Traveling with a large group of friends can make for a really amazing vacation. There is nothing better than going on vacation with friends, and there are lots of travel destinations that can accommodate large groups. This article will give you some ideas for maximizing your fun on your next group adventure.
Pack all your necessary belongings in a carry-on bag for airline travel. Not having to check luggage means that you can save on checked bag fees, check in for your flight at home or at a kiosk without having to wait in line a the ticket counter, and will avoid the possibility of your luggage being lost.
If you’re going to be travelling by air, make sure you don’t put any valuables or electronics in your checked luggage. Luggage handlers aren’t known to be gentle and any electronics may end up damaged during transport. Airlines are also known to lose luggage and you don’t want to take a chance of losing something valuable.
Roll your clothes when packing your bags for a trip. Rolling your clothes up tightly actually saves a great deal of space when packing. Just make sure you begin packing, at least, several days before you need to have all your luggage ready. Rushing leads to very inefficient packing.
Maintain a happy attitude while traveling. Things can get rather tense at airports. Tempers run high. The people who work there often have a hard time of things. Keeping a positive demeanor about you, at least outwardly, will likely improve your experience. A negative attitude will seldom get you anywhere.
Use carry-on luggage. Most airlines now charge extra to check a bag. So, to avoid this cost, try to fit everything into a carry-on bag, if possible. Even if your airline is one of the few that doesn’t charge to check a bag, you may still want to avoid checking a bag. In a move to cut costs, many airlines have reduced the number of employees who handle baggage, making for a much longer wait at the baggage claim.
When you travel, it’s tempting to try to pack activities into every spare minute. But you should also plan for some downtime. For example, a three-day weekend in New York City can be crammed with things to do, but why not build in a couple of hours’ ramble around Central Park? It will give you time to regroup, relax, and just enjoy being in your new surroundings.
It might be a good idea to pack a small bag of goldfish or bring a little toy from a fast food restaurant on a flight with you. Even if you don’t have children, there may be some desperate parent that will be so grateful to you for your gift.
In you’re on a cruise and you start to experience seasickness, have the room service bring you some green apples and crackers. Both of these are great for soothing your stomach and can sometime be better than medications. And they’re also tasty and won’t leave you with a foul taste in your mouth like some seasickness meds.
Not everyone can afford to stay at the Ritz, and sometimes you get stuck at a less than one-star hotel. Bring along a rubber doorstop for safety. You can wedge it in under the door to your room overnight (in addition to the lock and chain, of course). A criminal may be able to break the locks, but they will have difficulty getting around the doorstop.
Rental car companies usually require renters to be 18 years old at the youngest, but many require drivers that are at least 25 or older. Additionally, many car rentals charge a higher rate if you’re under 25, and most require a credit card to be on file. There may also be restrictions against senior citizens. It’s essential to ask about restrictions on age before making a reservation.
If you travel with multiple people, distribute everyone’s items across multiple suitcases. Usually every person has their own suitcase, but by packing each one with a little of everyone’s items, you can be sure that nobody will be left without all of their belongings if one of the bags is lost.
If you are traveling on a cruise ship, always tip the maitre d’ when you get on board. It can be very difficult to secure a table for two in the dining room. Talk to the maitre d’, and let him know that you would love an intimate table one evening. Thank him for listening to you, and give him a tip for his time.
When traveling with a baby or toddler, be sure to bring a couple of your loved one’s favorite toys as well as its favorite sleeping toy. This will help your loved one have a few comforts of home in completely unfamiliar territory. It will help a little with the distress that he or she will be feeling.
If you’re a novice flyer and you find yourself about to board an airplane, bring some gum and a music player. When the plane is taking off and landing, slip your headphones on and chew some gum. The music will keep you calm and relaxed while the gum will prevent your ears from popping.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, there is nothing better than going on a trip with a big group of friends. Traveling with a group opens the door to many different activities that are sure to be a great time. Apply the advice from this article for maximizing your fun the next time you and your friends travel.
