Travelling, both private and business, can be stressful. Many things can go wrong, from delayed airplanes, to bad quality hotel rooms. The key to travelling simply and easily is organization. If you plan your trip well and do sufficient research, it is less likely that anything will go wrong.
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Planning Transportation
Every trip starts with actually reaching the destination. However you are travelling, be it by plane, train or car, planning is key. Traveling by car might suggest you to have provisional license which helps you in avoiding traffic penalties. Check departure dates and times and make sure that you have enough time. That means that if you have connecting flights or trains, you have to have enough time to reach the connection. It is prudent to take delays into account as well. Of course, if the first flight is six hour late, there is nothing much you can do, but do account for any minor delays. Similarly when driving – remember that you may come across road works and traffic jams.
If you have not booked all the tickets, make sure that you know who to contact for further travel arrangements.
Research Emergency Situations
This is especially important when going to a foreign country. You need to know who to contact in case of emergency. Find out the location of your embassy or consulate, find out where the hospitals and police stations are and how to reach them.
Losing a bag may mean that you are left without valid identification papers, driving licenses and money. Find out, in advance, what the procedure is for obtaining replacement identification papers or a provisional license for driving in the host country, should you need them.
Know the Destination
Learn as much as you can about your destination. Find out if you need vaccination, for example. Find out whether you can drink water from the mains or not. It is also good to know how much various services and goods are supposed to cost, so you do not end up paying more than you should.
In countries where food and water safety are problematic, find out about safe restaurants. It is not always possible to judge just by looking at the establishment, some prior Internet research is necessary.
Some people like to walk around and explore, while some like to organize everything in advance. Whichever category you fall into, make sure you know the basics, as it may well save you a lot of trouble.
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Accommodation
Make sure the accommodation is adequate. Website pictures can be deceiving. It is a good idea to read hotel reviews and make sure that you get what you are paying for. In some cities, especially large ones, space is at a premium, and rooms tend to be small. Be aware of that, you may not get the space you are accustomed to.
Luggage
Last but not least, pack well and only take what you really need. Take a piece of hand luggage with you and pack all the essentials into it. That way you can leave the big, heavy bags in a locker or your hotel and not worry. Carrying a heavy load will not make your travelling simple or easy.
Daniel Clark
Author Bio
Daniel Clark covers travel and lifestyle topics for both industry and consumer publications such as Online Travel Guide. His areas of expertise include hotel design, luxury travel, and up-and-coming and off-the-beaten path destinations.
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