My Best Travel Advice for Vacation Travel and Holiday Getaways

Pan Am 70s Original Vintage style Pan Am tote bag Just click to get only $125, comes in white or blue. Who would ever think that the blue or white Pan Am tote bag that was once carried so casually as you boarded the Pan Am flight would become so popular again? It just brings back so many fond memories of days when traveling was fun in regards to the airports and airline flights. One thing great about traveling is the memories may fade a bit but they can never be taken away. So, grab your Pan Am tote bag and head for the nearest airport .. it is a great carry on and holds just about anything including a change of clothes, necessary toiletries, medication, camera, travel documents, and a paperback.

The following lens will present a few travel tips, luggage and package advice, and some preventative ideas that will help make holiday travel or traveling anytime a lot easier for you. This lens will present ways to help you enjoy traveling by being prepared and eliminate some of the hassles you may incur when not prepared! For holiday travel I will just assume you know to book airlines, cruises, hotels, car rentals, train travel, entertainment and anything else far in advance, why be disappointed or pay through the nose because you waited until the last minute to make reservations?

Let's start with your Travel Documents you will need if traveling out of the country. Check your traveling documents well before departure. Make sure your passport is signed and its expiration date is several months after your return trip. Contact the consular sections of the countries' embassies you are visiting to find out whether you are required to have a visa or not. Apply for your visas at least 2-3 months before the trip to ensure enough time for processing. When traveling within your own country, just make sure you have a picture ID and "always" let at least two people know your travel plans, including your expected departure times and arrival times, travel routes, etc, before you depart on your trip!

TIP! When looking for a flight, be flexible with your travel dates. There might be a huge price difference if you fly Monday through Thursday, rather than Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Before leaving for any trip, you should check out the latest travel advice for your intended destination, flight schedule delays or changes on the internet or by phone. You can also subscribe to receive email notifications about your destination, and change that subscription each time you are planning a new trip. That will give you the newest advice and some sites even provide details about things that are fun to do in the area!

TIP: Always carry your CONFIRMATION NUMBERS for your hotel(s), car rental agency, and airlines and all of their toll-free phone numbers with your travel documents.

If flying, be sure to arrive at International airports at least 2 ½ to 3 hours prior to departure as long lines for baggage check and security could cause you to miss a flight. Some will tell you oh ... 2 hours is enough time ... believe me get there early! If you can just take a carry-on bag, that will save some time. But be prepared for a full dress-down in the security area including removing your shoes, belt, hat, taking all cosmetics out of your carry-on bag, your laptop must be removed from its case and some jewelry may have to be put through the x-ray scanner just to clear security. This applies to anyone no matter what age or gender!

Luggage / Flight Incident that made my hair curl: I won't share the entire story here (saving for another lens) but in over 30 years in the travel industry only lost my luggage once. However, I completely missed a flight another time because of extreme security measures at LAX which allowed my luggage to make my flight but not me, and I arrived at the airport 2 ½ hours before my flight! It is an outrageous story but like I said, saving it for another lens!

TIP: If you live in a big city or are traveling to a big city airport then you might want to arrive at the airport or at least plan on arriving 3 to 4 hours prior to flight departure during a Holiday. WHY? Because large airports means tons of traffic just getting into the airport parking area, unexpected traffic accidents and many more people coming and going which can cause you to be late checking in.

When travel plans take you to active outdoor adventures, remember to pack simple things like hair ties, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and roll-on bug repellent. These items are not always available in remote locations, particularly in foreign countries. If an enterprising local does make something like hair ties or you forgot other necessary items, it is likely that you will pay dearly for them in a store, small resort, or hotel or go without and suffer with bug bites, sunburn, or your hair hanging down your back in the heat. Sunglasses can be worn atop your head or around your neck with a strap and hair ties can be easily worn around your wrist for easy access throughout your entire journey.

TIP! To ensure you can enjoy every day of your trip, research local holidays before making travel arrangements. Sometimes a day or two makes a difference when staying in one location for a short time, you don't want to find that everything is closed due to a national holiday.

Safe Drinking Water: Most people are informed about not drinking the local water when traveling abroad because of the chance of getting sick. Hotels that offer purified water normally advise such and if not provide bottle or offer bottled water. However, some people do not realize that you can ingest water when showering by opening your mouth. A fantastic tip to use to kill microbes in the water and to help you remember to keep your mouth shut when showering is to fill your mouth with mouthwash while you shower. This is sure to help you keep your mouth closed, and it will kill any microbes that happen to find their way inside your mouth.

TIP! Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Be careful what you eat in regards to salads, uncooked vegetables or anything fresh like fruit that may have been rinsed in water. Uncooked food can carry the microbes that will make you sick and can ruin your entire trip! We won't go into any stories here!

When making travel plans, remember that in the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act gives you protection against discrimination; however, this is not true in other countries. You will want to take extra care in making provisions for your trip. Be certain the airlines and other transport services are aware of and can accommodate your special needs.

The Hugo Navigator Rolling Walker is actually a combination rolling walker and transport chair that folds up and seems like the perfect solution for someone in need of assistance on a temporary basis. Since it is a folding walker, would be easy to take on an airplane, cruise ship, or in a car. If this isn't the most awesome thing to come along I don't know what is? What a great invention and only $349 just click image or link to get it and it comes in Red or Blue and it ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.

Tip! Get a clear understanding of how and where your needed devices such as a wheelchair or walker will be transported. If you have special dietary requirements, be sure to arrange for them in advance with the airlines or cruise ship.

Cell Phones: Many people have the new smart phones and you can download many travel category apps before leaving home on your trip. Some applications are free like directions, shopping malls, baggage claim and luggage check-in, airport gates and other airport information, amenities at the airports and even hotel reservation and booking apps you can use. Unbelievably, and heaven forbid you need this but if you were to be arrested there is a family and friend notification app for smart phones! Let us hope that is the last app you would ever need!

TIP! Be aware that you may not be able to use your cell phone if traveling outside the country and you should get an international calling card or try to get an international cell phone plan to use during your trip.

Here is a great tip ... photograph the outside and inside of our luggage before you depart from home, then email the photos to your email. If your luggage gets lost you can access the photos to provide to the airlines if needed which helps with luggage description at a time of panic usually. If your phone is camera ready you can also upload the photos to your phone and just bring them with you during your travels.

Shop for the lasted digital camera. Take some great photos of places you visit or capture some lasting memories of family or friends during your holiday getaway.