Because of all the steps involved in planning and executing a trip, opportunities for setbacks and frustration abound. However, by planning ahead, you can eliminate your frustrations and sail through your next trip with ease. Just follow the smart travel tips given in this article for a headache-free trip.
When packing, make sure you split up your valuables. If you are packing multiple bags for a trip, spread your more expensive items out between them. Always avoid putting all your valuables in one bag in case this bag is lost or stolen. Losing only one bag is still terrible but might not ruin your trip.
Make arrangements for your pets while you will be away. Have a neighbor or friend come over to feed, walk and check in on them, at least once per day. They will feel more secure knowing that they will have fresh food and water and will be less stir crazy than if they were left alone for a long period of time.
In most parts of the world, it is considered good etiquette to ask someone for permission when taking their picture. Many people will become very offended if you take their photograph without asking, and this could even lead to violence. It is better to simply get their permission first than risk offense.
When you travel, it’s tempting to try to pack activities into every spare minute. But you should also plan for some downtime. For example, a three-day weekend in New York City can be crammed with things to do, but why not build in a couple of hours’ ramble around Central Park? It will give you time to regroup, relax, and just enjoy being in your new surroundings.
When you take your pet on the road you have to think in advance about how you will take care of them. One of the most basic needs is exercise. Most everyone takes along a lead but taking along a stake out line and pully is a consideration as well.
Before you leave home, make multiple copies of your travel documents. Store these in separate bags. It may also be a good idea to scan them onto a flash drive, and carry it with you. Emailing them to yourself can be another method. Make sure you have several backups. You do not want to get stuck in a foreign country!
Do not inadvertently recline onto someone. Always check to see what the person behind you is doing, and politely ask if you can recline before doing so. Reclining your seat without warning results in spilled drinks, broken laptops, and injured passengers, so you may want to make sure that they aren’t doing anything important.
When traveling with a baby or toddler, be sure to bring a blanket from home. It is nice to have something that will smell a little bit like home for your baby. Everything will be so different and new that the smell of home will be very soothing and may help calm your loved one a little bit.
Be willing to learn about new cultures and people. Do not take narrow-minded ideas on your travels. You will be meeting and interacting with a wide range of people and they may have very different ideas than you have. If you are judgmental, you will likely miss much of the beauty of your destination.
Before leaving Fido home or at the kennel on your next trip, consider bringing him along for the fun. Many hotels are striving to accommodate their pet-owner clientèle, by turning their properties into pet friendly places. Pets often stay for free, and some hotels offer services like bringing a doggy bed to the room, and turn-down service with a biscuit instead of a mint! So, take along your pooch the next time you need to travel, you’ll both be happy you did.
Prepare a personal hygiene kit and put it in your carry on bag. This is especially important if your luggage happens to get lost. At least you will be equipped with necessary, everyday items. In this bag, include razors, soap, travel sized shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste, a toothbrush and whatever else you may need.
Bring a disposable camera with you when you travel. Although many people these days use digital cameras, disposable cameras are more convenient. You do not have to worry about charging them, and because they do not require a memory card, you do not have to worry about the pictures being deleted or ruined.
It is possible to keep your diet in check when you travel and stay in a hotel. While you are at the hotel, skip the minibar. Also, if the hotel offers a Continental breakfast, stick to the healthier options such as, cereal, eggs and fruits. If your room has a refrigerator or microwave, it might be best to bring food from home that has the nutritional content that you are familiar with.
Inspect your hotel room for those nasty little bed bugs. As soon as you check in, turn down the covers and check the seams of the mattress for traces of bed bugs. Traces include bloodstains or the actual bugs themselves. This will prevent you from bringing the bugs home with you.
Have someone pick up your mail and newspapers while you travel. A full mailbox and a pile of newspapers is a big sign that a home’s owners are away. Have a friend or family member pick up these theft beacons and ensure you do not come back to a ransacked home.
A great travel tip is to always take a look at the mini-bar in your hotel room. If there are bottles or beverages in the mini-bar that aren’t sealed you should contact the front desk and tell them about it so that your account isn’t charged. This simple step can save you money.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, travel can be frustrating, but whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned traveler, the travel tips given in this article will help you get through your next trip with minimal stress. By planning ahead and keeping these tips in mind, you will have all the tools for frustration-free travel.