Thursday, April 26, 2012

Removing The Stress Out Of Travel

By Kelley Lamb


Scout out coupons and deals. Before you set off for your destination, do a thorough Internet search for attraction and restaurant discounts. A month or two before you leave, sign up for a local deals flash site for your destination to score some great discounts. You can also look into purchasing a coupon book for your destination. Browse the coupons it contains and determine if the cost of the book will be more than made back in the money you'll save.

When traveling in another country, be sure to clean your hands and under your fingernails often. Try not to touch your face, especially your eyes and mouth ,to prevent any bacteria or germs from getting in. This is especially important if you're visiting a less developed country to avoid getting sick.

Make a portable washing machine with a plastic bag. Save money by skipping expensive coin-operated washers and dryers when you travel by using a do-it-yourself tip. Find or pack a large and sturdy plastic bag, and add a little laundry soap and water. Put your clothes in the bag, and shake. Drain the soapy water and repeat the process with clean water, then hang the clothes to dry.

Having earplugs handy while traveling will save your sleep and sanity! Be it on the plane or in your hotel room, the use of earplugs will allow you to shut out at least fifty percent of the noises that will give you a headache, keep you from sleeping, or otherwise highlight travel in a negative way. They are also very cheap so bring plenty.

Before you leave on your trip, make sure you are up to date on all your vaccinations. If you are taking any prescription medications, be sure to bring extra along just in case. There is always the chance that your departure might be delayed, and you don't want to run out.

Use soft-sided carry on luggage, instead of a hard-sided case. When trying to cram your luggage into the overhead bin, soft-sided cases will have more give and be more easily stowed. There is no chance that a hard-sided case that is too big will ever fit. It will have to be gate checked and you won't be able to access it until you deplane.

If you have a child, keep a color photo of him or her in your wallet in case they get lost. Losing your child can be a scary prospect. Even so, it does sometimes happen. Having a photo of your child handy in case they get lost in a crowd could end up making a huge difference.

When traveling by air, if you find that you need to check your bags, make sure you that keep at least a change of clothing with you in your carry-on bag. Then if your luggage accidentally gets lost and the airline has to track it down you'll at the very least have a clean change of clothes. Even if it takes a day or two to find your luggage and get it for you, you can most likely wash your clothing at your hotel.

To travel efficiently, research the place you are going to as much as possible. You should know about the culture of the country you are traveling to, so that you do not do anything offensive or forbidden. For instance, be careful about the way you dress, and avoid certain hand gestures.

Avoid wearing loud or particularly noticeable clothing when traveling. Try your best to blend in with your surroundings. Avoid wearing unusual clothing or acting in a way that marks you as a tourist. Pickpockets and con artists are often on the lookout for tourists. Looking too much like one could make you a victim.




About the Author:



No comments: