Going to a new place can be exciting and frightening, even for people who have a lot of travel experience. Plan ahead, using these travel tips, and get the most out of your next trip!

One of the most important things you can do to prepare for travel is to itemize what you need to pack. Create this list either a few months to a week before your trip. This will enable you to pack only the things that you really need and it can also ensure that you will not leave anything behind.

If traveling with children, keep a recent, color picture of them with you at all times, just case they become lost. It can be terrifying to lose your child. Though it certainly feels devastating, it is a reality for many. Carrying a picture of your child with you, so that you can identify them if you become separated, can make a difference in terms of a speedy reunion.

Avoid foods that may contain something you’re allergic to hiding in a dish. If you do have food allergies, it is a good idea to learn some words for food in the native language. This will give you the ability to alert your waiter or waitress of the foods that you have an allergy to so that they can be kept out of your meals.

If you are leaving for your trip from a port city, stay at a hotel with free parking and get there the night before you are to leave. Always ask the hotel staff for the policies and pricing on parking at the hotel and whether deals are available.

When you are going to some type of attraction, print online tickets in advance. You will generally pay a nominal fee for this service, but you won’t have to wait in ticket lines when you arrive. If the park you are visiting has a timed entry, you can skip admission lines too.

Try exercising prior to flying. Multi-hour flights can take a lot out of you. Sitting for a long time can cause cramps in your legs and back. Having a quick workout or, at the very least, stretching before a flight can reduce or eliminate leg cramps and soreness.

Always be kind, and tip your bell waiter and housekeeper daily. This will make your stay much more pleasant. Standard tipping rates are a dollar per bag carried, and around $2-5 per day to the maid. Tipping will show your appreciation for their work, and will help you maintain a good relationship with hotel staff.

You will be sure you find a new way of planning your next trip. Whether you have been on over ten trips or this being your first, you will have a more memorable and fun trip than you could have ever imagined.