There is a lot of information available ,on every travel subject imaginable. Wading through all of this information to find the best pearls of wisdom, can be a hard task to take on. Fortunately, we have compiled some of the best information available to make your travels as rewarding as possible.
Try to be as flexible as possible about where you go. While you might have your heart set on a certain one you always go to, being flexible can open you up to new experiences. Finding an alternate destination can save you a bit of money when you are on a tight budget.
If you are traveling with too much luggage to carry on an airplane, take a digital photograph of your bag and the baggage tag. These come in handy if your bag is lost. The photos give you something to reference when describing your bag to the airport personnel and the tag confirms that your bag was labeled for the right airport.
Call the airport ahead of time to receive your seat assignment. Without a seat assignment there is a chance that you might be bumped from a flight. If this happens, you could find yourself stuck in the terminal waiting for the next flight. This could take several hours.
During your trip if you’re staying at many different hotels, you can rest assured there is an easy and cost effective gift you can give your friends as a souvenir. Collect all of the little samples such as shampoos, body washes, body lotions and coffee packets that hotels give out, put them in a basket and give them away as gifts to your friends. It makes a nice gift because it gives a taste of culture from different hotels and is cost effective to you for making a friendly gesture.
When you’re traveling and you’re in need of a taxi, make sure you pay attention to the meter. When you first get into the taxi make sure that the meter isn’t broken, it is properly zeroed out, and it is turned on and off when you get out. Taxi scams are famous all over the world, and in a foreign place it is easy to get scammed. Paying attention to these simple meter tips can ensure you’re charged a proper rate and not swindled.
One of the must haves that I would suggest anyone take on a trip is baby wipes. They can be used to a variety of different ways and are perfect for on the go. You can purchase them in little packs so they can easily slip into a backpack.
Before leaving on an overseas vacation, ensure that there are at least six months from your planned date of travel and when your passport expires. Many airlines will refuse to allow you to board unless you meet this minimum requirement. In other cases, you will not be able to enter your destination country. In any case, it is easier to ‘be safe than sorry.’
Register your trip with the US State Department. Doing so will give them a way to contact you or your family in the event of an emergency. The State Department provides this service free of charge to American citizens who are traveling to foreign soil, so it doesn’t make sense not to take advantage of it.
If you’re traveling with kids, buy each child their own disposable camera. Tell them to take pictures of anything they find interesting. If they fill it up before the trip is over, you can get them another one fairly cheap. Then they’ll have something to remember all the things they liked – you’d be surprised how different the pictures your kid takes are from yours.
Bring your own adapters, unless you want to buy over-priced ones. Many foreign countries have differently shaped and sized outlets. Buying adapters while you are still at home is much more cost-effective. Businesses in these countries have learned to take advantage of travelers who forget that the plugs are quite different from back home.
When going on a road trip, always bring a camera with you. You never know when you may come across something that you’ll want to take a picture of to remember. It doesn’t have to be something expensive and fancy, any basic camera will do. You definitely won’t regret capturing your memories on film.
If you are traveling to foreign countries, know what to do if you lose your passport or encounter an issue. The United States You can go to the US Embassy website for contact information. Keep this information handy while on your trip. You will get a replacement in a few days.
Avoid getting bumped when you are using an airplane to travel. First, be sure you get an advanced seat assignment. With seat assignments, you only get bumped if you are late. Next, you can check-in online. You can do this twenty-four hours before your departure and this will help save you a seat. Last, do not be late.
If you do not know the language of the area you will be traveling to, try to learn a few basic phrases before you go. If you can ask if someone speaks English, in their language, they may be more likely to help you out or help you find someone else who can help you. Also, a smile goes a long way. Don’t be an obnoxious, English speaker.
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.
These are just a few of the many great ideas you can choose to incorporate into your travel planning. Take your time and do not let all of the many preparations you must make, detract from your enjoyment. Keep these tips in mind and your trip will be the best you ever had.
