The moment you step off the plane into a foreign country, a rush of adrenaline is bound to consume you. Not only are you in for an adventure and as appreciation for cultures other than your own, but you must be aware of safety and rules abroad as well. This article contains a multitude of travel tips to keep you safe while away from home.
Before booking a hotel for your trip, check with the Better Business Bureau. Checking with them first, can save you a lot of time and money. It will ensure that you do not waste your time checking into a poor hotel. A poor hotel experience can ruin any vacation or business trip.
Purchase a travel dress, which is a garment that can be worn multiple ways. It can be worn as a dress, skirt, shirt and wrap. You can then pack a few other accessories and accompanying items, which will save lots of space in your suitcase for all the souvenirs you wish to bring home.
If you are traveling with too much luggage to carry on an airplane, take a digital photograph of your bag and the baggage tag. These come in handy if your bag is lost. The photos give you something to reference when describing your bag to the airport personnel and the tag confirms that your bag was labeled for the right airport.
Stick to boiled or bottled water when you travel. It does not matter if you are flying half way across the world or just taking a day trip in your own state. Often your stomach will not react well to different water and it is better to be safe than sorry!
Use noise-cancelling headphones. Because of all the engine and background noise on an airplane, you have to crank the volume on your headphones up dangerously high just to hear the music. Invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, which cancel out the background noise and let you clearly hear your music at a reasonable volume. Even if you don’t listen to music, they are great for just reducing the noise.
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.
To avoid high exchange rates in foreign countries, stop at an ATM for your bank when you disembark from your flight. Large banks get much better exchange rates than an individual, so pulling money out once you get there is a hassle-free and inexpensive way to get the currency you need.
Many of the most exotic, romantic travel destinations are in areas susceptible to natural disasters. Certain disasters are seasonal – late summer and fall are hurricane season in the Caribbean, for example. Travelers headed for areas that may be subject to seasonal disasters should be aware of that fact, just in case they find themselves in an evacuation situation.
Protect your children when traveling by making sure they are prepared in case they get lost. For older children, arrange a convenient meeting place where your family can regroup if separated. Younger children should carry a card with their name, the names of their parents and a contact number. Additional information regarding medications and allergies is also helpful. Instruct your children to give the card to a police officer if they get lost.
As you make your travel arrangements, consider staying at places other than hotels and resorts. Alternative choices like a house swap or a farm stay may be a better deal, and they can offer you a unique experience. There are several websites that can help you locate “unusual” lodging options.
If your schedule allows it, leave yourself one day after your vacation before going back to work. You never know what kind of surprises you will encounter when you get back home. Plus it will also allow you to transition into reality and your daily grind a little bit easier.
When traveling overseas, do not be afraid to use your cell phone if you need to make a brief call home. You may be charged a high fee, but you can avoid the stress of trying to figure out how to use phone cards. If you need to make several calls, consider using a phone service that operates over the internet.
When packing your bags for a trip on an airplane, always remember 3-1-1. Regulations now limit the amount of liquids and gels passengers can have in their carry on luggage. When you take your bag through security, they will make sure you only have your travel-size toiletries which are less than three ounces and fit into a one quart zip top bag and only one bag per passenger.
When traveling by bus, make sure to check the bus company’s luggage policy. Many companies have a limit on how many bags you can bring with you, and how much these bags weigh. By finding out how much you can bring with you, you can avoid unnecessary delays at the bus station.
Plan your daily activities before you leave for your destination. By planning ahead, you will not feel overwhelmed each day trying to figure out what to do. Look online for things to do and if required, make your reservations for these activities ahead of time. This ensures that each day will go as planned!
When you are vacationing on a cruise ship and are visiting various destinations, beware of any excursions that are very inexpensive, and run by locals as opposed to the cruise line. You do not want to be stranded at the location or be taken advantage of. And, most of the time, the deals through the cruise ships have already been negotiated which makes them more cost effective for you.
Above all, staying safe while traveling is the most important aspect of your trip. Hopefully, this article has provided some helpful insight into staying safe on your trip and will allow you to travel worry-free. So, breathe easier, sit back and enjoy the finer things in life (while staying safe, of course).
