Summer Travel Tips
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It would be nice to believe that summer vacations are as simple as basking on the beach in Bimini or making family memories at an oceanfront cottage in Cape Cod. But unless you’re flying on a private jet and are privy to a personal packer, there’s no escaping one simple fact: Getting the gang together and actually reaching your destination can amount to more stress than simply staying put at home.
Whether you’re flying somewhere far flung with the family, heading on a solo sojourn or packing up the wagon for the good old American road trip, we’ve put together a few pointers to put the joy back into the journey. After all, the whole point of going on vacation is to relax and have some fun. So take note, and enjoy the ride:
1. PACK LIGHT
Perhaps the oldest adage in travel -- and totally true. The weight of too much luggage is as much a mental burden as a physical one. Consider roller bags for the kids so they can drag their own gear. But if you can’t bear to pack light, think about using a luggage courier service to send baggage on to your destination so you don’t have to lug it along (Web sites such as www.luggagefree.com and www.luggageconcierge.com offer services that won’t cost you much more than the price of checking an extra bag at the airport).
2. BOOK SMART
Try to fly during off-peak hours. Mid-morning to early afternoon, Monday through Thursday, is when you’re likely to find airports the least crowded. Choose nonstop flights whenever possible. It’s often worth the extra cash to reduce the chance of delays.
3. CHECK-IN ONLINE
Most airlines will let you print out your boarding pass online 24 hours before your flight. This means that when you arrive at the airport, all that’s left to do is deposit your bags and head to security.
4. SPLURGE ON SKYCAP
When the lines inside are insane, it’s worth the few extra bucks to check your bags curbside and head straight for the security lines.
5. LOSE THE HEAVY METAL
Security lines can cause serious stress, but you can make the experience easier by wearing shoes that slip on and off easily (sandals and flip-flops are great), and leaving the heavy metal jewelry and belts in your checked bags.
6. KEEP YOUR CARRY-ONS CLUTTER FREE
If you’re plucked for that oh-so-random secondary screening, having a carry-on that’s not drowning in candy wrappers and other detritus will have you on your way as fast as possible.
7. LABEL YOUR LAPTOP
It’s second nature to tag your bag, but be sure to label your laptop with your contact info, too. Notebook computers are the number one forgotten item at security checkpoints.
8. PACK A SNACK
With so few domestic carriers offering munchies these days, packing a meal is the best way to ensure you don’t go hungry during long flights (those in-flight snack packs they sell never quite do the trick). During road trips, an old-fashioned cooler loaded with drinks and snacks offers an instant eye-opener for drowsy drivers.
9. TRUST YOUR AGENT
The Internet has certainly lead to increased autonomy with travel planning. But if you’re looking for a truly tailored trip, a travel agent is still a stellar source for personalized travel attention. Wine tours in Bordeaux or temple-hopping in Thailand, perhaps?
10. PASSPORT PROWESS
Here’s a fact you really don’t want to learn as you’re checking in for your flight: Customs agents in some countries require that your passport be valid for as long as six months after your entry date. When booking a trip abroad, visit your destination country’s embassy online to ensure your passport’s expiration date is acceptable. And if you don’t have a passport yet, now is not the time to hesitate. Requests for new passports are at an all time high, so get your order processed as soon as possible.
11. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE HEMISPHERE
Are North American summers too sweltering for your taste? Consider a south-of-the-equator vacation destination. While everyone’s sweating it up in the States during the summer months, you could be skiing in Patagonia or wine tasting during the autumn harvest in Cape Town.
12. RENTAL CAR INSURANCE
The last thing you need is to show up at a rental car office overseas to find that your American credit card won’t cover the extra insurance -- and that will be 400 euros extra, merci beaucoup. Avoid nasty surprises by calling your credit card company before leaving to figure out what is covered, and what is not.
13. ROAD RULES
A roadworthy car starts with good tires and air pressure, topped-off fluids and a healthy battery. If you’re not up to diagnosing possible problems on your own, a pre-trip checkup is a must. And when it comes time to packing your ride, be sure to load the car evenly and avoid blocking outward visibility. An emergency kit complete with jumper cables, flares, a first aid kit and a jug of water is also advisable.
14. PACKAGE DEALS
Last-minute travel Web sites and popular airfare search engines often offer fabulous rates on fly and drive vacations or airfare and hotel packages. Doing all your bookings in one spot can save you a bundle.
15. GO AGAINST THE FLOW
Europe in the summer is bound to blow the budget. If saving cash is a priority, consider off-season destinations. Ski resorts offer great summertime activities and special rates. And you’ll find much of the Caribbean far less crowded during the summer months than in the winter. Big American cities tend to empty out during summer weekends too, with residents flocking to lake houses or the beach, so it never hurts to ask for a special weekend rate.
16. STAY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Room rates and crowds swell exponentially during Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend. Consider spending the holidays at home and plan your travels for when the costs -- and crowds -- are down.