Do you dream of a salty sea breeze blowing on your face as you gaze into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, or perhaps your first glimpse at the Eiffel Tower aglow in the Paris night? Maybe you fantasize about going on safari in Africa, climbing the Great Wall of China or sailing to an exotic port of call and going on a shopping spree.
No matter where you plan to travel I always tell you to research your destination, but so far I have not given you any tools in which to do that.
Researching your destination can be as exciting as you make it. Plan to make it part of your trip, then it seems as if you are on vacation longer. So grab your favorite drink, boot up the Internet and get ready to discover the secrets of your dream travel destination.
The level of planning surrounding your research is up to each individual. Some people like to plan their travel itinerary by the day or even hour, while others just try to locate some cool sites to hit while they are in the area. No matter who you are though and to what level you plan the very first thing you should research is safety.
Determine what modes of transportation are safest. As a tourist should you walk, ride a bike, rent a car, take a taxi or use public transportation. Should you take a plane or train to the next city.
Do you know the laws of the destination you are going to.
Be sure to take with you on a card in your wallet the local embassy address and phone number.
Research what type of medical facilities are available and how you would get to them if required. Gather your medical records and consolidate the info onto small cards. Also, contact your medical insurance carrier and find out whether your insurance is valid at your travel destination. If not, is there alternative options for you. If no alternative options are available from your medical insurance carrier then consider purchasing a policy for travelers.
Where you stay while traveling can either make or break your trip. Your lodging location is your sanctuary, once you close the door behind you you leave the outside world, however if the place is not to your standard or what you expected then it can completely ruin your fun.
Make sure that your room is safe. At a hotel the safest rooms are on upper floors near the elevators. Although many people do not want to be near the main traffic thoroughfare that is where it is safest and because of that very reason. That is where the people are and a thief or intruder would be more easily identified.
Try to stay at a hotel that has two locks on the doors and a one way view view port and of course never open your door for strangers.
Remember that not all country’s have regulations for fire alarms. Try to get a room with a fire alarm and if possible even a carbon monoxide detector.
Many credit cards are accepted worldwide and offer ease and convenience for travelers. However they can be a headache if you do not follow some basic precautions.
Before you leave on your vacation contact your credit card company and notify them of your intended travel (this way a hold is not put on your card when used in a foreign country). While you are on the phone notifying the customer service representative of your intention of using your card in another country talk to them about any restrictions and the best international exchange rate.
Be diversified though, there are many places internationally that will not accept credit cards. Other currency options include cash, travelers checks your ATM card (call that customer service representative also).
A final thought about credit and debit cards is this, be sure to write down the customer service numbers and place them in a safe area separate from the cards so that if they are stolen that you can call and cancel them quickly.
Now for the the fun planning. Lets find out about the place we are going. How large is the City? What attractions do you want to visit while there? What restaurant does everyone rave about that you absolutely must visit? What parks have the best features in the morning versus the evening? Where should you watch the sunset from? Which nightclub must be visited on Wednesday versus Monday? How much does it cost to visit the museum? Which opera is being performed while you are in town?
These questions will help you to determined what to do while in the area, but there is also the need to know the weather, the temperature and what clothes you should be bringing.
Some other things you need to know are the culture and customs as well as current events in the region. Knowing these things will instill more confidence in you as a traveler.
Of course you can find just about anything on the Internet, but you can also research your destination at the local library, travel agency or bookstore.
Lastly, if you are traveling with children research what additional precautions need to be taken to ensure their safety. Some countries love children and for the most part children are very safe (Portugal) where others you may just want to wait for your kids to grow up a bit before you visit.
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Love your site and all your tidbits of information. I look forward to reading more and to sharing travel with you.
Research travel destination is very nice post by editor. Now a days one question will always hit in my mind before going to a travel destination that is- Are you feel travel to any destination is secure and safity for your life?
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