The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

travel advice

How to Plan an International Trip: Tips and Tricks for Your Travels

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Travel can be exciting, fun and it’s supposed to broaden the mind too. Over 41.7 million Americans agree. That’s how many U.S. citizens traveled abroad in 2018.

If you’re about to travel out of the country, you need some tips that can help make it an experience to remember. Read on to learn how to plan an international trip.

How to Plan an International Trip

Like many things in life, a successful international trip takes planning. Treat it like a project and your careful preparation will make your trip of a lifetime a wonderful experience and not a chaotic disaster.

Use a simple planning tool such as timeline creator to visualize your itinerary. It makes it easy to check where you are meant to be at any time.

Research

There are some dull and serious things you need to do before the holiday fun starts. Check out the safety and security of your trip. The government publishes travel advisory and alerts about any countries where there are risks.

You should check the published information about the countries you will be visiting. Check entry and exit requirements and any visa requirements. Do this as soon as possible to resolve any issue as it can take some time.

Check local customs, laws, medical facilities and transport arrangements. Take a note of the U.S. embassy or consulate address and telephone number.

Check any vaccination requirements or other health risks. Get vaccinations organized in plenty of time.

Money Preparation

Let your bank know that you will be taking a trip. This will make it less likely that they will block your card thinking that it may be stolen. While you are doing this, check how best to obtain local currency, use credit or debit cards and use ATMs in your destination country.

Prepare Documents

Just to be safe, make a couple of copies of your travel documents in case of theft or loss. Take one set with you but keep it apart from the originals. Leave the other set at home with a friend.

Obtain a passport. It might take several months to get one so plan ahead. If you already have a passport many countries require the passport to be valid for more than six months after your return and have two or more unstamped pages remaining in it.

Some countries require a visa. See the U.S. government travel advisory to check this. If you need a visa, contact the embassy of the country you are visiting for details about how to obtain one.

Medication

Not all countries share U.S. regulations about medications. If you are taking prescriptions drugs abroad you should check that they are permissible in the countries you are visiting. You may need some documentation to take with the drugs.

Driving

Driving abroad can be a challenge. Not all countries drive on the same side of the road or have the driver’s position on the left side of the vehicle. This can take some adaptation.

Some countries do not accept a U.S. driver’s license. Check if you need an International Driving Permit. When renting a car, check the insurance cover you get thoroughly before you travel to avoid expensive surprises.

Plan for Fun

Planning well can reduce mishaps and distractions from the enjoyment of your trip. It leaves you free from travel anxiety. Now you know how to plan an international trip, you can plan to have fun.

Keep browsing our site for more exciting travel tips.

Business Travel: How to Prepare for a Business Trip

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Group of business people in the airport terminal on arrival or before departure

Americans go on over 400 million long-distance business trips annually.

If you’re in a profession that involves a lot of business travel, soon you’ll be a pro. But your first trip may be a little intimidating. After all, a business trip is very different from your normal vacation travel.

Preparing for a business trip takes more than just packing a suitcase. Keep reading to learn how to prepare for a business trip.

Pack Appropriately

Yes, a business trip is much more than packing, but that doesn’t mean you can overlook properly packing.

We suggest packing everything you need in carry-on luggage. That way, you don’t run the risk of losing your luggage and ending up without your clothes and business materials. Most business trips aren’t that long, so you should be able to pack everything you need in a carry-on suitcase.

To ensure everything fits, make sure to roll your clothes instead of folding them. Also, place all of your toiletries or liquid items in sealed plastic bags. That way, if an item breaks or leaks, you won’t be rushing to find a laundromat.

Once you pack your carry-on with your clothes, toiletries, and shoes, you need to pack your personal bag. We suggest a suitcase to carry all your breakable technology and work-related paperwork. You can carry it on the plane with you and it’s professional enough to use when you attend your business meetings.

Plan for Work and Play 

When deciding what clothes to bring for your business trip, remember that even the busiest of business trips involve some free time.

Figure out how many days you’ll have business obligations, such as meetings or conferences. That’s how many complete business outfits you’ll need.

But just because you have three days of meetings, doesn’t mean you need three pairs of pants and three separate business suits. Plan to pack versatile items that you can wear for multiple days. So you may have one nice pair of slacks and one blazer. Then you can change out the shirt or tie for each separate day, this saves you room when packing.

Plan to pack at least a few outfits for your free time. After a long day of business work, you’ll want to relax in clothing you feel comfortable in.

Also, bring one dressier outfit in case a client or boss invites you out to a fancy dinner or for drinks. You never know what situation you’ll end up with during business travel so it’s best to plan for every situation.

