Take some dryer sheets in your luggage. After all, they really don’t take up any room. Keep one in your dirty laundry bag to keep the odors down. Stuff one in your shoes to keep them smelling good. Remove static from your clothes and hair.
There are many more uses…what do you use them for when traveling?
I’m sure you have many of these items sitting around. Why not put them to good use when traveling?
Bubble wrap…it’s not just for fun. You know how it protects, right? Why not use it for protecting a snack or an apple you’re taking on the plane? Wrap your tablet computer in it before placing it in your carry on bag. It will also protect any fragile items you may purchase as souvenirs.
If you have a smartphone you can create and store your documents as a back up to paper ones.
Take a photo of your passport. Make sure you take a clear photo…one that could be used to apply for yours in case you lost it.
Make notes or take photos of your hotel reservation, rental car info, hotel address, etc. You could create a file for each trip so you’ll know right where all your information is stored.
Paper maps come in handy in most destinations. I can’t imagine trying to read a map on my smartphone for the streets and alleys in Venice. Paper maps are also a handy place to mark sites, points of interest, and destinations you want to visit.
If you have a rental car, take a photo of the type of car and its license plate with your smartphone. If you are checking into a hotel, you’re going to need this info.
When checking into your hotel, get a business card of the hotel. It will have their address and phone number. Carry this with you. If you’re tired or can’t quite remember the street address in Paris…show the cab driver the hotel’s card.
Have you thought about looking into a convent or monastery in Rome or Venice? Many are located in the old parts of town and are a great spot to stay.
Do you journal about the places you visited? Try buying postcards from someplace you visited each day. At the end of the day, on the back of that day’s postcard jot down a few things you did or saw. List a favorite restaurant or special site. When your trip is finished, you have your journal complete with photos to remind you where you were or what you did. You can then sort your photographs to match the postcards.
It’s already summer, so hopefully your summer travel plans are all finalized. Most travel experts recommend booking about 60 to 90 days in advance. After that, you may find some airline deals but most tickets will cost you more for summer travel.
Do you book any admission tickets, park passes, campsite entrance fees, or museum passes online ahead of time? If not, you should think about doing that. Usually you can save some money. Many places offer online discounts or coupons as well. And, it sure beats standing in line.
Do you check the weather before you go? If so, you’ll know whether you need a rain coat or sunscreen or both.
Download some helpful apps. GasBuddy shows you the cheapest gas stations on your road trip route. Check your traffic app to see where traffic is the worst or the best. You may find a better route.
Check for free activities near your destination. Most city tourism websites offer deals and coupons..
You may want to hang onto these tips and use them next summer!
Next time you are standing in line ready to go through security at the airport, take a look ahead of you.
Look at the agents using the screening machines. Are they fast or slow?
Look at how many babies or wheelchairs are in lines. Usually these take longer.
Check out how many bags the travelers in front of you have. Each bag needs to be placed on the belt, screened, and removed.
Look at people that seem confused by the whole process. You definitely don’t want to be behind them.