Travel Tips, Part III
· Wear loose-fitting clothing for long flights. And consider layering shirts in case you find the temperature uncomfortable.
· Grab that stash of magazines you’ve been meaning to read and cut out your address. Take them with you, read them, and leave in the seat pocket when you’re finished.
· Pack a peanut-butter sandwich, even if a meal is served. If you get stuck on the Tarmac, your stomach won’t grumble. If you don’t eat it, you’ll have something to snack on once you reach your destination.
· Speaking of snacks, those mini-bar goodies can cost a mint. Include snacks on your checklist and pack a few of your favorites.
· E-mail a copy of your talking points to yourself and the event coordinator “just in case.” Carry your presentation on a zip drive, which can save the day if your computer dies.
· Print out the address of the hotel and how to get there from the airport. If your cab driver speaks little English or doesn’t know how to get there, you have what you need to give directions.
· Think ahead about gifts. Will you need to give something to a host or translator? Keep a stash of lightweight options that won't melt in heat (regional canned food, coffee, gift books, journals, bookmarks). Grab what you’ll need when it’s time to go.
· Keep ten crisp one-dollar bills in an envelope at home. Grab it when it’s time to go so you won’t have to over-tip someone with a “five” because it’s the smallest bill you have.
· Let a carry-on bag double as a purse/daypack once you reach your destination. Choose the kind you can wear strapped across you, so it’s tough to steal. When you repack upon arrival, toss in purse tissues, a local guidebook, nail clippers, your cell phone, a water bottle, and a copy of your hotel address with itinerary.
· Do some research about your destination. Check out your local library for language tools and tour guides.
· When traveling internationally, carry cash and credit cards in a money purse that goes inside your clothing. Keep only a few dollars in your carry-on. Print and fold a copy of your itinerary, and keep it with your cash and cards. Tuck in a business card or two.
· Check out local customs. The iPhone has a free app called “World Customs and Cultures” that tells different country’s common greetings, communication styles, views of time, and taboos. Maybe you know to avoid showing the sole of your foot in Jordan, but you might need to know you should never rest your foot on the chair in front of you in Luxembourg or that laughing loudly in Macedonia is considered rude.
· Some countries require women to cover their heads in sacred spaces. Find out if such is the case at your destination, and if so, pack a lightweight scarf you can throw on at the last minute. You don’t want to miss a chance to pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
· Pack a peanut-butter sandwich, even if a meal is served. If you get stuck on the Tarmac, your stomach won’t grumble. If you don’t eat it, you’ll have something to snack on once you reach your destination.
· Speaking of snacks, those mini-bar goodies can cost a mint. Include snacks on your checklist and pack a few of your favorites.
· E-mail a copy of your talking points to yourself and the event coordinator “just in case.” Carry your presentation on a zip drive, which can save the day if your computer dies.
· Print out the address of the hotel and how to get there from the airport. If your cab driver speaks little English or doesn’t know how to get there, you have what you need to give directions.
· Think ahead about gifts. Will you need to give something to a host or translator? Keep a stash of lightweight options that won't melt in heat (regional canned food, coffee, gift books, journals, bookmarks). Grab what you’ll need when it’s time to go.
· Keep ten crisp one-dollar bills in an envelope at home. Grab it when it’s time to go so you won’t have to over-tip someone with a “five” because it’s the smallest bill you have.
· Let a carry-on bag double as a purse/daypack once you reach your destination. Choose the kind you can wear strapped across you, so it’s tough to steal. When you repack upon arrival, toss in purse tissues, a local guidebook, nail clippers, your cell phone, a water bottle, and a copy of your hotel address with itinerary.
· Do some research about your destination. Check out your local library for language tools and tour guides.
· When traveling internationally, carry cash and credit cards in a money purse that goes inside your clothing. Keep only a few dollars in your carry-on. Print and fold a copy of your itinerary, and keep it with your cash and cards. Tuck in a business card or two.
· Check out local customs. The iPhone has a free app called “World Customs and Cultures” that tells different country’s common greetings, communication styles, views of time, and taboos. Maybe you know to avoid showing the sole of your foot in Jordan, but you might need to know you should never rest your foot on the chair in front of you in Luxembourg or that laughing loudly in Macedonia is considered rude.
· Some countries require women to cover their heads in sacred spaces. Find out if such is the case at your destination, and if so, pack a lightweight scarf you can throw on at the last minute. You don’t want to miss a chance to pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.
For more travel tips, go here.