6 Essential Travel Tips

CEBU, Philippines - Vacations are for reducing stress, not adding to it. Unfortunately, things can happen to make any vacation a stressful experience, no matter how beautiful the locale or destination.

The traveler may not be able to control certain things, such as the weather or flight delays. Other things, such as missing documents or stolen credit cards, have the potential to interrupt the travel fun but do not have to end the vacation altogether, if the preparation is done right.

Before packing bags and turning on the email out-of-office message, here are six tips to make the travelers vacation one for the books:

Make copies of your ID and passport. Especially if traveling abroad, make two photocopies of your license or passport in case either is lost or stolen. Bring one copy and store it separately from your original, and leave another with a friend or relative.

Streamline your wallet. Lost wallets are the leading cause of identity theft. Only carry the cards you plan to use on your trip, and leave your checkbook and the rest of your cards at home. If you decide to bring more than one credit card, consider stashing the extra, along with account information and customer service numbers for the cards you have with you, in a hotel safe or other secure location.

Check out guides. Before you book that zip-lining, parasailing or river-rafting trip, check online for any customer reviews. Seeing what others have to say about the tour company and the excursion can help you choose a safe and well-run adventure.

Travel like a local. When visiting any location, know your surroundings and plan your route in advance. Be aware of how the locals talk and dress, and consider whether certain actions will make you stand out as a tourist and try to remedy it.

Check the weather. Into every life – and vacation – a little rain must fall, so take steps to protect yourself from lightning, hail, thunderstorms and severe weather by monitoring the local weather in your destination and packing the appropriate gear. Also, keep tabs on the weather at home to make sure your property is protected.

Avoid oversharing online. Posting photos or checking in on social media sites advertises your absence from home. Real-time updates can be tempting, but wait until you return safely home before sharing your adventures.

Take advantage of your time away to decompress and relax by taking a few steps to help avoid potential problems before you travel. (www.travelers.com)