When you travel, whether for pleasure or business, it’s important that you plan the trip with plenty of time. The following tips can assist you with planning your travels.
When going to a foreign country, use ATMs to withdraw money. Banks get better exchange rates that you may get. This can save you a great deal of money.
Leave any valuable items you don’t need at home when traveling. You are taking the risks of having everything stolen from you if you do bring valuables with you.
Watch out for faux cops or faux government officials in foreign countries, as they may be criminals. Never give them your original passport as you may never see it again. Walk with them if they want to transport you to a nearby office. Don’t ride with someone you don’t know.
When you travel, you should only bring along things you need. When you carry less items with you, there is less of a chance of having items stolen or losing them. Limit how many shoes you take as they can take up a lot of room and are the heaviest things you will be taking.
If you are traveling through a small airport, find out from the airport’s website which airlines serve that airport. Often, there will be charter airlines, and they might have great prices available.
When venturing abroad, be cautious when using taxi cabs. Make sure you are taking a taxi that is legit. Anyone can pose as a taxi service, and you don’t know what someone might do or where you might be taken.
Keep track of your important belongings when traveling. If you have to carry a purse, remember to keep it firmly tucked under your arm. Avoid storing important things into the outside compartments, even if they are zippered. Thieves may access it in a crowd without you realizing it. You may also try sewing Velcro into the compartments or even your pockets. The loud ripping noise that it makes is quite a deterrent and thieves will usually move onto an easier target. You should keep these things in mind when trying to find a travel bag that will be reliable for you.
If you are taking a road trip with children, bring along a cookie sheet or two. They can be used to make flat surfaces for playing cards or a surface for coloring books. Bring magnetic letters for more fun.
United States
Plan in advance for possible travel disruptions, like a lost passport. The United States Department of State maintains a website (usembassy.state.gov) where you can find information on how to contact the United States Embassy or Consulate in the country that you are visiting. Make sure to have this information handy on your trip. Many times, you can get a replacement passport within a few days.
If you understand local currency value before you make the trip, then you’ll be able to budget your funds much easier. You must know your dollar’s value so you can start planning what you’re going to be able to do while you’re there. This prevents too much spending and increases the fun you will have.
How much preparation you do before traveling can really influence how enjoyable your trip turns out to be. You’ll leave feeling good, and you’ll get to your destination in great spirits.
