subject: Understanding How to Properly Travel Abroad [print this page] Understanding How to Properly Travel Abroad
This year, travel agencies are reporting that more people than ever will be visiting foreign countries, or even just exploring their own. If you are someone planning your first international trip or are even just going cross country, the following is some advice that will make your trip more fun and convenient.
Nowadays, there are plenty of compact, light-weight luggage available for the traveler and you should generally bring one large and one small suitcase. Your smaller suitcase should be for packing handy must-have items like your pajamas, slippers, make-up and toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair products and appliances. Once you've spent an exhausting day seeing attractions, you won't want to scramble through the large suitcase searching for these belongings. The larger bag should hold all of your daily clothes and other miscellaneous items.
You want to save as much space as possible when packing. If you are able to get travel sized portions of your toiletries, powder, shampoo toothpaste and the like, you will be able to fit more in the case. Bring a toothpaste with you that will brighten your teeth and keep your breath smelling fresh all day long.
Make sure to bring a travel alarm clock with you. Don't depend on the hotel clerk to wake you up on time if you have plans to see an early attraction. Don't carry all your cash on your person at once. Bring enough for your day's expenses and a little for emergencies. A good way to protect your money is traveler's checks. You always have the option of exchanging them for cash as needed. It is also likely that you will want to use a credit card on your trip. Naturally, you should bring one that is viable internationally, but leave one's you don't plan on using at home.
By following a couple safety precautions, you won't end up making yourself a target. One mistake that a lot of people make is to not be aware of where their purse is hanging or that it is hanging open to pickpockets. Make sure you carry a purse with a strap long enough to wear across your body and tucked underneath your arm; men should never carry their wallet in their back pocket.
Some travelers like to wrap their wallet in rubber bands to keep it safe. The rubber bands will make the wallet less likely to slip out of your pocket or be removed without your knowing it. You should probably avoid bringing expensive or sentimentally important items on your vacation. Keep things that are essential, like a change of clothes, in the bag you carry on.
Make sure you have some things like a small clothesline, miniature clothespins and a few inflatable hangers; you can purchase all of these things at a convenience store. You can use these items to hang items that you wash by hand in your hotel.
Bring a stash of mailing labels that already have your name printed on them. Bring self-addressed mailing labels and postage or learn where local post offices are so you can mail these items home. Have the package wrapped and then give the shipping label to the clerk to be pasted on the package. They also come in handy if you plan to send anyone post cards while you are traveling.
Keep your sales slips organized by bringing an envelope inside of your handbag. This way, you have what you need when you pass through customs. It's also smart to put smaller items like shoes, laundry and lingerie in some plastic bags of varying sizes.
Taking along your preferred brand of suntan lotion since you might not be able to find it at your final destination. If you don't use trial sizes for your trip, be sure to at least get some empty plastic containers to fill with products that normally come in glass containers.
Take along clothing that will easily hang dry and is resistant to wrinkles. You don't want to have to fuss with too much in the way of washing and ironing clothes while you're on vacation. Lastly, it isn't wise to try to do everything. Sure, you'll want to see and do all you can, especially if you are visiting a new place, but you need to also plan time to relax and enjoy the hotel and the local scenery.
