Traveling is strange. You can travel because you want or because you have to, or both. Whether traveling is for pleasure or for business, you can benefit from some sound advice. This article has some good tips on making your trip more enjoyable.
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for travel is to itemize what you need to pack. Some time before your trip, write down everything you need to bring with you. Even last minute packing won’t be as stressful, when you have a list to reference. It will also take the panic out of forgetting anything.
Aisle Seat
Plan for such small comforts as an aisle seat, a quiet room or other little things that make you trip better. Window seats are overrated. An aisle seat gives you the freedom to move about as well as access to the belongings you have stowed in the overhead compartment.
Try to be as flexible as possible about where you go. While you may have your favorites, checking out new places is part of the fun of going on a trip. Your choice of destination can often be the money saver when you’re on a tight budget.
Only bring the absolute essentials when you travel. You won’t have to drag around as much weight or keep track of as much stuff. The less you bring with you, the lower the chances of you having your valuables lost or stolen. Limit the pairs of shoes you carry, as they are often the largest and heaviest items you will be bringing on your trip.
As you get ready to go out of town, pick a digital camera that will work for the kind of trip you are taking. If you will be backpacking, for instance, a rechargeable battery wouldn’t be ideal. Usually, you will need a digital camera that’s easy to turn on and focuses quickly in order to avoid missing once-in-a-lifetime shots.
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. Ask the staff of the hotel if there are any unpublished parking deals.
A good safety tip for a hotel stay is to bring along a door stopper. It is wise to sometimes have extra security for your hotel room when you’re traveling outside the US. If the hotel room door does not have a chain or deadbolt, use the doorstop by wedging it under the door and leaving it there while you sleep.
If you melt down your hotel-supplied ice, you can have filtered water for your coffee in the morning. Rather than drinking tap water, put ice in the ice bucket and let it all melt overnight. When you awake the next morning, you can brew some fresh coffee that has some decent filtered water.
Rush Hour
Avoid driving in rush hour traffic when setting out on your trip. If you must travel during rush hour, plan for delays. It can be a good time to get something to eat or to just let the kids get out and run around for a bit.
If you plan to travel abroad with kids, try packing a couple cookies sheets. These sheets make a great flat surface for kids to color on or play cards. For young kids, magnetic numbers and letters can be fun and educational to bring with.
Practically everyone has to travel sooner or later. When you understand the fundamentals of travel, you will have many happy, affordable journeys in store. The ideas above will help you create ideal trips and make you a true travel pro.