World Travel

If you’re an adventurer- or are among the 68% of Americans who want to be more adventurous- there are a lot of options for you. Seeing new areas is a lot of fun, as are extreme sports. White water rafting is an activity that combines these two things and allows you to have the experience of a lifetime.

Here, we’re going to give you some rafting tips so that you can have fun and stay safe while experiencing more of the world. Read on to prepare yourself for expanding your horizons in the best possible way!

1. Choose the Right Trip

Before you go white water rafting, you’ll need to choose the trip that appeals most to your needs. There are a couple of questions that you need to ask yourself before setting off. Considering the options available to you will ensure that you have as fun a time as possible while on your trip.

Where Do You Want to Go Rafting?

When considering where you want to have your rafting experience, there are a few things you should ask yourself.

• What kind of weather/temperature do you want to go rafting in?
• What sorts of wildlife do you want to see?
• How strong of currents are you comfortable with?

If you’re really invested in warmer weather, Georgia and Florida are good places to go rafting. However, you’re likely to have a better overall experience in a place like Idaho, where there are strong currents, more sites to see, and a greater amount of wildlife that you can experience.

How Long Do You Want to Be on the Water?

There are generally two options for rafting trip lengths: day trips and half-days.

If you’re a first-timer, you probably will want to try a half-day trip for your initial experience. White water rafting is physically demanding, and you don’t want to overwork your muscles if you’re not used to strenuous activity.

However, for those who have gone rafting before, a day trip is the better alternative. You’ll get to go further from your campsite and therefore see more of the natural world around you. Also, full-day experiences usually include food, which is another plus.

2. Dress Appropriately

When you go white water rafting, it’s important that you wear the appropriate attire. If you don’t, you’re going to be very uncomfortable, especially when you (inevitably) get wet. Wearing the wrong clothes could also become a safety hazard because cold water getting into your clothes for extended periods can cause hypothermia.

In the Summertime

If you’re going rafting in the summer, you’ll want to wear:

• A well-fitting swimsuit
• Shorts
• A t-shirt or tank (over the swimsuit)
• A tight cardigan (in case you get cold when water splashes on you)
• A baseball cap (to keep sun and water out of your eyes
• Water shoes or sneakers

While many people wear flip flops in the summer, this can be dangerous while rafting. If your sandal catches on a rock, it could pull you right off the raft. Loose clothes also carry this risk. Also, flip flops are prone to falling off, which will leave you without a shoe when they float away.

For the Colder Months

If you’re headed off on a fall, spring, or winter adventure, you’ll need:

• Wool sweaters, pants, and socks (wool provides insulation and warmth even when wet)
• A wool cap (you don’t want to lose heat in your neck and face)
• A wetsuit (underneath your clothes)
• Paddling pants and jackets (to keep the spray off your body)
• Water shoes

Note that you also will want to bring a towel, a hairbrush, and a change of clothes so that you can be comfortable again after your time on the water.

3. Wear Your Safety Gear

In addition to wearing the right clothes, you’ll need to wear the safety gear that your tour provides for you. It’s tempting to abandon the life jacket and hard, cumbersome helmet that your tour guide gives you, but this is a terrible idea. White water rafting isn’t a light and easy float- it’s a pretty extreme (and extremely fun!) activity in which safety must be taken seriously.

This is because currents are often fast and rough and there are a lot of rocks within the natural rivers that you’ll be rafting on. If your raft were to hit something or flip over, you would be at risk of hitting your head or being pulled away. Life jackets and helmets prevent this from happening.

Make sure that you listen to your guide and apply these items to your person properly. Fasten them tightly around your head and body before heading off on open waters. You don’t want them to fall off or for the helmet to jostle around and bang you in the head!

4. Listen to Your Safety Guide

As we said, you need to to your safety guide and apply your clothes properly. However, this is a principle that extends to white water rafting as a whole: you need to listen to your guide at all times.

White water rafting guides are people who have trained to ensure the safety of everyone under their charge. They also are enthusiastic about the sport and know a lot about how to make it as safe and fun as possible. Listening to them closely and taking what they have to say to heart will make your experience much more pleasant.

Before you set off, your guide will likely detail the different aspects of your experience and what you can expect. This will prevent you from encountering any surprises and ensure that you know what you’re doing. They also will brief you on what exactly you need to do to maintain control of the raft. This is important for everyone to hear, but it’s especially important for first-timers.

