Few things are more thrilling than travel. Whether you are going for a road trip to see something new in your own state, or heading off overseas for the very first time to visit a city you have always dreamed off, there are some travel basics that you should know. This article will help you to plan out the perfect trip.
If you have known food allergies, be very careful about food when traveling in foreign countries. If you have had severe reactions to certain foods, learn all the foreign words for those foods. You need to be able to communicate well enough to order food that is safe for your consumption.
Pack some clothespins for your next vacation. They can be very useful.
Get in a workout before boarding your flight. Long flights are found to be hard to sit through. Having to remain seated in one position that long can give you cramps in your back and legs. If you get a quick workout before boarding the flight, it can help to reduce the chance of getting leg cramps. If nothing else, try stretching a little.
Traveling away from home can often result in you carrying along too many belongings. Try to pack just the items you really need, however. Make a short list of toiletries you use daily and are truly needed. Take the ones that mean the most to you.
Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. You should give about a dollar per bag and 2 to 5 dollars per day of housekeeping. Tipping ensures good service and is sure to make your interactions with hotel staff more pleasurable.
Always verify when your passport expires. Many countries have specific rules concerning your passport. If your passport is expired or close to expiring, some countries won’t allow you to enter. Time frames can run anywhere from three months to a year.
If you use services with a “green” certification, your vacation will be friendlier to the planet. A lot of hotels have a program for reusing linens, have lighting that is energy efficient, put recycling bins out for guests to use, utilize alternative sources for energy, and feature plumbing with low flow. Tour companies, care rental agencies, and other services are also implementing ways to be environmentally responsible.
Many people think you only have to be 18 to rent a car; however, there are rental companies that require you to be at least 25 years old to rent one. You might even pay more if you are not a certain age. In some places, senior citizens may not be allowed to rent a car. Find out about any age restrictions when reserving a rental car.
Travel Sites
When you are planning a vacation, doing it online is very efficient. Using travel sites will greatly assist you in planning your travel destinations without using a lot of unwanted effort on your part. You can book hotels, rental cars and flights easily from your computer! You can easily access reviews and photos of hotels for quick comparison. Travel sites also show reviews of hotels along with photos of rooms and their facilities.
When traveling abroad, bring an extra passport photo. It takes quite awhile to replace a stolen or misplaced passport. Be sure to carry extra copies of important travel documentation just in case the originals are lost or misplaced. Remember to bring pertinent documentation that may be needed in moving things along.
If you sleep lightly, carry a set of earplugs. Hotel walls can often be quite thin. Decent earplugs (or more than one pair of disposable ear plugs) can block out lots of noise so that you can sleep well at night.
When you are going to another country, take bottled water with you. The water of foreign countries is often not purified and could cause your to get sick. Remember to use bottled water even when doing small things like wetting your tooth brush. Tap water can still make you sick this way.
Make sure you tip well on your vacation. Tip the steward $20 when you board a cruise. These crew members will most likely be helping you for your entire cruise. Treating them well may ensure that you receive quality service.
Car Seats
If you are taking children with you on a trip where you will be driving a rental car, do not forget to bring their car seats. Bring your own car seats if you want to ensure the safest option for your children.
If you are headed to another country, do not make monetary exchanges at the airport. Since it’s often the most convenient place, the exchange rate is usually very high. Before traveling, find banks nearby that exchange currency, since they will typically offer better rates.
It’s important to keep in mind that there are many guests in every hotel. When you are in a hotel, you should always show respect towards your neighbors. Never slam the doors or be extremely loud. This courtesy will be greatly valued by others nearby who may not be on the same sleeping schedule. You don’t have to be quiet as a mouse, but you should be reasonable in the noise you make.
Bring an expandable file for keeping track of itineraries. Expandable files are lightweight, easy to carry, and will allow you to easily store schedules, brochures, and other pertinent information as you move from place to place. It’s also a great way of storing maps and receipts.
Investigate if seasickness might be something you are prone to before going on a cruise. A cruise adventure could be easily ruined by this. Seasickness can ruin your trip by keeping you bedridden for most of it. To save money on costly medical expenses, you should get medication beforehand and take it with you on the cruise.
Make sure to confirm your flight a day beforehand. When you take care of checking in, jot down your flight information. This will allow you to monitor the flight prior to going to the airport and change plans as needed due to delays.
Now you have wonderful tips to make traveling fun. Never leave your camera at home!