Travel Tips To Have In Mind
Hi, how are you? Hope you are good. Do you like to read? I love to read but most of the times for me it’s hard to find a book to really enjoy it, happens the same to you? In this post I will share with you some Travel Tips of the book that I did read: “100 Travel Tips By Wolfgang Riebe” (basically a resume of the book). It’s a really good book, 100% recommend it, you can get it here.
Before The Trip: Research
Firstly you need to plan your trip. Where do you want to go do and how much do you want to spend. Ideally do searches on the Internet and visit a travel agent to reasearch all the options available to you. Once you have reached a decision, you can book the trip.
Passports & Visas:
Make sure your passport is valid of at least another 6 months after your return. Always, always, always have at least two copies of your passport and travel documents. One set you keep at home and the other in one of your suitcases. If your passport is lost or stolen, you cannot prove who you are or even visit your consulate in a foreign country without identification. Like this at least you have a spare copy on you, and if all else fails, another copy safely at home.
The requirements change daily! Check whether you need one and leave ample time before the trip to apply for your visa.
Booking Your Hotel:
If you want freedom, you have to plan your own thing. Never book a room next to an elevator, it’s so noisy! Always have a set of earplugs on you. Booking through an egent, or specialist Internet sites is often cheaper than booking direct. Booking anything, from flights to hotels, is much cheaper ‘out of season, than ‘in season! Good to know if you are on a tight budget. Many hotel rooms have strong air conditioners that dry out your skin and nose. Make sure you have packed a moinsturiser.
Find the best hotel that suits you!
The best hotel deals from around the world!
Your Air Ticket:
Check in on-line if you can 24 hours before, this is much easier and saves you standing in queues at the airport. Today some airports let you download your boarding pass on your phone – find out about this, it is very convenient. The non air mile price is usually much cheaper. However, you need to rememeber that the cheaper fare does have limitations and restrictions on it. Be aware of the restrictions of your ticket. Also, if you are booking a flight with a stop over, check the time between flights. If it is too short, you may miss the conection. If it is too short, you may miss the connection. If it is too long, are you prepared to sit in an airport for 8 hours?
Forex (Foreign Exchange Market):
Always order small denomination local currency before you leave. There is nothing worse than arriving in a foreign city and having no cash on you. Your credit card will not always work in a foreign country. Plan to ohone your bank or credit card company well before you leave and get them to authorize foreign use.
Phones:
It is often cheaper to buy a pre-paid SIM card in a foreign country and use this, than pay the foreign roaming charges on your own phone. Find out via the net before you leave, what options are availavable to you in that country.
Baggage & Packing:
Pack spare toiletries and essentials in case you cannot find any at your destination. Always bear in mind the fluid and spray can limitations for hand luggage – 100ml. Always carry a universal adapter with you. Stop packing unnecessary items. Always have a change of underwear and sock in your hand luggage if you check in your main bag. Keep your hand baggage within the size limitations nd weight. Pack minimal clothes, this is ideal for short trips. Put a business card or hand written address card inside your baggage in case it gets lost. Add the hotel destails as well when checking in on an outbound flight. Pack smll items in your shoes – this saves space. Make a point of doing something to your bag that it immediately stands out from the rest and enables you to identify it straight away. Make sure you are aware of the business etiquette in a foreign culture. Always leave space in your baggage when you leave, often you will buy souvenirs, receive gifts, or have extra items on your return.
General:
Make a checklist before you travel which you can tick off before you leave. Check your travel insurance as well as medical insurance. Travel with a basic medicine kit, especially painkillers, plasters and high fever tablets. Is your driver’s license valid in the foreign country? You may have to get yourself an international license. Focus on what is important!
At The Airport & On The Plane Baggage:
When you arrive at the airport and what to check in your luggage – check the receipt you are issued, and make sure it corresponds with your destination and name. Buy hand luggage with wheels and a handle, it’ll be easier.
Checking-In & Waiting For The Flight:
Always have a small emergency supply with you. Don’t advertise your home adress on your baggage label! Thieves walk around the airport and even strike up conversations with you. All the while memorising your home address so that they can break in while you are away. Check where the boarding gate is, often when you decide to have a meal in a restaurant, or visit a lounge, the boarding gate is far away.
Business Class Lounge:
Even if you are not travelling business class, often you can pay to get into a business class lounge. This can at times be cheaper. When applying for a credit card, get one that includes business class lounge access. American Express & Diners Club cards allow free access to priority lounges around the world at no extra cost. Also, check with the airlines, some offer a chauffeur pick up and drop off service when booking business class.
On The Plane:
Always travel in comfortable clothes on long haul flights. Some airline use to give you wet wipes, but just in case carry some with you to wipe any unclean surfaces. Avoid the seats closest to the toilets – these can be a nuisance, and it gets busy in that area. Bulkhead seats up front tend to have mothers and babies seated it them. Although emergency exit seats may have more legroom, many don’t recline. Read the safety card- all planes are different. You never know!
Charge your laptop before you fly and keep your charger on you in your hand luggage. If you are on a long haul flight and going into a new time zone, adjust your watch as you start the flight, and follow that time pattern straight away. It helps your body adjust sooner. Always carry a moisturizer and lip balm with you. Never take the first taxi you see. Rather go to the information kiosk first and find out what fares are supposed to be. Also check that it is a metered taxi. It’s often very easy and much cheaper to catch a bus or train from an airport.
At Your Destination Hotels:
Be prepared and have a 3G card with you. Skype is pretty international and you can use them to access the Internet pretty much everywhere. However, find out before you book the hotel if they have free Wi Fi. Also, if they do, get the password when you check-in. Ask the receptionist for a postcard, or business card from the hotel. Often people completely forget the name and address of where they are staying. If you have their details on you, it makes life a lot easier. Also, in a foreign country you may pronounce the area where the hotel is situated in a strange dialect to the taxi driver, and he may completely misunderstand you. So it’s always useful to be able to show the person the address.
Find the best hotel that suits you!
The best hotel deals from around the world!
FOREX:
Use credit cards to pay for items. When converting your home currency in a foreign land, you often get ripped off at very bad exchange rates. By doing everything through your credit card, your bank usually gives you a far better rate back home.
Passports/Immigration/Customs & Security:
Security is and always will be a pain in the rear end. Bottom line – they are there for your safety. Learn to put up with it and don’t be a smart arse. You can get into trouble.
Remove your belt, shoes, small change and laptop before your get to the security scanner! It’s rude to do this there and then and make everyone wait. This is a huge problem in airports. Don’t start searching through your pockets once you get there, have everything ready! Respect other travellers and their time!
General:
Try learning a few basic words of a foreign language. It can be helpful to put you out of a risky situation. Always carry a small spare fold-up map with you.
NEVER travel anywhere with brand new shoes! There is nothing worse than having blisters in a foreign place and not being able to enjoy the sights! Use worn in shoes always!
Hope you enjoyed, thanks!
Contact us: staceplores@gmail.com.
Stacey M.
(Certified Travel Agent & Tourism Specialist)
