When you think of travel, do you see it as something that takes a long time to plan which location to the next you will be traveling to? If so, then you have a narrow view of it. Traveling is so much more and it can be customized so that it works with you. Read on to find out how.
You can save space in your luggage by packing in large airtight bags, such as ziplocks. Find the gallon or 2 gallon size bags, pack t-shirts, socks, underwear and other lightweight fabric items in them, and then roll the air out of the bag before zipping shut. This will reduce the size of your items down and you will be able to fit more in your bag.
If you are planning on spending a large amount of money on your trip or vacation, consider investing a small amount more on travel insurance. It will insure that you are protected in the event that your trip must be canceled due to personal illness, natural disaster, or other uncontrollable events.
If you are traveling overseas and looking for good local food, pay attention to where the locals eat. The presence of a group of cabs, for example, is easy to spot and shows you where the low-cost but good food can be found. The location is also guaranteed to be filled to the brim with local color.
Take precautions when traveling on holidays. Always remember to call and confirm your flight in advance. Holidays are always a busy time of year, especially at the airport. If you are bringing gifts, make sure you leave them unwrapped. They will likely be unwrapped and checked by security anyway.
When traveling by plane, make sure to wear shoes that are easy to remove. You will be required to remove your shoes to go through security, so wearing slip-on or Velcro shoes will allow you to remove them quickly. Once they come out of the scanner, you will be able to quickly replace them and be on your way.
If you need to travel across the country but are on a limited budget, consider traveling by bus. In the past, bus travel was viewed somewhat unfavorably, but today major players like Greyhound, have made major improvements to attract the growing number of travelers who can’t afford plane tickets. Today bus lines are a more civil experience. Cleaner, newer buses are the norm and most stations offer free wireless internet access and sundries.
There are many large families that would like to travel to popular vacation destinations, but are afraid they cannot afford it. You can book trips with time sharing and save money each year by already having the lodging. If you plan trips when gas prices are low, you will also save money on your travel expenses.
If you need a rental car while on vacation consider renting an eco-friendly car. Zipcar and Flexcar are both “green” car-sharing programs which offer travelers low fees and convenient drop off and pick up. You will be able to reduce car emissions by renting the smallest car you can or a hybrid car.
When traveling, many times you will need a rental car. When you arrive to pick up your car, the agent will help you complete the rental process. You will be presented with a car rental agreement, be sure to read it thoroughly before signing it. Assure you know exactly what your liability is and exactly what you are paying for by renting the car. You should look over the car and if you see any defects make sure it is noted on the agreement.
On a long road trip get to bed early and start out very early. By leaving in the early morning hours before dawn, you can almost always guarantee that your children will sleep for a good portion of the beginning drive allowing you to be well on your way before any major disruptions may begin.
Make sure to bring everything you need on a flight with you before boarding an airplane. Snacks, meals, headphones, and anything else you might need are available on an airplane, but the prices will be absurdly high. If you board a plane prepared, you won’t be at the mercy of the airline’s prices.
Take a photo of your luggage that you are checking. It will save you a good bit of time and grief if it should get lost during transport. You will be able to present a photo of the bag to the airline and they will have no question as to whether the bag that they have found is yours or not.
Try to look into getting a suitcase alarm for your personal belongings. This way, if anyone tries to steal your luggage or bags when you are not looking, an alarm with go off, alerting you of the potential theft. These alarms are not expensive and are easy to find.
If you are traveling with children, allow them the opportunity to get some exercise before you bring them to the hotel. It can be difficult for children to ride on a plane or in the car for a long period of time. Try to find a playground to stop at or allow your child to swim at the pool once you get to the hotel. This will help them unwind at the end of the evening.
There are a lot of positive reasons to purchase travel insurance before a trip. You never know when to expect the unexpected! If you are planning to be out of the country for an extended period of time, it is recommended that you purchase a well covered international insurance plan.
After reading through all of that, do you still see traveling in the same way? Do you now see that it is so much more and that there are very simple things that you can add to your plan to help enjoy your trip more? It’s not a ton of work; it’s whatever you make it.
