Deciding where and how to travel can pose a few difficult questions and problems, even to the most savvy international traveler. This article describes a few sure-fire ways to book accommodations, plan trips, conduct business meetings on the road, and generally make the most of your sojourns outside the country.
Make sure that your cell phone plan is on a national calling set up before you leave town. If you are normally on a regional or local plan, switching to a national plan, even just for the short time you will be gone, can keep you from getting charged for roaming or long distance.
When selecting luggage, pay attention to the ease of carrying it over long distances. A rugged metal rolling suitcase is usually ideal. Some rolling bags even have straps that allow them to be worn as a backpack through areas where you can’t roll them. You and your luggage will be walking longer distances than you think.
When booking a hotel stay, be sure to ask when the hotel was last built or renovated. A low-cost motel that’s brand new might be a better option than an older building attached to a good name. Stay away from lower-end and mid-range hotels that haven’t been renovated in more than five or six years.
Be on the lookout for handy amenities whenever you have to spend time at an airport. While all modern airports have shops and restaurants, many also feature free services you can use to make your trip more relaxing. Take note of these opportunities in case you ever find yourself revisiting the airport. If you are a record-keeping kind of person, consider jotting down a few notes.
When you take your pet on the road you have to think in advance about how you will take care of them. One of the most basic needs is exercise. Most everyone takes along a lead but taking along a stake out line and pully is a consideration as well.
If you are staying at a hotel that offers a mini-bar in your room, consider asking the front desk staff to hold the key instead. This will help you avoid late-night temptations, which given the prices at the minibar can get very expensive. If you feel the need for a drink but don’t want to go far, go to the hotel restaurant instead.
When you first arrive at your hotel room, check the mini-bar. Some guests are known for refilling bottles with water, so make sure each and every bottle is fully sealed. If any of them are not, you should immediately phone the front desk and tell them what you have found. You do not want to be charged for someone else’s dishonesty.
For the inside scoop, join a travel forum months before you decide on a destination or lodging. People who enjoy traveling and discussing their experiences are an excellent source of information and most remain completely objective when making recommendations and offering detailed reviews and information.
If you are going to travel to another country you will need to get a passport. This can take some time so it is best to prepare in advance. You should be prepared to answer questions, bring in legal documents to prove who you are, and plan to wait a few weeks or more for the passport to be ready for you to travel with.
Don’t rule out indirect flights to your destination. By booking indirect flights with a stop-over you can sometimes save a lot of money. If money is more important than time, use online flight search engines to search for indirect routes as well as direct routes then chose the cheapest option.
Eliminate the middle man when purchasing travel tickets. When you book direct with an airline or train line, 90% of the time you will get a better deal than if you use a booking agency. Many booking agencies are now reducing their fees, but if you have time to book direct, nine times out of ten you will save money.
Make sure you don’t fall asleep before eight pm so you can adjust faster to a different time zone. Although you may feel sleepy, if you go to bed to soon, you are only protracting your jet lag because your body is going to remain in its usual time-zone mode. So adjust as fast as you can to the new time zone, so you’ll get over being jet lagged faster.
Remember to pack an eyeglass repair kit if you wear glasses. If your glasses break while away on vacation, it can be difficult to locate the correct parts and tools, especially if you are in foreign country. There is nothing worse than going sightseeing and not being able to see the sights.
When you are traveling on a cruise ship, wear your key as a necklace. It is easy to leave your key laying around while you are at the pool or in another area of the ship. This compromises the security of your room, so consider attaching your key to a necklace and wearing around your neck.
Adjust your schedule to your destinations timezone a day or two before leaving. If you will be traveling to a location where morning is three hours earlier than you are used to, set your alarm to start the routine early. Get to bed earlier to match the timezone as well and you can acclimate your body to the ritual.
If you want to bring your pet with you on your trip, make sure to call and ask the hotel where you are staying beforehand if pets are allowed. Although there are many more pet friendly hotels now than there were in the past, there are still some hotels that do not allow any animals.
By adopting the foregoing strategies, you can make sure that your trips never disappoint. Whether you find yourself worrying about airline rates, ground transportation, hotel fees or any array of other complications, this article can guide you into making the right choices for your particular trip. Have fun, be safe and remember these tips.
