A
well-planned
travel always means a happier, more enjoyable, more memorable and a
safer trip.
RESEARCH your TRAVEL DESTINATION
Use our free online
Destination Guides. Study the
local climate and tourist seasons so you pick the best time to travel
there and feel yourself comfortable. We also have
unique
articles and downloadable
maps
for the most popular travel
destinations.
Learn about local laws and customs of the countries to which
you plan to travel. Find out the most interesting sights, attractions
you would like to see. Make a list of them, place the route on an
up-to-date map. Visit our online
Travel Store for low-priced
Tourist Guidebooks and Maps.
Read up on the places you plan to visit, chat to people who have been
there, ask them for advice. These days it can easily be done through
Internet.
AardvarkTravel,
LonelyPlanet,
VirtualTourist
and
FamilyTravelForum
are the best forums to visit.
Learn about festivals, holidays, shows in the country you are about to
visit.
Whatsonwhen.com
lists world's best events. Maximize festival and market days. Be sure
that important attractions are open the day you willl be there. Many
tourist attractions are closed for at least one day during the
week.
LEARN the ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, provide documents
reqiured
EmbassyWorld.com
is a great source for finding out this information.
Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and entry visas, if
required. Fill in the travel emergency information page of your
passport. Your
legal name should be the same on all your travel documents.
CHOOSE TRANSPORTATION
TravelMake has an informative page on
transportation tips
for travelers with links to discount airlines and train schedules
worldwide. It is an excellent data source that may help in your
research. We also can offer you
flight reservations at great
prices, you will save even more if you choose to book
air+hotel. If you need a
rental car, we can offer
you wide variety of vehicles for rent at popular travel destinations
around the world.
SCHEDULE your TRIP
Do not overstress yourself with a tight timeline, leave some time for
relaxation and rest between sightseeing activities. Plan and book
travel accommodations
ahead of time.
BOOK ACCOMMODATIONS
Make all necessary reservations for your trip ahead of time. TravelMake
offers
reservations for various types of accommodations-
hotels/ motels,
vacation rentals - at discount
prices, with
guaranteed
lowest special Internet hotel rates.
HEALTH and SAFETTY
We devoted one web page to
health tips
for travelers. There you will find advice on health risks and
prevention measures for various diseases, so you can have a safer
travel if you plan it properly.
Do not forget to purchase a travel insurance for your trip, it will
provide you with a safety blanket if something goes wrong. Check
out our
Travel Insurance Tips web page for
more information.
For travel safety advice, basic foreign country information, current
safety issues and warnings visit the
official
web site of the US government. Europeans can check out
safety recommendations issued by
the UK's
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel. Another great source of advice
on travel safety is the Australian Government's
Travel
Advisory web site.
Personal health issues are detailed on our
Health Tips for Travelers
web page. Plan a visit to your family doctor before your trip to ask
his advice and to get an extra supply of regularly taken prescribed
medications.
Prepare extra copies of your travel documents and the trip's itinerary,
leave them with your relatives or friends so they would know where to
look for you if necessary.
Notify by phone or register in person with your homeland embassy or
consulate upon arrival.
SECURITY
Ask your neighbor or relative to pick up your mail and look after your
house while you are traveling. Consult your property insurance agency
about
their policy on leaving your house abandoned. Some agencies have strict
regulations that would not allow to cover possible damages
to property if it stays uninhabited for a certain period of time.
If you are asked to deliver a package for a stranger, refuse. Exchange
currency only at established and licensed locations, at banks and
hotels.
FAMILY TRAVEL
Traveling children also need to have a valid passport. If it is
required, you also have to provide an entry visa to each of your
children. Visit
EmbassyWorld
web site for details.
For bottle-feeding babies, bring prepared formula and bottled water.
Bring along water or juiceboxes. A plastic food container will
suit for storing a half-eaten or an untouched meal, for later. Do not
forget wipes for cleaning up dribbles down shirt-fronts and
spills. Take plenty of amusements on a travel: some toys, books and
treats.
To avoid ear pressure problems, have little babies nurse or suck their
bottles during airplane takeoffs and landings. Toddlers and kids can
suck on a candy or chew gum.
TravelWithYourKids
web site offers
advice and tips for traveling families: the places to stay, to eat and
the things to do.
DISABILITY TRAVEL
If you require a special service from a transportation company, make a
request for assistance a few days before the departure day and
reconfirm it a day before. If you plan to bring along your wheelchair
on a trip,
make sure it has been checked over and it is in a good working
condition. Take a repair kit with you. Do not forget to write your
phone number and name on the wheelchair.
DisabilityTravel
web site is a great source of information for accessible travel
needs.
USEFUL
LINKS
