If you are preparing for business travel, you may be in a quandary about exactly what you need to do and why. After all, preparing for a business trip isn’t quite like preparing for a pleasure trip. A business trip could be just the same as going to work with the added complication of being out of your office! Here are a few ideas to help you plan for your business trip in a way that reduces stress, supports productivity, and leaves a little room for fun!
Young women traveling alone may want to invest in a simple gold plated band or cubic zirconium ring. Wear the ring on your left ring finger which signals that you are married or engaged. This keeps potential suitor at bay and gives an excuse for unwanted attention in hotels, airports and buses. While it may seem a tad dishonest, it can keep you from getting hit on if you are alone in unfamiliar places.
Instead of putting your liquids in a plastic bag to prevent them from leaking, try unscrewing the lid and putting a piece of plastic from a grocery bag over the top and screwing the lid on over it. While a zip-lock bag will prevent spills from ruining things, this method will prevent things from spilling in the first place.
Walk when you can. To keep your ankles from swelling and your joints from getting sore, stand up and walk whenever you get a chance. On the plane, get up and go to the bathroom or walk the aisle, once every hour. If you have a layover, opt to take a few laps of the terminal, rather than just sitting at your gate.
For safety, when you are packing to go on a trip you should always include a first aid kit. You should also put a pair of tweezers in your suitcase in case of any splinters that get picked up along the way. You always want to be prepared for any emergency.
If you are finding it difficult to pick a place to travel to ask friends and family. The people closest to you should have some insight on the type of person you are and the the kind of destinations you should like. Wherever you go just remember to have an open mind and make the best of your trip.
Avoid the gate until it is actually time to board the plane. Many passengers will crowd the gate, hoping to be the first to be allowed on. To avoid the major hustle and bustle, hang back until you hear it is your turn. Then you can calmly walk up and get on the plane.
When it comes to destinations unknown, online bloggers are a veritable treasure trove of local information. There’s at least one in every city, in every country – someone who is passionate about their surroundings and loves discussing the things that make each place particularly wonderful. Blogs are also generally written in a completely user-friendly way, which is often easier to read than complicated rating systems on review sites.
You can make your vacation more eco-friendly by using environmentally responsible services. Do business at hotels that use green energy and offer recycling. When you know where to look, you can find many ways to stay green when you are on the road.
When going on vacation with younger kids, try to get a room where it would be easy to eat in. This will make it easier on you and the kids. After a long drive to the destination, the last thing they want to do is sit still and eat. It is nice to be a bit free, even during meal time.
It is essential to join a car-rental club before traveling. While hotel loyalty programs give you various “extras” like free breakfast, car-rental clubs help you avoid long lines and eliminate endless paperwork. They also keep you from constantly getting up-sold. A car-rental club helps you avoid stress and frustration, leading to a better traveling experience.
When traveling by car there are many ways to save money. First, pack your car as lightly as possible, this will help save on gas. Next, if you are renting a car for a large group, rent one SUV and it will save on gas and the cost of renting two vehicles. Also, assure your tire pressure is adequate, as this will help to save on gas, too. Last, use your cars cruise control function as it will run the engine efficiently and is yet another way to save on gas.
When booking airline travel, prices are generally lower on those flights that no one else is interested in taking. For example, very early morning or very late evening flights are generally the ones that are not as popular. While you may not get a good night’s sleep, you will save a fair amount of money. In addition, if you fly to your destination on Monday and back home on Thursday, you can save money as well.
If you are traveling by car for several days, think about researching fitness classes in the cities that you are driving through. Stopping at a rest stop can help you get out of the car and stretch, but joining a class at a yoga or fitness studio will let you meet people and check out the town. Look for companies that allow walk-ins and have fun!
Try locating airlines that are not popular. Many smaller airlines do exist and many are great, cheaper alternatives to the larger more popular airlines. Many of these exist for international, but you can find some domestically as well. Try getting on a flight that stops at your destination, but goes a little further too.
So remember, avoiding rushing is the key to successful business travel. By planning your travel well ahead of your meetings and obligations, you will be able to save some money, relax and have a good time. See if you can take a day off before and after the trip to avoid feeling pressured and rushed. In this way, you will have a productive and enjoyable business trip.
