Many people fantasize about travelling to exciting new locations. While it’s nice to daydream about all the wonderful places to explore, all the most memorable vacations begin with proper planning and knowledge. The following tips will help you plan the best trip ever.

When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Do not ever give someone your passport; they may steal it. If they want to take you in for questioning, insist on walking. Do not get into the car of someone you do not know.

When you are visiting a hotel abroad, you may feel less than secure in the new environment. Bring a doorstop along to assuage your concerns about unwanted entry. They are small, easy to pack, and they keep doors closed.

Traveling away from home may make you wish to take some reminders of home with you. You should make sure you do not take too much, so only bring the toiletries you really need. List all the ones you typically use each day and that you really need. Only pack the most important one.

When packing for your next trip, it is important to take along a light raincoat. You never can predict what the weather will do. In addition, your raincoat can serve for a windbreaker in the cold. You can even use it as a bathrobe for your hotel stay.

You can join forums and websites that are focused on travel. You will pick up some great tips from other travelers that way. It will help you make friends and even help you avoid mistakes during your trip.

The vast sand dunes and exotic animals and plants are something you likely couldn’t experience anywhere else. Everyone should experience the majesty and austerity of the desert at some point in their life.

Rush Hour

Try avoiding rush hour when on your road trip. If it’s not possible to avoid rush hour, stop for a restaurant break during rush hour. This is a good time to eat or relax.

Always look at the expiration dates that are printed on your passports. Different countries have different passport regulations. Many will not allow you entry into the country if it expires soon. These tend to range from three to six months, but in some cases can reach eight months or even a year.

If you will be leaving your car at the airport, make sure that you book airport parking in advance. It is typically more expensive to just ride into the lot and park. If your house isn’t far from your airport, think about taking a taxi instead.

Check out the vehicle insurance policy that is offered to you. Rental car agents are well versed on how to best sell you extra insurance; the problem is you may not need what they are selling. Typically, insurance policies cover third party liability, at least in part. Find out before you reserve your car.

Bring along a few pairs of earplugs, particularly if you have trouble sleeping. Some places have rather thin walls. Earplugs can prevent any disturbances from other rooms keeping you awake.

If you don’t like flight delays, get the earliest flight you can. A flight delayed earlier in the day could cause other flights throughout the day to become late too. The first flight in the morning should have very limited reasons for a delay.

If your plane or bus ride is very long, get up and walk around at least once every hour. Just walk around the cabin or go to the bathroom. If you sit for too long, your muscles will cramp up, and in serious cases, could put you at risk for blood clots.

Be flexible with your schedule on the road, particularly as it pertains to bathroom breaks. The last thing that you want to do is be in a time crunch. This can also prevent whiny or grumpy travelers on your trip.

When taking a road trip with young children, pack some healthy snacks for them. A good rule of thumb is to pack what you’re thinking and then double that. This will keep them busy and happy so that they won’t cause too many problems on the trip. Sometimes, even some junk food can be okay.

Exchanging your cash when you arrive at your destination will allow you to receive a cheaper exchange rate. You may want to exchange some of your money before you leave on your trip to be sure you have a little cash on hand when you land. Exchange the bulk of your money at your destination.

Invite friends so you can save money. Many destinations offer discounts for larger groups. When you travel with other people group rates can help you save. Find out if any of your friends are interested in your trip.

You can use the bus for traveling when you want to save on your luggage fees. Buses do charge small feels of bags that are over-sized or overweight, but it is typically much less than the airlines charge. You can bring large items without paying a large fee.

Keep in mind that hotels can accommodate a lot of people. Be sure to keep your noise level down so you do not disturb your neighbors. People at hotels may be trying to sleep at any time of the day or night. That doesn’t mean you have to be absolutely silent, but keep noise levels reasonable.

Now that you’re equipped with all the tips in this article, you will have much less confusion while planning exciting trips. Other travelers can admire your demonstrated resourcefulness to overcome many obstacles. Using these tips will make sure you enjoy your trip.