Smith 
Despite the fun, stress often accompanies travel. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure a smooth trip. This advice may help you plan a trip that is very enjoyable.
Create a list of what needs to be packed. Put together a list of things you must take with you. You can start doing this a couple of months out, but should be finished about a week before your trip. Even if you won’t have time to pack until the last minute, having a list will keep you organized.
When going to foreign countries, be smart about food allergies. If you do have food allergies, it is a good idea to learn some words for food in the native language. You’ll be able to tell waitstaff in restaurants about your allergies before there’s a problem and you have to explain to medical professionals.
Pack lightly and take only what you need, when traveling. When you carry less items with you, there is less of a chance of having items stolen or losing them. Try not to pack too many shoes, as this tends to be the heaviest item.
If you are traveling to a less developed country and you have security concerns in a hotel, take along a doorstop. You can use them to keep a door closed as well.
If you are flying or driving with a young child, it is vital that you bring along things that will keep your toddler entertained, especially if the traveling is long. Consider taking along some of his favorite play things. 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.
A good tip to have filtered water is to melt the ice provided by the hotel and use that for your morning coffee. Instead of tap water, put ice in your bucket the night before so it has time to melt. In the morning, you’ll be able to make good coffee with filtered water that tastes good.
Cash your traveler’s checks prior to buying anything, even food. Traveler’s checks can be a pain to work with. You may get shorted by using them, so use local currency when spending.
If you enjoy visiting the gorgeous National Parks and plan to do so often, consider investing in an affordable National Park Pass. They cost $50 and are good for all the parks for one year.
When you travel across time zones, jet lag becomes an issue. To help prepare for this try to get a few extra hours sleep before leaving on your trip. Try to rest as much as possible while on the plane.
For sheer time savings, making your travel arrangements on the Internet beats the competition hands down. When you visit a good travel site, you can plan an excellent itinerary quickly and easily. At these sites you have the ability to book hotels, rental cars and flights from one location. You can even find photos and reviews of potential hotels on the Internet. You can also find excellent deals on good travel sites. For example, you might find a good discount for travel plans made at the last minute.
Also bring travel candles for when you stay in a hotel. It can help your room smell better. The smells can be relaxing, the lighting romantic and it can help you feel more at ease in an unfamiliar hotel room. There are many candle options available that are small and the wax is contained to prevent wax from causing damage.
When taking a cruise, socialize with the folks seated at your dinner table. Most ships seat you at large tables that include guests with whom you are not acquainted. Have a good time and talk with different people. You are likely to see them often, and it is possible that you will glean some information regarding the ship along the way.
When taking a long road trip, prepare for any necessary service stops. You will find that service areas are few and far between, especially when on long road trips. Make sure you take a good close look when planning your trip and locate places when you realize that you might run into one of those types of stretches. Make sure you keep the numbers for a few different service stations along the way just in case you need to be towed.
Remember to bring an extra passport picture with you when traveling. If you manage to lose your passport, you will lose time trying to replace it. If you have an extra photo on hand, it can speed up the entire process. You should also carry copies of documentation.
If you are a light sleeper, a pair of earplugs can really help. Hotel walls are paper thin at times. Earplugs can block noise and help you to be able to sleep, whether you invest in one good pair or buy disposable earplugs.
Weather is a powerful consideration when planning any trip. Research the weather forecast at your vacation spot. Nothing can ruin the best travel plans quicker than ending up on a freezing beach in Florida or a sweltering ski slope in Colorado.
Take an early flight to avoid delays. A flight delayed earlier in the day could cause other flights throughout the day to become late too. Thus, the earliest flights will suffer from the fewest back-ups.
Don’t let the potential downfalls of a trip keep you from having the time of your life. Remember the information learned here the next time you go traveling, and your vacation will be much more enjoyable. You will simply enjoy focusing more on the journey than the planning stage and that is what it’s all about.