Also, your guide probably knows a lot about the area that you’ll be rafting in. They can give you interesting facts about what you’re looking at and enhance your experience greatly!

5. Know What to Watch Out For

While this is something that your tour guide will likely go over with you, it’s critical that you do your research and know what you need to stay safe against while on your journey. While there are many potential safety hazards while white water rafting, accidents are easily avoidable as long as you take appropriate safety measures.

Some of the most important things you can do to prevent incidents are:

• Learning to swim before your trip
• Talk to a doctor and make sure you’re in good enough shape for strenuous activity
• Get off your raft (when safe to do so) if you feel yourself becoming overexerted
• Avoid rocks, especially sharp ones, and wear your helmet

Safety hazards shouldn’t discourage you from rafting! You will likely be fine as long as you follow appropriate procedures. However, it’s important to prepare for all possibilities and know what you’re getting into.

6. Keep Your Hands on the T-Grip

The T-grip is the end of your rafting paddle where your hand should be. Usually, the T-grip is easy to see and find because it will be in another color than the rest of the paddle. This is usually orange, the universal color for water safety.

One of the most common white water rafting injuries takes place when someone takes their hand off the T-grip. Since paddles are long, those that aren’t constantly being held at the end are likely to hit another rafter in the face and injure them. Accidentally hitting this rafter into the river is another possible issue that you want to avoid, as is snagging the T-grip on something and overturning the entire raft.

7. Stay Hydrated

While on an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime adventure like white water rafting, it’s easy to forget about and neglect your physical needs. However, if you don’t continue to drink enough water, you run the risk of passing out from the strenuous activity. If this happens, you may fall into the water and get injured before your guide has the opportunity to fish you out.

Luckily, this is an easily avoidable issue! Bring a large metal water bottle onto the raft with you. You can ensure that it doesn’t fall out of the raft or bounce away on rocks by securing it to your person. A metal carabiner should do the trick nicely- you can fasten it to your clothing tightly with this,

8. Have Fun!

No matter what you do, white water rafting is an experience that you’ll never forget. Have fun with it! You’re about to see sites that you never would be able to see otherwise, become one with nature in its purest form, and fall in love with the world of sports and activity. Make the most of it!

More Rafting Tips for Your Adventure

Now that you know some of the most important rafting tips so that you can have fun and stay safe while on the open waters, it’s time to learn more about what you can do on your next adventure.

Check out the ‘world travel’ tab on our home page to learn more about the destination that you’re headed to when white water rafting. Here, you’ll learn all of the other things you can do while on your trip so that you can make the most out of every moment!

Is it just me, or does everybody else seem to have travel plans that sound concrete and interesting? Then, when it’s your turn to pick and choose your destination, the options seem overwhelming and you don’t even know whether to stay domestic or go international. Below are some tips on how to decide. Whatever you choose, take it from me – buy souvenirs, write a travel diary, invest in a photo canvas or two, and even start a travel blog (in 20 years when you look back, the more memories you can save now the better).

World travel pros and cons

OK. Let’s think about this. Worldwide adventure is naturally the outright winner when it comes to travel destinations, right? Well, sure. If you like. But what you’re probably doing is jumping ahead in your mind’s eye to those immaculate moments of mirth, spent in a tropical paradise or atop a mountain in the tundra, when it all becomes worth it. This is most definitely the biggest ‘pro’ to setting sail for far flung destinations.

However, getting there is a slog you won’t soon forget. All those long flights. All that time in airports when you haven’t seen the inside of a hotel room or washed in 20 hours. There’s a significant amount of loneliness involved, too, if you’re travelling alone. For truly global travel, It can feel like two days have passed between actually speaking to another human being. And the hunger – travelling means missing meals. What it all comes down to is whether the payoff is worth it in your eyes. Does the goal of reaching the four corners of the world outweigh the inconvenience of actually getting there?

Domestic travel pros and cons

Domestic travel always seems like the easy and half-thought-out way to travel, almost as if you ran out of time to book anything “better”. However, every nation is rich in history and modern sights of interest. You won’t have the language barrier to contend with. Nor will you need to change any money or renew your passport. Admittedly, you may still need to pass some time in an airport, but for domestic flights at least the travel time will be kept to a minimum.

