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~ Travelling Advice ~ Packing ~ Makeup and Toiletries ~
Jetlag ~ Before you go ~ Walking and Biking ~ Healthcare ~ Submit Tip
General Advice
- It’s your holiday, so you want to go to the best restaurants and the best shops, spend LOTS of money,
take a taxi everywhere, go to the theater and symphony and opera, and get lots of things. And then you come
home broke. Be careful and watch where your money goes but don’t just watch. Keep a budget of spending
before you go and keep track of your expenses on the trip.
- Ask a relative or a friend to drive you to and/or from the airport or bus/train terminal.
- Never use the hotel in-room mini-bar. They’re ridiculously expensive. Instead, walk across the street
to the convenience store. Or go down to the bar or restaurant.
- Avoid making purchases in tourist/vacation areas. Souvenirs are great, but they and other things can be
found for a lot less in stores away from the hot tourist spots.
- If you know someone in the area, ask them to show you around. They might be able to get passes (from local
libraries) for local attractions, and at the least they’ll know what to see and where to buy touristy
stuff for less.
- Before traveling overseas, check the local price of items you intend to purchase there. A doohicky thousand
miles away may seem like a good deal at $50, but you might have been able to get it back home for only
$20.
- If you can find someone local who knows the prices, ask them what the real price of things should be. They
may be able to direct you elsewhere. Also, in places where you can bargain, do so. Expect that foreigners get
charged several times over the regular selling price of items, so even if they seem cheap to you, you may not
be getting the best deal you can.
- Finally, it's good to be organized and plan what you want to do - so make a budget plan and itinerary. But
be prepared for the unexpected - and be spontaneous. Travel is fun!
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Flying Tips
- First, whenever you fly, sign up for frequent flyer miles. When you sign up for credit cards, see if you
can get the ones that offer miles for money you spend. Look for airlines for which miles don't expire and which
allow you to use miles from other airlines. Stick to one or a few airlines (unless you really travel a lot) so
you can accumulate miles quickly.
- If you can afford to fly late, sign up for email fare updates at all the major airlines. You will receive
email about very low fares shortly before for weekend travel. Sometimes these are great package deals as
well.
- Make your airline reservations and book all tickets in advance. Flights often have lower fares 30, 21, and
14 days in advance. The cheapest airfares go fast, so plan ahead and make reservations as soon as possible. Ask
for discounted fares for seniors, students, children, and specials.
- On overbooked flights, give up your seat if you can afford to go later. You'll be booked on a later flight
and should get an extra free ticket or flight credit (if you don't, ask for one!).
- If you can wait until the last minute, check with travel discounters. Airlines would rather fill a seat for
a low price than leave it empty. Some travel agencies specialize in this.
- Other credit card companies also have airline certificates. You'll get a discounted fare (subject to
blackout dates) and you can travel on flights that would cost a lot more otherwise!
- Try not to fly on the big weekends (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, May Day, and other bank holidays) -
and if you do, travel the SAME day. Most people will want to travel Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. Also,
choose days like Tuesday and Wednesday to travel, which are not as popular as Friday and Sunday.
- Take your kid along! Many flights offer huge discounts if you take a child or a senior citizen with you.
Others also have general companion fares that are much lower than the regular fare.
- Don't forget that you can get mileage for renting a car after flying on an airline, for staying at certain
hotels, for buying flowers, etc. It'll add up and soon you'll be flying free!
- Ask a relative or friend to drive you to/from the airport terminal. Otherwise take an airport bus (not
shuttle) - it's usually hassle-free and costs you less than trying to find parking and paying for it
later.
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Somewhere to Stay
- Consider hostelling. Hostels around the world allow people to stay for almost no money in exchange for
living in houses or in rooms with several other people. You may have to bring your own bedding, etc., but some
hostels are better equipped. If you are a student, this is a great way to travel cheap and meet lots of great
new people. Some hostels are shared rooms, others have private rooms and are just as good as hotels for a lot
less. Go to the Intl. Guide to Hostels for more information. 2. Inquire about discounts when making hotel/motel
reservations. You have to ask, because the agents won’t say anything about them. Often discounts are
available for employees of certain companies, members of organizations, age groups, weekend stays, etc. There
are email notifications of these as well through major airlines and major hotels, available for signing-up on
their web sites. But be sure to ask when you call.
- Just because you have a coupon for Holiday Inn doesn't mean every Holiday Inn will accept it. Call in
advance and make sure that particular hotel will take it - if not, look for another place that does or try
another place to stay.
