When you take time to create a good travel plan, it really does pay off. You have saved a lot of money by planning out things like transportation, so that you can enjoy your vacation with a little extra cash in your pocket. Like with any plan, you can always add and improve. Below are some tips to help.
Don’t over-schedule your vacation. While it is important to plan some activities, especially ones which require tickets or additional travel, leave yourself plenty of free time. There is no better way to see a location than to just wander around. Take the time to explore and see where you end up.
Save on money and calories during all of your travels by packing snacks, meals and beverages ahead of time. You can make healthier choices when you plan ahead of time, and you will be less likely to overspend on a sugar or fat filled snacks that are grossly overpriced.
Purchasing an entertainment package when visiting a city with many attractions can save you time and money. An entertainment package purchased in advance usually includes tickets to several area attractions, often at a discounted rate. This will take much of the stress out of a vacation, allowing you to walk past the long lines at the ticket counter when you arrive and get straight to the fun.
When traveling in foreign countries, beware of police officers who ask for your ID. Make sure you ask them for their ID to prove they’re actually a cop. Instead of showing them your real passport, show them a photocopy instead. You don’t want to risk a thief running off with your passport.
Take the first travel photo” of your luggage. If you do end up checking your luggage, take a picture of it before you turn it over to the airline. In case of a problem, this will document what the luggage looks like and its condition when you left it. Also keep your baggage claim ticket in a safe place or snap a picture of it, too, so you have all the information necessary in the event that your luggage is lost.
If you plan to opt for a night flight or just a very long flight in general, it may be best to bring some sort of sleeping aid. It’s quite difficult to sleep on airplanes anyway, but if you take a sleeping aid right before takeoff, you can arrive at your destination fresh and ready to take on the world!
Be sure to compare airfares online. The Internet is a wondrous thing. These days, there are dozens of websites that will allow you to book a flight online. Some of these websites also allow you to check competitor rates for tickets. This makes it very easy to shop around for the best price.
When going on an extended trip, make sure to pack weather appropriate clothing. Go online to check out the weather channel’s website and see what kind of weather is expected in your travel area. For example, don’t pack mini skirts and tennis shoes if where you’re going has a lot of rainfall and cold weather. It not only will prevent you from getting sick, but also from getting strange stares from the locals who can pinpoint tourists and make you feel awkward.
If you want to attempt to get an empty seat, there are some tricks to try. Ask for a seat near the back end of the plane, because these generally fill up last. If you are not comfortable with that, ask for an exit row seat. These seats come with extra responsibility, that not many are willing to accept.
When traveling on a cruise ship, it is important to tip the staff members even before they have performed a service. You will come into contact with these employees many times throughout your stay on board, so give your cabin steward an immediate tip once you arrive. The quality of the service you receive is likely to be even better than it would have been otherwise.
Take cookie sheets with you when you are traveling in a car with children. Cookie sheets can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including snack or meal trays. They can also be used as a coloring desk and game table. Small children will enjoy using the trays with their magnetic letters and numbers, keeping them busy and happy during the drive.
You never know what may arise when traveling to another country so take the time to find out the location of your country’s embassy or foreign office. If passport issues arise or any other situation that may affect you as a foreign visitor to the country, your embassy can be the best place to resolve them.
When packing flashlights or torches for your trips, make sure that they cannot be accidentally turned on which can waste your batteries during your travels. To do this, just simply take out the batteries and turn them around incorrectly. The fact that they are placed inside incorrect will avoid to accidentally turn on that could drain them. Just remember to turn them around for when you need them.
If you enjoy wine, the corks from the bottles that you’ve ordered throughout your travels can make a great souvenir. Consider writing the date and any other interesting information on it to mark the occasion. When you get home, put the corks in an empty vase or similar container and use it as a decoration in your living room.
Have a better road trip by actually going with people you actually enjoy being around. Don’t plan on traveling this way unless there is some kind of friendly relationship between you and the people who would be going with you. Good companionship makes for a quicker and more enjoyable road trip for everyone involved.
You have the research, the plan, and are now ready to apply them all to a great and well-thought out trip. Fabulous! The above tips were constructed to add to your personal travel plan, as you are never done improving it. You may have even found something new to experience on your next trip.
