Looking back at my first vacation abroad, I remember how my inexperienced self almost ruined the entire plan.
It is exciting how much you can learn from one trip to another. Indeed, being a smart traveler does not happen overnight, but there are international travel tips and tricks that will definitely keep your vacation from going wrong.
Travel Packing Tips
Pack smart. It is simple: the lighter, the better! You do not want to spend most of your vacation trip dragging your luggage across the street, up stairways, or through crowds.
Make sure you pack the essentials, your pair of jeans, comfortable shoes, shirts, a light jacket, toiletries, electrical adapters, and chargers. Avoid packing things that you will find in the hotel, such as towels and shampoo.
If something is missing, you can always go shopping, which is a bonus, but make sure that what you need is available in the country you are visiting, such as your baby’s formula or your favorite sunscreen!
The smartest way to travel is to pack all your stuff in one carry-on. You won’t have to go through the whole luggage check-in at the airport. Plus having to deal with any loss of luggage is reduced.
The best method for getting all that you need inside one carry-on is rolling clothes. You will save a lot of space and your clothes will not get wrinkled.
YouTube has plenty of videos that will show you exactly how to roll your clothes.
Early Bookings
A great international travel tip is if you book plane tickets six months prior to your flight, you will save almost one-third of the ticket’s price three months later! Of course, booking that early can be risky, but if you have a solid plan and fulfilled all visa requirements and all your travel documents are in order, then you are good to go.
Some travel airlines have more flexible rules than others, so make sure you fully understand the terms and conditions of booking, in addition to return and exchange policies.
This also applies to book your accommodation. As the date of your trip approaches, the prices will get higher. Find the right accommodation for you early on, compare prices between websites, and try to have a flexible booking policy.
Do your Homework
Reaching your destination without having an idea about where to go and what to do may sound adventurous and exciting, but it can be a vacation spoiler.
It is always a good idea to do your research and learn about the place you are visiting. You will save a lot of time and avoid disappointment. So contact a reputable travel agency and consult with their travel agents or travel advisers. Or you can do your own research by visiting online travel sites.
If you are spending two nights in Paris, for instance, then it is good to know that the Louvre closes on Tuesdays and that you can go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for incredible views.
Another great method for planning ahead is the online booking of museums and sights tickets. You have no idea how much time you will save by skipping the lines at the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome.
Download offline maps and travel mobile apps on your phone to keep you from getting lost.
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