Part of the fun of travel is eating new foods. But why restrict yourself to only eating these fabulous dishes while on vacation? If you’re impressed with the food during a trip, buy a local cookbook and a few area-specific ingredients.
When you get home, recreate your favorite dishes there. If you’re feeling like a party, invite your neighbors over and feed them, too. When they’re devouring your delicious meal, they may even be interested in hearing about your fantastic experience.
Have you ever made an airline reservation and been told the only available seats are those in the middle? What you probably weren’t told is that airlines hold a number of prime seats for last-minute bookings to elite customers. When those seats aren’t sold, they’re released about 24 hours prior to departure.
To take advantage of this, visit your airline’s website and look for the “check-in” link. There you will see what (newly released) seats are available, and you can change yours if necessary.
If that doesn’t work, use the check-in kiosk when you get to the airport. It offers the same option.
Bring your camera.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive camera with all the bells and whistles. You can even get great shots with a disposable camera.
You never know when you’ll see a hilarious sign, odd landmark or spectacular sunset, so have your camera at the ready.
When traveling in countries where you don’t speak the language, always have a notepad and pen handy to help you communicate with others.
Written communication is clearer than spoken communication when there is a language barrier to overcome. The French train ticket agent might not understand what you are saying, but when you write your destination on a piece of paper, there will be no problem.
Offer the notepad to those with whom you are interacting in addition to using it yourself. Your Balinese taxi cab driver will be happy to confirm that he heard your hotel name correctly.
Cruise lines are notorious for unlimited food and fun, but what’s not unlimited? Drinks.
Beverages are pushed more than anything else on a cruise, and of course, the bill can add up quickly — especially after seven days of alcoholic indulgence.
One way to bypass this system is to fill some water bottles with some of your favorite spirits, throw it in your checked luggage, and there you go — potentially hundreds of dollars saved. With mixers on the ship usually being incredibly cheap, just go to the bar, order a can of tonic, and your mixed drink will cost you about 50 cents, instead of 6 bucks.