While traveling to a brand new place can be a great experience, it can also be very stressful. Fortunately, with a little planning and preparation, any trip can be made easier. Below you will find some solid ideas on how to ensure that your next trip goes according to plan.
Once you’ve picked your destination, familiarize yourself with the area. Make sure you have a map, and know what attractions are must-sees in the area. If you learn the area, you will have an easier time while you travel.
Make sure to get to the port city the night before your cruise to avoid the chance of missing it. Ask the staff at the hotel where you stay about parking deals they may offer.
Purchase tickets on the Internet in advance and print them at home when you have a specific destination, like a theme park, in mind. The small fee per ticket for this service is well worth it when you consider the lines that you can avoid. For big attractions that have timed entry available, you can use that, too, to get you in faster.
Before booking, do some research. Look at different websites with reviews about the place you want to travel to. Get advice from friends who may have traveled there previously. Doing your own research helps prepare you and allows you to select your activities once you arrive at your destination.
When you get into your hotel room, check your alarm. Some travelers find themselves awakened at three or four in the morning by alarm clocks that the previous occupant of the room set. To get your vacation off on the right foot, be sure that the alarm is either turned off or set to the proper time.
Off-hour flights can be made bearable with the help of sleep aids. Lots of people aren’t comfortable sleeping on planes, because the place isn’t familiar, the seats are uncomfortable, and the passengers and airplane make noise. If you have trouble sleeping while flying, feel free to have a sleeping pill shortly before your flight in order to help you relax and possibly get a nap in during the trip. Your best bet is to wait to take the pill after the plane takes off. If a delay should occur, you don’t want to feel exhausted before your flight takes off.
Not a lot of people can afford the Ritz Hotel, and sometimes have to stay at a less desirable hotel. Bring a doorstop with you when staying in a hotel that makes you uneasy. Use it and the lock on your door. An intruder might be able to get past the chain and the lock, but the rubber doorstop won’t be so easy to dislodge.
Bring a few cookies sheets with you when going on a road trip in which your children will be with you. Utilize the cookie sheets as a surface on which your kids can play cards or rest their coloring books. For little ones, try bringing magnetic numbers and letters for educational enjoyment.
Before you travel, find out if your destination requires a visa. Acquiring a visa can be a lengthy process, so do not wait until the last minute to apply. This will help your trip go more smoothly, since without the right visas, you’ll have trouble getting into some countries.
If you are taking a small child in a long car ride, plan on taking breaks every few hours. Taking a break gives you a chance to visit the restroom and walk around a bit. Also, if your child has motion sickness, it is a good idea to let them out of your car once in awhile. Your trip may become a little longer, but the reduced stress will be worth any delay.
Jet Lag
If you want to quickly adjust to another time zone, you should aim to keep yourself awake until around 8pm local time. If you go to sleep too soon, it can make jet lag worse by keeping your body accustomed to your old time zone. Do your best to adjust to the new time as quickly as you can, so your jet lag will fade and you can enjoy your vacation.
When traveling to a foreign country, you should bring along bottled water. Some countries do not purify or distill their water, and as a result it is rich in dangerous bacteria. Remember to use bottled water even when doing small things like wetting your tooth brush. The tap water is just as likely to make you sick.
Be sure to provide a family member or friend with your travel itinerary. Include where you will stay, phone numbers and other information. All of your documentation should be in order before you leave.
Get insurance to cover emergencies if you’re traveling to a remote or exotic location. This kind of insurance can give you peace of mind when you are far from civilization.
When going to another country, don’t exchange currency at their airport. Given the convenience such exchanges offer, they tend to come at a high price. Before you travel, look up nearby banks that do currency exchanges, as you will typically be able to find much better rates.
Do not allow travel obstacles to keep you from really enjoying the trip you are taking. Just keep these suggestions handy while you travel and you can better enjoy your trip the way you want. Instead of thinking about what could happen or go wrong, just focus on what great memories you will get from it.