Travel Tips

Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I have been very blessed to be able to do a lot of it. Here are a few things that I have learned that will hopefully be of help to you. :)

On Packing

Make a check list of everything that you want to take with you. Believe me this is very helpful! I am really bad to forget things so this has saved me a lot of time and worry. You can add to your list as you think of things you will need. Also, I keep my list from one trip to the next. :)

To help save space, use travel size bottles for shampoo and other toiletries. Also, I plan my outfits for each day and then allow myself one extra, just in case. Pants and skirts can usually be worn more than once, so cooridinate several tops with each. I like to take 2-3 pair of jeans; they are sturdy and can be worn more than once. Bring one or two pair of shoes that will go with all your outfits. Make sure that one pair is a good walking shoe.

If you are staying in a hotel, check to see if they have hair dryers and irons in the rooms. If they do, you can mark those off your list. :)

To save room, I like to pack my pants like this: I pack them first, stretching them across the bottom of the suitcase, leaving the leg over the side of the case. Then I pack everything in on top of the pants, then pull the leg over the top. Not only does this save room, but it keeps the pants from wrinkling.

Speaking of wrinkling, I like to take a travel size bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release with me. Just spray your clothes the night before and they are ready the next morning.

Deciding how much money to bring can be tough, so I usually allow 30 to 50 dollars for each day of my trip. Remember the more money you take, the more you are likely to spend. :) You can always bring a credit card for emergencies.

Here are a few essential items that are often forgotten:
sunglasses
sunscreen
film
lightweight jacket
pens and notebook
bug spray
hat

Travelling Abroad

If you are traveling in a foreign country, keep your passport with you at all times. I carried mine in a money belt that I wore underneath my clothes. Be careful who you give your passport to. If you have to show it to someone, DO NOT let them leave your sight with it. We had to make an exception to this rule in Egypt, because security is very tight over there. But we never gave it to anyone unless our guide said it was okay.

Make a copy of your passport and give it to a traveling companion to carry for you, and you carry a copy of hers. This way if something happens to your passport you have a copy. I also carry a copy of my drivers license and insurance card.

Be sure to carry any perscriptions in their orignal bottles and have a copy of your perscription. I carried mine with me at all times.

Buy some cheap washcloths to take with you. After using them you can throw them away, instead of carrying them with you the whole trip. The reason I am suggesting this is apparantly washcloths are an American thing. :) None of the hotels I stayed at in Greece or Egypt had any. Talk about culture shock!

Don't exchange all your money in to foreign currency. Surely you don't plan on spending all of it?! :) You may not even need to exchange any, as some places will accept American money. If you have to, exchange about half of what you brought to start off with. You can always exchange more later.

Have a tip you would like to share? E-mail Me