Travel Tips - Packing Your Bags!

By Darlene Berkel

A vacation is supposed to be a way to have fun - not an army training experience where you lug a heavy pack for miles and end up sore and tired. It can be difficult to decide what, and how, to pack. Hopefully this guide will help you decide what is important, and what to leave at home. Planning in advance can help you remember the useful things, and stop the panic that happens when you forget the essentials.

One of the most basic travel packing tips is to make a list - it may seem silly or pointless, but seriously, it's so much easier to just tick off items as you put them in the suitcase. Trying to remember everything will just lead to you either forgetting something, or packing something twice.

Selecting Luggage

Picking the right suitcase, or suitcases, will make your journey much easier too. If you want to use a carry-on, check with the airline to make sure your suitcase is the right size - finding out at the last minute that you need to go all the way back to check in because your bag is too big can be quite frustrating.

When selecting a suitcase, look for one that has a sturdy, pull out handle, and wheels that are made of a durable material. Be wary of ones with small handles that are attached directly to the material of the case, as these can often tear or come loose.

If you need to pack expensive evening wear, or garments that wrinkle easily, some people find that putting them in a garment bag first, then loosely laying it in the suitcase - without making any hard folds, can help it survive the journey intact. If you have to cram your suitcase full of clothing, then you may have to make use of an iron at the hotel.

Packing Your Suitcase

Many people find that rolling clothing, instead of folding it, can prevent wrinkles, and also makes the clothes take up less space in the suitcase.

If you are going on a long holiday, then you may find that it is better to pack a wardrobe based around one or two colors, so that you can mix and match items to make your wardrobe last longer. Colours such as black, navy and khaki make a good base choice as they 'go with everything.

Make sure that you take your medication, travel documents, and other essential items in your carry-on luggage. You may need a note from your doctor if you wish to bring liquid medication on board.

If you are stuck for ideas on what to pack, there are lots of web sites that offer tips and advice - you can even download pre-done packing lists and just tweak them to your own liking.

However you do it, just remember that a little preparation before you leave will go a long way towards making your trip more enjoyable.

Tips and advice for the Business Traveler

SUMMARY: Do you feel exhausted after every business travel? It is true that most of the business travels have tight schedules, and you get exhausted after that. Above that, sometimes you confront many unexpected obstacles that turn your trip completely miserable. Following are a few tips to help you complete your travel successfully. It would be a great help especially for the young executives.

Laptops

Laptops are the most vulnerable accessory for theft. Never leave your laptop away from you while traveling. If you are in the airport or onboard, carry your laptop in your lap or shoulder. Never check the laptop; always carry it as onboard luggage. You may use a leather bag that does not look like the laptop carry bag to avoid attracting the thieves.

Make sure the accommodation you are provided has got the facility to charge your laptop and use it appropriately. However, don?t forget to charge it fully before you start the trip and carry an extra set of battery.
Airport tips

Make sure that you reach the airport at least an hour before. Of course, everybody is aware of it, but problems may crop up if you plan your journey exactly keeping one hour in advance. Try to start your journey to the airport much before the planned time, especially if you are starting on a holiday, or a peak hour of the day, or if you are likely to encounter a bad traffic because of bad weather or other imminent obstacles.

Use the curbside baggage check service available for a minimum amount, and so you can avoid the long queue at the front desk, especially if you are in a hurry.

Flight delays are a common phenomenon, especially in poor weather conditions. While booking your ticket, make sure that you request for the next available flight booking if the flight gets cancelled or delayed. The airlines usually transfer you to their next flights, but are not likely to transfer to their competitor flight unless you make special request for it.
Preparing for a foreign travel

The following are the important tips that guide you prepare for an international tour.

• Make a list of the travel documents required well in advance, and get them ready days before your travel.
• Plan your budget according to the travel plan. Even if the company takes care of your expenses, you need to make an estimate of the expenses that are likely to come up. You can avoid the confusion in the exchange rates if you get a clear idea of the exchange rates of the country you are traveling to and the amount that you are carrying. Always ensure that you carry sufficient fund, more than what is required.
• Lastly, buy travel insurance. This would be a security for you throughout your journey. Make sure that you opt for the important services such as the medical emergencies, lost baggage, missed flights, etc.
• Don?t exchange the money at the airport; the currency exchange rates are worse at the airports. Also there are more chances of getting robbed at these notorious places.