When it comes to travel, whether for business or just pleasure, you should always make your plans well in advance. The following advice can be very useful.
After choosing a destination, spend some time learning more about where you plan to travel. Buy a map of the place you’re traveling to, and study the sightseeing sites, environment and museums. If you have a basic idea of where you are going and what you are doing, you will find that your trip goes more smoothly.
When visiting foreign countries, be careful of which taxis you choose. Do not hop in if you get a bad feeling. Anyone can just put a taxi label on his car, and you would not know where this person would take you.
Take clothespins along the next time you travel. They are often forgotten, but they actually can prove to be very useful.
When you try to find the best prices on your flights, be sure to check individual airline websites. You can find cheap air fare at Travelocity and Kayak; however, you may find better prices directly from the airline.
It is not uncommon to provide the housekeeper and bell hop with a tip. For these services, a good tip for housekeeping would be from $2-$5 per day, and $1 per bag of luggage. This will keep your relationship with the employees a cordial one and your stay pleasant.
Try to wear comfortable and light shoes when air traveling – shoes that you can slip out of easily. When you are boarding a plane you will need to remove your shoes during the security check. Comfort is extremely important. You will be sitting a lot, so a great deal of support is unnecessary. Sandals or flip-flops are footwear that is ideal for air travel.
If you have a motorcycle license, this vehicle can be great for taking day trips or road trips. You can enjoy the open road, wind in your face and great gas mileage. It can be a lot of fun.
For traveler’s checks, convert them to cash before shopping or dining. Though lots of places will accept the checks, it can be a hassle. If you use such checks, it may be that you end up getting shorted, so try to get some local money prior to spending anything.
While some car rental companies ask that drivers be at least 18, others require that their drivers be 25 years old. If you aren’t 25, the rate you pay may be higher, and you may be required to use a credit card. There are certain areas where seniors are not permitted to rent cars. In the early stages of making your reservation, inquire if these apply to you.
Jet lag typically occurs if travel includes crossing time zones. It cannot be entirely avoided, but getting lots of sleep before your trip can definitely mitigate things. Additionally, sleep during the flight as much as possible.
The Internet has become an awesome resource when it comes to planning your next vacation. Travel sites aid in planning out your travel itineraries with little effort. Many of these sites enable you to simultaneously book your flight, lodgings and a rental car. Reviews and photographs of hotels are available on the web. Even better are the deals that you can get through the use of online coupons.
When traveling a long distance by airplane, try packing your own non-liquid snacks. Fresh snacks, especially fruit, can break up a trip and can provide a nice change to heavy airline food that often feels like a brick in your stomach. You can avoid spending a lot on airport food, and that nice-looking neighbor may start a conversation.
If you are traveling by car, plan ahead for fill ups. On road trips, often you find yourself on long stretches of road that may not have many services if an issue arises with your vehicle. Plan a route that will have service stations along the way, where your vehicle can be maintained as needed. Be sure you have these numbers handy for any problems that may occur.
Buying a second passport photo is a good idea when traveling abroad. If you happen to lose your passport or it gets stolen, getting a new one may take a long time. An extra picture my speed up the replacement process. Also, keep any extra documentation you would need to get your passport replaced quickly.
If you’re going to a foreign country, bring some cards in that country’s language that describes your food allergies. These cards can also help to let your waiters know which foods you prefer to avoid. Cards help ensure that your dining experiences are positive ones.
Give your travel itinerary to a family member or friend. Include where you will stay, phone numbers and other information. Also, leave copies of your ticket and flight information along with your passport id page.
Long trips provide a great reason to pack up your music collection, load it in the car and enjoy your favorite songs along the way. Bringing music along gives you a constant source of enjoyment, unlike the radio which can have interference at times.
Before your trip, ensure that you have photocopied each of your most important travel documents. Keep these copies of passports, insurance information, and any other pertinent documents in a safe place as backups for the originals. It is recommended to also leave copies of your documents with an emergency contact so that if the unexpected happens you have someone that has the necessary documentation to assist you.
How much preparation you do before traveling can really influence how enjoyable your trip turns out to be. You are sure to feel calmer before departure if you have things spelled out ahead of time.