Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Save Money With These Smart Traveling Tips

By Dominik Mikula


Taking a step into the great big world of traveling for the very first time might feel a tad bit scary, but by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself traveling like those more experienced travelers, who go on many trips, every year.

When traveling, the savvy tourist will always be on the lookout for local restaurants. A chain restaurant, even one belonging to a foreign chain the traveler does not know, will never be as colorful as an independently operated eatery. Not only are locally-owned restaurants more memorable, they are frequently cheaper than more generic options.

TO ensure you have a pleasant and safe traveling experience, make sure your health insurance is valid in the country you're traveling to. Doing this will make you feel more secure, and make it easier to enjoy your trip. It could prevent big problems down the line if you do fall ill.

Research what fees are being charged by airlines and determine the costs you may encounter. Nothing can kill your travel budget like the addition of one little fee here, one little fee there and eventually multiple fees have added up. Get an idea of what the airline will be charging for and prepare yourself or find a way to cut the cost.

If you are traveling by plane, look for the opportunity to trade books at the airport bookstore. Many are beginning to allow travelers the opportunity to leave one of their old books and pick up a new one. This service is usually free and gives you something new to read on your flight.

Do research before you start traveling. Ask your friends or neighbors if they've traveled lately and if there are any interesting things to do in that area. Also, when you arrive at your destination, ask the locals about the great things in their city.

Children under the age of 18 who are traveling with friends families or grandparents, may need written permission from you for local authorities or border patrol agents if they will be leaving the country. To protect children from being abducted, many of these agencies now require proof that they have been authorized by the parents to take the children with them.

Make arrangements for your pets while you will be away. Have a neighbor or friend come over to feed, walk and check in on them, at least once per day. They will feel more secure knowing that they will have fresh food and water and will be less stir crazy than if they were left alone for a long period of time.

You always want to make sure that you have a visa, if it is needed for entry into a county. Research exactly what you will need to present, to be allowed access to that location. Also, be aware that sometimes a visa will not even allow you entry.

Look through the policy cancellations of what you book in advance. A better deal might come along. If you have chosen something that can be easily canceled, keep looking for deals until the last minute. Certain companies offer discounts because they realize they are not going to do a lot of business on a particular week.

Always carry a small bag in your bags. Either a collapsible duffel or backpack that can be easily stored gives you the option of returning with items such as gifts, souvenirs or even duty free items. While it may be one more bag to check, you can avoid potentially higher weight charges from stuffing these items into your regular luggage.

If you tend to travel a lot, a great thing to do is buy a postcard from every new location. Collect your postcards in a photo album (they are the same size as the average photograph) and write the dates on the back when you went there. Doing this will make your trip memorable and give you some nice pictures to look back on.

Iron your clothes before putting them in your suitcase. If they go in nice and crisp, chances are good they will come out that way. You will also find that you can pack more by packing ironed clothes. Ironing takes more time if the clothes are badly wrinkled, and clothes that are packed with wrinkles will only get worse before you unpack.

Always keep bottled water with you when you travel. In some countries tap water is not suitable for human consumption and may contain bacteria that could make you very ill. Filters alone don't always remove these harmful microorganisms, so either buy commercial bottle water from a reliable source or boil all water before you drink it.

You now have some great ideas about the methods to use when traveling. The tips in this article were written to help every potential traveler make the most of the time that he or she gets to spend traveling and experiencing the wonders of the world. Now that you are informed, consider opening the doors to the world through travel.




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