- Go to resorts in the off-season. You can visit just before the season rates begin or just after they end.
They’ll be less crowded and less expensive.
- Look in the paper for people selling weeks or renting out resort condos, cottages, etc. Staying a week at a
nice condominium might save you money over a fancy hotel. But be sure to ask about prices and amenities and
extra charges. And compare the prices with the local hotels or inns. A cottage might be good for a large group.
Shop around and be prepared to haggle with the renter. You might get very competitive rates.
- Take your holiday closer to home or at home. There are so many places to see locally that most people
don’t take the time to visit. There may even be some tourist hot spots nearby you haven’t seen. You
can drive there and even take a day trip. Again, your local library may have passes to the museums, etc. if you
just reserve them in advance.
- Find someone to travel with you and split the costs. Going single is much more expensive, especially with
accommodations.
- Got friends where you are going? Go visit them! You'll have a place to stay, and you'll get someone to show
you around, too. Then, when they visit you, you can return the favor if you feel so obliged.
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Travelling Advice
- Some places will allow you to borrow their cars for free if you just provide gas. Check out certain
hostels.
- If you don't have a car, ask a friend - but make sure they have insurance to cover you. And when you drive,
be a conscientious driver.
- Take the train or bus instead of an airplane if you can. Or a car. In Europe, rail service is better most
of the time. And sometimes it takes less time. You’ll save money and even have more comfortable
seats.
- Book all tickets in advance. Buses and trains often have lower fares 14, 21, 30 days in advance. On the
bus, you may be able to get unlimited riding privileges for a much lower fare if you book your ticket well in
advance.
- If you’re driving or if you find a visitor’s center, stop there. They usually have brochures
with discount coupons for major tourist attractions. You can also plan your stay and ask about the best places
to shop, things to see, etc. there.
- Take the train. It's more than the bus, but you can move around, get something to eat, go to the bathroom.
It's great for traveling with kids.
- Whenever you travel by car, it's best to have multiple drivers. You can take turns. If you're taking a
motorbike, this works too. You can pack a lunch and stop at a rest area or park for a nice homemade meal,
too.
- Consider renting an RV. This is great if you're with several people or a whole family. All the amenities
are there and you can stop in trailer parks for the night if you need to.
- Ask someone to take you to/from the bus or train terminal. It costs next to nothing (you can pay them back
for gasoline if you need to) and usually saves you a lot over parking there.
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Packing
- You can pack sparingly by using solid colors that go with one another. For example, three pants: jeans,
khakis, and black jeans. Then alternate with a white top, a navy top, and a black top. You have eight or nine
outfits with only six items.
- Pack thinner clothing and wear or carry the heaviest jacket and sweater you’ll need as well as your
biggest shoes (like sneakers).
- Take dual-purpose things. A cardigan close at the neck can also serve as a top. A dress might serve as both
a full dress and a skirt (with a blouse over it).
- Don’t pack things you are sure you can buy there, but do be prepared for emergencies (like waiting an
extra night in the airport - keep an extra T-shirt or change of clothes in your hand luggage)
- A dress bag usually can hold everything you need for a week. You can put pants, tops, as well as toiletries
and other things in without ending up with a mess. Rolling hand luggage is also useful. If you can avoid
checking things in, do so.
- If you know you most likely won’t ever wear those shoes, don’t bring them. If there’s a
good chance you will, do. Plan to pack sparingly. That means you can buy more, too!
- Travel with inexpensive but sturdy luggage. Your luggage is subject to cruel punishment. If they lose it,
you’d rather lose an inexpensive box than an heirloom.
- If you're traveling for more than a few hours (or even if you aren't), take some food with you. It can be
just a few granola bars or some crackers, just to tide you over so you don't have to spend an arm and a leg at
the airport shops. 9. Emergency and essential items: gum or candy, food, aspirin, bandaids, stamps, change, a
credit card, id, passport, ticket 10. Buy gifts BEFORE you get to the airport - invariably you'll spend more
money there.
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Before you go
Makeup and toiletries:
- Take dual purpose things - body/hair wash, tinted facial moisturizer, leave-in hair conditioner/styler,
all-over bronzer
- keep all my makeup and toiletries in a travel-size soft train case with a zip-off top. You may want a
separate one for makeup and a separate one for other stuff like toothbrush, soap, etc. A mirror easily props up
in it for a quick face-fix. Get one with a pocket or a piece of elastic to stand up brushes, pencils, and
things like that so they won’t be lost.
