before you pack your bags, read this article!
10 Fabulous Travel Tips To Make Your Vacation Even Better
Are you planning a tropical getaway? Getting ready for that fabulous ski vacation? Wherever you want to go, be it a family reunion, a quick getaway, or that dream trip, here are a few travel tips to make your trip easier, and more fun!
Tip 1. Do Your Research:
Know what you’re getting into, where you’re going, and what to look forward to, before you get there. Get information about your destination while you’re waiting to go on that trip. Besides, it heightens the fun to anticipate all the things you can do, and all the memories you can make as you see the sights, sample the local cuisine, check out the hottest clubs, shop for special souvenirs and local bargains, etc.
Tip 2. Take Must-haves in Duplicates:
Even with luggage limitations, some things should be carried in doubles. For example, those prescription glasses (a lens of mine popped off during a sunset beach stroll and I didn’t have a replacement),
Bring more days of prescription drugs than you think you’ll need (in case you are unable to get home on time).
You need at least two pairs of shoes. If you think this is a silly tip, consider the woman whose sandals fell off her feet into the open sea. They were her only shoes!”
Tip 3. Bring some local currency:
In this age of smartphones and credit cards, it seems nearly impossible to believe that not everyone takes them — but not everyone does.
When you arrive at your destination some cabs may take $$ but not necessarily at a fair exchange rate. Some cabs won’t take you at all. The last time I was in Paris, for example, I had about $100 in euros with me. When my plane was diverted to another airport leaving me no time to exchange money or even to buy a cup of coffee, I had enough local currency to get to my destination without a hassle. To quote one such traveler: “Without local currency, I’d never have met up with my group and get on that tour on time!”
Tip 4. Bring A Foldable Nylon Tote:
Some countries charge for shopping bags, so if you want to save money, bring your own nylon bag that folds into a pouch. They cost just a few dollars and take up very little room in your luggage.
Use your bag for shopping, or the beach, or to carry whatever you need as you’re checking out the sights. These bags can do double duty as laundry bags or for taking home souvenirs that don’t fit in your regular luggage (my sister once got a big samovar from Moscow home that way!)
I also use my foldable bag when I have to gate check my carry on rollaboard but I have fragile or personal items in the bag. I’ll stuff them into the foldable bag (it always fits under the seat or in the overhead).
Tip 5: Zip Locks Are A Must!
include some gallon (or larger) sized zip-lock bags in your luggage. You can use them for all kinds of things that might leak: Suntan lotion, shampoo, etc. They are also good for keeping wet bathing suits (and sand) away from dry items on the return trip. These bags can help you keep your luggage from smelling like the grand bazaar if you buy anything highly fragranced, like spices or soaps.
But that’s not all: The largest sizes of ziplock bags are the perfect place to store lingerie and tee shirts. Simply pack them flat into the ziplock and squeeze out all the air. Your items will be clean and dry, and you’ll have a lot more room in your luggage. Since your socks, or tees, or whatever are already stores in the bags, unpacking is a breeze!
Tip 6: Don’t Check Essentials!
Never pack documents, medications, glasses, or anything fragile or valuable (e.g. cameras, tech items, or jewelry) in your checked luggage.
I also always carry a toothbrush, hairbrush, moisturizer and a change of clothes and underwear just in case my luggage is lost or delayed.
A carry on bag will only hold so much, but if, for example, you’re coming from a cold to a warm climate, take shorts, sandals and sunglasses, so that you can enjoy being outside in the tropical sun while you’re waiting for your luggage to arrive or your room to be ready.
Tip 7. Leave room for Extras:
I admit I’m someone who hates to pack light, but even lightweight luggage can get heavy, quickly. This also makes it more prone to damage by airplane handlers.
At many train, plane and bus stations you will have to lug your bags quite a distance. Consider too, that your hotel may not have an elevator and you will be the one lugging those bags up four flights of stairs (and down again).
If you are renting a car, you’ll have to fit all your bags in it…and that car may not be as spacious as the one you drive at home.
The upside of packing light is that you can also bring more home if you want! I have a favorite body soap that is only available in large sizes. I had room for two of these last trip because I had extra room in my suitcase.
Tip 8. Guard your passport:
This may sound like a no-brainer, but passports are paramount. Don’t ever pack them in your luggage or leave them where they can be stolen.
I have been witness to more than one hysterical traveler when she realized that her passport had gone missing, or she had packed her passport in luggage and that luggage was nowhere to be found! Make copies of all your important documents and put them somewhere safe. Get a passport card and keep your actual passport in the hotel safe when you’re touring.
Tip 9. Bring Snacks & Entertainment:
Even a short trip can turn into a long one because of a delay. I’ve been stuck in airports where all the food stalls were under closed due to renovation and I hadn’t had anything to eat all day.
I’ve also been anticipating a short flight that turned into a six-hour delay due to a strike in by air traffic controllers. Snack bars, noise canceling headphones, and a Kindle made both circumstances, much more pleasant.
Tip 10. Rethink Souvenirs:
I have always been amused by people who bring oversized items onto the airplane, thinking they will somehow “fit” in the overhead bins. I have seen so many vacationers returning from Mexico lugging huge sombreros or big pinatas, struggling to get those things into the overhead bins (they couldn’t).
If you can’t ship it home, think carefully about what you buy abroad. Do you really need that giant donkey crafted from straw that is going to end up being gate-checked (and probably crushed before it hits the baggage carousel)? Nuff said!
Bon voyage! Have a GREAT trip!
