Tall Giraffe Traders Top Ten Travel Tips

As you are planning your escape for this fall, here are the Top 10 tips that you can use in making your trip safe and easy.

1. Plan!!  Nothing is more important when going on a trip than planning.  Know where you want to go, when you want to leave, and when you are coming back.
2. Do your research!  Make a list of the sights that you want to see.  In order to make sure that you will get the most out of your trip, you need to know what you want to see.  Besides, if it is on a list, it is much more likely to get done.  These first two tips are essential to making your next trip headache free.
3. If you are booking your travels with a travel agent, keep in mind that they work for you and that their job is to make sure that you get the most out of your trip.  They can’t help you, though if you don’t know what you want.  Travel agents can also help you out if there are issues with your travel plans, like flight issues and hotel bookings problems.
4. When booking your own travel plans online, make sure that you shop around.  Be careful of websites that look like they have the lowest rates on travel, many times there are extra fees and taxes that are added on to your total purchase that you don’t see until you reach checkout.  Know what you are paying for before you click ok.

a. Often times you can get better pricing when you purchase your airline tickets or hotel accommodations directly from their own website.  Some airlines and hotels will keep better pricing on their own website to reward people for coming directly to them.

5. Make arrangements ahead of time for sights that you want to see.  If the attraction (theatre, museum, circus, guided tour, theme park, zoo, etc.) gives you the ability to make arrangements before you arrive, do it.  Popular attractions will often sell out fast, so if you want to see it or do it, don’t wait until you arrive to buy your tickets for it.
6. Once you have made all of your arrangements, all you have to do is pack, right?  It can be that simple if you follow some easy to remember rules. 

a. Follow the airline rules.  Don’t over pack your suitcases thinking that they won’t notice or mind an extra pound or two.
b. Get out the clothes you think you want to take, cut it in half and you’ll still have plenty for your trip!!!
c. Bring what you need and leave a little extra room for souvenirs.  If you are planning on doing some serious shopping, pack a smaller suitcase inside one of your larger ones for the trip there.  Then you can fill that large suitcase with all of your treasures on the return trip and stay in the airline guidelines.  (Most airlines allow two checked bags per person, but not all so check with your airline before you try this handy trick out).

7. Getting through airport security can be tough these days, especially with current world events being the way they are.  Don’t be discouraged or frustrated with these rules as they are in place for your safety (and after all, that is the most important thing, right?).  Here is how you can help make the journey through the airport smooth.

a. Arrive at the airport early.  The best way to stay calm in long lines and big delays is not to be in a hurry at the airport.  We suggest arriving at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight to avoid feeling rushed.  Depending on your flight departure time you may want to arrive earlier than that because airports have rush hours too.  Check with the airport to find out when these times are.
b. Check with your airline before you fly.  Airline websites and telephone hotlines have the most up-to-date information about travel restrictions and expected delays that you can find.  Check the day before you leave (and double check the day you leave if you can) and make sure that you are in compliance.
c. Keep your personal items (wallet, passport, keys, belts, cell phones, spare change, etc.) in a plastic bag while you are in the airport.  You can get through metal detectors and security checks easily if you aren’t digging through your pockets when your turn comes.  And you only have one thing to grab at the end of the conveyor belt so you don’t forget anything.  Remember that you can put this all back in your pockets when you are waiting at the gate.
d. Be sure to check carefully if you are traveling internationally and going through multiple airports before your destination, you are subject to the restrictions of EACH airport.  The UK currently has the strictest restrictions on carry on bags so if you are traveling through London on your way to your final destination, be sure to check to see what the UK restrictions are before you travel.
e. Bring something to read (if there aren’t restrictions on them) or pick something up at the airport newsstand, that way you can have a relaxed read at the gate while you wait for your flight to leave, since you got through security so smoothly.
f. Wearing slip on shoes makes going through security check points a breeze.

8. Once you have safely and smoothly arrived at your travel destination, remember that you are there to relax and you have done all of your pre-planning so that you can do it.  So relax!  Airports and hotels have services available to make your stay more enjoyable.

a. Don’t haul your bags through the airport yourself; rent a trolley for a few small dollars, you will save your back and your sanity.  Leave the trolley somewhere in the airport for someone else to use, you will brighten their day and that is worth some big good karma points. 
b. Use the hotel’s bell service if they offer it.  For a few dollars in tips, you don’t have to haul your bags through the hotel, they will hold them if you have arrived before check in time and they will bring them to your room for you for free (just remember to tip!).

9. Take lots of pictures.  Whether you are taking that once in a lifetime trip that you have always dreamed of, or you are taking the annual family vacation, you will want to record your trip through photographs.  If you are using a digital camera, you just have to remember to get some prints made (memory cards and cds of pictures don’t look good in photo albums or hanging on walls).
10. Have a great time!  Do all the things that are on your list if that is the kind of person you are.  If you love spontaneity, go on that grand adventure and explore the new world that you have entered.  Whoever you are, make the decision to have a great time from the time you leave your front door until you reenter it after your trip.  If you have done your job right, you will need a vacation to recover from your vacation.

We hope that these tips have been helpful to you in planning your next trip and we look forward to sharing more tips in future Tall Giraffe Traders guides.

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Have a safe and enjoyable adventure!

Your Friends at

Tall Giraffe Traders