Even for someone who travels often, going to a new place can be nerve-wracking and exciting all at once. Read this advice before even packing for your next vacation.
Once you have decided where to go, learn what you can about your destination. Choose a good map of the area, and pore over the museums, sightseeing destinations and the general region. 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.
Traveling away from home may make you wish to take some reminders of home with you. Try to pack just the items you really need, however. Make a list of toiletries that you generally use throughout your day and can’t live without. Only pack the most important ones.
Tip the bell boy and housekeeper when staying in a nice place. Standard tips are generally $1 for each piece of luggage, and $2-$5 for the housekeeper each day of your stay. This will increase the quality of service in your hotel and make your stay more enjoyable.
Never panic during the packing stage as this will simply lead to forgetfulness and important items left behind. Don’t waste time searching all over your house for your travel pillow, plug adapters, and travel toiletries. Buy a cheap “travel” bin and store all necessary items there. Even a tote kept in a specific place can be a great place to store travel essentials.
Take your hotel’s business card and put it in your wallet or purse. If you are out on the streets of a foreign city and find yourself lost, this small item will be very useful when trying to get directions from a taxi driver or a local on the street. This is one of the most important suggestions that can be given as language barriers exist and you have a better chance of not getting lost.
Do your best to avoid traveling during rush hour when you are driving. If you must be on the road at that time, consider using that time to refuel or grab something to eat. This is a great time to grab a bite or give the kids some exercise.
Look at when your passport expires. There are rules about your passport in many countries. Depending on the expiration date of your passport, a country may not let you visit. Normally, this range is between three and six months, but it can even be eight months to a year.
You should get the National Parks Pass if you go to these type of parks often. They cost around $50 and will get you into any national park for a whole year.
If there is a little one on your road tip, make sure to stop the car every three hours or so. You can go to the bathroom and get some exercise for a few minutes. In addition, giving your child a chance to get out of the vehicle occasionally can reduce any motion sickness they may be experiencing. This will help everyone to stay happy on your trip.
When you plan to stay in a hotel, bring some candles along. It can help your room smell better. Also, it creates a romantic and relaxing atmosphere and could get you to fall asleep. These types of candles exist in portable sizes, dripless formulas and even electronic styles that won’t make any smoke or mess.
By applying the tips in the above article, you are certain to find new and exciting things during your next trip. Whether you travel once a year or once a week, you might have found some handy ideas that can make your future journeys easier than any you have taken before.