By visiting your country’s most well-known towns and cities you will become more interesting at parties, and certainly more knowledgeable and interesting in general when it comes to making small talk with colleagues or catching up with friends. Domestic travel may not present an exotic escape, but it will certainly broaden your horizons and forgo the ills of long distance jet-setting.

Conclusion – and the winner is…

As a certain Mr Shakespeare once wrote in one of his funny little plays, “costly thy habit as thy purse can buy”. And to spell it out, if you can’t afford the heights of Mauna Kea or the depths of the Amazon basin, you aren’t going anyway, so you’ve lost nothing. But if you can afford long distance, try it. At least once. It’s the only way to know for sure if you’re suited to it.

 

Is it really safe to visit LA? Millions of travelers and holidaymakers head to the city of angels every single year and it’s easy to see why. This diverse state has everything from quaint farmers markets and sun-drenched beaches, to the glittering sights and lights of the entertainment industry, all bustling under the Hollywood sign.

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of it all. One moment you’re riding the rollercoasters on The Santa Monica Pier and the next, you’re trekking through Runyon Canyon in your hiking boots.

It’s certainly a destination that has something for everyone, but visitors should always remain cautious. The last thing you want is to have your trip of a lifetime marred with an expensive stay in a local hospital. This is especially so if you’re traveling via the freeway, where there are often larger, more dangerous vehicles like trucks to contend with – click here if you’ve been involved in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault.

So, how can excited visitors keep themselves out of trouble in LA? Read on for some simple safety tips for curious travelers.

Be wary of pickpockets

Like in most big cities, pickpocketing isn’t unheard of. And of course, tourists who carry large amounts of cash and expensive tech are usually the targets. Places where large numbers of tourists congregate such as the Walk of Fame and the Santa Monica Pier, for example, are the perfect opportunity for pickpockets and muggers to do their worst.

Visitors are advised to use a little common sense. In these busy places, always keep hold of your valuables and your bag. Stay alert and be wary of anyone standing close to you, or trying to distract you while someone else makes off with your holiday cash.

Stay away from dangerous areas

As a tourist, it makes no sense to visit areas of LA that are renowned for violence, high crime rates and other violent crimes – neighborhoods like South Central, Fairfax and Chinatown. Visitors should also avoid areas like Skidrow if they want to keep safe. You should also bear this in mind if you’re driving and then need to park your car and when you’re booking your accommodation.

Natural disasters

Yes, really! Of course, these kinds of events are rare, but they’re not impossible. In July, LA was rocked by a catalogue of earthquakes, and although no one was injured as a tourist, experiencing an earthquake is certainly an unsettling experience! Consider carrying a flashlight on your keychain and researching what to do in the event of a natural disaster.

Nightlife

Who wouldn’t want to experience the glitz and glamour of LA’s nightlife? Downtown LA is where you’ll find a huge array of glamorous bars, nightclubs and even speakeasies which you’ll have to find your way into! If there is a particular club or bar you want to try, make sure you check the dress code before you arrive as many venues have strict rules on what can be worn inside. Again, keep your valuables safe and never leave your drink unattended.

Final thoughts…

Ultimately, LA is relatively safe for visitors. Travelers simply need to apply common sense, use their best judgment and keep their valuables safe!

 

Everyone should travel. Even with the current travel restrictions that are in place, there’s no harm in spending a little time planning your future adventures, after all, it’ll give you something to look forward to. You can decide to plan where you want to go, who you want to go with and of course, how you’re going to finance your trip. If you’re wanting to save money and abolish debts before setting sail on your trip, see Creditfix for more information.

People choose to travel for lots of different reasons, and those reasons are usually very personal and unique to each individual. But if you’re looking for a reason to hit the road and something to give you that little push into pursuing your travel dreams then you’ve come to the right place. Read on for 4 powerful reasons you should go travelling.

You want to learn

There’s only so much you can learn from books, TV shows, online tutorials and in the classroom. The best way to experience and learn about a new culture is to head there in person and immerse yourself in it. Not only will you get to learn about new cultures and experiences but you’ll also leave your travelling adventure with some new skills and abilities, such as languages, cooking, sociology, geography and even historical knowledge. There’s a whole world out there just waiting for you to discover and learn from it! What’s more, these lessons will always stay with you and most likely influence the choices and decisions you make later in life.

