My sons are finishing up school this week, and with the end of the school year my mind begins to think of summer trips. Being organized when you get ready for travel and while traveling can make your travel more enjoyable and allow you to avoid stress along the way. I thought I'd share a few of my favorite travel tips with you. I hope some of them can help make your summer travels easier and more organized.
First when making your travel plans, keep a list of items you will need to pack and or purchase for your trip. Having a check-off list can ensure that you have everything you need as you get ready to pack. I love the travel app called Tripit. Using Tripit keeps all of your travel plans, including flight numbers and times, car rental information and even your hotel address in one place. Once you are at your destination, Tripit will even provide a map for you with directions to your hotel. My husband and I use this app on just about every trip we take and when he makes travel plans for work he puts it on his Tripit account so that I'm able to view it and see when he has business travel coming up.
When getting ready to pack I highly recommend taking extra credit cards and store value cards out of your wallet. Then take photocopies of the cards you are planning to take with you. Also copy your drivers license. Leave these copies with someone you trust so that if something should happen to your cards while you are gone, you can call and get the information you will need when you call your credit card company.
If you are doing international travel, also make a copy of your passport. Give your travel companion the copy so that if you lose your passport and need to go to the embassy, you will have your passport number and information with you. And don't forget to register your trip and contact information with the local embassy -- you can do this on-line, and then the embassy can reach you if there is any sort of problem or crisis.
When packing clothes for travel, try to stay with solid colors that mix and match in order to get the most out of your travel wardrobe. Rolling your clothing in your suit case actually keeps your clothing from wrinkling and allows you to fit more into your suitcase. Pack neutral-colored shoes that work with many outfits and really limit the number of shoes you take. I like to pack shoes inside of plastic grocery store bags to prevent them for getting clothing dirty. Try also to travel with jewelry that goes with everything. Silver and gold hoops are always a good choice for earrings, and if you put each jewelry item in one of those little snack size baggies you will prevent necklaces from tangling. Also carry a few large ziplock bags in your suitcase. You'll be amazed at how many uses you find for them once you are at your destination. Ziplocks are great for kids wet bathing suits and soiled clothing.
Be very careful about who you mention your travels to. I understand the excitement that comes with travel but unless you have someone staying in your home, don't announce that you will be gone on social media sites like Facebook. For extended trips of more than a couple of days, have someone pick up your mail or have it stopped. Do the same with newspapers. It's also a good idea to set lights that normally come on in your home on timers so that it looks like someone is home. Having a trusted neighbor walk over to check on your home every now and then is another good idea.
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