Traveling should be something to look forward to, shouldn’t it? Of course it should. The problem is, that many of us have had so many stressful trips in the past that a lot of the fun has gone out of it. But what if you could avoid much of the stress associated with traveling? You can; take a look at these suggestions.
Many out of the way destinations are often overlooked for vacations. For example, while St. Thomas in the Caribbean is incredibly popular, with very little extra effort one can make a trip to Vieques off of Puerto Rico instead. It has many of the same amenities, is much less crowded, and will make your vacation seem much more special!
When staying at a hotel that offers a digital alarm clock, check both the time and the alarm when you first arrive. It is a common prank to pre-set the alarm to extremely early times, or to fiddle with the time displayed on the clock. Late at night when you go to bed, you may not realize your clock is 30 minutes fast or slow.
If you’re going on a cruise, pack a highlighter in your luggage! There are tons of activities that go on during the cruise and most of the time you’ll get a nice little newsletter that details what’s going on and where. You can use your highlighter to mark which ones you want to do, and save yourself some headaches.
Pack a multi-tool knife in your luggage. The scissors can cut through zip ties, and the corkscrew is perfect for impromptu wine tastings. When you reach your destination and unpack, make sure this multi-purpose tool goes with you wherever you go. Don’t put it in your carry-on though, as the airline won’t allow it on your person in flight.
You can travel internationally and save money. Travel to destinations where the U.S. dollar is the closest to the local currency in value. All inclusive packages are also a great way to save money when traveling. Last, talk to your travel agent and they will be able to point you in the right direction.
If you’re planning to stay in the same city for awhile, you should look into renting an apartment or house instead of staying at a hotel. You can find many websites devoted to short-term rentals. By renting, you will save money, get better accommodations, and have a more authentic local experience.
Whenever you have a long flight ahead, it pays to pack some snacks. Fresh fruit is a great idea, as it will be refreshing and energizing. This will save you the money otherwise spent on expensive airport food.
If the cruise ship you are traveling on has a shore day planned, ask the staff to make you lunch for the day. You may not want to try and find a restaurant and spend a lot of money when you are having fun hanging out on the beach. Call room service before you get off the ship and order a sandwich and some side items. Pack it and have fun!
Never be satisfied with the rate you are given when making reservations at hotels or rental vehicles. Many times there are discounts that you may not have thought of and it is not the responsibility of the service provider to list those for every transaction. By asking you can prompt them to check, which they should be happy to do.
Sometimes staying away from home during travel can be stressful because of new surroundings. Bring along a few comfort items such as your pillow or a favorite family photo. These items will make unfamiliar accommodations seem more friendly. If you need to block out unfamiliar noises, request a fan or set a radio so all it plays is static.
Don’t put your little one by the aisle on a plane. Either you or another adult should be between the aisle and the child. Children may be harmed by their curious nature. They are more likely to remain seated this way.
Give your kids something to do when traveling by car by allowing them to carry portable video games and books along for the trip. These things can not only occupy them, but they can make the trip a lot less stressful for everyone. This also makes the driving time pass quicker.
Make your luggage stick out from everyone else’s. If you already have plain-colored bags, try decorating them using stickers, paint, or even markers. This prevents someone else from mistakenly taking your luggage.
It can be strenuous to take a long international flight, particularly when it comes to jet lag. You can avoid this by planning in advance. Once you get on the flight, you can take a Tylenol PM or two to sleep; this works the best after a meal. ) and get some rest on your way. You will wake up filled with energy and ready for a new day.
Roll your clothing before placing items in your suitcase. Doing this instead of folding clothes allows you to pack more. If you roll the clothes in tissue paper it will also help to keep them wrinkle free. Wrinkle free clothes will be easier to unpack and care for during your vacation.
Iron your clothes before putting them in your suitcase. If they go in nice and crisp, chances are good they will come out that way. You will also find that you can pack more by packing ironed clothes. Ironing takes more time if the clothes are badly wrinkled, and clothes that are packed with wrinkles will only get worse before you unpack.
Alright, not every trip is for fun and recreation, and not all of the tips that are mentioned in this article will apply to your plans. Nevertheless, if you make a note to try out some of the aforementioned suggestions, you can be well on your way to having more pleasant traveling experiences, whether your trip is for business, family or pleasure.