You want to strengthen your relationships

Considering travelling with a friend or family member? It’s a sure-fire way to build stronger relationships and appreciate the ones that are closest to you. Travelling can help to deepen friendships, strengthen bonds between family members and even reignite the spark between a couple. When times are fraught and stressful, it’s the people you love the most who’ll you want around you.

You need a challenge

For some, the biggest daily challenge they face is getting to work on time or getting their favourite seat on the bus, and when this just isn’t enough travelling the world becomes irresistible. As a traveller, you’ll face many challenges on the road, from navigating a map to bartering for a trinket in a local market, trying to defuse a tense situation with a local, or attempting to find your way through an airport and trying not to miss your flight.

Travelling is all about pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and finding out more about yourself. Whether you want to zip-line over the treetops of a rainforest or order a meal in the native language without messing up, challenging yourself builds character and confidence.

You want an escape

Whether you’ve just experienced a breakup, a sad life event, or you’re stuck in a job you hate, travelling can appease all of these things and help you escape the every day – at least for a little while. Stepping away from your life for a few weeks or months can help change your perspective and is also good for your physical and mental wellbeing.

After years of dreaming, you’ve finally taken the plunge and purchased your own boat. Congratulations! Boating is one of the best ways to enjoy an outdoor vacation on the lake.

However, being out on the water comes with inherent risks, and boating accidents are more common than you might think.

When it comes to safe boating, what do you need to know as a new boat owner? Before heading to the lake, keep reading to find seven top tips for boating safety.

1. Safe Boating Means Wearing Lifejackets

Even if you’re a confident swimmer, bringing life jackets and keeping them on is always a good strategy. It’s also required by law for children under 13 to wear a life jacket on a boat, so make sure you have both adult and child sizes for your boat.

Weather conditions or accidents can happen at any time when you’re out on the water, so don’t take any risks—stay safe with personal floatation devices.

When it comes to safety on board, you’ll also want to ensure you have a fully-stocked first-aid kit with you at all times.

2. Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix

The idea of a few drinks on the water sounds tempting. But, if that’s your plan, you need a designated driver for the boat, as alcohol and boating are a dangerous combination.

Just like on land, lakes and waterways are policed, with officers doing blood alcohol testing to make sure captains aren’t over the legal limit for their state.

Unfortunately, alcohol is the leading contributing factor when it comes to fatalities from boating accidents. Everyone wants to enjoy a beer when boating or camping with family and friends, but wait until you’re done boating.

If you’re a passenger on board and enjoying a drink, keep in mind that the intense summer sun intensifies the effects of alcohol. Try to limit your consumption and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

3. Have Your Boat Serviced Regularly

If you own a boat, you may only use it during summer vacations. However, your boat still needs regular servicing to make sure it’s safe for use.

Boat maintenance should include a thorough cleaning, engine and oil servicing, a check of all moving parts, an inspection of the plumbing system, and a check of the hull and topsides. If you’re not a boating expert, find a reputable service center who can look after it for you.

If you take your boat out and it has any faults or mechanical issues, your safety is at risk.

When it comes to boat servicing, many boat storage facilities also offer this service—an easy way to keep your boat protected and in working condition year-round.

4. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Hazards

Boating can be a lot of fun, but you need to keep your wits about you. Even in open water, there are plenty of navigational hazards you need to keep watching for.

While boating, always keep an eye for other boats, buoys, floating docks, swimming platforms, and swimmers or kayakers. A collision with a fixed object like a dock can cause serious damage to your vessel, along with injury.

When docking, take it extremely slow and ask others to help you look for hazards, especially if you’re new to boating.

5. Follow the Weather Closely

A sunny day out on the water is the perfect way to spend your outdoor vacation. The best boating weather is calm, flat waters and clear visibility.

However, maritime conditions can change quickly, which can put your safety at risk.

Before setting out, check the weather forecast in great detail. Download a reliable weather app on your phone, which makes it easier to keep track of the forecast.

If the winds pick up, dark clouds seem to be building up, or you sense a thunderstorm is possible, head back to shore quickly. Although it’s never fun to cut short your day on the water, lightning strikes can be devastating to boats and storms can endanger your boat and its passengers.

6. Have the Necessary Lighting for Boating at Night

If you plan on being on the water at night, be prepared for extreme darkness. This makes it very hard to see your surroundings, so you’ll need to have the right lighting on your boat.

