Traveling to new places is exciting, but it may be stressful. To ensure things go smoothly, there are many strategies you can use. Here are a handful of tips that will let you enjoy your travels.
Make a packing list. Sometime well before your trip, at least a week or more, write down all of the items that you must pack. This way, you can avoid clutter and panic, even if you have to throw things together on short notice.
Use an ATM instead of a currency exchange when traveling abroad. Banks frequently offer more advantageous exchange rates. This can save you a lot of money during your trip.
If you’re going to a destination that requires you get vaccinated, be sure to carry your vaccination certificate with you. This usually applies to those coming into or leaving a country. This sometimes even comes into play when you travel withing a country. With no certificate, there is no way to prove to the authorities that you have been vaccinated, and you could be quarantined.
When visiting foreign countries, be careful of which taxis you choose. Some “taxis” are not legitimate. Anyone can pose as a taxi service, and you don’t know what someone might do or where you might be taken.
Whenever possible, purchase tickets for admission to attractions online, then print them instantly or opt for will-call. This is more than worth the huge lines that you will avoid. Some parks offer things, such as timed entry, which will allow you to skip the long lines at the admission gates.
Consider your food allergies, if you have them, when you are traveling to foreign countries. If you have had severe reactions to certain foods, learn all the foreign words for those foods. Then at least you can warn the staff and possibly get a quicker response for medical professionals.
Be sure to dress in casual, simple shoes that can be quickly removed. You will be required to remove your shoes at the security checkpoints, and you may want to take them off while in the air. Your comfort is the most important factor here. Traveling by plane results in a lot of sitting and very little walking, so heavy- duty footwear is not needed or recommended. Wearing sandals like flip flops or Crocs is a great way to stay comfortable on your flight.
There may be some bumps along the way, but you can’t let those affect your trip. If you remember what you have learned here, you will be able to place more of your time and energy into your travel expectations. Rather than being concerned about things that can go wrong when traveling, think about the wonderful memories you will make.