You’ve done it. You have booked that trip that you have always wanted. That’s great! Or maybe it’s a trip that is related to work or family business. You probably have a lot of questions on what to do, what to pack, etc. Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your traveling plans.
Before booking a hotel for your trip, check with the Better Business Bureau. Checking with them first, can save you a lot of time and money. It will ensure that you do not waste your time checking into a poor hotel. A poor hotel experience can ruin any vacation or business trip.
If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.
A plastic shoe organizer over your hotel door can keep you organized. It is difficult to stay organized away from home, with little to no storage space except your suitcase. Put an organizer over your bathroom door when you arrive, the kind with the clear pockets is best. You can use it to store your essentials and keep them where it’s easy to locate.
If you’re going on a trip to visit family, one way to make sure everyone will have a place to sleep is to bring along a number of inflatable vinyl air mattresses as well as an electric pump. These mattresses have improved greatly in quality over the years and the price is quite reasonable. Pumps can be hooked up to your car’s cigarette lighter or into an AC outlet. It is well worth the minimal cost to be sure that everyone has a bed to sleep in when you arrive.
If you plan to travel for more than a weekend, inform your bosses two weeks prior to leaving so that they can find someone to cover your responsibilities before hand. This way, you are not relying on someone who merely says they will cover for you and you have respectfully informed them the reasons of your absence.
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.
Whenever you are flying to your travel spot, make sure to use the airport limo or a possible airport pick-up service. This ensures that you do not have to wait in line for a taxi and that you can promptly arrive at your hotel with the least possible frustration.
If you are packing for a cruise, don’t buy anything new for the trip. This is because most cruises today will allow you to remain in casual clothes even for dinner, and almost never require that you dress in black-tie formalwear. Whatever you currently own is most likely acceptable for the trip.
If you’re going to be staying in a hotel for less than a week, don’t bother unpacking. It may not be fun to live out of your suitcase, but by not unpacking things you lower your chances of leaving something behind. You wouldn’t want to risk leaving something important behind.
Even if you don’t have a digital music player, bring headphones on your flight. Many airlines have in-flight entertainment systems that are free to use but require headphones. Instead of paying $5 for the crummy airline headphones, bring your own and enjoy your flight in comfort and style.
If you know in advance that you will be passing through some less-than-desirable neighborhoods or areas of town en route to your destination, don’t rely solely on your in-dash GPS system. Map out alternate routes using MapQuest or Google Maps, so you don’t end up in a bad part of town, in the middle of the night, with bad directions.
If you’re planning to stay in the same city for awhile, you should look into renting an apartment or house instead of staying at a hotel. You can find many websites devoted to short-term rentals. By renting, you will save money, get better accommodations, and have a more authentic local experience.
Look into getting a hand-held satellite phone. Because a lot of cell phones do not work in many countries, you want to make sure you have some form of communication at all times. If you cannot get a hand-held satellite phone, it would be wise to purchase an international calling card.
Put your smart phone to work for you when you travel. Email your itinerary to yourself so you can quickly access it from your phone, from anywhere. Use your phone for photos, text messaging home, checking weather forecasts, keeping track of the time zone and so many more things that will make your travels simpler.
Try to find and wear clothing that has hidden pockets. Not only is this convenient for you because you have room to carry more items, but it is helpful for keeping things from thieves and pickpockets. They will never find your valuables in a hidden shirt, pants or jacket pocket.
When preparing to pack for your vacation, make sure to check the weather forecast for your destination. Try to check the forecast the day before you leave, for the best accuracy. Even though weather forecasts are never 100 percent correct, you can get a general idea of what type of clothing and shoes to bring.
When travelling to a popular vacation destination, visit local tourism offices upon arrival. They may offer great tips on unusual or fun alternatives to the typical visitor attractions such as small festivals or museums not listed on the major tourism maps!
Now you should be much more prepared when it comes to traveling. You should now be an expert on what to do and what to pack for all of your trips! The tips that were given should help you travel smarter and have a much more enjoyable time.
