Traveling is a great way to expand one’s horizons. It introduces one to new cultures and ideas, develops one’s understanding of the world, and can be extremely fun to boot. However, proper precautions should be taken when traveling. Prior planning and research are essential to minimize sticky situations and unexpected snafu’s. This article will cover some of the required information you should gather before embarking on your journey.
Jump Ahead To:
Best
To get the best deals on flight prices, browse through several travel sites at once before you purchase your tickets. Some good options are kayak.com, southwest.com, and priceline.com. On external websites, you can often find ticket prices that are less than the price on the original retailer’s site. However, I always make sure to read the fine print to avoid hidden fees. Bon Voyage!
Find out as soon as possible whether you require a visa to enter the country you are traveling to. Visas might take a while to process, so give yourself enough time to apply and receive it. This will help your trip go more smoothly since, without the right visas, you’ll have trouble getting into some countries.
Where
To get a feel for where you are vacationing, follow the locals. Many top vacation spots start to feel very generic and touristy. By asking around and finding where the people who live there hang out, you will get a more authentic feel for the area, and as a bonus, avoid the price markups that plague tourist hot spots.
If you are traveling overseas and looking for good local food, pay attention to where the locals eat. The presence of a group of cabs, for example, is easy to spot and shows you where the low-cost but good food can be found. The location is also guaranteed to be filled to the brim with local color.
Honeymoon
Always ask for upgrades. You can’t get it if you don’t ask. No one is going to offer you a free upgrade just because they like your shirt. When you check in with airlines and hotels, even car rental companies, ask if there are any upgrades available. If it is a special occasion like an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday, make sure to make mention of that.
Party
When traveling in a strange city by taxi, ask an independent third party such as a front desk clerk or baggage porter what the right rate is for a trip to your destination. Also, set up the price with the driver before you get into the cab. This helps prevent you from getting ripped off.
If you are traveling for a wedding or special event, do not book your hotel room under the block of rooms reserved for the party. Hotels usually give these events the corporate rate, which is higher than other discounts that they offer. Try making reservations with your AAA membership or hotel rewards program.
Flight
Traveling by plane can be a way to significantly reduce traveling time while increasing the time that can be spent enjoying the trip. Also, you are free to entertain yourself while the pilots and other staff take care of everything. You can sit back and enjoy the flight while traveling in comfort.
Airport food can be pricey, and not all flights provide snacks while in flight. It’s handy to keep a couple of sticks of jerky, a candy bar, or maybe a pack of peanuts in your pocket or purse so that you can get that quick energy boost you need without having to pay an arm and a leg or take the time to buy food at a shop.
Hotel
Before booking any vacations, do some comparison shopping. Make sure you’re getting a good deal on your flight and hotel by looking at the prices of several websites. If you don’t need to leave or return from your trip on an exact day, check the amount of several days in the same week. One might be cheaper.
Before you decide on a travel destination, make sure to read as many user reviews about the area as possible. Finding out what other travelers experienced can save you from staying in a decrepit hotel room, visiting a terrible attraction, or eating a restaurant that it out of your budget.
Tips
When you’re traveling, and you need a taxi, make sure you pay attention to the meter. When you first get into the taxi, make sure that the meter isn’t broken, it is properly zeroed out, and it is turned on and off when you get out. Taxi scams are famous all over the world, and in a foreign place, it is easy to get scammed. Paying attention to these simple meter tips can ensure you’re charged a proper rate and not swindled.
Whenever you travel for business or pleasure, research your destination before you leave—arriving in a foreign city without any idea where to go or what to see can be overwhelming and takes away from experience. Read a guide on your destination and talk to people you know have been there. You can quickly learn some insider tips.
Traveling is one of the most exceptional experiences one can have in life. The ability to meet new people, explore new places, and learn about new cultures is unprecedented. The tips in this article should serve you well on your exciting adventures.un