A good vacation is highly anticipated and very restful. Trying to get to your destination, though, isn’t always as much fun. Planning can give you headaches. These tips will help you enjoy your next trip even more.
Leave your additional valuables at your home. Bringing too many valuable items on a trip just increases the chance that some of them will be lost or stolen.
When using public computers abroad, do not enter sensitive information such as credit card numbers or banking information. Public computers may have keyloggers installed on them so that once you log into your bank account, whoever installed the keylogger then has access to the account as well.
If you are a visitor to foreign cities, keep your eyes open for thieves that might be dressed as law enforcement or government personnel. You must not give anyone your original passport; it may be gone for good if you do. If they state you must go to an office, offer to walk the distance with them. Do not ever agree to go somewhere with someone you don’t know.
Proper planning is key, so pack the essentials, but don’t over-pack. The less things you have with you, the less chance you will have of losing valuables or risking having them stolen. Bring as few shoes with you as possible; they are heavy and take up lots of room in your luggage.
When taking a cruise, find a good hotel in the port city that provides free or low cost parking and make plans to arrive the day before your departure. Always ask the hotel staff for the policies and pricing on parking at the hotel and whether deals are available.
Watch out for faux cops or faux government officials in foreign countries, as they may be criminals. You should never give anyone your original passport no matter who they purport to be, or you could end up stranded in a strange land. If they want to take you in for questioning, insist on walking. Always use common sense and never accept a ride from a stranger.
Research before booking anything. Find websites that contain reviews of potential destinations. Ask your friends or family if they have traveled there before. Doing the research yourself will help you know what to expect, as well as help you choose what you really want to do when you get to your destination.
Make sure you take clothespins with you when travelling. While not on your typical travel list, a handful of clothespins can prove very useful.
Place identifying information inside the bags as well as affixing the usual baggage tag. It’s easy for a luggage tag to fall of if it’s hanging off your luggage. This increases the chance you will have it returned.
When traveling around other countries, beware of fraudulent taxis. Prior to getting into a taxi, be sure it is legit. Anyone can fool you with a taxi sign.
Cookie Sheets
Bring along a couple of cookie sheets if you are planning to be on the road for a long time with your kids. These cookie sheets can be a flat surface to put cards or coloring books on. You can also bring along magnetic numbers and letters if you want to have a bit of educational fun.
Check the dates on when your passport expires. Different countries have different passport regulations. You are usually not allowed to enter a country if your passport expires soon. These tend to range from three to six months, but in some cases can reach eight months or even a year.
When traveling by car to a port prior to cruising, search for lodgings where you can park at no cost and make reservations for the night before departure. Even if they don’t publicize the service, it can’t hurt to ask about free parking deals at your hotel.
A park pass from the National Parks services will benefit you if you are planning on visiting often. It costs $50 and can be used at any national park for 12 months.
To rent a car you must be 18 or older, but some companies go even further and set the minimum at 25. If you’re 25 or under, you may pay a slightly higher rate and may need to give a credit card. In some cities, senior citizens are not allowed to rent cars. Inquire about age limits when renting a car.
Any time you plan to travel, ask the hotel if they’ll give you the same rate as given to ‘locals’. A lot of hotels give special deals to people from that area so they can fill up their rooms. If you know a friend that lives in the city you will be traveling to, ask your friend to call the hotel and see if it offers a local rate. You can save a lot of money by doing this.
Have a door stopper to use during your hotel stay. If you are travelling in a country less developed, it is important that the hotel have added security, especially at night. If your door lacks a deadbolt or chain beyond the main door lock, place one of these small, wedge-shaped doorstops under the door before bed.
To make planning your next vacation a breeze, book your trip online. The effort you have to put into travel planning is minimized when you use the right Internet resources. Booking flights, hotels or rental cars can all be done on the Internet. Many of these sites offer package deals that can save you a lot of money. Travel websites also offer good deals in planning your trip, as well as discounts on last minute travel.
Find the service stops on your journey while driving. Road trips usually involve long stretches that might not offer vehicle service if you have issues. Make sure you take a good close look when planning your trip and locate places when you realize that you might run into one of those types of stretches. Also, you will want to have the numbers of these stations if you are stranded.
There are many reasons to plan activities when traveling. Having something to look forward to other than bathroom breaks and meals can make the trip more exciting. Provide children with a list of stops you plan to make.
When you are traveling by car or plane with toddlers, you should always have interesting things available to occupy their time. Remember to bring favorite toys. You might want to purchase a new item for this trip to bring some novelty to the adventure and ensure more time is occupied by the toddler.
You don’t have to wander far from home to enjoy a fun weekend get-away. There are plenty of vacation spots in your state or perhaps one that is close by. This will help your local economy and save you money at the same time. You might even learn about a great attraction in your area that you didn’t know about.
What you just learned will make a big difference on your next trip. Next time you start planning your vacation, look over the tips you learned here first. The advice will help make any vacation less stressful, leaving more time for fun.