Travel Tips

Regardless if you are a seasoned or first time flyer, I have some tips that can make those long flights a bit more bearable! 
The general idea is to bring as little as possible, but still be comfortable and have everything you need, and maybe a few things you want.  So if you have a big trip coming up, and are feeling a bit overwhelmed about what to bring, I am here to give you some tips!

To Do Before You Leave
-Call your cell phone company and have them enable international calls and Inquire as to the roaming price – you may need it in an emergency
-Notify your bank of your travel destinations and dates so they don’t freeze your account! Also - although the commercials claim it, amex is not everywhere you want to be, visa and mastercard are!
-Exchange rates - At the ATM, you sometimes will have the option to let the local bank pick the rate or let your bank do it, go with your bank! It is always a good idea to carry cash because american credit cards do not have the smart chip yet and a lot of european cards have it so you may have trouble using your card.
-Be prepared and print out your itinerary and include maps – we tried to put our maps on our ipod and it was an epic fail – too small, you couldn’t see anything – maybe an ipad would be better if you want to go electronic.
-Scan your passport photo & have an electronic copy in your email just in case you lose it, this makes obtaining a replacement a lot easier!

Security
-Report your international trip to the Dept of State https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/
-Check the Dept of State website and know emergency phone numbers
    -The number for US citizen services (for emergencies 24/7)
            daytime - 212-661-79-70-00 nightime - 212-661-13-19-39


Travel Apps for iPhone – Pay attention to what applications require the internet, because you may not have service or are roaming overseas & won’t have access to them.
-Most large cities worldwide have transit map apps - some are free too
-My Language is free translator tool – very helpful, but needs the internet
-Tripcase is a great program that will organize all aspects of your travel (flight, rental car, hotel) and it will notify you, or others you designate, if there are changes in your flight and also can do take-off and landing notifications.  This app does not require the internet once the information was e-mailed and downloaded to your phone once.

Here is my list of necessary carry-on accessories!


You can carry-on any bag you want, but my friend is a representative for Thirty-One Gifts, and they have some super cute bags!  Check out the site - Here


The Essentials - I recommend keeping these things in a smaller pull-out bag so you can schlep it to the bathroom with you all in 1 easy little case.
-Hand sanitizer – Traveling involves lots of people in a small space, and you don’t want to have to get up from your seat every time you eat or have a snack so pack a travel sized hand sanitizer and resist the swine flu!
-Face wipes – I prefer the pre-moistened type such as olay daily facials express wet cleansing cloths, they will also take off make-up so you do not have to schlep your liquid make-up remover with you on your trip.
-Toothbrush – those long international flights make your teeth feel fuzzy, right?  So you have a few options for toothbrushig in-flight.  
I personally really like the wisp – it’s a small, disposable toothbrush with toothpaste on it, and on the other end it also has a toothpick.   


The popbrush is a cool travel sized toothbrush, just make sure to bring along your travel sized toothpaste...and clearly you can get them for advertising =)


Obviously, you can bring your normal toothbrush, and when I do, I toss it in a Violight toothbrush UV sanitizer.
They also make disposable flossers that are convenient for traveling. 

-Extra clothes – It is generally recommended to pack an extra set of clothes in case your luggage goes to an alternate destination – but I rarely do this, and have only regretted it twice. Its up to you!


Long flights
Like really, really long flight to Europe or Australia?  Here are a few tips for surviving-

The international flights I pick usually are night flights, so I can sleep at my normal time and wake-up on the other side of the lake! 

Long flight essentials – Some airlines such as quantas provide such amenities, but if they don’t… you don’t want to be stuck on a 12 hour flight without these!
-Ear plugs – pretty self-explanatory.  Hearos make some pretty good ones.  These will also come in handy when you are staying in hotels with thin walls. =)
-Sedation – Yep, I said it.  And nowadays you have more options than just destined for fuzzy brain Benadryl.  I like to use Dramamine, and if you prefer the more natural route, take some melatonin, which is a chemical naturally found in your brain to regulate sleep and wake cycles. 

-Eye shade – Long international flights generally dim the lights after serving a meal, but if that is not enough for you, then bring along some eye shades
-Travel socks/slippers – Sounds silly, I know, but my mother in law gave me these really cute lamb slippers that travel with me on every international flight.  On a long flight you are going to want to kick off your shoes and relax.  So bring along some comfy slippers to make you more comfortable.
-Travel Blanket – They usually hand these out and I am fine to use them, but if you prefer your own, bring it! 
-Contacts/Glasses - If you wear contacts, the dry air on airplanes can really dry them out, and if you plan to sleep, doctors generally recommend removing them.  So don’t forget to pack your solution, and glasses.
*Clear Care contact solution warning - The "travel pack carry-on size" box would lead one to believe that you can pack it in your carry-on bag, but that is not the case! This solution contains peroxide, and the little red line at the top of the label on the bottle alerts TSA staff that you are attempting to bring peroxide on board and they will take it! False advertising at its worst!!


Travel Sized items worth checking out

-Razors – I love the travel sized intuition – no need for shave crème – Also, keep the plastic cap for storage. 
-Hair Care – Conair 2 in 1 curler/straightener or a travel flat iron with heat proof wrap
            *Check international amperages!
-Scentsy Travel Tin - $5 to help your luggage or hotel room smell better? DONE!
            *My friend is a consultant, and you can get them Here

Entertainment
Do you have kids or an annoying husband who prefers to poke you rather than catch up on the latest trends?  Here is a list for your entertainment-
-e-readers – Heres why I love it – Its small and you can bring multiple books and travel guides in a compact size without elbowing your neighbor for 9 hours.
-Travel sized Electronic movie/game console – A lot of international flights have in-flight entertainment, but if they don’t its going to be a loooooooong flight without one! 

Long taxi & take-off? – Bring a book of soduku or word games to keep everyone entertained during times when electronics cannot be used.

Other Electronics

*It is VERY important to pay attention to amperages and have the correct plug changers so that you can operate your electronics sans explosion.

- Travel power strip – If your hubby is like mine, he has more electronics than a radio shack. Monster Cable makes a compact power strip that can handle european voltages
-Plug changers – European wall plugs have different shapes than ours, so bring along a plug changer so you can charge everything
-It may also be a good idea to carry a portable battery back-up, New Trent makes a compact, portable charger for necessary electronics like your phone that you may need in a pinch.
-If you are planning on doing some driving, bring along an aux input jack to listen to your tunes 
-Plug with a USB outlet you can plug into the car or wall – To charge everything with a USB - make sure to check the input


Tips for Hubbies
-Why carry 2 belts when you can get one that is black/brown reversible
-Soap/shampoo bar combo from J.R. Liggett’s *from an old new England recipe =)

Miscellaneous
-Medicine! – Are you prone to allergies, or a sensitive stomach?  It is important to bring along your regular medications, plus a few extras “just in case”.  Some countries do not have the same medicines available over the counter for the occasional sniffle or upset stomach.  Bring along a small number of a variety of medicines that you could anticipate being helpful. At least bring pepto, you’ll thank me later. =)
-Check the weather!  And always plan for rain – bring a jacket with a hood, or samsonite makes a great travel sized umbrella
-Fast flats – You will most likely do a good amount of walking, and if you opt for cute shoes, bring a plan B so your feet don’t hate you in the morning.  Dr. Scholl’s makes small flats you can stash in your purse and swap out in a flash!
-Travel Jewelry holder
-Dirty clothes bag to separate them from your clean clothes
-Cutex nail polish remover pads - no liquid acetone!

Safe Travels!
~Maine Girl

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