Many people see that traveling is easier and cheaper to do now, but they may not know how to start planning. In order to make the most of your travel, though, you should learn as much as possible.
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.
When traveling, never take an item from someone to transport it for them. No matter their situation or how nice they may seem, this is almost always a trap to convince an unwary tourist to transport drugs or other contraband into secure areas. Even “gifts” can fall into this category.
Bring an empty water bottle. We all know that bringing a full bottle of water through security is a big no-no. If you don’t want to be stuck paying a premium for bottled beverages after security, bring along your own empty bottle to fill at a water fountain. If the tap water is less than appealing to you, bring a single serve packet of drink mix to add to the bottle.
Traveling to foreign lands can be fun, but make sure you don’t go at it alone. A good piece of advice is not to travel alone. Many people tend to get caught up in the wonders of being a tourist, but forget that the locals may not be as kind as they think they are. The world is vast and not everyone is nice. Traveling with someone else or going as a group, prevents you from being the target of the next crime.
The price of food in airports and on airplanes is notoriously expensive, unhealthy and of poor quality. If you have the time to spare, bring some food to eat at the airport or in the airplane, when you travel. Most drinks aren’t allowed through security, but most food is.
If you’re planning on travelling internationally any time soon, make sure you’re prepared for customs inspections and the forms you’ll have to fill out. Have your social security number memorized and keep your passport handy at all times. Find out before you leave your destination what you aren’t allowed to bring home, as your gifts can easily be confiscated.
Register your travel plans and contact details with the government travel agencies. While it may seem intimidating to have the government know your plans, it is a smart idea. Not only does this enable your family to contact you in the case of an emergency, but it can aid in your rescue if you become lost or have an accident while traveling.
When traveling overseas, do not be afraid to use your cell phone if you need to make a brief call home. You may be charged a high fee, but you can avoid the stress of trying to figure out how to use phone cards. If you need to make several calls, consider using a phone service that operates over the internet.
Airports are not always the safest places to be. While in an airport you should always keep a close watch on your belongings. Flights are becoming very crowded; airports are also getting extremely crowded. Always be aware of your surroundings and closely watch your tickets, purses, wallets, and other personal belongings at all times.
If you are traveling for a wedding or special event, do not book your hotel room under the block of rooms reserved for the party. Hotels usually give these events the corporate rate, which is higher than other discounts that they offer. Try making reservations with your AAA membership or hotel rewards program.
If the cruise ship you are traveling on has a shore day planned, ask the staff to make you lunch for the day. You may not want to try and find a restaurant and spend a lot of money when you are having fun hanging out on the beach. Call room service before you get off the ship and order a sandwich and some side items. Pack it and have fun!
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.
When you are getting ready to go away from home and travel the world, do not forget to notify your financial institutions. To avoid future hassle with your cash-flow in a foreign land you should notify any bank or credit card company you do business with. Nothing is worse than having no money in the middle of nowhere.
Bring your own snacks to eat during a flight. Sure the airline will offer you some snacks and refreshments but they will likely charge you and arm and a leg for them. If you bring your own you know you will like what you have and you will not get overcharged for it.
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.
For those travelers that are extremely paranoid about the invasion of bedbugs, check out the online Bed Bug Registry. It is where other travelers have taken the time to report the hotels that they have stayed in that have had bed bugs. You will learn what hotels have had bed bug problems so you can avoid them.
Now that you know more about traveling, you should have a better idea of where you want to travel to. Traveling is a pretty comprehensive topic, so it is important to always watch out for additional information that will help you.
