San Jaun Snow Treks

Everyone wants their trips to be stress-free, but that’s not always the case.  One of the things that can cause a lot of stress is preparing for the trip.  If you don’t pack the right clothing, take everything you need, and know your travel information, you can end up being stressed out before you even start your luxury holiday.  When it comes to pre-trip planning, here are some things to keep in mind.

Don’t just open your suitcases and start throwing cloths in.  Instead, make a list of outfits you’ll need.  If you don’t plan on doing anything that requires fancy dress, leave the suits and evening gowns at home.  If you don’t plan on swimming, don’t pack a bathing suit.  If you only need three pairs of pants, don’t pack five.  Packing too much doesn’t leave you much luggage space, but on the other hand, packing too little can cause problems as well.  Know how much clothing you need so you end up with just the right amount.

Make a list of everything you need to take with you.  This can include the standard items like shampoo, a hair brush, and clothing, but it should also include anything specific to the trip.  For business trips, this might mean brochures, business cards, or your presentation.  For holidays, it may include event tickets, a guide book, and your camera.

You also need to know everything about your flight (or bus/train trip), hotel booking, and rental car, if you have one.  Be sure to take copies of any receipts and booking confirmation numbers, and leave a copy of this information with a friend or family member, too.  You should also know how to get from the airport or bus station to your hotel.  Does the hotel offer a shuttle?  Does the airport provide transportation?  Don’t wait until you arrive to ask.

Finally, plan out your itinerary.  Start by filling in everything that has a set time and day, and then add in other events.  Don’t plan out every single moment—you may arrive and find something really interesting that you didn’t know about.  However, it is helpful to have a plan so you don’t waste time trying to decide what to do.

Tags: business trips, holiday, hotel, luggage, pre-trip planning, travel information

Travelling can be boring—you’re basically stuck in a chair for hours at a time.  How can you pass the time?  There are several different things you can do, but you’ll need to pack certain items to enjoy some of these pastimes. You can always sleep.  Taking a nap while flying or travelling by bus, especially if you’re travelling early in the morning or late at night, is certainly a great way to pass the time.  However, there are some issues to this.  Some people find the seats on a plane or bus too uncomfortable, even when leaned all the way back.  Others find the motion of the vehicle too disruptive, especially if an airplane hits turbulence. Another issue when trying to sleep is noise, and to combat that, some people take along a CD or MP3 player.  While playing music loudly can irritate other passengers, keeping the noise level down so only you can hear it can help block out other noises.  Most people listen to music while reading (another way to pass the time), sleeping, or just looking out the window.  If you don’t want to talk to your neighbour or other passengers (some people don’t enjoy this), you can also put your headphones on as a way of saying that you don’t want to be disturbed. Many long flights feature movies as a way of passing the time.  Some newer planes even feature small built-in televisions on the back of the seat in front of you, and you can select what movie you watch.  Others have large televisions for everyone to watch.  Flights also include two or three magazines you can read.  Many people like to take other magazines or books to entertain themselves on long flights. Once your flight is in the air, you’re allowed to use electronic devices like laptops, portable DVD players, and hand-held video games.  These are also great ways of passing the time, although again, be sure your volume is not loud enough to bother others.  On long flights, your device may not have enough battery power to last the entire time, so have some other forms of entertainment prepared.

Tags: travelling

If you go on a long flight, you’re likely to experience jet lag upon landing.  Jet lag is caused by the fact that the world is divided into time zones.  Travelling through those time zones throws off your body’s internal clock.  If you travel from Europe to the United States, you may end up in a time zone that is eight hours behind your normal time.  This means when its 3 am at home, it may be only 6 pm where you are. Dealing with jet lag can be difficult.  After all, your body says it should be asleep at about the time you’re eating dinner.  If you’re travelling the other way, you may need to be up for breakfast about the time you’re usually going to bed. To deal with this, try to arrange your trip so that you arrive about a day or so before you have to do anything.  If that’s not possible (and it often isn’t, especially if you’re on a business trip and your company is making all of the arrangements), try to at least give yourself a few hours between the time you arrive at your hotel and the time you have to be somewhere.  This will let you take a short nap or at least rest for a bit. Another way of dealing with jet lag is to change your sleep cycle the day before you leave.  If you know it will be later in the evening when you arrive, try staying up later than you normally would the day before you travel.  This way, you’ll arrive fairly tired so you should be able to sleep even if it’s usually afternoon your time.  On the other hand, you can try sleeping later in the day before you leave so you’ll be fresh when you arrive. If none of those options are possible, you can always take some sleeping medication to help you sleep and drink a lot of coffee and other caffeinated beverages.  While this obviously isn’t the healthiest way of dealing with jet lag, it may be the only option if you don’t have time to nap.

