahead will prevent you from arriving at the hotel, exhausted and ready to sleep, and finding out that they have no record of your reservation.
When traveling abroad, make sure to take care of your health. Check to see if there are any vaccinations that you need before heading away, pack a good supply of any prescription medications you might need, and locate a hospital or physician near your destination, in case of an emergency. Staying healthy will allow you to focus on the scenery and fun, not being sick.
There are many large families that would like to travel to popular vacation destinations, but are afraid they cannot afford it. You can book trips with time sharing and save money each year by already having the lodging. If you plan trips when gas prices are low, you will also save money on your travel expenses.
If you travel a lot then you could save money by purchasing an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy. Buying travel insurance for every single trip you take can be expensive and take up a lot of time. If you take more than 5 trips per year, consider investing in an annual travel insurance policy to save both time and money.
Prior to traveling abroad, take some time to familiarize yourselves with the local laws of the country you are visiting. Laws can be very different from country to country. Consulates cannot step over local laws, so if you do break one, even if you were unaware of it, you will be held accountable.
Exploring America’s National Parks is a wonderful experience. While you are out and about in the park it is important to clean up after yourself. It is imperative that we do our part to make sure the parks stay beautiful and clean for everyone to visit in the years to come.
Traveling during the holidays can be a stressful experience. Long lines at the airport and traffic congestion can cause you to arrive late to your destination, or even worse, miss your flight. Allow yourself plenty of extra time by leaving earlier than normal. This will save you from rushing, and allow you to enjoy the holiday season.
Think about different transportation modes. The bus has changed a lot over the years. You can often find great prices for buses, and they are clean and quite a few offer free WiFi outlets along with other perks you wouldn’t have thought of. Some lines offer package deals that are super convenient to use.
To get the most enjoyment out of travel, relax. Travel can be stressful no matter how you go – car, plane, train or bus. Inevitably, something will go wrong even when you are highly prepared. Do not stress about it. Relax and enjoy whatever might come your way. The best experiences often result from the unexpected. Just think of the stories you can tell later!
Now the choice is yours, so get out there and enjoy finding new places and people to challenge your preconceptions. Armed with a little extra knowledge now about the experience of traveling, you can expect a few less bumps on the road to your destination. Share this article with friends and family, who may be heading out with you or on journeys of their own.
