Travel is one of those rare human endeavors that can be either recreational or obligatory. Sometimes you want to travel and sometimes you have to. Whatever compels you to hit the road, the sea, or the sky, you can have a better travel experience if you educate yourself on the smart ways to travel.
When traveling, never take an item from someone to transport it for them. No matter their situation or how nice they may seem, this is almost always a trap to convince an unwary tourist to transport drugs or other contraband into secure areas. Even “gifts” can fall into this category.
Pay attention to your intution when traveling. If a specific store, person, or neighborhood gives you “bad vibes”, just walk away. Your intuition might be telling you something that you haven’t consciously noticed. Even if you’re wrong, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your safety.
Pack some plastic zipper bags. You know you need them to get your liquids and toiletries through security, but extras can always come in handy. You may need a few extra for snacks on the road, as a garbage bag, or as an ice pack in an emergency. Most of all, they come in handy when you are packing to return home and have a soaking wet swimsuit to put in your bag.
Try to wait until the last minute to book. It may sound counter-intuitive, but waiting until the last moment often frees up deals brought on by companies looking to fill their open slots for low rates. A hotel room with no one in it does not provide revenue, so many last minute visitors can request, and get, great deals.
Remember to report lost tickets immediately. Lost tickets can be refunded, but this can take as long as six months. It might also involve a substantial replacement fee. Reporting your lost ticket as soon as possible will not make things go any faster, but you will get your money back sooner.
If you are concerned about the safety of your wallet on your next travel adventure, consider using an alternate form of storage for your vital belongings such as your cash and personal identity cards. Many different types of wallet storage are available that stay conveniently hidden beneath your clothing, from a belted waste pouch to a zippered wristband.
Don’t spend your money in local cheap gift shops. Find out what your travel location is famous for, and invest in a quality item or two. While, gift shops may be more affordable, they build on the idea that tourists don’t know what they’re buying and take advantage of it. You are usually sold items that are poorly manufactured and are sure to fall apart once you get home. To avoid being swindled by locals, invest in something of quality.
Some people love to travel, regardless of their motivation. Others endure traveling at best. The difference between the two is not just a matter of temperament, though. When you take in smart travel advice like that found here, you can shift yourself towards being the former sort of person instead of the latter.