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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.

By now you probably know to call your credit card company before you travel. By letting them know you will be in Venice, Italy or Venice Beach, California makes life easier for everyone. For one thing, you won’t have your purchases denied. The credit card company will monitor any purchases not in the areas where you are traveling.

But, what if you lose your credit card? Do you have their number? Be sure to have both numbers, including the international number, handy. Store it somewhere that’s easy for you to get to but easy to lose.

Sure, you are a tourist. But, do you really need to look like one? Perhaps you could leave the over-stuffed fanny pack and dozens of guide books at home.

What do you do to blend in when you travel?

There are probably a gazillion travel tips out there. Sometimes I come across a new one and sometimes a tip finds me when I’m traveling.

Did you know binder clips have seemingly endless uses?

Did you know you could use an old eye glass case to hold things you want protected or don’t want to lose in the bottom of your carry on…chargers, cables, jewelry, small pill bottles, nail clippers, cough drops, and so much more.

You’re traveling and your suitcase just ripped. What do you do? Pull out the trusty duct tape and tape it up…right? But, what if the tape won’t stick to the suitcase?

Use a garbage bag to completely cover your suitcase and tape the bag shut. It’s not a long term fix but it will get you away from the baggage carousel without leaving a trail of clothes.

What if the zipper breaks and you can’t get it fixed? Use heavy duty safety pins as a temporary fix.

I just read about this latest travel scam. While it’s a good idea to pay attention to all “freebies”, this appears to be the latest now that summer travel is here. Hey, we all like to get something free. But, not when it’s not legit.
Check it out…

Protecting your identity is crucial…especially when traveling. Is it something you take extra precautions for and pay attention to while you travel?

Do you know what to look for when in a new place or country? Check out these tips…

Some may seem obvious, but they all have merit.

Pay attention when using ATMs. First, make sure it is a real ATM and not a fake. Use one at a bank you know is real. Cover the touch pad when entering your PIN or have someone stand behind you.

If you are using credit cards, check your statements while traveling.

Protect your passport. Keep it in a secure place, pocket, or purse compartment.

Think before you use public computers. Most hotels, B&Bs, and rentals have free wi-fi that is secure when you need to use your computer. If it’s not secure, be sure to log out of whatever site you were using as soon as you are finished.

Turn off your smartphone’s settings that allows the phone to automatically connect to nearby wi-fi hot spots. It’s a good idea to lock your smartphone as well.

If you are staying in a hotel and receive a call in your room or on your smartphone to add an additional credit card to your room…don’t give out one over the phone, even the hotel phone. Visit the front desk in person. Chances are they didn’t call you.

When thinking about a vacation, do you plan your spending ahead of time? Do you save money to use while on vacation? If so, what’s your plan?

Some people throw all their change in a jar or piggy bank. Spare change adds up. Our bank doesn’t let us bring in loose change, however. They give us the paper wraps and we need to count it and roll it. Not too bad for change that might just sit in a drawer or at the bottom of your purse. This year my spare change added up to almost $300.

Recently I read about a site that lets you save online. It’s called SmartyPig.com. Apparently you can set goals and SmaryPig keeps the transfers going until you reach your goals. I haven’t tried it but it seems like a fun way to accumulate some extra travel money.

You could also open a dedicated savings account just for travel. You might want to check with your bank to avoid any fees if the account has required amounts.