- Some important things (especially for women): Powder to get rid of shine, Tinted facial moisturizer (get
one with sun-protection for added protection), Leave-in hair conditioner/styler, All-over bronzer (works as
blush, can add shine and color to lips in the summer, and a hint of color to eyes), Lipstick in a favorite
neutral color that has a hint of pink in it (can also be used as blush), A brown eye pencil for eyebrows, and
tan eyeshadow (some eyeliners smudge well, too, so they can be used as both liner and shadow), A concealer
stick for trouble spots
- Take travel size skin, hair, and all-over cleanser (shampoo works)
- Makeup: Consider one of the triple-purpose pencils that can be used for cheeks as blush, lips and both
liner and lipstick and eyes as both liner and shadow.
- Wrap things that may spill (like shampoo, cleansers, liquids) tightly in plastic zip bags.
- Take travel-size products (sample size, especially if you’re only going a few days). They’re
smaller and cost less (save them from hotels if you like for future trips)
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Jetlag
- Drink lots of water before you go. Lots. On the plane. Off the plane. Get your 10 glasses at least.
- Before you go, try to adjust to the new time. Sleep at those times, and have you breakfast when it’s
breakfast at your destination (air hostesses will usually hold your meal for later if you ask)
- Avoid caffeine. It will keep you up and increase jet lag.
- Get sleep before you go. Avoid naps in the middle of the day when you get there.
- Keep yourself active during the day and you will sleep better at night. A cup of warm milk may help.
- Get up and stretch on the plane. Go to the bathroom, walk around while the seatbelt sign is off. If
you’re traveling by car, bus, or train, get out at every stop to stretch your legs, arms, back,
neck.
- A good, interesting book can keep you awake. So can the TV or looking out the window, or navigating.
- Set your watch to the destination time. You’ll help yourself think in those hours.
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Walking and Biking
- To go on bike or foot, make sure you have your route mapped. Are there major obstacles? Are there paths to
walk or bike on every road? Are some roads for automobiles only?
- Make sure you have the right equipment and shoes. What will you do if your tires go flat? Carry emergency
phone numbers. Make sure you are well covered for all kinds of weather.
- To take: money, credit card, id, food, lots of water (mix with salt and sugar to help prevent dehydration),
bandages and ointment, change of clothes, extra socks, and a backpack or sack to carry it all.
- Trace out where you are going to stop for nights, where you're going to stay. Will you stay in hotels or
with friends? Will you camp out? Try not to travel alone for safety.
- Wear light, reflective clothing. When you're traveling on roads or where there are lots of other vehicles,
you want to be seen. You can get reflective tape to stick on shoes, backpack and the back of your jacket.
- How are you getting back? Make sure you've got somewhere to go, and a way to get back. You'll find people
are pretty friendly to pedestrians and bikers.
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Jetlag ~ Before you go ~ Walking and Biking ~ Healthcare ~ Submit Tip
Healthcare
- Whenever you travel, make sure you're well hydrated. Drink lots of water, get plenty of sleep, and eat
well. Mom's right.
- If you're travelling by plane, avoid caffeine. Opt for water instead of caffeinated drinks and sugary
juices and sodas.
- On the plane, make sure you get a chance to stretch. When the seatbelt sign is off, get up, go to the
bathroom, take a quick walk. If you stop in an airport, use the time to stretch your legs and arms. Turn your
neck side to side to stretch, shrug your shoulders, touch your toes.
- Make sure you stretch even if you're on a bus or in the car. Make a stop and stretch!
- Carry lotion with you. Planes and air conditioned vehicles can be very drying. Apply moisturizer regularly
and drink water to keep yourself hydrated.
- If you're driving and are sleepy, don't try to keep going. Pull over and sleep. It's better to get there
late and intact.
- Get your sleep even on the plane - don't deny yourself that by reading and watching movies or tv. Ask for a
pillow and/or a blanket, lean your seat back, and go to sleep. Use music if you need it.
- Finally, make sure you're eating well. The food may not be the best, so make sure you have some extra
munchies in your bag (a granola bar, etc.). You can carry preserved, packed foods with you. Carry gum to chew.
If you're not ready to eat, ask the air attendant to bring you your meal later (tell them when). If you're
going by car or bus, take any stop as a chance to eat food. It's a good idea to pack some sandwiches from home.
Avoid caffeine because you'll have to stop frequently for the bathroom.
Travel Home Page ~ General Advice ~
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Packing ~ Makeup and Toiletries ~ Jetlag ~ Before you go ~ Walking and Biking ~ Healthcare ~ Submit Tip
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