Plan Your Very Own Memorable Road Trip

 

Getting out and about and experiencing the world is a thrill, but there is a certain amount of stress involved. These tips are sure to cut your stress when planning that next vacation.

Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. If traveling to cold weather, bring smaller clothes to create layers rather than big, space-consuming coats and sweaters. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags.

Travel during the off-peak seasons. Hotels and airfare are usually a lot more expensive during the peak summer months. Also, popular destinations can be so over-crowded during the summer that it takes the enjoyment out of it. If you travel in the off-peak months you can save money on airfare and accommodations and you can avoid the crowds.

To save money when booking airline flights, check the round-trip prices -- even if you only want to fly one way to a destination. Thanks to quirky airline policies, sometimes it's less expensive to purchase a round trip to your desired locale than to fly one way. At least if that happens, you can save money by buying the round-trip tickets anyway and simply not take the return flight back.

Before you travel internationally, learn where your country's embassies and consulates are in your destination country. These are not resources for the casual traveler. Hopefully you will never need them. If you find yourself in legal trouble, though, consulates and embassies can provide vital assistance in navigating unfamiliar and unfriendly legal waters.

In most parts of the world, it is considered good etiquette to ask someone for permission when taking their picture. Many people will become very offended if you take their photograph without asking, and this could even lead to violence. It is better to simply get their permission first than risk offense.

Walk when you can. To keep your ankles from swelling and your joints from getting sore, stand up and walk whenever you get a chance. On the plane, get up and go to the bathroom or walk the aisle, once every hour. If you have a layover, opt to take a few laps of the terminal, rather than just sitting at your gate.

Rental cars come in all colors and all models. The problem is that they all look basically the same! Make sure you note your car's precise location before you leave it in a parking lot to go into a large discount store or anywhere else where it could be lost in the sea of other cars.

The logistics involved in planning and executing a vacation can make you question why you wanted to take the vacation in the first place; but once you are there and experiencing the fun of your vacation getaway, you will be glad that you read and implemented these tips for putting together a great vacation.