These days, traveling can be more of a pain than a pleasure. From packing, coordinating airport drop off and pick up times, to getting a reasonable hotel in the right location, taking a vacation sometime seems more stressful than just staying at home!
Here are five tips for easy, breezy traveling:
1. Plan Ahead: Make sure everything is planned and organized well before your departure date. For vacations, book the flight and the hotel at least a month in advance, and write down the confirmation numbers and flight numbers in an easy to reference place, like a planner.
2. Get Your Wardrobe in Order: One of the tricky things about travel is packing the right clothes for the trip. If you’re going somewhere chilly, make sure you have a suitable jacket. Same goes for the tropical vacations—stock up on swimsuits, sandals, and loungewear! Make a shopping list of the things you need, and you’ll be prepared for whatever weather comes your way.
3. Tie Up All the Loose Ends: I hate when I’m going on a trip, and I forget to take care of something vital, like where I will board my dog, or who will pick up my mail. A few days before a trip is not the time to be rushing around, trying to figure this stuff out! Make a list of all the things that need to be taken care of before you leave (stop the newspaper from coming, have your neighbor pick up your mail, drop off Mr. Barks-a-lot at your friend’s house) and check them off one by one. Make a note of it in your planner and try to care of all the loose ends in one week.
4. Do Your Research: Know where you’re going. Whether you’re traveling on business to Chicago or taking a summer vacay to Cancun, do a little research before the trip to find some must-see tourist attractions, famous local restaurants, museums, etc.
5. Last Minute Preparations that Make a Huge Difference: Ever go to the airport and get caught in a long winding line for check-in and notice those people breezing by you with white pieces of paper in their hands? Those are boarding passes! Print them out before you leave the house, have your carry-on ready for boarding (this means no big bottles of soap, or shampoo, or any other liquid), and avoid long lines. Keep all important documents easily accessible in your wallet or purse.
(Photo Courtesy of Weheartit.com)
Tags: planning, travel tips, traveling, vacation