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HOW TO BE A HAPPY TRAVELER
Pack accordingly:
Make a list and pack all of the essentials you need but be careful not to over-pack. You don’t want to have to be burdened by having too much luggage to haul around with you. We love packing cubes for maximizing space in your luggage. See our recommendation under our SHOP tab. Always check the website of the airline you will be flying to review their baggage policies such as baggage allowance, carry-on policies, size, and weight limits, and restricted items. Remember to pack things like hats, sunglasses, umbrellas, sunscreen, insect repellent, a light jacket, contact lenses, glasses, prescriptions, toiletries, and any other items that you know you will need which maybe more expensive to purchase at your destination. Make sure to pack any prescription medications, contact lenses or other medical necessities in your carry-on bag not your checked bag in case of any luggage delays by your airline. Check your airlines’ restrictions on carry-on liquids as well as TSA carry-on restrictions:
Consider purchasing travel insurance:
From volcanic ash and country-wide taxi driver strikes to wild-fires and hurricanes, we have seen a lot of unexpected causes for travel disruptions over the years. Travel insurance can provide you peace of mind. It can protect all or part of the cost of your trip if you have a travel delay or if you need to cancel your reservation due to certain unforeseen circumstances. It can offset added expenses that are incurred as a result of flight delays and can cover expenses incurred due to delayed or damaged luggage . Most importantly, it can provide reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical bills you incur in the event you are injured or become ill while traveling abroad. Just remember that not all travel insurance policies cover cancellations for all reasons. We are happy to talk through the options with you if you choose to add-on travel insurance to your travel reservation.
Ensure your travel documents are in order:
Check all passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting in addition to transit countries. Most countries require your passport to be valid for 180 days after the last date of your trip completion. We will be happy to talk through this with you when you book with us.
Notify your credit card company if you are leaving the country:
The last thing you want is to run in to issues using your credit card while abroad. Notify your credit card company prior to leaving the country to ensure your card is not declined due to suspected fraud when you try to use it overseas.
Accept that the unexpected can happen:
Keep in mind that flight delays do happen. Hotels can occasionally experience power outages and airlines and hotels sometimes overbook. Monuments and tourist attractions can modify their hours or cancel tours due to unforeseen circumstances that arise in order to keep their employees and guests safe. Itineraries can be subject to change and occasionally have to be modified in the event of these types of unexpected occurrences.
Go with the flow:
When a delay or cancellation takes place due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances it can result in a change to your planned itinerary. When this happens, it can be very frustrating. But rather than viewing it as a burden, try to see it with fresh eyes. Many times it can mean meeting new people that you may otherwise have not had the opportunity to meet, seeing places you may not have gotten to see, or enjoying unique and less-traveled areas of towns that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. Some of the best vacation memories are the ones that were made with a spontaneous twist. If you go with the flow and view every twist as an opportunity, you will never have a bad vacation.
“Our happiest moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else”
~ Lawrence Block