Travel Tips

 

Photo Credit: Thrillist.com

Travel Tips

You’re getting ready to embark on a quick weekend getaway or an out of the country month-long trip, you’re excited, but make sure you prepare in advance so that your trip will be a happy and enjoyable one all the way around.

Whether you travel by air or on the rails on a train excursion, or simply take to the road in the car, here are some painfully obvious yet necessary travel tips:

Using Caution

As a traveler our first defense against travel crime is knowledge. The first thing one should do is especially if leaving the country,

.Check on their laws, and the customs of the country you plan to visit. Take the time to understand a bit of the culture of the area. It is at least better to be informed than to be surprised in some way in a foreign land. Examples of simple things are the proper dress and salutations that may be needed.

. Do not use public Wi-Fi, in many places, “tourist traps” in the United States and especially abroad, most public Wi-Fi is not secure. Try to use only a secure hotel Wi-Fi for working internet or personal use. It requires a sign in and is most likely a secure route to use.

.Men please put your wallet in the front pocket of pants, and women try to not carry so many valuable items (i.e. credit cards, money, expensive makeup, and cameras in large tote bags.) Putting a wallet in a back pants pocket and using a large tote are easy targets for thieves and pickpockets.

Hotel Safety

Before booking a place,

.Always check all of the written reviews, however, if a place only has 5-star reviews listed, check other types of sources. Sometimes reviewers are paid or padded. Check many resources as a means of checking into the status of the hotel. Places like the BBB or giants like The Travel Channel itself often times will do reviews for even the littlest places. It would not harm anything to actually call the hotel itself and ask questions you may have. Booking a less than the spectacular hotel will cause you a lot of woes and no one wants a dirty or bug infested place to spend a week in, thus ruining your experience.

.Travel insurance has been a godsend to some that have either had to cancel a trip or had a trip go awry. Some have had whole trips repaid for or rebooked with little or absolutely no cost to the consumer. It may be worth looking into.

.Put hotel and flight information into your phone, Send a text with the information to your travel partner and they to you so that all of your travel information will be at your fingertips. It is also helpful to leave your information with someone who isn’t going on the trip with you as well. It is also helpful to insert the Travel Agent, or Airline information, Hotel address and phone into the contacts on your phone.

Being Comfortable

.Do not overbook your itinerary! Do make plans to see the local sites and go on adventure excursions, but overbooking with no relaxation time will cause stress, especially if you miss something that you have not only reserved but paid for.

.Move around. If you’re on a long flight, (or even a short one) or a long car ride, make sure you get up, stand, walk or move around. Blood does not circulate when sitting at rest for a long time; it is relieving to walk even a short distance. This may be mandatory for certain diseases, please check with your doctors.

.Take something for the chills. On an airplane, and a train, the cabins are controlled and at different times of the flight or the trip cold air is exchanged into the cabin causing a temperature drop. To make yourself comfortable take a large scarf, pashmina, sweater, or small blanket to use when you get the chills, it is ready and handy and you don’t have to call for a blanket.  I get extremely cold in the car and I often take a small jacket because the car gets so cold.

Beauty Tips

.Drink water. Our bodies need the water. It keeps us hydrated and may help ward off sluggishness of jet lag.

.Use a face mist. It helps you feel great and helps you look great, whether you purchase one or make your own. simple rose water in a travel size mister and you’re ready to go.

.Use ziplock bags, they guard against spillage or putting an already used product into it to bring it home. The bags are great for also keeping things like Q-tips, face sponges, or cotton balls dry and clean.

.Meditate and Journal. Lots of people exhibit any number of levels of anxiety when it comes to travel in general. It is beneficial to help you relax and/or write your feelings down to further let out anxiety too. Meditation is a proven method to help reduce your stress level and calm you down.

So these were just a few tips to help your vacation be a calm and fun as well as safe and less stressful! 

Bon Voyage, Have a beautiful time!