This is both a legal requirement and an essential safety feature for both powered and unpowered boats. The lighting requirements are in place from dusk to dawn, but also in fog or overcast conditions.

The interior of your boat should also have adequate lighting so that passengers can move around safely.

7. Recognize the Signs of Drowning

To stay safe on the water, it’s important to recognize the signs of distress and drowning in the water. Swimming is one of the great things about boating, but accidents or injuries can happen quickly.

If you’re able to know the signs of drowning, you can take action sooner. This is especially true for children, who may not be as confident in the water as teenagers or adults.

Always keep floatation devices on board for use for a rescue and remove the person from the water as soon as you can, while still looking after your own safety.

In case of an emergency, boat owners may want to learn rescue breathing and CPR techniques.

Stay Safe with These Top Boating Tips

You’re no doubt looking forward to taking your new boat out on the lake this summer. However, before you get going, take the time to read and understand the safe boating tips above.

Boating is one of the most exciting summer activities, but safety is the most important consideration. Make sure you have an emergency plan and safety procedures in place for your boat before hitting the water.

By following the safety tips above, you can stay safe and healthy, enjoying your new boat for years to come.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please read some of our additional articles to learn more.

For a country as diverse as India, it is no secret that there will be great destinations to visit. Be it in the north, south, east, or west, this country is a storehouse of underrated holiday spots. Travelers that come from abroad are always in awe of the breathtaking beauty that they are greeted by. Be it mountains, beaches, plainlands, or even deserts, India has a combination of everything. The southern part of India is mostly a hit with all kinds of travelers. People from all over the world, flock to this part of the country to take in the grandeur and serenity of the places. Here, in the heart of Kerala, lies the city of Kochi, which is considered the ‘Gateway to Kerala’ for its old-world charm and strong historical connections.

Kochi

Overflowing with the bounties of nature, Kochi is an important port city which lies on the south-west coastline of India. It is a place that compels the visitors to sit back and take in its exhilarating beauty. This city is rooted in mythology and has the ability to make people revisit history with its architecture and culture.

And, in case you have finally decided to give in to its charms and have taken your pick from the Air india flights available, here are a few popular places in Kochi that you should definitely visit:

• Mattancherry

This neighborhood in Kochi comes alive with a certain warmth that tends to fill hearts with delight. It is filled with imperialist buildings and is home to people and communities from various cultures. The evenings are the best time to venture through this place. This is when the streets come alive with the ringing of bells and the sight of the temples in all their illuminated glory is one to behold. The Mattancherry Dutch Palace, which was built by the Portuguese as a present for the Raja of Kochi in 1555, is the key attraction here.

• Willingdon Island

Located in Kochi, this is one of the largest artificial islands in India and is named after the British Viceroy, Lord Willingdon. It acts as a link between Kochi and other seaports around the world. The best hotels and commercial buildings can be found here and this place is also surrounded by pristine backwaters. This place is the perfect getaway spot from the main city as it offers unadulterated beauty in the form of nature.

• Kerala Folklore Theater and Museum:

If one wants to understand Kerala’s heritage and culture, then the Kerala Folklore Theater and Museum is a must-visit. Its architectural style is that of Travancore, Malabar, and Cochin and has a huge Kalvilakku (stone lamp) at the entrance. Beyond the stone lamp, there are elephant statues on either side of the steps which lead to the main building. This is the place that has managed to retain the richness of Kerala’s folklore.

Nobody can go wrong while visiting Kochi as every spot in this city is a marvel in itself. Even aimless ventures beginning with Flights to Kochi can turn out to be the most memorable and worthwhile. Days will go by and it will still not be enough to truly appreciate the beauty that is Kochi.

 

Saudi Arabia is one of those countries which are popular holiday destinations for travelers across the globe. One of its cities, Yanbu, is a place that deserves a visit if you are ever in this country. It is an amazing city with great beaches and tourist attractions that will make the trip more enjoyable.

Yanbu is one of the oldest cities in Saudi Arabia, dating back to approximately 2500 years. It is a major port on the Red Sea and is located in the western part of the country. Its link with history is quite strong as it was an operational base during World War I.

