I’ve probably told you this before…but here goes one more time.
Before you leave on vacation, check the weather at your destination. If you’re driving, check the weather along the route, including the forecast. This will help you know what to pack, eliminating both over-packing and leaving your much needed jacket or umbrella at home.
Do you know how to drive a stick shift vehicle? If you are traveling in many parts of the world, a stick shift will probably be what you find in your rental vehicle.
If you rent from the US, check with the car rental company to see what kind of car or van you will be renting and what it has for transmission. Better to know ahead of time than to get surprised at the last minute.
Do you take the time to learn some phrases in the local language when you travel? You should.
Good ones to start with are: Please…Thank You…Yes…No
These few words will go a long ways when traveling.
We all know we should keep our money safe when traveling. Most of us know to keep our money in more than one place.
How do you do that? Do you divide up your cash between you and your traveling partner? Do you put some in your wallet, which is in a pickpocket proof pants pocket, and the rest in your money belt?
Or, do you hide some in a corner of your backpack?
Wherever you put it, make sure it’s safe. And, remember where you stashed it!
US Embassies are located in most countries…probably almost all countries where you will be traveling. We take that for granted and, in most cases, don’t really even think about them.
Do you know where the US Embassy is in the country where you are going? Do you assume they are in most large cities? Do you think they are just for major world wide emergencies?
What if you lose your passport? What if there is a military uprising? What if something happens to you or your travel companions that you don’t know how to handle?
Before you go, it’s a good idea to look at the list of US Embassies and know where the closest one is. It may not be located in the city you are visiting. Having said that, know their phone number, address, and how to get there.
A list of embassies and up-to-date information about countries all over the world can be found at http://www.usembassy.gov/.
When packing, don’t forget to toss in a needle and thread. They don’t take up much room and can be invaluable in an emergency.
Sewing on a button, repairing a tear, or attaching a necklace clasp. If you take a large needle and some dental floss, you can even repair your suitcase.
Do you know how to wash your clothes in a sink when traveling? If not, it would be a good idea to practice at home. Why practice when all it is is water and a little soap?
Because…first, you’ll know how much soap you need. It’s probably not as much as you think. Second, you’ll know how long it takes for that shirt or pair of pants to dry. Who wants to put on a wet pair of underwear or pants? And, you’ll know if your favorite shirt wrinkles like a shar-pei or if it looks presentable.
When you travel, do you look for souvenirs to bring home or look for that special piece to bring back to your house sitter? Where do you look?
I realize tourist stands and trinkets are everywhere, but I want something special..something unique. Where do I find it?
One place I look is the local grocery store. Yep…the grocery store. For one thing, it’s a great place to get an overview of the local culture pretty quickly. You can see what is popular here compared to at home, you can find cheaper snacks, and you see some pretty interesting branding. You might know what the container is supposed to say at home. Even written in a different language than you’re used to, it’s fun to see what is on the label.
Another thing to find is kitchen utensils. Check out what gets used in this country compared to what you use. Small utensils make great gifts for friends that like to cook.
Many grocery stores have gifts and cards as well. Check them out…
Recently I read about some new apps you can use to book your entire trip shortly before you go somewhere. Check these out. I haven’t tried any because I usually book a lot further in advance. But, they just may work!
The website Adioso lets you browse fares from your departure city to anywhere in the world and sort by price. With Kayak’s Explore app you can look at airfares on a global map to see how far your money can take you. This app, Get They Flight Out, puts the cheapest day of fares from Orbitz, Travelocity, and others on an easy to scan interface.
I also read about the site, LastMinuteTravel.com, which sells heavily discounted packages. Apparently you can join the site for $50 and save even more money. Not sure…haven’t tried it.
If you’ve tried these or any others, let me know how they worked.
Have you ever thought about checking to see what type of airplane you will be flying in? How about seat configuration or seat location? Want to know if the plane is noisy or smooth?
Here are some things to think about, especially if your flight is a long one.
Noise…takeoffs are usually noisy anywhere in the plane. Get to cruising altitude and the noise you hear is not from the engines, but from the turbulent airflow around the cabin. Rear mounted engines, however, produce the most noise. But, rear seats in a plane with wing mounted engines will typically be the noisiest. And, of course, newer planes with newer engines will be less noisy.