Trifter

 So this is your first trip overseas? The Caribbean? Or maybe even just across country? Perhaps you don’t travel that often and worry about those little details that can seem incredibly overwhelming. Well just relax and take heed of a few simple tips that can help you make your vacation the enjoyable fun time it should be.

Before hitting the road, you first have to decide what type of vacation are you planning on doing? If it’s a road trip, you will need to make sure your car is in good repair, taking it to the shop for a check up might be a good idea, especially if you haven’t for some time. Make sure the night before the car is gassed up and all necessary maps, GPS, spare tire and all other important checks have been made.

Packing the car the night before a road trip is a good idea as it saves time and stress wondering if your timetable is going to be kept. Long distance trips can be hard enough as it is, especially with kids, so make sure all appropriate toys, drinks and snacks are loaded into the interior of the car instead of the trunk for easy access. The kids will be entertained for awhile and you won’t have to keep stopping if they are thirsty or hungry.

Before you even start out on your journey you will have to decide where you are going? Do you wish to plan out your entire trip on your own, or do you prefer to take a package deal? Each have their own advantages and drawbacks and you must decide which appeals more to you.

Using a Travel Agent to book your trip is usually a good idea, especially if it’s your first trip to Europe or a longer distance than your cottage. There are plenty of online resources you can use as well, but bear in mind, the prices the sites quote are not what you will end up paying. There are airport taxes, customs fees and just plain sales taxes heaped upon those very low airline fares and hotel stays.A Travel Agent can slough through the mess of taxes and conversion rates to get you the best prices they possibly can.

Which brings me back to a package deal or plan it on your own. A package deal is usually an all inclusive plan, yes including Airfare, Hotel, car rental and sometimes food vouchers and passes to amusement parks and the like. It’s great for families and first time travellers or those who wish for their holiday to be already planned.

If you decide to plan it yourself a travel agent is also a good idea, but you can book some hotels online, same with airlines and car rentals. In the end it may end up costing you more, but you do have more freedom in the length of time you wish to go for, the type of car you wish to rent; and even the airline you wish to fly on. Most packages use charter planes like Air Transat, WestJet and SouthWest Airlines. If you do the choosing you can pick from Air Canada, American Airlines and even Lufthansa if you so desire.

Bear in mind also that in other countries besides Canada and the United States a 4 Star hotel may mean different things. Here in North America it’s a pretty luxurious hotel, where in Mexico or Cuba it could very well be more like a Travelodge. Still a nice hotel but not the Hilton. A travel agent is a big help in deciding which places are the best to stay in, as they are well versed in this industry.

it’s a good idea to book in advance if you wish to get exactly what you want, yes it costs a bit more but you will be guaranteed of the hotel room you want and car. If you go with last minute deals, you can get a substantial price reduction, as they are sells off from tour providers who need to fill the seats on the planes and hotels need their rooms filled. You will get what is left over usually. Not that this is a bad thing, but if you are not flexible for time you wish to leave or the type of room you want; it’s best to plan ahead.

Arrive at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours ahead of time, some airlines allow you to check in online, which of course saves you a lot time waiting around the airport. Security has increased a lot in the last years and now there tends to be a few check points you must pass before boarding the plane.

Make sure you have a book, or some sort of entertainment for long flights in case you don’t like the in-flight movie, it saves you from getting bored on a 8 hour flight. Also if possible on an overnight trip try to sleep on the plane and avoid caffeine if possible as it can dehydrate you and airplane air is very dry.

Once there, relax, don’t think you have to cram everything into a week or two. If you wish to see all the sights, plan for a longer trip to give you the chance to see the country at your ease. Take the time to immerse into the culture, eat at local restaurants and just walk the cities, soaking up the atmosphere.

Most important enjoy yourself, you are supposed to be on vacation!