Your next vacation should be relaxing and stress free. You have worked hard and paid a lot of money to spend that time doing what you want to do where you want to do it. Let us help put your mind at ease with these simple steps that you can take to ensure your happiness, while traveling.
Although you can buy most first aid tools on your various travels, it is still a good idea to have a first aid kit in your bag. You will be well-served to pack some essentials like bandages, soap, aspirin or other pain relievers, cold medicine, prescription medicine, etc. You never know where or when you will need these items, so it’s a safe bet to keep them with you just in case.
If you’re traveling with kids, it’s tempting to let them all tune out with their own mp3 players, but consider bringing along some books on CD. Having something literate and interesting for the whole family to listen to is not only entertaining and interesting, but provides a common experience that each family member can take forward with them into life (“Hey, remember when I was ten, and we listened to Black Beauty on the way to Maine?”). It’s the stuff of which fond memories are made.
Be sure to have a good, clear, color photo of your child on hand to be prepared in the unhappy event your child becomes lost. Losing a child in a foreign place can be very stressful and scary. Children can sometimes become lost when traveling due to the crowds or the unfamiliar location. Being able to show a photo might make a critical difference in the time it takes to locate your child should he or she get lost.
If you want to save money on travel, be flexible when you are booking your airfare. Many times, lower prices can be found if you are not committed to a specific departure and arrival date. In addition, sometimes prices are cheaper if you fly into a nearby city instead of the major one in the area.
If you are staying in a country with a high crime rate, treat even your hotel room as suspect. Place a piece of furniture in front of the door to prevent midnight break-ins. Also check that that windows lock securely. You never know which hotel owners might get a kickback from local crime gangs.
Make sure to pack your vitamins when you travel and remember that vitamin C is a great energy and immune booster. Taking a vitamin supplement can help you prevent or lessen the effects of jet lag on your body, strengthen your immune system against the multitude of germs you will come into contact with, and generally make you feel better. Clear any supplements with your doctor before taking them if you have underlying health issues.
Space can sometimes be an issue when you are trying to pack too many clothes into your suitcase. Rolling your clothes up can sometimes decrease the amount of space you use. If you are concerned about your clothes getting wrinkled, roll them in tissue paper as well. This will free up important space in your luggage.
As you plan your vacation, consider taking the bus instead of flying, driving or taking a train. This method of travel is relatively inexpensive, and depending on who you book with, the bus fleets often boast newer models that are clean and attractive. They also include wifi access.
When you take your pet on the road you have to think in advance about how you will take care of them. One of the most basic needs is exercise. Most everyone takes along a lead but taking along a stake out line and pully is a consideration as well.
When traveling to a new location, consider packing old clothing that you no longer care about. If you can discard old clothing along the way, you will have more room in your luggage for new clothes or souvenirs that you buy while on your travels. Also, travel is hard on clothes and can wreck new ones.
When you get to your hotel, check the alarm clock. In some cases, the last person who stayed in the hotel will have previously set the alarm. If you do not wish to be awakened at four in the morning, you may want to double check the all the alarms.
If you plan to travel and have animals, you will need to decide whether they are staying behind or coming with you. Pets can make travel hard if they will need a care giver while you’re gone or the places you plan to travel are not pet friendly. Searching for inexpensive care or pet friendly destinations in advance will help you tremendously.
Try to pack light when travelling. The last thing you want to be doing when is lugging heavy bags and suitcases through airport terminals and onto buses and trains. Only pack items that you are sure you will need and think about which items you could buy at your destination.
If you are traveling on a road trip with other drivers, make sure to switch up frequently. Many people drive until they get sleepy and then change, going to bed while the other driver continues the journey. You will be able to drive for longer periods if you change drivers on a schedule before anyone becomes overtired.
Stay healthy while traveling by remembering not to overwork yourself. Travel itself can be a strain on your body so make sure you aren’t scheduling in activities for every waking moment of your trip. Include ample down time when trip planning so you can recharge your batteries and stay at your peak for the duration of your travels.
Now that you have some information that you will need, in order to have a well-planned and relaxing getaway, all that is left to do is to pack your bags and put the advice here into good practice. Travel should be an enjoyable experience and these tips will make sure that that happens.