Don't Miss The Boat On These Fantastic Travel Tips
Many people say that when travelling abroad you are an easy target for crime, but that is really only true if you don't know how to blend in. Like all countries, there is crime, however, you really need to be educated on the culture and understand how not to like a tourist. This article contains a number of helpful tips on blending into the native culture and not looking like a tourist.
To really get a feel for where you are vacationing, follow the locals. Many top vacation spots start to feel very generic and touristy. By asking around and finding where the people who live there hang out, you will get a more authentic feel for the area, and as a bonus, avoid the price markups that plague tourist hot spots.
Make sure that your cell phone plan is on a national calling set up before you leave town. If you are normally on a regional or local plan, switching to a national plan, even just for the short time you will be gone, can keep you from getting charged for roaming or long distance.
Instead of going someplace far away, look for local attractions that you can travel to. Not only will you save time and money, but you will also be supporting local businesses and your local economy. If you need suggestions, call your local visitors bureau for suggestions on nearby activities for you and your family.
Give a copy of your itinerary to a family member. This will let them know your whereabouts at all times. You should also contact that person regularly. If they hear from you often, they will not be concerned.
Make sure you check your credit card statement after you stay at a hotel. Even if your bill is correct when you pay at check out, extra fees may find their way into your payment. Sometimes rooms get charges twice by accident or another guest's expenses will get put on your account. If this happens, call the hotel's billing department right away.
If you are not interested in striking up a conversation with your seat mates, make sure you bring along big, noise-cancelling headphones. Most people will not try to strike up a conversation with someone who is obviously not interested in talking. These have the added bonus of blocking out the sounds of babies crying or people chatting while you relax.
Pet friendly travel can be very rewarding if you plan ahead. Make sure you know if your pet travels well before subjecting him to lengthy car rides. The Internet can help you find pet friendly lodging and destinations that can make vacationing with your pet fun and inexpensive. Gone are the days of leaving your furry friend home.
When you plan to take an extensive travel time and own a home, it may be in your best interest to rent out your home to make sure it is well kept while you are gone. This will ensure that bills are paid, utilities still on, and not make you lose money while you travel.
If you are traveling by car for several days, think about researching fitness classes in the cities that you are driving through. Stopping at a rest stop can help you get out of the car and stretch, but joining a class at a yoga or fitness studio will let you meet people and check out the town. Look for companies that allow walk-ins and have fun!
Pack one extra outfit in your carry-on bag. Lost luggage could leave you without a change of clothes until they are located. By having one on hand, you will at least be able to change one clean set of clothes. Make sure your spare outfit does not take up a lot of space - a simple t-shirt and lightweight pants or shorts will suffice.
No matter where you're going, buying insurance when you fly is a good idea. Insurance will let you cancel your travel plans last minute with a full (or partial, depending on the insurance) refund. Last minute emergencies happen and you don't want to be out several hundred dollars for missing your flight.
Pack a collapsible cooler to use on your travels. Inexpensive but incredibly useful, collapsible coolers take up very little room in your suitcase and are ideal for allowing you to have a picnic on your vacation. Not only do they save you money, but they can also be used to hold your dirty clothes when you are ready to return home.
As was stated in the beginning of the article, knowing how to blend in with the local culture is crucial to not being a victim of crime. Criminals prey on tourists, but if you apply the advice from this article the chances of you becoming a victim of crime are much less.