Perhaps you have heard stories of vacations that turned out badly. Often, these horror stories happen because the person was not prepared as well as they should have been when they went on vacation. This will not be a problem for you because what you are about to read in this article will help to make sure your vacation is pleasurable.
When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.
Sanitize your area. You may get a few sideways glances, but in the confined space of a crowded aircraft, you are just asking to get sick. Bring a small bottle of hand sanitizer or some sanitizing wipes and wipe off your tray table, armrests and any buttons, as soon as you sit down. Be sure to also use it on your hands and try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
When you travel to visit friends or family, be a courteous guest and do not assume they will make all your sightseeing plans for you. Many people assume they are there to be entertained, which is of course an incorrect assumption and generates bad feeling. Instead, do your homework ahead of time, let your hosts know what you’re planning to do, invite but don’t oblige them to accompany you, and spend your time together in good will, knowing you are being a gracious guest.
Look at your health insurance policy to determine what the coverage is when you travel outside your own country. Chances are high that at some point, you will travel past your own borders. There is every possibility that you will need health care while you are away. Does your policy cover the cost of any health care you might need? You should know the answer to that question before you ever set foot across the border.
A lot of hotels offer discounted rates to locals, especially during the off-season. If you’re going somewhere where you have family or friends, you should have them ask about a local discount. If there is one, you can have them book the hotel for you and save yourself some money!
Register your travel plans and contact details with the government travel agencies. While it may seem intimidating to have the government know your plans, it is a smart idea. Not only does this enable your family to contact you in the case of an emergency, but it can aid in your rescue if you become lost or have an accident while traveling.
If you are finding it difficult to pick a place to travel to ask friends and family. The people closest to you should have some insight on the type of person you are and the the kind of destinations you should like. Wherever you go just remember to have an open mind and make the best of your trip.
Do not inadvertently recline onto someone. Always check to see what the person behind you is doing, and politely ask if you can recline before doing so. Reclining your seat without warning results in spilled drinks, broken laptops, and injured passengers, so you may want to make sure that they aren’t doing anything important.
If you will be traveling for an extended period of time, such as five to seven days or more, pack lightly and plan on doing laundry. Take a little extra money with you and visit a laundromat or a dry cleaner. You can save yourself a lot of precious suitcase space by washing and re-wearing some items of your wardrobe.
When traveling with children, make sure to pack each child their own bag of snacks and quiet toys. The toys and snacks will keep them occupied and satisfied, whether in the backseat of the car or on an airplane. Happy kids mean less stress for mom and dad, which means a better vacation for everyone.
If you are traveling by plane with your children, get a portable DVD player. They are relatively inexpensive, and they keep your kids entertained for hours at a time. Don’t worry about getting an expensive model; children do not really care about screen size or extra features. Even if you only use it one time, you will definitely find that it was a valuable purchase.
Jet lag is a common side effect of traveling across time zones. There is no way to completely avoid it. But, if you keep yourself hydrated, it may help, since some of jet lag’s side effects are related to being dehydrated. If you will avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and caffeinated beverages and drink a lot of water during your flight, that should help.
If you have a tendency to forget your charger when traveling, try asking the front desk if they have any. Many places have boxes of cords that have been left behind and if you search, you may be able to find one that fits your needs. You can also see if they have an international adapter as well.
If you are traveling on a cruise ship, take a fishing tackle box with you. Put all your valuable jewelry in it; someone who is trying to steal from you probably will not look in it. Tackle boxes even have small compartments that allow you to store earrings or rings as well as larger areas for other jewelry.
Before going on a road trip, make sure you have your car’s fluids checked (oil, coolant, brake fluid, ATF, windshield washer etc.) This not only saves you time by not having to do it sometime during the trip, but it can also help you avoid disastrous stalls along the way. Nothing is worse than being stuck in the middle of the road far from an auto shop during a road trip.
In summary, most people who have bad vacation experiences didn’t prepare for their vacations properly. If you follow the tips given in this article, you should be able to plan a better vacation.
