If you’re looking to get away from it all with a trip away from home, don’t forget to travel smart. A mishap, mistake or forgotten item can ruin a vacation as surely as bad weather or an unpleasant travel companion. While there are some things you just can’t control, maximize your chances of having a good trip with the following travel tips.
If you’re going to be travelling by air, make sure you don’t put any valuables or electronics in your checked luggage. Luggage handlers aren’t known to be gentle and any electronics may end up damaged during transport. Airlines are also known to lose luggage and you don’t want to take a chance of losing something valuable.
Take a good book with you to read when traveling. If you always have something interesting to do, you will be less likely to get frustrated or bored during layovers and other time delays that are beyond your control. Buy a new title that you have been wanting to read so that you have something to look forward to.
Plan clothing for your trip so that everything can be worn together. This reduces the need to pack individual “outfits” and allows you to plan for the number of days you’ll be traveling. If all of your clothes match, you don’t have to worry about which are clean when you’re doing laundry.
When you fly, don’t expect the airline to cater to your every need, no matter how long the flight is. Make sure you bring along a blanket, pillow and if you will use them, headphones. You may also want to purchase a snack before boarding the plane.
Pack dryer sheets into your luggage. If you have ever flown before, you might have noticed that sometimes your luggage can come back smelling just a little odd. To eliminate this problem and keep your clothes and possessions smelling fresh, use dryer sheets. Pack them in between layers of clothing.
Before you arrive at your travel destination, search the internet to find a blogger who posts about what’s happening in this city. Take the time to email the blogger and ask for his or her recommendations about where you should go. This is a great way to get the inside scoop on your vacation spot.
Use social media as a tool to help you discover all the hidden gems in the city that you are traveling to. Asking your friends and family members questions about your destination can be useful not only before you go, but also while you are there. You’ll be amazed at the great tips you receive, ranging from hotel recommendations to great shopping opportunities.
Choosing the right time to leave can make a big impact to how your trip starts out. By choosing a time to travel that will guarantee that the roads will be mostly clear of people one can avoid traffic. This makes a big difference especially when taking a road trip over a long distance.
If you are traveling by airplane, take advantage of the in-flight entertainent. In most cases, it is free to watch a movie or TV show from your seat and you can even pick which shows you want to watch. It’s a great way to escape the noise of other passengers and the airplane.
Now that you’ve read the above travel tips, you’re more prepared to meet your travel destiny with the fearlessness of thorough preparation. Keeping these few simple things in mind whenever you leave home on a trip will give you more peace of mind and make sure you bring home more stories about great experiences rather than about stressful learning experiences.
