You’ll have to make many decisions when you travel. That preparation can be fun, too. This article will give you the necessary advice to make sure your trip is stress-free.
Always write down everything you need to pack in the form of a list. Create this list either a few months to a week before your trip. Having a list will keep you organized and clutter-free, even if you don’t actually pack until the last minute.
There are some criminals in foreign cities that pretend to be police officers, so be careful. Do not give over your personal information, as you could end up with no identification fast. If you are made to go to an office, do so by foot. Do not get in a vehicle with a local who you don’t know.
If you are staying in hotels, especially in countries that are less developed and you worry about a break-in at night in your room, take a doorstop along. The little rubber or wooden wedges can be used to keep your door shut, although they are often used to keep doors open.
There are plenty of helpful travel price watchers to sign up for. You can put in your desired location and it keeps an eye on the prices for that area. If airfare or hotel rates drop by the amount you select, the site will email you to alert you of the change. This keeps you from having to check the site each day to find a good price.
Check the websites of your airline to get the best deal. While you can find low fares on travel websites, you may learn that the best prices are sometimes on the airlines’ own sites.
When packing light for longer trips, try bringing a softly-lined raincoat. You don’t want to be caught in terrible weather without a way to protect yourself. You can also use it as a robe or windbreaker.
It isn’t always possible to get accommodations at the best places, and sometimes you end up at the worst places. If you feel a bit nervous about where you will be, bring a doorstop with you. Slide it beneath your door overnight (and use the chain and lock, too). Intruders can break a lock or chain, but the doorstop will make is much harder to get into the room.
Be sure your passports are current and not expiring soon. Review passport rules for the country you are visiting. Some of them have very strict guidelines that must be followed. If your passport expires within a specified time frame, you may not be able to enter the country. Time frames can run anywhere from three months to a year.
If you are a frequent National Parks visitor, it might be worth purchasing an annual pass. They only cost $50 and remain good for use that year at any national park.
If you’re planning on making hotel stays, travel candles are something you’ll want to bring with you. Candles will make the room smell good. It is relaxing and romantic, and may even help you fall asleep easier. These types of candles exist in portable sizes, dripless formulas and even electronic styles that won’t make any smoke or mess.
Be sure to have an extra passport photo with you overseas. It may take a while to replace a lost or stolen passport. An extra picture my speed up the replacement process. You should also be carrying photocopies of the paperwork that will be asked for on the passport application.
Bring along a few pairs of earplugs, particularly if you have trouble sleeping. Hotel walls can sometimes seem too thin. A good pair of earplugs (or multiple pairs of disposable earplugs) can block out the extra noise and allow you to get a good night’s sleep.
Bringing your own bottled water to countries with dubious water supplies is recommended. The water you find in other countries may not be safe to drink as it can cause different sicknesses. Use bottled water any time you need water such as when you brush your teeth. You may get ill from using the tap water.
Bring your medications. You may forget to get refills or forget your pills altogether. It may not be easy to get any medications you need when you reach your destination, particularly if you are in a country that does not accept your insurance.
Whenever possible, inquire about staying in a room on one of the topmost floors of the hotel. Rooms on lower floors, particularly the ground floor, are at greater risk of theft due to easier access. You should also avoid staying in rooms with sliding doors. Glass or sliding doors are easier to damage.
Remember to give a relative or friend your full travel itinerary. Put the names of where you’re going and people that you’re going to see, along with addresses and phone numbers. All of your documentation should be in order before you leave.
As mentioned at the start of this article, making your traveling plans can be an enjoyable preamble to your trip and get it off to a great beginning. Use what you’ve just learned to plan the best trip you’ve ever had.
