Vacations enjoyable, relaxing and something everyone anticipates. Traveling to your destination, however, is not always fun. From booking rooms and flights to packing before boarding the train or plane, there are many things that go awry. Here are some tips that will remove the stress from the planning stages and help you enjoy your trip.

Always carry an updated color photo of your child with you. This will come in handy if they are ever lost. Losing a child in a foreign place can be very stressful and scary. With that said, it is best to be prepared for worst case scenarios. Being able to show a photo might make a critical difference in the time it takes to locate your child should he or she get lost.

If you are traveling through a smaller airport, go online to see what airlines are there. Many small airports offer charter airlines; they may not show up as you search for rates, and sometimes can offer a better deal than major airlines.

Sign up to receive emails for watching travel prices. This feature is offered by some websites and lets you input your desired destinations for it to watch. Once the price drops to your specifications, then you will receive an email alert. The alerts keep you from having to constantly check on such matters.

Provide someone in your family with your travel itinerary. This assures that someone will know how to contact you, if necessary. You should also contact that person regularly. Hearing from you occasionally and knowing your whereabouts eases their minds.

You may miss home when you go on a trip far away and want to carry along too many mementos. To avoid taking too much, just take the necessary toiletries. Write down the ones that you definitely need. Just pack the essentials.

Keep a rain cost on hand at all times. The weather could be tumultuous, wherever you go. That coat can also serve as protection on a windy afternoon or even be used as a robe around your hotel room.

Use melted hotel ice to get filtered water for your morning coffee. Rather than making do with tap water, let the ice melt in the ice bucket. You can brew your coffee in the morning with fresh filtered water.

Avoid rush hours of any city when travelling by car. At the very least, take a stop during that time. This is the time to grab a snack or let your children run around for awhile.

Everyone can’t afford to stay somewhere like the Ritz, but you may get stuck staying in a hotel that’s below one star. If you aren’t comfortable with the area but have no choice, pack an ordinary rubber doorstop. In addition to chaining and locking your door, you can slide it under your door for extra protection from intruders. Intruders won’t just have to break the lock and chain, they will have to get past rubber firmly wedged beneath the door.

Be aware of your passport’s expiration date. Most countries have passport regulations with which you must comply. Some countries won’t allow you to come to their country if your passport is about to expire. Many countries require that your passport is valid for more than six months after entering their country.

When traveling abroad, research currency rates in advance of your trip. Knowing how much a dollar is worth overseas makes it easier to calculate a budget and plan a trip that won’t cost too much. You’re going to have more fun this way, and you’re not going to spend too much money.

Jet Lag

Travels across different time zones can result in serious jet lag. If you get a lot of sleep leading up to the trip, you’ll experience less jet lag. You should also try sleeping during the flight.

If you are going to be renting a car, make sure you review your auto insurance policy prior to leaving home. You probably don’t need the extra insurance the salesman wants to push on you. In many cases, insurance policies on vehicles also include basic coverage in the case of a third party liability. So it is important to check with your auto insurance company before beginning purchasing an additional policy.

If you don’t do the proper research beforehand, that dream vacation can turn into a nightmare. Search for ideas online. Their reviews may also help you choose hotels and avoid dangerous areas.

Bring stuff to do on your road trip. This can break up the boredom that you may experience. Make an itinerary for your kids so that they will know what to expect along the way.

If you are traveling to a country with low water quality, don’t forget to pack bottled water. Unfortunately drinking water in most countries will cause you to get sick because it is not purified. Don’t forget to use bottled water when brushing your teeth either. You can also become ill from tap water.

Do remember to tip generously. When you get on the ship, give your steward $20. Chances are, the same people you see working when boarding are the same workers through the cruise. They will treat you better if you are generous with them.

If you are planning on getting travel insurance, it pays to be honest. Tell your provider when you are sick. If the insurance company can prove you were sick when you bought the insurance, the claim can be denied due to it being a preexisting condition. That could be a very expensive mistake.

Be wary of travel-deal emails. Don’t even bother opening travel emails unless they come from a company that you gave explicit permission to email you.

So there you have it, the tips and tricks used by experts, to make traveling more enjoyable. The next time you’re planning a vacation, try out these tips. They will offer some relief in making your plans.