13 Feb 09 Tips on Packing
Airlines are cutting down on the amount of baggage passengers are allowed to take. In fact, many have actually cut out all free checked baggage—you have to pay for every bag you check. Along the same lines, taking a lot of baggage with you on a train or bus can be a hassle, plus there may be some extra costs if you have a lot of luggage. To avoid these extra charges, here are some packing tips for you to keep in mind.
If you don’t need it, don’t take it. Only take those things are you know you’ll absolutely need. If you aren’t planning on going to an event that requires formalwear, don’t take anything fancy. If you don’t plan on using your hotel’s swimming pool, don’t pack your swimsuit. Try to avoid taking more than one pair of shoes since shoes can take up a good amount of space.
Take clothes that can be mixed and matched. Jeans can often be worn for a couple of days before they need to be washed, so they can be worn with several different shirts. Likewise, you may be able to wear a t-shirt twice if you wear it as an undershirt.
Buy travel-sized toiletries. Instead of taking full-sized bottles, pick up small trial or travel-sized ones. They take up far less space in your bags. You can also use the soaps and shampoos found in your hotel room’s bathroom if you don’t want to pack your own.
Combine luggage. If you’re travelling with your spouse or a friend, pack everything in one bag instead of two. Splitting the cost of one checked bag instead of paying for two can help you both save money. Another option, especially if you’re only going to be out of two for a few days, is to pack everything into a carry-on.
Tags: baggage, hotel, hotel room, luggage, packing tips, travelling
12 Dec 08 Taking Your Pet on Holiday with you
Some people prefer to board their pets when they go out of town or hire someone to either house sit or visit their home every day to take care of their pets. However, some people like to take their dog or cat with them when they travel. There are some issues to this, but if you’re serious about travelling with your furry friend, it can be done.
First, you have to book lodging that will take animals. Not all hotels accept pets, and those that do may charge you extra to have your pet stay in the room with you. Make certain you know exactly what the pet policy is before you book the hotel. You may actually want to call the hotel and find out all of the regulations concerning pets in the room, including noise, where you can take them, and how you should go about dealing with their bathroom breaks.
Transportation is also going to be an issue if you aren’t driving. Often, you have to place your pet in some sort of pet carrier, and they generally have to travel with checked baggage or in a special section of the plane, bus, or train. Again, there’s a charge to transport your pet, and you should know all of the procedures before you arrive at the airport, train station, or bus station.
Finally, you want to think about what your pet will do while you’re travelling. If you’re going to be out and about to plays, conference events, meetings, or at other events, you may not be able to take your pet with you. If you’re going to be doing things that aren’t dog or cat friendly, you may actually want to consider leaving your pet at home. There’s no real reason to pay extra if you’re just going to leave your animal in your hotel room all day. Also, if you’re going to be visiting relatives or friends, you should make certain none of them are allergic before you arrive with your pet.
Tags: airport, baggage, hotels, travelling
