Your next vacation should be relaxing and stress free. You have worked hard and paid a lot of money to spend that time doing what you want to do where you want to do it. Let us help put your mind at ease with these simple steps that you can take to ensure your happiness, while traveling.
When traveling in different countries, instead of exchanging cash for the local currency, use an ATM to withdrawal some pocket money. Banks will get better rates for exchanging currencies than you would be able to get. You end up with more savings if you go to a bank.
When flying, always have a bottle of water handy. Drinking plenty of fluids will ensure that your body stays hydrated during the flight. The air inside the cabin is extremely dry, playing havoc with your body. Don’t substitute alcohol or caffeine for water, as this can make dehydration worse.
Many out of the way destinations are often overlooked for vacations. For example, while St. Thomas in the Caribbean is incredibly popular, with very little extra effort one can make a trip to Vieques off of Puerto Rico instead. It has many of the same amenities, is much less crowded, and will make your vacation seem much more special!
Be sure to confirm your reservation at the establishment you will be lodging in. Hotels are well within their right to give your room to someone else if you do not confirm your reservation. A quick phone call can ensure that you don’t find yourself without a place to stay, when you arrive.
If you’ve got a long flight coming up, it may be tempting to take a sleep aide to make the travel time go faster. But wait until your plane is up in the air before you take it. If you doze off before it’s in the air, you may miss important announcements or worse, be asked to disembark to switch planes.
When you are traveling by car or plane with toddlers, you should always have interesting things available to occupy their time. Try to bring along a few favorite toys. It is also a good idea to buy a new toy to take on the trip because it will give your child something to associate the trip with.
Rental cars come in all colors and all models. The problem is that they all look basically the same! Make sure you note your car’s precise location before you leave it in a parking lot to go into a large discount store or anywhere else where it could be lost in the sea of other cars.
If you’ve got a day ashore planned, why should you spend your time finding a place to eat and then paying a fortune for some food? Most cruise lines offer 24 hour room service. So before you disembark, have a sandwich and chips brought up to your room. You can pack it up and use it for lunch while you’re out enjoying the sun.
If you’re flying with a toddler and bringing a car seat, purchase a wheeled device that attaches directly to the car seat. It can be incredible difficult to tote your luggage, car seat, and a stroller through the airport. Turning your car seat into a stroller might give you a free hand, which is much needed when you have a baby in tow.
A great travel tip if you’re planning on going for a cruise is to ask to get a map of the ship. There are so many different levels and areas on cruise ships that it can get really easy to get lost. Having a map handy can keep you from getting lost.
It is possible to save money on eating out while on vacation. There are web sites that offer restaurant gift certificates for a fraction of their worth. Check out the restaurants in the area and their reviews, and see if you can find gift certificates to help you save money while eating out on vacation.
If you need a cheap place to stay while vacationing in Europe, consider sleeping in a hostel. Hostels are basically rooms that are shared by several people and are a lot more affordable than hotels. They may be small rooms with bunk-beds or large auditoriums with cots. If you can sleep through the noise, it is a great way to meet other travelers.
When you are travelling to a foreign country make sure to have backups of your important documents. The most important thing on a trip like this is a passport and you should treat it with extreme care. This document is more important than the money you are bringing and it should be treated this way.
Wear a money belt when you are traveling. Though these may not be the most fashionable accessory to your wardrobe, they can be a life saver. Keeping your money, as well as any important documents, next to you at all times, will decrease the likelihood that you will find yourself without these important items.
Before you travel, make arrangements for pets at least two weeks in advance. Kennels and vet boarding often fills up, especially if you’re traveling on or near a major holiday. If someone is coming to your home to feed your pet, make sure they’re available in advance so you’ll have time to look into other options if your pet sitter isn’t available.
Do not pull out large amounts of cash when you are making a purchase. Keep small amounts of cash separate in your pocket so you can pull it out and not show that you have a lot of money on you. This will protect you from theft and pick pockets.
Now that you have some information that you will need, in order to have a well-planned and relaxing getaway, all that is left to do is to pack your bags and put the advice here into good practice. Travel should be an enjoyable experience and these tips will make sure that that happens.
