So, you’ve booked it. You’re ready to execute your traveling plan? Well, now is a great time. You probably have many questions on what you need to know, but don’t worry, this article can assist you. Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your traveling aspirations.
Learn about your destination. Buy a decent city or regional map of where you are going to be, and take time to look it over to find museums, environs, and big sightseeing areas. Becoming familiar with the environment ahead of time will make it easy to navigate once you get there.
Take a good book with you to read when traveling. If you always have something interesting to do, you will be less likely to get frustrated or bored during layovers and other time delays that are beyond your control. Buy a new title that you have been wanting to read so that you have something to look forward to.
Young women traveling alone may want to invest in a simple gold plated band or cubic zirconium ring. Wear the ring on your left ring finger which signals that you are married or engaged. This keeps potential suitor at bay and gives an excuse for unwanted attention in hotels, airports and buses. While it may seem a tad dishonest, it can keep you from getting hit on if you are alone in unfamiliar places.
Remember to report lost tickets immediately. Lost tickets can be refunded, but this can take as long as six months. It might also involve a substantial replacement fee. Reporting your lost ticket as soon as possible will not make things go any faster, but you will get your money back sooner.
When traveling by air, purchase your airline tickets as early as possible. Airlines that offer very low fares, like Southwest Airlines, have a limited number of seats available at the lowest price. By purchasing your tickets early you are assured of getting the best possible rates for air travel.
Remember, when traveling abroad it is better to avoid drinking the local tap water. Most visitors will be unaccustomed to the local water, and can get quite ill. It’s much easier to go to the local supermarket or grocery store, and buy bottled water instead. It cuts down your chance of sickness, as bottled water is usually produced to the highest of standards.
If you are traveling by airplane, be sure to bring along your own headphones. Most in-flight entertainment systems today require that you wear headphones. You may be able to buy them in-flight, but it will be at a greatly inflated cost. Headphones are also a great way to create ‘white noise’ to block out your neighbors and/or the plane noise.
Ask around on the social networks you frequent for any tips or recommendations of the area you’re planning on visiting. You’ll be surprised just what may come up. Ask what the best hotels are, what the best restaurants are, what places of interest you should visit. Friends usually give the best ideas!
Before you begin thinking about where you would like to travel next, subscribe to get emails from major airlines, hotels and rental companies. It will increase your amount of “junk” mail, but these newsletters often include information about last-minute hotel deals or flights that will allow you to use your frequent-flyer miles. Since these deals go quickly, finding out about them first is essential.
Pay special attention to the holidays of the countries you are traveling to. Different countries celebrate different holidays, and if you do not know when these are, you can give yourself a headache. Many restaurants and businesses will close on holidays, so look them up before you travel to save yourself the trouble.
If you’re going to a foreign country, bring some cards in that country’s language that describes your food allergies. If you have special dietary restrictions, tell your server and ask for recommendations. You are much more likely to have a good eating experience this way.
When traveling by air, shipping your baggage ahead of you might be worth considering. Many airlines charge baggage fees of $25 or more per piece. Often, you will find that FEDEX and UPS offer less expensive rates for shipping your bags. The front desk at many hotels will hold your luggage if it arrives ahead of you.
Don’t make plans with the airlines the day you go or later. Instead, try calling them the night before to reconfirm your flight is still scheduled or to see if it’s overbooked. Give yourself at least a half hour to get to the airport. Also save time by checking in at home and pre-printing your boarding passes.
When traveling, avoid crowded places where pickpockets might frequent. This includes subways, elevators, train stations, tourism attractions, market festivals, and poor neighborhoods. If you are forced to visit one of these places, make sure your valuables are secured in inside pockets or a bag with a shoulder strap, and check them frequently.
Save money with a trip to your local library. If your trip is going to be less than two weeks long (or however long your local library’s lending period) don’t bother purchasing expensive travel books. Libraries often have as good of a selection as a bookstore and sometimes better. You can check out the books and guides you need, and return them to the library when you come home from your trip.
Before you leave, give friends, family members and work colleagues a copy of your travel itinerary. If there is a problem or emergency they will know where to contact you. Additionally, if you go missing it will be easier for your contacts to help find you if they have some idea of where you were heading.
Now you are much more prepared when it comes to traveling. You should now be more prepared for this trip and for future trips! Hopefully, the tips that were given gave you some advice that will help you get started with your traveling, so that you can begin traveling like a pro.
