Being thrown into a new, exotic place brings a sense of excitement. But, it can also bring anxiety on how to deal with the unfamiliar, even if you are accustomed to foreign travel. Before you book your trip and pull out your luggage, look over these tips and advice, it should help make planning your vacation a lot easier. Save time and take some of the stress out of vacation planning.

Use an ATM when you are in a distant country. Banks frequently offer more advantageous exchange rates. This can save you a lot of money during your trip.

When going abroad, write down your important information. This includes the information of the place you are staying and who is going with you. This is your first point of contact if an issue arises. They can help with the issues you experience.

If you have to have a vaccination in order to get into a particular country, carry your paperwork with you. You never know when you may need it, so it should be on your person at all times. If you don’t have this certificate, authorities may quarantine you and prevent you from traveling.

Be flexible when considering your vacation destination. You can have fun making a routine when revisiting, but maintaining variety can make it more relaxing and memorable. A different destination may save you hundreds of dollars.

Digital Camera

As you plan your trip, pick a digital camera that really suits your needs. For instance, rechargeable batteries are not great for backpacking in the woods for a week. Try to find a digital camera you can turn on and focus quickly. You don’t want to miss anything memorable.

Try signing up for travel price watcher. This is a feature many travel sites use, and allows you to enter the destination you want and it will watch for deals for you. When the prices of the hotel or airfares drop to the level of your choosing, the website will alert you with an email about the change. This helps you avoid the hassle of always having to check.

Throw a few clothespins into your suitcase. While not on your typical travel list, a handful of clothespins can prove very useful.

Too often, we carry half of our home belongings along with us when we travel. Focus on your toiletries. Make yourself a list of the things you use daily. Pack your items based on importance and necessity.

Get your things organized quickly. Avoid searching throughout your house for trip items such as toiletries, chargers and travel pillows. Buy a storage bin to help organize everything that is related to travel. A container that can be put under your bed is fine, as it will hide things but be easily accessible for your next trip.

Go green on your next trip by securing services that are responsible to the environment. Lots of hotels offer linen reuse options, use energy-saving lights and take part in recycling programs. There may also be car rental companies, tour operators, restaurants, and other traveling providers that can help travelers “travel green.”

If you plan on renting a car, it is important that you read over the rental agreement before starting your trip. You don’t want to pay for extra insurance if you don’t need it. Vehicle insurance policies often have some third party liability coverage. So it is important to check with your auto insurance company before beginning purchasing an additional policy.

Without research, a trip can turn into a disaster. Reading reviews from others who have traveled to your destination is key. Use their information to avoid common pit-falls and less than ideal hotels or attractions.

Give your itinerary to someone you know. Put any places you are going to visit and the phone number and address. Also, make sure they have copies of your ticket and flight information, along with the identification page of your passport.

Long travel times can lead to frustration and discomfort, so you should make an effort to stretch and move about once an hour, if not more frequently. Sitting for extended periods is bad for the muscles and can even be dangerous. It can cause blood clots.

Prior to traveling, all important documents must be copied. Keep the copies of your insurance, passport, and other documents in a safe location while you carry the originals along with you. Leave copies with someone you can trust in case you lose the ones you are taking with you.

Look at the alarm in the room before turning in. The last thing you want is to be awakened by the alarm the previous occupant had set.

To save money, invite friends when traveling overseas. You may get discounts for having larger groups. You can save a great deal of money on anything from dining to airfare simply by getting a group rate. Get in touch with your circles of friends to find fellow travelers.

There is lots of temptation along the road, especially when it comes to business purposes. While it may be a vacation, it is never recommended you spend the entire trip dining to experience the cultural tastes of new lands. Try to spend some time exercising if time allows to prevent your body from exhausting itself due to weight gain or simply something that did not agree with you. That way, you will keep in shape and maintain a high energy level.

With these tips in mind, your next trip could be the journey of a lifetime. Whether you have been on over ten trips or this being your first, you will have a more memorable and fun trip than you could have ever imagined.