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The Best 28 Traveling Tips
Shelly Walther

I have compiled 28 of the best traveling tips out there into one simple article.

Not only that, but I have organized them into small subjects, so finding those

subject specific tips is no challenge. Lastly, there is also an added page of

bonuses to make these tips even more worthwhile.

The topics breakdown in

this order…

o Research
o Pre-Trip Reminder
o Packing
o

Travel
o Activities
o Food
o Transportation
o Money
o

Random… These are just a few that don't quite fit anywhere, but are still

extremely important!

**Research**

1. Information can save you

time and money! One of the best things you can do is research your destination

of choice. Be sure to know what events will be going on while you are there,

where the "hot spots" are located, and what other activities are available for

you to enjoy.

2. Talk to people… They are a wealth of knowledge! Don't

be afraid to talk to some locals to find out where good places are to eat, or

good art, or good entertainment. It would only improve your vacation.



**Pre-Trip Reminder**

3. Make sure that your home and pets are

taken care of while you are gone. When vacationing, you should have someone

watch your house, check the mail, water plants, etc, and take care of your pets,

unless you plan on housing your pets at a kennel of some sort. Also, make sure

to leave them an itinerary so they can get a hold of you if necessary.



**Packing**

4. Shoes… Make sure that you pack worn-in shoes to

avoid getting sore feet from exploring. Plus, you'll save money if you don't buy

new ones!

5. Don't pack too much. Many travelers end up packing way more

items than necessary on a trip. To achieve this pick items that are multi-use

and multi-weather appropriate. Mix and match, durable, easy-care -- all words

that describe good items to pack.

6. Checklists can save you LOADS of

time. Create a checklist of everything you need to take, and as you pack them,

check them off. This will help you to avoid packing unnecessary items, and from

leaving necessary ones behind.

7. Liquids + Plastic Bags = Genius! Make

sure that any liquids are packed in plastic bags to avoid soiling all of you

clothing before you even get to your destination!

8. Carry all valuables

on your carryon. This is a good idea in case your luggage is lost, then you

won't lose all your valuables with it. Valuables could also include some toilet

paper and tissue!

9. Don't forget a camera! Disposable cameras and

digital cameras are getting smaller and smaller. Don't forget this essential

item in documenting your vacation.

10. Prepaid phone cards can save

money while trying to keep in touch with those people at home. International

calling fees can be insanely expensive, so to cut down on costs purchase a

prepaid phone card.

**Travel**

11. Travel packages that are too

good to be true? Great travel packages do exist, but make sure that you read the

fine print such as cancellation fees, vacation insurance, and refund policy.



12. Seating arrangements can be crucial, especially when traveling with

other people. Many ticket purchasing sites allow for you to choose your seating

on flights, so choose wisely.

13. Check the details of your flight and

leave yourself plenty of time. Security can be a huge travel hassle, so make

sure that you arrive plenty early, and make sure you know what time your flight

is at so you can know when "early" is. Another detail includes how much your

luggage can weigh, so to avoid charges verify the amount of weight allowed.



14. The carry-on is essential for any traveler. Make sure to have some

essentials including: clean change of clothing, reading material, plenty of

water, and snacks. These will also really help you on those long-haul flights.



**Activity**

15. There are many different options for

activities… No matter where you go! You could go on a walk, or a hike; you could

go shopping in the central shopping areas and meet people. If you have no ideas,

people are the hotels you are staying in are more than willing to share some

insight with you.

16. Remember to leave yourself time to ENJOY your

vacation. It is important to not have a jam packed schedule that allows you no

flexibility. That way, you can fill free time with resting, exploring, or taking

advantage of once in a life time opportunities.

**Food**

17.

Snacks are very important to any traveler. When on tours, meals may be spread

out over long periods of time so it is always a good idea to carry a few small

snacks such as nuts or crackers with you.

18. Water, water, water! Make

sure that you are drinking a lot of water. This will help keep you from wearing

out during your travels.

19. Enjoy the cultural food while you have the

chance. This cuisine is a treat for you, so enjoy it and take in some of the

culture with the meal.

20. Don't forget that nutrition still applies on

vacation. No one wants to gain weight while vacationing, so be careful about

your food choices and don't skip meals. Also, if you have special dietary needs

you will have to make arrangements for that in your budget.



**Transportation**

21. Don't forget your license! Being able to

travel within a town is essential to doing what you want to do on a vacation,

and you'll definitely need your license for that. Also, try to figure out the

cheapest ways to get around by starting with your hometown and finding the

cheapest ways to get around to all of the popular spots; then apply those money

saving tips to your foreign country.

**Money**

22. Currency

exchange information is vital. Be sure to check the current exchange rate so

that you can plan your budget accordingly.

23. Traveler's checks are

guaranteed funds, and REPLACEABLE! Traveler's checks can be a great way for

people to keep their money organized when traveling, and they are accepted

virtually everywhere. Plus, if they are lost or stolen, you can call the

traveler check company and get replacements.

24. Always carry a little

bit of cash, and a personal check or two. This is a strong suggestion for those

times when traveler's checks are not accepted. Carry smaller bills and not very

many because you can lose money when your convert them back into American

dollars, and personal checks may come in handy because they don't have fees

associated with them.

25. Credit and debit card fees can really hurt

your travel budget. Watch out for these fees. They tend to add up quickly, and

most people don't realize just how quickly until they get home.

26. Make

sure to have some extra money budgeted for emergencies. What if there is a major

rain storm on a tropical island and you don't have a jacket? That's where this

fund would step in, for those incidentals that almost no one would think of.



27. Keep a spending log… That way you know for sure you won't go over

budget!

28. Souvenir budgets are often overlooked and they shouldn't be!

Buying those loved ones at home a gift should not be overlooked. Decide early on

how many people you are buying for and your limit for each, and then stay within

it! Even the smallest gift can mean the world to someone.

About The Author

Shelly Walther has written multiple articles on a variety of subject matter. She has most recently been writing series on traveling and leisure and has posted work on http://www.fieldtravel.com.



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