Traveling is a really enjoyable experience. If you plan well for it, you can experience a wonderful time. Use these tips to prepare carefully.
List what you intend to take with you on a trip. You should make this list around a week to a couple months in advance so that you absolutely know what needs to be packed. Having a list will keep you organized and clutter-free, even if you don’t actually pack until the last minute.
Be sure to pack a rubber door stopper in your bag to add a measure of safety to your room security. Occasionally, particularly when you travel in countries that are less developed, it’s important to stay in a hotel room that has more security. If you do not have a door that is equipped with a chain or deadbolt, use a wedge doorstop before retiring at night.
Take clothespins when you travel. These are not typical travel gear, but they do come in handy.
When traveling on the road with kids, take along some cookie sheets. The sheets can be used as a flat surface under coloring books or to play cards. For smaller kids, teach them a thing or two by having them use magnetic numbers and letters on them.
When traveling overseas, it is wise to prepare for emergencies beforehand, including the loss of your U.S. passport. The U.S. Department of State has a site that provides information on what you need to do in a different country. Take this important stuff along with you on the trip. Most of the time, your passport replacement will be available within a couple of days.
Determine if you will need a visa to visit your destination. Sometimes the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, so allow a lot of time for the host country to process your visa paperwork. If you don’t have the correct visa, you won’t be allowed to enter some countries.
If you plan to use traveler’s checks, make sure you cash them before you go shopping or out to eat. Traveler’s checks can be a pain to work with. Sometimes, you get shorted by using these checks, so you may want to convert them to local currency before spending.
Use environmentally responsible services to ensure your vacation is eco-friendly. Lots of hotels offer linen reuse options, use energy-saving lights and take part in recycling programs. Tour operators, car rental companies, restaurants and many other travel service providers are also finding and implementing new ways to allow travelers to travel green.
Traveling is a great way to learn more about the world around you. Just sit back and try and enjoy yourself.
