Travel

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World Travel: Where is Explore your Next Travel Plans
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The trick to successful and stress-free travel is planning ahead. Challenging, though it might
seem, your goal is to think of every possible contingency that might come up, and take action
before it happens. What will you do if your luggage is lost? If you get sick? If you forget your blue
pumps? Being PROACTIVE will reduce the possibility of a serious crisis occurring during your trip.
BUDGETING FOR YOUR TRIP
Travel doesn't have to break the bank -- not if you are willing to plan ahead for your vacation
spending. Decide first how much you can AFFORD, then make your travel plans. Start searching
early for travel deals -- talk to your travel agent, look for internet specials, and check with travel
clubs for discounts. You can find some great bargains in package deals that combine hotel and
airfare at a discounted rate.
If vacations tend to get you in trouble on your credit cards, consider starting a savings account just
for travel -- where you put away a small amount each month toward your next trip. You should also
plan to use traveler's checks instead of credit cards to stay within your budget. It's amazing how
easy it is to go overboard when start handing out the plastic! And be sure to keep track of how
much you actually spend -- as compared to your budget -- throughout the trip. You might keep a
small pad of paper with you for recording expenses and tallying up your total for each day.
If you can't seem to make it happen on your budget, consider COMPROMISING on lower priority
expenses in exchange for the higher priority ones. When my husband and I travel, we are always
willing to stay in a budget hotel so we can afford to eat out and attend cultural events. We decided
that expensive hotels are wasted on us because we spend very little time in our room, and we
would rather spend our money elsewhere. Where are you willing to trade off?
PACKING MADE EASY
Have you ever been away from home and suddenly realized that you forgot your toothbrush, your
shoes, or your bathing suit? Having to rush around replacing items that you left behind not only
wastes time and money, it also reduces your enjoyment of the trip. And sometimes, you might
forget an item that isn't so easily replaced -- like your checkbook or the report you were supposed
to present at tomorrow's meeting. But you can save yourself a lot of heartache by taking the
guesswork out of packing.
Start by developing PACKING LISTS for both short-term travel (from one to three days) and longer
trips. You can even create different lists for different kinds of travel -- camping, business, foreign
travel, trips to the beach, cold-weather travel, etc. Try to include any and all generic items that you
might need -- clothes, toiletries, alarm clock, night light, whatever you like to take with you. Then

2. use these lists as memory-joggers as you are packing for each trip. You can also cut down on the
time you spend preparing for travel by keeping a "pre-packed" toiletry bag with duplicates of the
items you use in your home. Fill your kit with samples of shampoo, soap, lotion, cosmetics,
toothpaste, and shaving cream -- even miniature toothbrushes and razors. These travel-sized
items take up less room in your suitcase, and you will be less likely to leave something important
behind.
And don't forget your important documents - especially if you are travelling overseas. You should
plan to bring proof of citizenship, an official government photo identification (driver's license or
military ID is fine), a state-issued birth certificate with a raised seal, and a passport. Remember
that children and infants are also required to have a state-issued birth certificate for travel.
LESS IS MORE
If you can get away with it, try not to check your luggage. I purchased a very roomy pullman carry
on that will accommodate up to a week's worth of clothes -- that way, I never have to be
concerned about losing my bags. If you pack "mix-and-match" outfits and plan to do some
washing along the way, you don't need 15 different outfits for a one-week trip. And if you have to
check a piece, be sure to keep those items you couldn't live without in your carry on -- toiletries, a
change of clothes, clean underwear, medications, maps, travel confirmations, and any materials
you might need for an upcoming business meeting. But try to take no more than one medium-
sized and one carry on bag per person. Remember, you can always remedy underpacking, but not
OVERPACKING! However heavy your suitcase is when you start out, it will be twice as heavy
when you come home.
If you plan to do any shopping while on your trip, you may decide to bring along an extra bag for
carrying your purchases home. Put your filled suitcase inside a slightly larger empty one -- or, get
a collapsible tote that will take up very little space in your bag. But the easiest option (although
perhaps not the cheapest) is to have each store ship your treasures directly to your home. This is
an especially good policy if you are bringing home anything large or bulky on a plane, as the
airlines often charge extra for oversized parcels. And each bag you have to lug around limits your
transportation options. Heavy suitcases mean cabs and porters and inconvenience and fatigue --
while a light suitcase equals travel freedom.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR BELONGINGS
While no one wants to be paranoid about their safety when travelling, it's a good idea to err on the
side of caution when planning your trip. So let's start with your "stuff" -- list the contents of each
piece of luggage and keep your list close at hand anytime your bags are out of your sight. This will
save you a great deal of frustration if your bags are lost and you have to file a claim or replace
your belongings. And don't forget to mark your luggage for easy retrieval -- all those black
pullmans are starting to look alike, and it's easy for someone else to pick up your bag.
While you are making lists, create a WRITTEN RECORD of your credit card numbers, traveler's
checks, medical insurance, emergency phone numbers, and other important information to take
with you when you travel. And always keep this information hidden away someplace secure -- a
hotel safe deposit box is a good choice -- where you can easily access it if you need it. Do not -- I
repeat do not -- keep this record in your purse or wallet. Think about it. Those are the first things a