Practice Your Elevator Pitch

Many people focus on packing and forget all about preparing mentally for the trip. When you’re on a business trip, your elevator pitch is very important.

You may end up with the chance to talk to a future employer or large client. You don’t want to clam up and stumble on your words!

Every good business person has multiple elevator pitches depending on the audience. Practice each one in front of the mirror or to a friend.

Along with your elevator pitch, make sure you pack a stack of fresh business cards as your follow-up. Getting caught in a conversation without your business card is a huge indicator that you’re new at business communication. Always keep a few in your wallet, suitcase, and pockets so you’re never caught empty-handed.

Find the Right Accommodations

When traveling, your accommodations can make or break any trip. Business travel doesn’t have to look like a run-down motel with a lumpy mattress. Booking comfortable accommodations means you’ll be well-rested and prepared for your business work.

Many hotel lines come with business suites which are larger rooms complete with kitchens for extended stays. You can also look into renting homes or rooms from individuals through sites like Airbnb.

If you’re traveling for a longer period of time, look into corporate housing. These furnished apartments, houses, or condos provide a cost-effective housing solution. Learn more information to find out if this would be a good option for your trip.

Create a Schedule

Odds are you have a certain routine you follow during a typical work week. Your routine helps you keep track of everywhere you need to be. But when you go on a business trip, your routine is completely changed.

To make sure you don’t miss any important appointments, create a schedule with all your obligations. Include meetings, cocktail hours, meals, and important travel times. Use different colors to signify things that you can’t miss from items that are optional.

We suggest creating a digital schedule with your smart phone’s calendar. That way, even if you’re on the plan or in the back of a taxi, you’ll have access to it. You’ll know when and where you need to be with just a glance.

Keep Track of Your Expenses

Our final tip for a successful business trip is to keep track of all of your expenses. Most companies reimburse you for work-related travel expenses, but you need to have your receipt to receive all the money you’re owed.

Instead of trying to keep track of a large stack of paper receipts, download a scanner app on your smartphone. When you receive a receipt, scan it on your phone and store it in a special folder. Then when your boss asks for your expense receipts, you have everything you need in one convenient location.

Beyond Preparing for Business Travel 

Using these tips, you won’t have to stress about business travel.

Before every trip, set up a checklist that contains both your packing list and final steps to get ready. Then, as you prepare, cross off your items so you know you don’t forget anything. Using this method, you’re brain will be able to concentrate on your work business, which will make your boss happy.

For more great travel advice, business or personal, keep tabs on the travel section of this site.

How to Enjoy A Vacation for Less This Summer

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If you plan to go away this summer, chances are you’ve already looked at a few brochures. There are some lovely places to visit, however, prices can seem quite high. It’s likely that you’re already thinking about saving money for your time away, even if you’re not sure you can afford it.

The good news is that you can enjoy a vacation this summer but for less than you think. If you know where to make the savings you can potentially enjoy your time away without feeling like you’re missing out.

Go Camping

A great way to enjoy a vacation for less is to take your family camping. Camping can be a lot of fun and these days staying in a tent can be as comfortable as staying in a hotel. If you cannot afford to buy a tent or you simply don’t want to, you may want to think about borrowing a friend’s tent. Alternatively, some campsites will let you stay in one of their tents

You won’t have to worry about ‘Roughing’ it, these days tents are a lot more waterproof and windproof than they used to be. You can also buy a lot of relatively cheap camping equipment. A tent can be a home away from home, you can have all the comforts you need but still save money.

Spend Time at the Beach

This country is full of some beautiful beaches and they are all well worth visiting. If the weather is with us, why not head to the beach for a day out? Chances are they’ll be somewhere relatively cheap to stay such as a bed and breakfast or a budget hotel.

A day out at the beach even in this country can be just what you need. Make sure you plan to enjoy yourself and you’re likely to find that you will. Slap on that sun cream, pick up your sunglasses and get ready to enjoy time on one of this country’s shores.

Know Where to Save Money

If you plan to have a vacation of a lifetime such as a family holiday to Disneyworld you can save money. Many people save money by not staying at certain resorts or going on vacation at the height of the season. You can also save money by shopping locally for foods that are ideal for a picnic that you can enjoy instead of dining at a restaurant.

You may also want to think about searching online for great deals rather than visiting a travel agent. Prices tend to be a little higher when you book through a travel agent so make sure you use a few of those comparison websites.

Visit Family and Friends

Why not spend some time with family and friends who live in another part of the country? Ask if you can stay with them for a few days and enjoy time in their company. You could save a bit of cash by staying with them and you’ll have the chance to catch up.

