Everyone likes to travel, but not everyone knows the little secrets that make your trip enjoyable. Here are some great ways to make your next vacation super-enjoyable.
1) Pack light. Do you really need ten pairs of shoes for a three-day stay? Take clothes in neutral colors so they will go with more outfits and take only what you would pack if staying at home.
2) The night before your trip, lay out everything you think you might wear on the trip (including jewelry). Doing this simple act clears your mind of things you may need to take care of before your departure.
3) Always pack an extra bag for the things you buy on your trip. This way, if you have trouble lifting your luggage or are traveling alone, you can carry something back rather than sending it home with the airline.
4) Get travel insurance. Accidents happen and could cost thousands in medical bills so be sure to get travel insurance to protect yourself from unforeseen circumstances that may occur during your trip.
5) Plan carefully what time you will arrive at your hotel or destination so that you can avoid sitting in taxi lines after a long flight or drive tired and cranky without the chance to freshen up first.
6) Pack a small flashlight keychain type thingie in your luggage. It’s a lifesaver when hotel room lighting is poor or you have to get up in the middle of the night and can’t read your watch.
7) When you book a hotel, let them know if you’re going to be checking in late. Some hotels will hold your “late check-in” at the front desk for free until a certain time that they have set aside just for late arrivals. If this isn’t offered, ask if they will waive the extra fee just this one time for you, because you’ll never stay there again! They may say yes – it doesn’t hurt to ask.
8) Pack your own alarm clock – most hotel wake-up calls are unreliable and come way too early so it’s a good idea to have your own backup.
9) When you arrive at your hotel, check the alarm clock and make sure it is set for a reasonable hour. Also, check out the bathroom or shower as those are places that people often overlook when checking into a hotel room.
10) Always remember to pack some sort of snack food for those times when you just can’t bear the thought of going down to yet another overpriced restaurant meal just before bedtime! Sliced apples or oranges with peanut butter or cheese spread on them make great snacks – something healthy and filling without being too messy. If you do forget, don’t be afraid to ask housekeeping if they have any fruit left in their carts – I’ve found they often do and if not, they’re usually happy to get some for you!
11) There is no need to tip the cleaning lady in your hotel room. This is a fact, not opinion. If you feel guilty about this or want to be super nice (or consider it a religious duty), pack a little something in your suitcase and give it to her when she does her turn down service – but don’t bother with making up some reason that makes you feel obligated. She doesn’t care how much money you think she should make per hour and if she works for tips at all, there’s nothing wrong with tipping her later on when she serves you breakfast in bed – just keep away from the “tipping” gesture so as not to offend.
12) When packing, take a dry-erase marker and write your name and cell number on all of your luggage (inside and out). If something does get lost, it will be much easier for whoever finds it to call you or contact the airport without having to indicate where this item came from.
13) Every time you enter a new country, make sure that there is some small change in your pocket as well as the local currency. You can ask at any bank for exchange rates and how much money you should have when you go into town.
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