Being one of the most historically exquisite and culturally relevant parts of Saudi Arabia, every major airport around the world offers flights to this city. So, just in case you have been planning to pack your bags and witness this gorgeous place in person, here is a list of few of the most popular places that you should definitely not skip:

• Beaches in Yanbu

The beaches in Yanbu are undeniably the most unique and clean beaches in the entirety of Saudi Arabia. The beaches are known for their soft sand and an abundance of marine life underwater. People who are water-sports enthusiasts should visit the northern part of the city which is also great for yachting. This place is where people are found to be practicing underwater photography by making the beautiful life underwater their muse.

• Al Suwaiq Village

This village is again one of the most visited places in Yanbu with its busy marketplace and castle. It is a meeting place for the pilgrims who travel either by sea or land. The village is a part of Yanbu Al Nakhal, which is adorned with palm trees and water bodies that tend to take visitors’ breath away without fail. Now, more commercial and agricultural hubs can be found in this place.

• Flower Festival

Visiting this place during the spring season is the best time to witness the beauty of the Flower Festival. This tourist place in Yanbu is famous for its flower carpet which also holds a world record for being the biggest flower carpet. So, it is definitely a good idea to book Flyadeal flights to this city and visit it in the month of March for a great experience.

• Sharm Yanbu

This particular location can be found in the northern part of the city and is a highlight of this place. Both tourists and natives love the coastal regions and it has a host of luxury resorts and hotels. Another major attraction found in this place is the array of water-sports that it offers along, including yachting, diving, and so on.

Do not let the lack of nightlife keep you from visiting this beautiful place in Saudi Arabia. Here, travelers get to experience unadulterated beauty with quaint spots that are just waiting to be discovered. The city of Yanbu is a hub of cultural and historical wealth that has the power to take people back in time.

 

If you’re the kind of person who can book a family trip to New York without singing “Start spreadin’ the news…” every chance you get, you’re a bigger person than almost everyone I’ve ever known who has planned to visit the Big Apple. To be fair, there’s a buzz around New York, almost as if you’re visiting a celebrity at their home for a personal tour and a sleepover. The reality is a busy hotel and busy tourist sights and dodging people taking selfies with everything. But still, there’s a certain magic in the air.

With over 60 million visitors per year, the so-called city that never sleeps is evidently in hot demand. Add the nearly 10 million people who call New York home to the list, and we have around 70 million people – or the population of France – passing through and using the city every 12 months.

To say that things get a little congested is an understatement. That’s why today we’re going to look at family travel safety tips for NYC (and if you are affected by an injury while travelling, see a company like this personal injury lawyer in NYC).

In the streets – walkie talkies

If there’s one thing that kids love more than incessant chatter, it’s chatting over a walkie talkie. Give them a walkie talkie and they will guard it and treasure it. This gives you a direct line of contact with your child in case of being separated by a few feet while walking on busy roads, for example – although only being separated by 10 ft, walking in the wrong direction to try to find them will waste time.

There are even walkie talkie models that come with a built in GPS. meaning the exact location of the device can be known at all times. This may seem a little extreme, and perhaps a little expensive, but as a one-off purchase that will last for all family vacations (or at least until the child is old enough to be trusted with a mobile phone), the walkie talkie option presents long term value for money.

Hotel safety – the basics

This is something that you may not wish to think about, but seasonal hotel staff may be petty thieves looking for easy access to your valuables. Tell any children not to open the door, and always use the hotel safe where possible. Lost key cards are a nightmare because unscrupulous people may see an opportunity – always change rooms in the event of a lost card.

Staying safe in the streets and in the hotel isn’t hard, but it does require a little vigilance – and we’d all rather be vigilant than stay at home all of our lives!

Do you love traveling but hate the process of going through the airport? Fortunately, there are ways to help ease the process and can make the experience more enjoyable. Or at the very least, less stressful.

Keep reading to learn some handy airport travel tips that you can put to good use on your next trip!

1. Become a Trusted Traveler

One of the worst parts about traveling on an airplane is the process of going through security before heading to your gate. When going through security you have to unload all of your electronics into a bin, take your shoes off, and walk through the x-ray sensors. Then once you’ve made it through you have to gather all your things, quickly, and try and get it all packed back in, put your shoes back on all while trying to not slow down the progress of the rest of the travelers.

To ease this process, and avoid the stress of security, you can register with the TSA’s PreCheck program. This program is active in more than 200 airports and allows you to quickly pass through security without having to remove your electronics from your luggage or even take off your shoes. The membership is $85 for 5 years and requires you to submit an application, have a background check and fingerprints taken.

