Everyone loves to go on vacation, but it can be a very stressful time. Very often, by the time your vacation is over you need another vacation to recover from it! The following article has a few of the best tips and tricks for making your travel as fun and stress free as possible.
Dealing with airports is an unfortunate necessity of much modern travel. Pack an empty water bottle to fill after you get through security. This will save you from having to buy a $3.00 bottle of water after you get through the checkpoint. It also never hurts to pack granola bars, banana chips, or anything else to snack on between flights.
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!
If you are traveling by airplane, be sure to bring along your own headphones. Most in-flight entertainment systems today require that you wear headphones. You may be able to buy them in-flight, but it will be at a greatly inflated cost. Headphones are also a great way to create ‘white noise’ to block out your neighbors and/or the plane noise.
Get in touch with someone who runs a local blog in your destination city. Most often, these bloggers are highly knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their city, and are happy to share tips or tricks, helping you get the most from your trip. Make sure to actually read their site, so you can comment or compliment them on it before asking them for help.
Travelers are a common target of theft, but you can protect your luggage with a few simple tactics. Put Christmas bells on your suitcases and carry-on luggage, to alert you if someone tries to take them. Insert your foot through the strap or handle of your luggage when sitting in an airport lounge during a layover. Be aware that a distraction around you may be a deliberate attempt to divert your attention from your belongings.
Destination travel to popular locations does not have to be too expensive, even with larger families or travel partners. There are many destination guides that offer discounts on larger parties for travel, lodging, as well as dining and rental of vehicles while visiting. Booking all your travel plans together can save you so much more money.
Carry an over-the-door shoe organizer with you when you are traveling. Staying organized in a hotel room is very difficult. A shoe organizer is extremely helpful because you can put your toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, aspirin and other items in it. If you have a clear organizer, you will be able to see where everything is at a glance.
Social networking sites can serve as wonderful resources while you’re traveling. A quick Tweet or Facebook status update asking such questions as: Where’s a great place for ice cream in New York? or Which coffee shop should I check out in Rome? can provide you with a wealth of instant information.
Pay extra for the balcony when traveling on a cruise ship. Not only does it give you and your partner a little retreat, but it also provides you with an incredible view of the ocean. A balcony can add just the touch of romance that you might have been craving on your vacation.
Always be sure to bring an extra shirt with you on the plane when you are traveling with a baby or toddler. It is easy to remember to bring one for your loved one, but you never think of one for yourself! In a confined space like the plane, you never know what kind of an accident could happen, so it is good to have something else to change into.
When traveling, always be sure to dress in layers. It is so much easier to take something off or put it back on depending on the temperature, instead of sitting and regretting that you dressed too warmly or not warmly enough. This is especially true on flights where you, most likely, can no longer get a blanket to keep you warm.
To get the most enjoyment out of travel, relax. Travel can be stressful no matter how you go – car, plane, train or bus. Inevitably, something will go wrong even when you are highly prepared. Do not stress about it. Relax and enjoy whatever might come your way. The best experiences often result from the unexpected. Just think of the stories you can tell later!
Do not take any drinks that are offered to you unless it is served by a restaurant or hotel. They could be laced with drugs or other harmful substances. This is because many locals like to drug tourists or lace their drinks in order to steal from them or take advantage of them.
Take a photo of your luggage that you are checking. It will save you a good bit of time and grief if it should get lost during transport. You will be able to present a photo of the bag to the airline and they will have no question as to whether the bag that they have found is yours or not.
These are only a few of the tricks out there to help make your vacation hassle-free. If you find that you could use some more, the internet is full of helpful suggestions that can help you out. But hopefully, at least a few of the tips provided here, have helped you out.