Saturday, 6 April 2013

Remain Safe And Still Have Fun While Traveling!

By Quyen Scherich


Traveling can be fun whether it is for pleasure or business. Of course there are always some great guidelines and tricks of the trade to follow. The article below focuses on some great tips that you can incorporate into your next trip. Everyone interprets traveling differently and the ideas below are sure to be of help.

Traveling with a small group can be a great experience, but be sure to give one another freedom. If you are all trying to do all of the same things you may start to get on each others nerves. If you find this happening, take one day where you each go to a different location and then meet up for dinner to talk about it!

When looking at packages that include airfare, your hotel and meals among other things, make sure to compare how much this package costs to how much you would be paying for each of these things individually. Perhaps you could save money by finding your own airfare, paying for the hotels and taking your meals outside of the hotel.

To avoid crowds and high prices, you should try to plan your vacation for the off-season of your destination. For example, you should avoid visiting Europe in the summer because during the summer you will face crowds, booked hotels, and tons of tourists. Visit during the off-season for an authentic experience.

A second set of travel-designated power adapters can put an end to forgotten cords. There is nothing worse than getting unpacked at your destination and realizing that your laptop, camera, or cell phone is useless because you forgot the charger. Purchase additional chargers for your favorite devices, and store them in your suitcase year-round. Next time you are packing for a trip, your power cords will be ready to go.

These days you want to think "light" when you travel--in two different senses of the word. You want to go to a place with warm sunlight when it is dark and cold back home. You also want to think "light in weight." For instance, the hotel room will have packets of soap, shampoo, etc. Why pay the airline extra to take things you don't really need?

Make a portable washing machine with a plastic bag. Save money by skipping expensive coin-operated washers and dryers when you travel by using a do-it-yourself tip. Find or pack a large and sturdy plastic bag, and add a little laundry soap and water. Put your clothes in the bag, and shake. Drain the soapy water and repeat the process with clean water, then hang the clothes to dry.

Always make sure you take shoes with you on vacation that you know you will be comfortable in, especially when sight seeing. Never bring new shoes and put them on for the first time when you go out walking. Break them in for a few weeks before you leave on your trip.

When traveling in Europe, walk! Many European cities are smaller and more pedestrian friendlier than their American counterparts. Walking through a city will let you experience more and allow you to stop and discover interesting places along your route. Not only that, but you'll save on cab fares and other travel expenses.

Creature comforts can make the difference when you are traveling. Bringing your preferred brand of tea or coffee can help with relaxation and help you decompress. Detergents, shampoos and soaps can also be of benefit to avoid using products that will leave you wishing for the feel of home.

If you tend to get chilly during flights, you are going to want to be sure to bring your own blanket from home. You should also bring your own disinfectant wipes. Airplanes are filled with all kinds of germs and you are going to want to disinfect your area so you do not get sick during your trip.

The advice "don't drink the water" if you travel to a foreign country is, unfortunately, accurate. However, you can also have intestinal upsets any time you drink water from a place other than where you live, even in the U.S. That's because the bacterial flora that live in your gut (intestinal tract) are very sensitive to the composition of your own water, in your own area. It takes them a while to get used to water from elsewhere, and in the meantime, they want to push that unfamiliar water right through. So until you get used to the local water, wherever you are, sip slowly or stick with bottled H20.

You can usually use the internet to find flight schedules. A lot of websites will allow you to specify schedules and search by travel time. Some sites do exclude some of the low fare airline searches. Although you may find the information online, sometimes it can be hard to decipher with layovers and such.

Choose middle seats on a bus when you are traveling. The middle seats have the most mobility and flexibility of all the seats on the bus. You will not be bothered by road noise or the restroom. You will also have an overhead light and vent. Take advantage of good seats for optimal comfort.

When traveling with children by plane, try to book a direct flight if at all possible. Even if you have to pay a little more, it will be worth it when you arrive at your destination with happy children. Non-direct flights often result in increased stress for all due to long layovers and changes in flight schedules.

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.

With so many resources available for travelers, there is no reason to let your impending trip leave you stressed out and anxious. Rather than allowing yourself to miss out on the excitement and spontaneity of a recreational trip, remember the advice in this article to make the most out of your time abroad.




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