Once you have your Known Traveler Number added to your ticket, you won’t have to wait in those long lines again. There is also an international version of this service through the U.S. Custom’s Department known and Global Entry which can help you skip the long customs lines as well.

2. Check-In Before Leaving Home

Before you leave your home and head to the airport you can check-in to your flight up to 24 hours before your flight departs. This is a great opportunity for you to have a chance at picking your seat, pay any fees for checking a bag, and decide if you want to upgrade any portions of your flight.

Once you have checked in, you can have your boarding pass emailed to you and either print it out or you can use your mobile phone to access it at the airport. If you don’t have a printer or a mobile device then you can also print your boarding pass out at the airport. While this doesn’t save you time at the airport, it does allow you the chance to pick your seat on the airplane.

Once you have checked in, you should continue to monitor the status of your flight. If anything changes to the arrival and departure times you need to be aware, especially if there is a cancellation.

3. Be Familiar with the Driving and Parking

Another thing that can lead to dread when heading to the airport is unfamiliarity with the parking situation. There are many airports that provide a status update for their parking lots so you can know what to expect before you get there.

Before heading out, check the airport map so you will know where you need to go when you arrive. The maps will let you know where the cell phone waiting lots, extended parking, and short term parking lots are located.

For your arrival destination, you should also check the maps and learn where the rental car counter is, the information for your hotel shuttle, or what type of airport transfer services are available.

4. Prepare Your Luggage

Once you get to the airport, you should weigh the bags you plan on checking before making your way to the check-in counter. This way if they are overweight you will be able to move things around between bags before slowing the line up at the counter. You can also buy a scale to use at home so you are all set before arriving at the airport.

If you haven’t become a trusted traveler, then you will need to make sure you have all your important documentation with you for moving through security. To keep things organized you can have these items separated in their own pouch in your carry-on so they are easily accessible when you need it.

Your carry-on bag should also include anything that you might need during your flight, as well as a change of clothes and small toiletries. In the event your luggage is misplaced, you will still have some essentials with you at your destination until you can retrieve your things or buy some replacements.

5. At the Gate

Once you have made it through security and to your gate, you now have time to take a break before boarding your flight. This is a good opportunity to go to the bathroom, charge your electronics if needed, and check the flight status boards. If you have brought your own refillable water bottle, now is the time to fill it up before boarding, and avoid paying for an expensive water bottle at the gate or on your flight.

At the gate, you will also be able to get a sense of how crowded your flight might be, if there are any changes to the departure and arrival times, or if your flight has changed gates. Make sure to pay attention to your flight status so you don’t miss your boarding call or possibly miss your flight altogether.

Learn More Airport Travel Tips Today!

These are some of the most important airport travel tips to keep in mind for your upcoming flight. Consider becoming a member of the TSA’s PreCheck program to move through security quicker, check-in to your flight before leaving home, and monitor the status of the flight. You should also become familiar with the parking situation, have your luggage ready for the check-in counter, and then watch your flight information at the gate while you relax and get ready for your flight.

If you would like more travel tips be sure to visit our website daily!

Man’s love for exploring new places is an integral part of his whole being. From going on a heritage tour in Dubai or a trip to the Eiffel Tower, most people would never miss a chance to spend time marveling at the many wonders of the world.

The quality of the trip will depend on how well you’ve prepared for the different aspects of the trip. Besides making arrangements for transportation and booking a hotel, you also need to pack essential items that will help you have a wonderful time and ensure your well-being.

Of course, what you need to pack may not be the same as what others have in their checklists. After all, everyone is different.

Aside from the obvious differences in gender-related items, you may also prefer some things that others may not deem necessary to bring. The way you travel is also a factor, as solo travelers may need to bring more items than those who go on trips with a group of other people with whom they can share possessions or supplies.

Still, there are some items that most people – if not everyone – would be thankful to have when visiting a different corner of the globe. These include the six things listed below:

Clothing

Clothes usually take up the biggest space in a traveler’s luggage. Every item of clothing you pack must be relevant for the trip to ensure that you don’t end up allotting valuable luggage space for items you won’t be wearing during your travels.

When deciding on the number of outfits you need to bring, the length of your stay is only one factor to consider. You must also think about your destination (particularly the weather there) and the activities included in your itinerary.

Below are some more considerations you can use to decide what to pack for your trip:

Multipurpose items

Each clothing item you bring should serve more than one purpose if your goal is to pack light. Of course, they don’t need to be “convertible” in order to serve several purposes.