3. thief will take -- if you keep your list with the credit cards and traveler's checks, it doesn't help
much when they are stolen. You are better off sticking it in your shoe (as long as your feet don't
sweat a lot!)
Finally, be sure to have a POINT OF CONTACT at home -- someone who knows where you are
and how to reach you. Make sure to give this person any information that could be important in the
event of an emergency -- the phone number and address where you are staying, the code to your
alarm system, your doctor's name, etc. It will ease your mind to know that you can be contacted if
something goes wrong at home -- and that you have someone who can act on your behalf if
something goes awry on your end.
KEEPING YOUR HOUSE SAFE
Nothing can ruin a fabulous vacation more than worrying about your home while you are gone. But
a few simple precautions can help ease your mind and keep your domicile safe. Before you leave,
let the police or a very trusted neighbor know you will be gone -- especially if you are planning a
lengthy trip. Nothing says "not home" more than a pile of newspapers in your driveway or
magazines pouring out of your mailbox -- so stop your mail and newspaper delivery or have
neighbor collect them. Investing in timers for your lights, radios, etc, -- and setting them to go on
and off at random times during the day - will make your home look lived in and keep burglars
away. And if you still aren't comfortable abandoning your home, hire a housesitter.
INSURE YOUR TRIP
One thing that very few people remember to do before leaving home is review their insurance
policies. This is particularly important if you are travelling overseas. First, make sure that you have
the proper personal liability coverage. This is meant to insure the loss or theft of your personal
possessions, injury (to yourself or someone else), your legal defense (other countries don't
operate like the US -- remember that kid in Singapore who was caned?), and the repatriation of
your remains should you die overseas (not a nice thought, but it does happen). Check with your
insurance carriers -- your homeowner's policy may include coverage for your possessions while
away from home, and your credit card company probably offers inexpensive life insurance.
If you plan to operate a vehicle while on your trip, check to see what your automobile insurance
covers. If you are in an accident in a rented car, what is paid for? Are you covered if you are in an
accident overseas? Are there any hidden costs that you will be expected to pay? You should also
familiarize yourself with your MEDICAL insurance. What actions does your insurance company
require if you become ill or injured while out of state? Out of the country?
If you are taking a package tour or an expensive trip, if you will be visiting a dangerous or
unpredictable parts of the world, or if you have a personal or medical situation that might disrupt
your travels, you should also consider trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This type of
coverage can protect you in case of bad weather (ie: a cruise cancelled because of a hurricane),
illness, family emergency, and even the default or bankruptcy of your travel suppliers. But
remember that certain situations -- like pre-existing medical conditions, terrorism, hijacking, and
war -- can void your trip cancellation coverage. Make sure that you clearly understand all of the
terms, requirements, and EXCLUSIONS before you purchase your insurance. Does it only cover
situations when someone in your party gets sick, or if someone at home gets sick as well? When

4. does your coverage start and end? Does "medical evacuation" mean that you are evacuated to
the nearest medical facility or back home? You might want to contact the insurance company
yourself, as many travel agents may not understand all the terms of your policy. Don't assume that
anything is covered until you check it out for yourself.
SCHEDULING AS A SCIENCE
Some of the biggest frustrations people face when travelling are disruptions to their SCHEDULE --
flight delays, traffic jams, getting lost, long lines, you name it. But you can take a number of
precautions to make sure you are able to stick to your itinerary while travelling. Don't wait until you
arrive at your destination to learn the lay of the land. Take the time to research your trip before
leaving -- develop at least a cursory knowledge of the routes, directions, tourist attractions,
transportation systems, and weather. Look at your options and pick a few major sights that you
really want to see while on your trip -- just remember that you can't do everything! Then make as
many advance reservations as possible once your itinerary is set, remembering to build the travel
time from sight to sight into your itinerary. Be sure to confirm any appointments and reservations
before leaving -- and then reconfirm everything when you arrive. There is no such thing as double-
checking too much!
We've talked a lot about physical preparations for your vacation -- but preparing yourself mentally
is just as important. Determine ahead of time what your EXPECTATIONS are for your trip. What
must happen to make this a successful trip? Which activities or sights you it would disappoint you
to miss? Which activities or sights you it wouldn't bother you to miss? And what problems that you
have had on other trips that you would like to avoid this time? Try to admit to yourself that things
may not go perfectly throughout the entire trip. Be FLEXIBLE and have other options ready
(reading, other activities) if your schedule gets off track. Understand that you can not control every
(or any!) aspect of travel. The more willing you are to accept difficulties and delays, the less
disruptive they will be if they do occur. Happy travels!
Ramona Creel is Professional Organizer, NAPO Golden Circle Member, and the founder of
http://www.OnlineOrganizing.com A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people
find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives.
Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone
she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional
Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona
now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one
satisfying career.
As "The Traveling Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or
office, or teach your group the "Ten Steps To Organizing Any Area Of Your Life" in a workshop. As
a "Simplicity Coach", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little
bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities.
As a "Frugality Coach," she can teach you how to quickly reduce your household expenses, in
good economic times or bad.

5. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she
travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, social
commentary, travel tips, and film reviews with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona --
read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -
- at http://www.RamonaCreel.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ramona_Creel
==== ====
World Travel: Where is Explore your Next Travel Plans
Expedia.com.au: Book you next flight with no flight booking fees!
==== ====