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Top 5 Tips For Travel Preparation
“The number one mistake people make when they pack is bringing too much,” says Paul Eisenberg, editorial director for Fodor’s, which has published guidebooks for over 300 destinations worldwide. “In the travel business, we have a saying: Lay everything you want to take out on your bed – and then pack half of that.”
Savvy travelers know to be prepared for anything, and good preparation begins at home even before the packing begins. As soon as you know you travel destination, put a box or basket in a convenient place to drop little necessities for the trip into. Also create a packing checklist and keep it on top. You can check them off as you collect them.
Additionally, for the best trip possible, follow our travel planning tips below:
1. Check on the following to be sure you are current:
- Immunizations. Make sure you know what is required or recommended and when to receive innoculations before the travel dates.
- TSA website for the most current rules and regulations. They are constantly changing. Double check carry on luggage rules.
- The airline website for the most current rules for all things related to baggage, sizes, how many are allowable, charges and fees, etc.
- The weather forecast for your destination. It will help determine what to pack, and it may be vastly different than what you were anticipating. Verify there’s no weather disaster in the making.
- Check for special plans. If visiting friends or relatives, call before packing to find out if there are any particular dress requirements in their plans for your visit.
2. Hotel and rental car reservations.
When making a reservation, confirm the quoted rate and record the confirmation number and the name of the person with whom you spoke. Ask the reservation specialist to repeat him or herself, write down the details, and be clear about the type of room or car you are getting, and what are the check-in and checkout times.
Once the room or car is reserved, document all information and a full itinerary to leave with a friend or neighbor in case of emergencies. If you book your room or car through a travel agent, make copies of the reservation confirmation they provide you, for it will clearly state the hotel and rental car company information and your arrival and departure dates.
Have this confirmation information or a printout of your e-mail reservation available when you check-in. Businesses never intentionally misplace or incorrectly enter reservation information, but it's always a good idea to bring evidence just in case.
3. Funds.
Currency is one of the most important aspects of any trip. Doing your homework about how to handle your money while traveling will save you a lot of stress, and possibly some cash too. Things you should know and do:
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Take an ATM Card. When you use an ATM machine in a foreign country the money dispensed will be in the local currency and the exchange rate is often even better than the rates you would get from a local bank or regular currency exchange shop. check for fees associated with the use of the ATM and any limits on the amount you can withdraw.
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Keep details of your credit card, the number, security number, date of expiration etc. somewhere safe and separate from your wallet, and keep a copy of this information when you travel. Also make a note of the emergency telephone numbers that credit card companies offer in case your card is lost or stolen, check if they have a local office in the destination you are travelling to. If your card is lost or stolen call the company immediately to report it. Safe guard receipts and destroy carbon copies. This may seem over the top but we actually recommend keeping the receipts in a safe place so you can accurately compare them with the statements you receive and shred the rest.
- Travellers cheques. Most of the major companies such as American Express, Visa etc offer Foreign Currency travellers cheques which saves you the hassle of having to exchange them in the country you are travelling to. If they don't offer the currency you need, then you will need to exchange the cheques in the country you are travelling to which may well incur more charges such as handling fees, and an exchange rate.
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Cash: Never enter a country without at least a little local currency. Of course, don't go nuts and get hundreds of euros at your local bank, where the exchange rate is so-so. Take a picture of what the currency looks like with any notes you may need to help you to remember the currency value.
4. Planning your suitcase:
- When packing clothing, it is important to review your travel activities and associate the clothing to the planned activities. Choose clothing that can be worn multiple times for similar activities and limit colors to those that can be mixed and matched with other items to get the most uses from the same item. Don't pack more than one pair of jeans or heavy sweater.
- If you plan to visit any religious or cultural sites, you may have to cover your shoulders and legs to be respectful, so plan accordingly.
- If you are worried about having enough suitcase space for items you plan to purchase, consider taking old clothing or cheap underwear that you won’t mind discarding as you wear it, clearing up room in the suitcase for items to bring back.
- Search for thin, synthetic fabrics. They not only take up less space, but they dry quickly if you need to hand-wash them in a hotel room. There is no need to spend loads of cash on "travel" clothes. Look for polyester or rayon blends. At home, pay attention to which clothes come out of the spin cycle nearly dry. Bring some travel-sized Woolite with you or, in a pinch, use the hotel's shampoo.
- Invest in reusable compression bags. They keep your items organized, clean & protected. Pack bulky items like sweaters in these bags and create up to 75% more space in your suitcase. Since they seal in odors, they’re great for laundry on the way home.
- If you don’t have compression bags, minimize wrinkles and maximize space in the suitcase by rolling most of your clothing. The principle here is simple: by rolling your clothes you're creasing them less right from the start. Another technique is called "bundling" your clothing. For detailed instructions on how to best achieve this technique, visit onebag.com.
- Shoes should be limited to no more than three pair, the shoes on your feet and two pair for the suitcase. Nest smaller shoes inside large shoes when possible. This is easily done with children’s shoes. Place shoes toe to heel, and wrap in plastic grocery bag to keep them from emitting odors into your suitcase.
5. Boarding Pass Holder and security wallet travel essentials.
The boarding pass holder hangs around your neck, but is made specifically to organize your travel documents while you are in the airport. Individualized pockets for your boarding pass, photo ID and passport make it a breeze when you have to show your documents numerous times while juggling your carry-on bags. Once you arrive at your destination and before you leave the airport, be sure to re-pack your travel documents into your security wallet. This is the most important item to pack for any trip. Anything that is important and you don’t need access to in the airport can be packed inside, like credit cards, ATM cards, cash, etc. By wearing your valuables inside your clothing (except for photo ID), it’s one less thing to worry about losing.
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