For instance, convertible pants are two-in-one and may work as multipurpose clothing in theory. However, these may not be very flattering for most girls, which means they may not want to wear them. Instead, find something that is functional and fashionable at the same time (e.g., travel pants).

Activities

When going on a trip abroad, the primary source of fun would be the activities you have planned. For everything from tours of temples and mountain treks to visits to famous restaurants and clubs, you have to make sure that the clothes you bring will be appropriate in various settings.

To be safe, choose those that are stylish but not overly revealing.

For example, a maxi dress can be great for every type of situation, but a low-neckline ensemble may not. Button-up blouses are also quite versatile, so long as they aren’t made with a sheer fabric that might reveal too much. Similarly, short shorts are pleasing to the eye, but there are cases wherein they are simply just too casual for the surroundings or occasion.

Remember to pack conservative alternative clothing, especially if your itinerary includes visits to religious sites or if you’re traveling to a less touristy area.

Luggage space

Before deciding what clothes to pack, try to roll them up to see how much space they will occupy in your luggage. If the piece of clothing seems quite bulky, consider an alternative that is more compact when rolled up. Remember that even in cold climates, layering clothing is more effective than wearing single bulky pieces.

There’s an exception, of course. If the item can be reused frequently and matches many of your other clothing choices, think twice about leaving it home. These pieces of clothing (e.g., jeans) may have a significant bulk, but their functionality definitely outweighs this disadvantage.

Toiletries

Toiletries are another example of essential things to include in your packing list. Like clothing, each person has their own preferences on this matter.

Still, it pays to identify some of the basics that everyone would need to have in their bags, including:

• Haircare essentials – These can be both shampoo and conditioner, or a two-in-one product
• Bath soap – These can pertain to a bar of soap or shower gel
• Dental hygiene kit – This must include a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss
• Lotion and moisturizer
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers and nail file
• Comb or hairbrush and some elastics

Full Refillable Water Bottle

You cannot possibly enjoy the best excursion in Dubai if you’re dizzy and dehydrated from the heat of the sun. Even if you’re not headed to the desert, you will still need to rehydrate throughout the duration of your tour.

If you’re planning to go on a one- or two-hour hike with moderate difficulty, you should bring at least two liters of water. Two-day backpacking trips require a minimum of eight liters, which already includes the water you may need for cooking.

Remember to adjust accordingly based on the conditions in your destination, and bring a water bottle that’s the right size.

Food

Wherever you go, you must remember to pack snacks for a quick bite. This is particularly helpful for outdoor activities and journeys that involve extended travel times.

If possible, bring healthy foods like fresh fruits or vegetables. Hard-boiled eggs, granola bars, or sandwiches wrapped in foil or any sealable container should be enough to get you through the day.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit is always crucial for a trip. Since there’s no way you can know whether you’ll have access to medical supplies where you are going, you must bring a comprehensive set everywhere you go.

Besides the basics (bandages, thermometer, alcohol wipes, a plastic syringe, rehydration salts, and antiseptic solution), you should also bring emergency medicines. These include wound creams and over-the-counter pain medicine. Just remember to keep these to a minimum if some items can be purchased almost anywhere you go, unless you’re traveling to a remote area.

You should also bring other medicines prescribed to you by your physician. As much as possible, pack more than you’ll need for the duration of your trip. You’ll never know when delays may cause you to get stuck in your destination for another day or two.

Important Travel Documents and Money

If you’re traveling to a different country or territory, you will need to have proof of your identity and the legality of your presence there. This includes your ID, passport, and visa (some destinations may not require this).

It would also be better to bring both your debit and credit cards and some cash, just in case the place you’re headed won’t accept one or the other.

Be Ready to Travel

To make the most of your trip, you must ensure that you’re prepared for any situation by packing the most important items in your luggage. Use this list and modify it as you see fit so you can pack light while still having everything you need before you go.

AUTHOR BIO

Mithu Agarwal is the Commercial Director at Seawings LLC, a trusted provider of commercial seaplane tours and charters in the UAE. The company offers aerial tours of the UAE, taking off from the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club through which you can discover the thrill of travelling by a seaplane. Whisking passengers to 1500 feet, the route soars past the iconic city skylines, offering sublime views of the country’s architectural marvels.