With an abundance of travel guides out there, it is challenging to sort through all the different guidebooks, brochures and resources. The information you’re about to read, however, is selected to pinpoint many aspects of travel planning that are essential to you having an enjoyable experience.
When you are in an unfamiliar area, be on guard for criminals acting as officials such as law enforcement. Do not give anyone your actual passport. If they state you must go to an office, offer to walk the distance with them. Do not get into a vehicle with someone that you do not know.
When being serviced by a smaller airport, look into all the different airlines that have flights. Lots of small airports have charter airlines that don’t show up when you are seeking rates. They may have better deals than those offered by the larger companies.
When traveling around other countries, beware of fraudulent taxis. Do not hop in if you get a bad feeling. Anyone can put a sign that says “taxi” on a vehicle; you have no way of knowing who the person is or where you might end up.
If your travels will take you to a port of call prior to your cruise, try to find a reasonably priced hotel with included parking and check in the night before. Even if they don’t publicize the service, it can’t hurt to ask about free parking deals at your hotel.
If you are traveling to a specific attraction, such as an amusement park, see if you can purchase tickets online, and print them in advance. Although you may pay a service fee for this option, it is worth it to bypass long lines for entrance to the park. Some parks now have tickets that contain a specific time in order to avoid lines.
We all love our pets and if you simply refuse to board them at a kennel, why not choose a way to travel with them? It is becoming more common to come across vacations that are pet-friendly. In fact, many places have amenities in place for pet “parents.” These may include care for your pets. Just make sure that where ever you go, your pal is allowed.
When you get to your hotel, give the alarm a try. Some travelers find themselves awakened at three or four in the morning by alarm clocks that the previous occupant of the room set. Turn the alarm off, or set it when you want to get up, if you want your vacation to start in a relaxing way.
When you travel, you always need to keep up with your belongings. If you have to carry a purse, remember to keep it firmly tucked under your arm. Do not carry a bag with easy access to any of the pockets. Consider these things when you are picking out your bag.
Ask about renovations when reserving your room. Nothing is more annoying than to be woken early in the morning by construction equipment, especially when you are on vacation. Just don’t book during those times.
You will want to cash your traveler’s checks prior to going anywhere to eat or shop. Even though traveler’s checks are widely accepted, they are not that easy to use. Sometimes, you get shorted by using these checks, so you may want to convert them to local currency before spending.
National Parks
If you plan on visiting the National Parks often, it would be best to invest in a National Park Pass. It is relatively inexpensive, $50 total, and it gives you open access to all national parks for a year.
Take an extra passport picture along as you travel abroad. It takes quite awhile to replace a stolen or misplaced passport. The whole process will be significantly faster if you have an extra photo on hand. You can get on your way faster when you have the documents needed for passport application forms with you.
With the tips above, you can begin dreaming about your vacation and planning for it. Pack your bags, stay organized and enjoy your trip!