For an event that should be fun, relaxing and free of stress, often times, all of the planning and logistics ends up turning a dream vacation into one big headache. Follow the travel tips in this article to reduce the stress involved in vacationing so that you can return from your next trip, relaxed and rejuvenated.
While savvy travelers know that buying tickets directly from airlines saves them money, they also know that package deals from online travel agencies are an opportunity to save. By getting a single deal that includes airfare, hotel stay and car rental, a traveler can save money overall, even if certain portions of the package could be bought more cheaply on their own.
Call the airport ahead of time to receive your seat assignment. Without a seat assignment there is a chance that you might be bumped from a flight. If this happens, you could find yourself stuck in the terminal waiting for the next flight. This could take several hours.
If you have questions about the hotel, the best time to call is around midnight. The people working the desk most likely aren’t busy and will be able to give you their full attention. If you call during the day, most likely they’ve got people there in person and others calling on the phone to distract them.
If you are traveling on an extended vacation, plan on doing laundry as you go. You should not attempt to carry more than a week’s worth of clothing with you at any one time. More than that will become too bulky to easily transport from place to place; doing laundry in the sink is easier.
In addition to making a photocopy of your passport before you leave on an international vacation, write down your passport number and place of issue. Store this information in your money belt or wallet, separate from you passport. The more copies of this information you have, the easier it can be to recover lost or stolen passports.
Children under the age of 18 who are traveling with friends families or grandparents, may need written permission from you for local authorities or border patrol agents if they will be leaving the country. To protect children from being abducted, many of these agencies now require proof that they have been authorized by the parents to take the children with them.
No matter where you travel, weather watching is key. Take time when planning your trip to examine the normal weather conditions for the time you are visiting. Knowing this allows you to pack properly and plan accordingly. Checking constantly will allow you to alter your plans, if necessary, due to sudden changes in forecast.
If your schedule allows it, leave yourself one day after your vacation before going back to work. You never know what kind of surprises you will encounter when you get back home. Plus it will also allow you to transition into reality and your daily grind a little bit easier.
Adjust your schedule to your destinations timezone a day or two before leaving. If you will be traveling to a location where morning is three hours earlier than you are used to, set your alarm to start the routine early. Get to bed earlier to match the timezone as well and you can acclimate your body to the ritual.
As you can see, there are a number of ways to reduce the stress of planning your vacation and simplifying the logistics. Make use of any or all of these tips when planning your next vacation. Instead of being stressed out, you will have the time and energy to truly enjoy your vacation.