Travel is more than just going to another location. Taking a trip to place you’ve never been before can be fun, exciting and eye-opening! There many things to see and do on a trip, so plan appropriately. Are you prepared to work hard in order to plan the trip of a lifetime? Here are some suggestions that will help you on your way, no matter what you do.

When going to foreign countries, be smart about food allergies. If you have food allergies, you should familiarize yourself with the foreign language names of your allergies. That way you can ask the waitstaff if their selections have the allergen in their ingredients.

Even on an international flight, you should be able to provide your own needs. Pack your headphones, a blanket and even a pillow if you feel like you will use them. If you are concerned about not getting anything to eat on the flight, bring along your own snacks also.

If your travels will take you to a port of call prior to your cruise, try to find a reasonably priced hotel with included parking and check in the night before. You can check with staff at the hotel for unpublished parking deals.

Put in a good workout before boarding your flight. Longer flights can be hard on your body. You may find your back or legs cramping from sitting in the same position for too long. Stretching or doing a quick workout prior to flying can eliminate or lower your risk of getting soreness or leg cramps.

It’s important to tip the housekeeper and bell station well. People generally recommend a buck per bag for the bellhop and $2-5 per day for the maid. If you treat the staff well, then they will treat you well.

Sleeping Pill

Try taking a mild sleeping aid during your red-eye flight. A lot of people find it hard to sleep on planes, due to the unfamiliar surroundings, uncomfortable seats and aircraft noise. A sleeping pill may be just what you need to go to sleep quickly and make it through your flight without any problems. Always wait until you are safely in the air before taking your sleeping pill because delays can happen or planes can be grounded.

Before you travel, find out if your destination requires a visa. Getting a visa can take a while, so apply for yours well before your trip. This will help your trip go more smoothly, since without the right visas, you’ll have trouble getting into some countries.

Pack a few small candles for your hotel stay. The candle will make the room smell better and feel more like home. Using the same scent you would use at home, may help you go to sleep more quickly in an unfamiliar place. These types of candles exist in portable sizes, dripless formulas and even electronic styles that won’t make any smoke or mess.

As you can tell, there is much more to traveling than taking a plane ride. You need to plan right so you can enjoy the experience. Use the above advice to make your trip a fantastic one.