Tags: business trip, Europe, hotel, jet lag, travel, travelling, United States

Nearly everyone uses a computer in their line of work or for pleasure, and many people who own laptop computers take them everywhere, even on holiday.  While you may love the idea of checking your email and browsing the internet from your hotel, there are a few things you should remember when you take your laptop with you on holiday.

The first is that you should backup all of your data before you leave.  This is a good idea for two reasons.  First, you never know when a thief may strike.  Second, your laptop could be damaged while travelling.  Additionally, you need to write down all of the serial numbers on your laptop and your laptop accessories.  Having these numbers makes it much easier to recover your laptop in the event that it is stolen.

Of course no one wants their property to be taken, and there are several things you can do to protect your laptop.  First, even though your hotel room should be secure, if you leave, always put your laptop back in its bag and put that bag in the closet or in a drawer.  Don’t leave your laptop out in plain sight.

If you’re taking your laptop out with you, use a shoulder strap with your bag and wear it over your neck so someone can’t just pull it off your shoulder and run off with it.  Also, never leave your laptop unattended.  If you’re using it in a restaurant or café and need to use the restroom, pack it up and take it with you.  Don’t assume the café staff will watch it.

Tags: holiday, hotel, hotel room, travelling

Travelling by bus is different from travelling by plane and even by going by car or train.  There are, in fact, some specific things you need to take into account when travelling by bus.

First, safety is of more concern when you’re travelling by bus.  Unlike on a plane, people get on and off the bus between your starting point and your final destination.  In fact, it’s possible you’ll get on and off the bus multiple times before your journey is done.  Every time you get off the bus, take all of your carry-on luggage with you.  Otherwise, you run the risk of someone taking your things.  This is especially important if you have a laptop with you.  Also, be certain to always have your bus ticket on hand.  You may need to present it when you re-board the bus.

Keep in mind that others on the bus may be trying to sleep or otherwise relax, so you need to keep your noise to a minimum.  This includes keeping your CD or MP3 player turned down so only you can hear it.  Likewise, keep your mobile phone calls to a minimum or, when you must use the phone, don’t speak loudly.

You also need to plan your meals around bus stop breaks.  Your ticket should list all of the stops the bus will make.  You may want to have an early lunch or at least get a snack if you see that the bus won’t be stopping around lunch or dinner time.  Be sure to pack a few snacks as well so you’ll have something to eat during long periods of travel.

Tags: luggage, travel, travelling

Travelling by yourself can be a lot of fun—you can set your own schedule, do what you want to do, and make your own plans.  However, travelling by yourself can also be somewhat dangerous, especially if you find yourself in any sort of trouble. When travelling alone, be certain you always know how to get back to your hotel when you go out.  If you get lost in a strange city, you may find yourself wandering through a less than safe neighbourhood.  If this does happen to you, try to stick to the streets that are well-lit and ask for help from shop assistants or other reputable-looking people.  Keep an eye on your surroundings, too.  Don’t walk with your head down, and watch for others. If you have a mobile phone, program in the number for your hotel so you can call them if you get lost.  Likewise, you might ask the hotel staff for the number of a good taxi firms so you can call and get a ride in case you end up too far from your hotel. If you’re going out, watch your handbag or other bag.  Never leave your personal items unattended.  If you’re in a restaurant and need to use the restroom, be certain to always take your bags with you.  It can be inconvenient, yes, but it’s better than coming back only to find that someone has walked away with your stuff. Don’t be afraid to go out and have a good time while travelling alone, but do be careful.  Keep aware of your surroundings, know how to get back to your hotel, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.  If you keep your safety in mind, you’ll be just fine.

Tags: hotel, travelling

Travelling for a long distance can be tiring, especially if you’re on a long international flight or have a bus or train trip that’s going to take several days.  However, it can be difficult to sleep while travelling.  Some people simply can’t do it.  If you have issues resting while in transit, here are some tips that might help you. Take along a CD player or MP3 player to block out the noise.  One of the main reasons some people can’t sleep is because of others talking or the sound of the vehicle.  Just remember to keep the volume down to a reasonable level so those around you don’t complain.  The last thing you want is to disturb someone else while you’re trying to rest. If the motion of the vehicle bothers you or you have anxiety while flying, look into medication to help with your upset stomach or nerves.  Don’t simply buy something over the counter, either - ask your doctor for a recommendation or even a prescription so you know that what you purchase will actually help you relax and rest during your trip. Reading a book or a magazine can help some people relax enough to sleep, as can working crossword puzzles or other brain teasers.  The first several hours of your trip are likely to be exciting just because you’re finally off, but after that, expect some boredom to sit in.  If you’re simply not tired, you’ll want something to entertain yourself with.  If you do want to sleep, be sure to avoid any sort of stimulant - either decline the in-flight beverage or ask for something with no caffeine in it.  Likewise, avoid snack foods that might keep you from sleeping.

