There are many horror stories that people can share with you about a traveling experience. Often, these horror stories happen because the person was not prepared as well as they should have been when they went on vacation. This shouldn’t be a problem. This article will give you tips so you have an enjoyable vacation.

Make a list of what you need to pack. You should start this list at least one week in advance, preferably earlier than that. The list should include all of your necessities for the trip. This way, you can avoid clutter and panic, even if you have to throw things together on short notice.

If traveling with children, keep a recent, color picture of them with you at all times, just case they become lost. Losing a child in a foreign place can be very stressful and scary. However, in case it happens, you should be prepared. Having a photo you can show people immediately if the child becomes lost could wind up making a substantial difference in getting them back quickly.

Consider your food allergies, if you have them, when you are traveling to foreign countries. Learn the words for foods to which you are allergic in the native tongue of the country you are visiting, especially if your reactions are severe. You can use this fluency to inform people of your allergies, and, if needed, describe them to medical personnel.

You should know that some criminals pose as police officers in dangerous cities. You should never give anyone your original passport no matter who they purport to be, or you could end up stranded in a strange land. If they are insistent about detaining you, ask to walk to the office. Don’t enter a vehicle with a local you don’t know.

When embarking on a cruise, find a hotel nearby that has free parking, and spend the night before the departure. Ask the staff of the hotel if there are any unpublished parking deals.

Purchasing tickets online and printing them at home can be a real time saver, so look into this option if you are planning on seeing a specific attraction or amusement park. This is more than worth the huge lines that you will avoid. You can also often skip the admissions line altogether.

Clothespins can be very helpful when travelling. These are not typical travel gear, but they do come in handy.

Finally, the reason there are so many bad vacation stories is that many people are unprepared for travel. Use the tips in this article to plan ahead so your vacation time can be as stress free and as enjoyable as possible.