It is entirely possible for you to enjoy a vacation for less, you just need to know how. Use the above tips to help you have a great time away without breaking the bank.

How To Have Peace Of Mind On Your Next Travel Adventure

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Traveling has the potential to be very stressful and this is one main reason why a lot of people refuse to take trips. While it’s healthy to know yourself and be aware of what worries you, you also don’t want to be stuck at home if deep down you’d rather be out exploring.

This is why it’s so important to create peace of mind for yourself and be relaxed during your travels. Remember that you’re in control of how you feel and what you let get to you. You’ll be glad to know there are actions you can take to prevent chaos and surprises from ruining your holiday.

Plan Ahead

It’s always a smart idea to plan ahead and complete all your necessary tasks at home before you depart. This includes securing the house, learning how to pack light and cleaning and getting the yard work done. Speed up the process by having the right tools to help you. You can learn more about what those are at mygardeningnetwork.com. You want your house nice and tidy for your return, and so it looks like someone lives there and is maintaining it while you’re away.

Know where you’re Going

If you’re someone who wants peace of mind when traveling, then it’s a good idea to know where you’re going. Don’t try to wing it in this case and hope for the best. Have your plane ticket, hotel and activities reserved ahead of time and understand the best route for each step of the trip. Use your phone and maps to get you to the right locations with ease. Making a plan ahead of time will minimize surprises and you’ll feel less anxious as you travel around.

Leave your Expensive Goods at Home

Although you have nice belongings, it may not be the right time to show them off. Depending on where you’re traveling to, wearing expensive items can turn you into a magnet for thieves. Only pack what you need and try not to appear too flashy when you’re out and about. You’re more likely to keep your peace of mind when you’re not attracting unwanted attention. If you do end up bringing anything that’s expensive, be sure to lock it up in your hotel safe when it’s not on you.

Unplug when you Arrive

Remember that you’re on holiday to get a break from the craziness of everyday life. Use your time wisely by unplugging from your computer, phone and other electronics. Try to stay in the present moment and enjoy what you’re experiencing in front of you. Meet people, eat good food and enjoy the culture and weather at your destination. Set aside time each morning to check your messages and then make a promise to yourself to stay engaged on your trip.

Conclusion

Traveling doesn’t have to be taxing. Put measures in place which allow you to remain calm and have a nice time. Do what’s necessary in advance so you can let your worries go when on your holiday.

The Weird, The Wonderful, The Unexpected Airline Flight Delays

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When it comes to your flight being delayed or cancelled, you tend to hear a lot of the tired old excuses again and again. ‘Exceptional circumstances’, ‘technical issues’, they’re all the same. However, sometimes flights are delayed for the oddest of reasons. We’re going to be looking at some of the most surreal and downright unbelievable reasons why people were unable to get on their flights.

Cat In The Cockpit

The first up on our list is the story of a cat inside the cockpit of the plane. And no, it wasn’t the cat of either of the pilots. Someone had brought their pet along for the ride and stowed him in the hold. However, the curious feline decided that being relegated to a travel cage wasn’t acceptable, and so he broke out and decided to have a little exploration. This all culminated in the cat finding his way into the cockpit and causing delays.

Homemade Astronaut

In a story which almost seems to come right out of a book, a man from LA bought himself a lot of balloons and helium. He planned to float around in his back garden for some time before using a pellet gun to shoot balloons, thus lowering his altitude. It was a good idea until he lost control and began to float up into the air, and eventually found himself 16,000 feet in the air, and in the middle of LA airspace. This, of course, caused a problem, and people on board the aircraft found a delay in getting to their destination, and obviously, those waiting for the plane were delayed as well.

Foam Catastrophe

We’ve all seen traditions being carried out in the streets, but there’s a high chance you’ve never seen something like this. The fire crew attempted to provide the vehicle with a water cannon burst as a form of salute, but it went sort of wrong. The button which was pressed instead expelled a large amount of foam onto the plane, which tampered with the engine and left a significant portion of the plane covered in foam. This delayed the flight for quite some time as it all had to be removed from the vehicle and everything had to be checked for signs of damage.

Overall, these are just a few of the strangest and most obscure reasons why a flight has been delayed or cancelled. Obviously, you’re going to be less likely to find these problems in an everyday setting, although you would be surprised at the frequency with which these things can happen. Every day, people are exposed to strange things, and they don’t stop to consider how unlikely it is that it’s happened to them. These are just a small handful of the odd reasons why a flight has been delayed or cancelled, and there are so many other possible explanations besides this for why a flight can be stopped. Who knows, you might hear about or even be a witness to one of the many strange phenomena which could prevent a flight one day.