When traveling to a new city, try your best to look as if you belong there: Never let anyone see that you are lost. Checking your map in the middle of the sidewalk is a sure-fire giveaway, as is asking for directions. Remember, new arrivals are good targets for pickpockets and muggers.
To make it easier to find your luggage when it comes around, put a very unique tag or marker on your bag so it sets itself apart from all of the others. It can be a scarf, some neon tape, a sticker, etc. Just make sure that it is something bright and obvious.
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During your trip, do not give out any unnecessary personal information, such as your address or full name. You may not think so at the time, but taxi drivers, door men, or anyone else for that matter could store your information in their head and use it to steal your identity.
Check the local news for the area you are planning to visit. Whether it is finding out about fun, local events, holidays which may impact local attractions, or serious political matters that may affect foreigners, it is always a good idea to be informed on what is currently going on in your destination city, area, and even country.
Families traveling with children should consider asking the front desk of their hotel room to take the video games off of the television. You are automatically charged when someone plays the games, and you may not always realize when your children have accessed them. Disconnecting the games will help you avoid any unexpected charges to your bill.
If you are going to travel to another country you will need to get a passport. This can take some time so it is best to prepare in advance. You should be prepared to answer questions, bring in legal documents to prove who you are, and plan to wait a few weeks or more for the passport to be ready for you to travel with.
Traveling by bus is an economical alternative to flying, but you should be aware of luggage requirements before packing for your trip. Find out the weight and size limits of luggage imposed by your chosen bus company, in addition to the number of bags you can take. If you are bringing skis, snowboards or other bulky equipment, make sure you comply with the company's policies. Be prepared to move your own luggage if transferring buses, as most bus companies do not provide this service.
One of the best souvenirs you can bring home from your travels is a journal. Document your treks to far off lands. This gives you not only something to do, but a great gift to share with your friends and family when you get home. You will find it an invaluable way to relive your journeys.
No matter where you're going, buying insurance when you fly is a good idea. Insurance will let you cancel your travel plans last minute with a full (or partial, depending on the insurance) refund. Last minute emergencies happen and you don't want to be out several hundred dollars for missing your flight.
Do not carry all of your credit cards with you when you travel. Only take the ones that you know you are going to need while you are gone. The same goes for jewelry. The fewer valuables that you take along with you, the less likely you are to have a thief take them or hurt you while trying to take them.
Do not take a sleeping pill on an airplane, bus or train trip. Sleeping pills might make you sleep much longer and deeper than you plan. This might cause you to miss your stop or be uncomfortably groggy when you reach your destination. If you must take a sleeping pill, make sure you are not blocking other passengers from the aisle.
Before you travel, make copies of all your important travel documents. You want to have copies of your passport, insurance, and other vital documents. Put them in some safe place other than with you. To protect yourself from the headaches that will happen if your documents are stolen or lost, leave a set of copies with someone trustworthy.
A small notebook and pen can be essential for travel in areas where you are not fluent in the language of the land. To get help from the locals, draw pictures of what you are looking for to get pointed in the right direction. A notebook is also handy to keep track of directions back to your hotel or to note where you parked the rental car in a massive parking lot.
Travel can be for relaxation, rejuvenation, adventure or just pure escapism. Whatever your reasons for traveling may be, use the helpful tips outlined in the article to make your journey as stress-free as possible. That way you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride -- just always remember to buckle your seat belt.
