Travel can mean the exhilaration of seeing new places or the nightmare of not having the comforts and security of home. Like anything, travel goes much more smoothly with a little bit of knowledge and preparation. Keep reading for some sound advice from seasoned travelers on making your journeys pleasant memories.
Calling a family or friend when you leave and arrive on a trip isn’t just for kids. It is a good way to put them at ease, and also to make sure that if something goes wrong on your trip, someone will know about it quicker. If you have not called by a certain time, and they cannot reach you, this person will be able to take appropriate actions to find you or find out what happened.
When traveling to many areas of the world, be aware of the nature of the plumbing. For example, toilet paper is not meant to go into the sewer pipes in much of the world. Instead, there will be a small basket next to the toilet to hold the paper.
If you’re going on a cruise, it’s advisable to bring your own alcohol. While food is unlimited on the ship, alcohol is not. They won’t charge you anything right then and there, instead you’ll just swipe your room key. But come check out time, you may find you’ve racked up hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of alcohol if you and your family like to drink.
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.
Make your travel plans more affordable by tracking airfare with online services. Get an idea of what you would like to pay for your flight, put the location and the dates into the website and then wait until the fare goes down to your pre-selected price. You no longer have to keep checking every few days sincy you will get an email when the fare reaches your ideal price.
When you get back from a trip with a baby or toddler, do not expect them to be back to their schedule as usual the very next day. Children this age like to follow schedules and theirs was disrupted for some time. By realizing this, it will help you understand them better and make this transition period a little easier for all.
If you are flexible with your travel schedule, consider booking your trip the day before or the day after your ideal departure date. Just one day can mean the difference of one hundred dollars or more in savings. Many of the big travel websites give you the option to see the prices of the days surrounding your ideal date.
Be very careful of sending text messages while traveling. While roaming charges within your home country are becoming less common, do not make the mistake of assuming your ‘unlimited texting’ plan is valid abroad and check with your phone company. Many travelers have come home from vacation to find an unexpectedly large phone bill waiting for them due to overseas usage fees.
When you are traveling on a cruise ship, plan for any theme parties that they might have on board. Contact the ship ahead of time, and find out what they will be doing. Pack a few accessories that will help you enjoy the festivities, and you could even save some money since you won’t be tempted to buy costumes on the boat.
If you have the option to do so, use a business card as your luggage tag to avoid revealing your personal information. Many unscrupulous people out there are looking for opportunities for theft or other devious schemes. Knowing you are going on a trip means that gaining your personal info from luggage offers a potentially empty home.
Think about the various ways to travel. The busing system is not what it once was. Travel prices are competitive, while most buses are clean and are equipped with electrical outlets, Wi-Fi and other extras. There are package deals available, which make the trip easy to plan, too.
Try to find and wear a money necklace when traveling. Similar to a money belt, a money necklace hold money, your passport, credit cards or any other valuable belonging you may have. It can easily be hidden underneath your clothing. This helps to hide your personal belongings from any thieves or pickpockets.
Are you traveling? Consider investing in a money belt to protect your valuables! Money belts go around your waist and under your clothes. Never take money from your money belt while in public, it makes you a target for thieves! Instead, put the money you plan on spending that day in your pocket, before you leave the hotel room.
Check the laws in any country you will be visiting when you travel. Laws can vary widely from country to country. What is acceptable in one, can be a prison offense in another. Take the time to get yourself familiar before you travel. This way you can avoid any trouble.
Make sure that you plan your vacation in advance. This will help to ensure that you get the best deal on your flight and hotel. Last minute vacations always cost more than those that are planned ahead. You will be happy you did the planning ahead.
Talk to any road warrior and they can tell you both stories of great trips and disaster journeys. Some of the things they have learned have been shared in this article. Keep these tips in mind in preparing for your future travels, and you are sure to come home with great memories rather than headaches.
