We started this exercise of Thursday Morning Travel Tips back in the fall of 2002, and have faithfully kept it up for 14 years.....every week. Most weeks my favorite tip is to enjoy the services of an experienced travel agent; why?.......because as I've also mentioned on many weeks, we save you time and money!!
Today I have a smorgasbord of travel tips, in no organized order...just tips as they came to mind.
- When you are going on long flights (3 hours or more) consider wearing support hose.....both men and women......and do your best to get up every hour or so and walk around; that's why I like an aisle seat, even though you are vulnerable for multiple bumps as people walk back and forth.
- When you go cruising, take with you a multi-plug device. Most of the ships have only one available and accessible plug for use, so if you need to plug in a clock, charger, hair dryer and a curling iron, you need more than one plug.
- A good thing to carry with you when going to a hotel or on a ship is a small LED flashlight. Keep it handy at night, especially if you have an inside room, and also available to be able to see when the closet does not have a light.
- Some lotions have nitroglycerin in them and are detectable if in a carry-on going through security, so pack those items in your checked luggage, otherwise you'll arrive without lotion.
- You would be surprised how many folks purchase new luggage, but do not put their names on them. So make sure you have your name on a luggage tag outside your luggage, and it is a good idea to have your names on a card inside your luggage. One person suggested a good idea when traveling internationally; make a copy of your passport and have it inside your checked luggage.
- Take wipes with you on the airplane and wipe off the tray in front of you, the air vent and light switches as well as the seat belt. You don't know what sickness, infection or disease the person or persons sitting in that seat before you might have had.
- I don't know why, but flying, and especially on long flights, drys your body out, and if you do not hydrate extensively, you are subject to dehydration.....so, drink plenty of water and avoid the alcohol.
- Remember to pack all liquids over 3 oz. in your checked luggage; anything above that will be confiscated at security.
- When checking in to a hotel, always ask that they consider you for an upgrade; you never can tell, you might be blessed with an oceanview room instead of one overlooking the alley. It doesn't hurt to ask, and the agent would feel good if they were able to upgrade you, and you would feel good too!!
We are always eager to hear what other travelers might experience that would help us and our clients as they travel, so if you have a tip, please let us know about it so we can share that idea with all our clients. We are at 4150 Southwest Drive, Ste. 120 at the Plaza at Park Central; you can find experienced travel agents at The Travel Factory: 325-698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040.