Perhaps you have heard stories of vacations that turned out badly. However, most of them could have been avoided simply through solid planning. The tips listed here will help you to have an enjoyable vacation experience.
When staying at a high-end domestic hotel, bring along your own A/V cable for your laptop. Most hotel rooms at nicer hotels offer free in-room WiFi and a large HDTV, but will then charge a premium for in-room movies. Having your own A/V cable gives you access to your own selection of downloaded movies or an online account.
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!
To make it easier to find your luggage when it comes around, put a very unique tag or marker on your bag so it sets itself apart from all of the others. It can be a scarf, some neon tape, a sticker, etc. Just make sure that it is something bright and obvious.
One way of minimizing ice buildup on your windshield is to park your car with the windshield facing away from the prevailing wind. Another way too few of us think about is to cover our windshields with a throw rug when we park our vehicles. Tuck the edge in under your windshield wipers and your car will be as snug as a bug in a rug.
If you’re traveling with a baby and need to sterilize bottles or teething toys, wash them in hot soapy water, then stop up the sink. Heat some water in the hotel’s coffee maker (without any coffee or tea in it!) and then pour the water over the bottles or teething toys until they’re submerged. Let them sit for about five minutes and you’ll have sterilized them!
If you are leaving children with friends or relatives while you are away on a trip, make sure to leave important papers like health insurance cards and a notarized letter, stating that their caregiver has your authority to make medical decisions. They made need this information if there is a medical emergency.
When traveling anywhere, don’t assume that the bus service will be bad. The bus services anywhere can be very helpful. They are cheaper than a taxi of car rental service and can be utilized anywhere that you go. You also don’t have to go through all the hassle of renting a car.
If you are traveling by cruise ship, make your arrangements as close to the time of your trip as possible. Although the cruise industry used to advertise that you could only get exceptional savings if you booked in advance, things have changed and last-minute deals are usually better than advanced reservations. There is even a web site that shows cruises with up to 75% savings if you book at the last minute.
When traveling on a cruise ship, it is important to tip the staff members even before they have performed a service. You will come into contact with these employees many times throughout your stay on board, so give your cabin steward an immediate tip once you arrive. The quality of the service you receive is likely to be even better than it would have been otherwise.
Carry an over-the-door shoe organizer with you when you are traveling. Staying organized in a hotel room is very difficult. A shoe organizer is extremely helpful because you can put your toothpaste, toothbrush, hair brush, aspirin and other items in it. If you have a clear organizer, you will be able to see where everything is at a glance.
Staying longer can equal bigger savings. Airlines will offer better rates on round trip tickets based on the amount of time between flights. Hotels as well may offer discounted room rates for three or more days with them. Hotels can offer these rates since a booked room is generating more income than an empty room.
When traveling in a car, make sure to keep a small trash bag with you. You will invariably collect some trash while eating or drinking, and the mess can accumulate quickly. Having a bag handy will allow you to keep your car organized and clean, creating a nice environment for you to drive in.
Adjust to a new time zone faster by spending time in the sun. When you arrive at your destination, try to get plenty of sun exposure on your first and second days. This will help “set” your circadian rhythm to be in line with the local time zone and help you get over jet lag faster.
If you are traveling on a cruise ship, always use the stairs. There is an abundance of food on board the ship, so it can be easy to gain a little weight while you are on your vacation. Try to keep some of it off by using the stairs instead of the elevators. It will give you some exercise and help you feel a little better about all that great food you’ve been eating!
If your destination has a visitors bureau, call them at least three months before travel to inquire about coupons or special packages. To attract more tourists, many of these locations have made deals with local attractions and service providers to offer steep discounts and special rates to visitors. You can save a lot of money and plan your time accordingly.
Join the loyalty program at the hotel you are staying at. Even if you are only staying that one time, it will provide you with added amenities that you would likely be charged for otherwise. Read the fine print when signing up for these because there may be a hidden charge in some cases.
The reason for some of the worst stories about traveling happen because the traveler didn’t think ahead and plan correctly. Use the advice in this article to easily plan and prepare for your next vacation or business trip.