Tags: train trip, travelling

While travelling for pleasure is great, many people travel for business.  One of the main business reasons for travelling is to attend a conference or other professional meeting.  These can be a lot of fun, especially if they’re the only time you get to see some professional acquaintances, but conferences also bring about their own set of safety concerns.

The first concern is that many conferences give attendees name badges.  Attendees often need these badges to get into events and other activities, and they have to keep up with their badge for the entire duration of the conference.  So what’s bad about this?  A lot of people forget to remove their badges when the conference activities are over for the day and wear it outside of the hotel or meeting location.  This means that anyone who sees you knows your name.  In this age of identity theft, it’s never a good idea to let strangers know who you are.  Always remember take off your name badge when the conference is over for the day.

Another issue is drinking alcohol.  Some conferences actually have an open bar, and participants often go out for a drink or two after conference events.  If you’re not drinking in your hotel’s bar, don’t imbibe too much.  It’s never a good idea to be impaired in a strange city, especially if you are not staying at the same hotel as the rest of your party.

Know where you’re going.  Nothing can be as stressful as missing a conference event because you don’t know where it is.  Stressing and panicking can also lead to making mistakes or getting lost because you’re rushing.  When you first arrive, make certain you know where you need to go, especially if you have to leave your hotel and go to another location.

Tags: hotel, travelling

When going on holiday, or even when going to a different city for work on a conference, it seems like family and friends always expect you to bring them back a souvenir.  However, finding the perfect souvenir can be difficult.  For one thing, it can be very hard to get some souvenirs back to your friends, especially if they’re very large.

The first souvenir idea isn’t that original, but it is easy to transport—a t-shirt.  T-shirts are usually inexpensive as well, plus you can always find a shirt that fits the personality of each family member or friend.

Another small, cheap souvenir is a fridge magnet.  Many people collect magnets, and most hotel gift shops sell some very interesting magnets.  Some are three dimensional, some have moving parts, and some can even be personalised with names or have a slot for a photo.  Magnets are also great gifts if you don’t have a lot of baggage space to devote to souvenirs.

Likewise, pens and pencils can be good gifts that don’t take up a lot of room and are fairly inexpensive.  They’re also useful, practical gifts since people are always looking for a pen or pencil to take message with or for taking notes.

Post cards can be a nice, inexpensive souvenir as well.  What’s great about them is that you can post them to your friends while you’re on holiday and write them a little note about your trip.  This can add a personal touch to your souvenir.  Just remember to take along stamps or find a place to purchase them early in your trip.

Local foods can also be a good gift, but you have to be careful about buying anything in breakable bottles.  The last thing you want is to purchase a bottle of local barbeque sauce, back it in your luggage, and then get home to find that it broke.  If you do purchase breakable souvenirs, try to keep them small enough to put them in your carry-on bag or wrap them in a paper sack if you’re putting it in your luggage.

Tags: holiday, souvenir

Family holidays are great adventures that everyone will long remember. Make those memories fond ones by planning ahead. Here are some tips.

1. Determine your budget. There are holiday opportunities for every budget. If funds are tight, look for attractions close to home. If you can afford a little more, determine how much it would cost to take that dream trip. Start saving now for ultimate trips such as cruises or theme parks.

2. Consider everyone’s interests. Make sure everyone has some input into where to go and what to do. Make sure everyone has something to look forward to.

3. Allow rest breaks. Small children especially need some down time every day. It’s well worth everyone’s sanity to forego some attractions if it means everyone will be well rested.

4. Start planning early. Many popular attractions take reservations months in advance. If this is your year to visit Disneyland, start doing your research as early as you’ve made that decision.

5. Pack adequately. There are many resources online to help you pack exactly what you need. Make sure you pack enough to meet your needs, but not so much that you will be weighed down with unnecessary junk.

6. Check regulations. In this uncertain world, travel restrictions and regulations change often. Make sure your documentation and immunisation records are in order.

7. Confirm all your reservations before your departure. Carry your documentation (US documentation guidelines) with you when you leave.

8. Be security minded: Stop your newspaper and your mail delivery. Notify local police you will be away but be guarded about your travel plans with everyone else. While on your trip, do not flash expensive jewellery or large sums of money.

9. Be patient. Mishaps are part of any holiday adventure. By handling the unexpected calmly, you will get through it more smoothly.

10. Enjoy yourself. This is your holiday. It’s a chance to grow closer with your family.

Tags: adventures, Disneyland, holidays