Having touched foot on 5 of the 7 continents, I have learned a lot. With solid planning, I was able to do 3 weeks in Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia with 1 carry-on bag and 1 computer bag. My top travel tips are:
Call your credit card companies in advance: and tell them where you are going and what dates. I have had cards frozen because companies see a string of out of town charges and they think your cards were stolen.
Think in body sections when packing: I do this in the morning while getting work ready and start from feet to head. It can be stressful the last days before a trip so you don’t want to forget anything so do the same with the kids.
Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on bag: 29 million bags are lost/delayed each year. Be ready when it happens to you!
Buy a guide book if going overseas: Can’t stress this enough. Advanced research prevents issues which can ruin a trip. For example, my research told me that in Myanmar and Cambodia they accept US dollars however not with folds or wrinkles. I went to the bank in advance and withdrew $500 of new bills in 1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s. I like “lonely planet” and “rough guides” the best. Look for the most recent edition.
Read negative reviews on hotels: I prefer trip advisor and Agoda for international travel.
If touring by car get a tune-up and GPS: Nothing worse than getting lost or having your car break down. GPS your destinations in advance for proper time planning.
Buy an off color suitcase: This way you can spot in from a long distance away.
Sign up for the TSA: The TSA pre-check can make the difference between missing and making a flight and decrease travel stress considerably.
