Travel is always exciting. With a little careful planning, you’ll be on your way to an ideal, stress-free trip. Before you leave, make sure you take important documents like passports and visas, and try using these tips along the way.

Take a minimum of valuable items with you when you travel. An excess of valuables will make you an obvious target for theft.

When in another country, use the ATM for pocket money rather than exchanging your cash at the local bank. The exchange rate should be better. This can save you a lot of money during your trip.

TIP! Don’t exchange your cash in another country, use an ATM instead. Banks usually have better exchange rates that are significantly better than those available to individuals.

Booking all travel arrangements well in advance is a great way to save money. Most things that you need for your trip will get more expensive as your trip approaches. You can save more money by avoiding last minute costs.

You must carry your vaccination certificates with you if you are traveling to a country that requires them. You may not be able to enter a country if you do not provide this documentation. Otherwise, you just have your word that you completed the requirements, and that just isn’t good enough.

When traveling in strange cities, be alert for criminals posing as police officers or other government officials. Never give someone your passport, because they might not give it back to you. If someone demands that you go to an office, walk. Don’t ride with someone you don’t know.

Once you have picked a destination, learn everything you can about the area. Buy a good map of the place you are going, and then look it over to learn the general area, as well as places to see. Memorize the major streets and landmarks, too.

TIP! After choosing your destination, learn more about the place you have selected. Pick up a map of the location you’re going to, so you can locate all the fun things to do, and how best to go about visiting them.

When venturing abroad, be cautious about getting into taxis. You want to ensure it is a real taxi. It doesn’t take much to place a “taxi” ad on a vehicle, but you really don’t know who you might be dealing with or what their intentions are.

It is customary to tip any hotel staff that makes your stay easier. You don’t have to overdo it, though, just a simple dollar per bag and no more than five dollars a day for the housekeeper is adequate enough. You can almost guarantee that you will have a pleasurable stay by doing so.

Use environmentally responsible services if you would like to take an eco-friendly trip. Hotels may offer features such as linen reuse, lighting that is energy efficient, recycling services, alternative energy and low flow toilets. Even restaurants and transportation can be green.

Try your best to get an aisle seat on the plane. This seating choice allows you easy access to the lavatories, overhead baggage and flight attendants, and gives you more leg room.

TIP! If you sit in an aisle seat, you’ll have more options. Other than providing a view, the window seat has few benefits where as an aisle seat will enable you unrestricted access to your overhead baggage, the restrooms, airplane staff and will also give you one side that is not bulging with another person or their belongings.

A park pass from the National Parks services will benefit you if you are planning on visiting often. It’s only $50 annually, and it covers your entry to all the national parks.

If you often find yourself forgetting items in your hotel, write yourself a reminder on your bathroom mirror using a dry-erase marker. You may be likely to lose notes jotted down on paper, but notes written on a mirror with a dry erase pen are easy to see. It is simple to clean the mirror, too; just use a tissue.

Traveling can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience when you have the right information, and you do now. Use the advice above to make sure your trip goes smoothly. The only thing left for you to do is enjoy a relaxing break from the everyday stress of your life. Like the old saying goes, the world can be yours. Get out there an explore.

When you plan a vacation trip, be flexible about your destination. Though you may enjoy visiting the same locale as a favorite, you can enjoy some variety and new memories by choosing an untested destination. Additionally, selecting a different destination can be key to saving a little money when the vacation budget is tight.