As exciting as traveling can be, the planning process for it is not so much fun. Trying to plan exactly how your trip should go, and making sure you have everything you need, can be frustrating. The tips in this article can help make trip planning a breeze so that you can just focus on enjoying yourself.

Get educated about foreign food ingredients to prevent unintentional exposure to allergens. If you are allergic to certain foods, you should know what the name of the food is in the native language. This helps ensure that the wait staff is clearly informed of your allergies in case of an emergency.

When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. You should always check credentials, and avoid releasing your passport or official documents to these individuals. Walk or drive your own car to a police station if you are asked to. Do not get in a vehicle with a local who you don’t know.

Look for a hotel that offers free parking and stay the night before leaving from a port city, on a cruise. Always ask the hotel staff for the policies and pricing on parking at the hotel and whether deals are available.

Take clothespins when you travel. It is an unusual item to consider packing, however they can be quite useful.

Try exercising prior to flying. This can reduce the monotony of a long flight. You will be sitting in one spot for a long time, and this may cause back and leg cramps. Getting a good workout or stretch in before your flight can leave you feeling relaxed and reduce the chances of your body stiffening during your flight.

The bell hop and housekeeper should be tipped appropriately. It is usually acceptable to pay $1 for each bag that you have, and about $2-$5 each day for housekeeping. You will find that this simple act will make your stay overall that much better, and the people who work there will go out of their way to please you.

Take advantage of travel-related online forums. On these sites you will learn everything you need to know about the location you are traveling to. You’ll find out about attractions you might not otherwise have known about.

Rush Hour

Don’t drive during rush hour. If it’s not possible to avoid rush hour, take a break during that time. These breaks are good for having a meal or just getting out and stretching your legs for a few minutes.

Make sure you get the latest e-newsletters of the airlines you use. E-newsletters show you any special discounts or last-minute offers they have available. The savings you will enjoy will more than make up for having to deal with a few more items in your inbox.

As was said earlier, actually taking a trip is usually much more pleasant than planning one. Remember that planning your trip now will give you more time to enjoy all the wonderful activities available to you. The tips listed here will get you on the right track to having the vacation of your dreams.