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The most important thing to take with you is common sense - Always book your first night’s accommodation regardless—you’ll rest easy knowing you won’t have to deal with finding a hotel late at night or while jet-lagged. And always have a backup plan.Keep the address to your hotel handy (not somewhere that you need WiFi to access) and carry your passport with some extra cash in a well-concealed spot. Lastly, don’t forget your travel insurance!
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Research and book in advance - Research before you go—weather, local customs, dress codes, etiquette, etc. Make sure you know the basics of what to expect before you step off the plane. You’ll make better choices and get the most out of your trip.
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Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with friends and family - Do your friends and family a favor and send them a copy of your itinerary that includes your flight times, hotel reservations, and maybe even a rough idea of your sightseeing schedule. If you will be traveling abroad, take a few minutes to register your trip with the State Department to the local embassy or consulate can contact you if necessary. Also, before any solo excursions, let the hotel staff know where you’re headed and when you expect to return.
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Stay at places that encourage talking - Look for coffee shops with large communal tables or coffee bars along the window and sit near someone.You might be able to attend a local festival or join a group excursion that will encourage you not to look like a psycho-solo-tourist!
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Start your day early - If the idea of pub crawling and going to nightclubs alone doesn't sound appealing, be an early bird instead. There are plenty of opportunities to sightsee alone and be completely safe if you visit a large, bustling city. Getting up early also makes it easier to avoid the crowds at popular attractions.
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Tuesday at 3:00pm., six weeks before your flight, has proven to be the absolute cheapest time your tickets will ever be.
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The prices for flights actually go up the more times you visit a site, so use your browser's incognito tab or delete your browser's history every time you check flight rates. Rates can also change up to 3x per day.
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Whenever you make a packaging list for a trip, make two copies, and pack the second one to make sure you bring everything back.
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Planning on bringing back a bunch of souvenirs? Stuff an extra duffel bag in your suitcase. They fold over easily to take up little space, and you can just swing it over your shoulder once it's filled with goodies.
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Some car insurance companies allow you to pause and unease your policy. For longer trips, this can help you save a few hundred dollars just by making one phone call.
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Always make sure to take a quick photo of your suitcase before traveling. This will help speed up the paperwork process if you ever lose your luggage.
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Save some space in your suitcase by tossing small things like socks, underwear, toiletries, and so on inside your shoes.
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Sick of your hat getting crushed in your suitcase? Fold up a shirt and stuff it inside the hat. No more squishy hat!
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Never get your dirty and clean clothes mixed up again; simply turn your dirty clothes inside out after wearing them.
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Pay your bills before you leave. It's probably the last thing you want to be doing, but companies still charge you interest and late charges if you're on vacation.
