TOP 5 TIPS FOR STRESS FREE TRAVEL
Most of the time travel is easy, but every now and then travel troubles present themselves. No matter how many times you travel the same route to visit family or to winter in Playa del Carmen, there is always a chance that problems will arise. Careful travel planning can go a long way to help avoid travel glitches, but there are some travel issues that are beyond control. If your flight gets diverted, cancelled or weather impedes your arrival it doesn't have to be the end of the world. Follow these 5 tips to help you avoid letting travel troubles wreck your day or your trip.
Smile- Did your grandmother ever tell you that you catch more flies with honey? Well it's true! Being patient and friendly instead of frustrated and yelling can go a long way to solving any problems that may arise while traveling. People in the travel industry really do want to get you to your destination, not only is it their job, it is also better for them when your travels go smoothly. Travel service staff will be much more friendly, polite and helpful if you give them the same courtesy. Like my grandmother always said, "It's nice to be nice".
Attitude- Your attitude depends on you. You have a choice how you choose to view your travel issues. Instead of a major inconvenience you could choose to see it as an adventure, funny story to tell friends, or even as an opportunity for adventure or interesting photos. You suffer more and make the people around you suffer when you are negative or angry. Take a deep breath or a short walk to clear your head. Remember, the most important thing is that you will eventually get to your destination. Relax, it may be inconvenient, but it is what it is, accept it and decide what you can do from there. If your one hour layover turns into an overnight stay at a hotel make the best of it by sitting in the hot tub, ordering from room service, watching a movie or chatting with a fellow traveler in the hotel bar.
Flexible itinerary- Keeping your travel plans loose can help you make last minute adjustments. Instead of scheduling a tight itinerary and making reservations, keep the first day, last and if possible another day in the middle of your trip free of plans so you can accommodate any changes in flights or bad weather. It is much easier to face unexpected travel interruptions knowing that you aren't missing an important event or nonrefundable tour.
Carry on- Packing a few extras little extras can make a big difference if a travel glitch presents. Having a change of clothes, a snack, toiletries and the charging unit for any phones or electronics you are carrying can be a real comfort if your luggage gets lost or you end up at an airport gate waiting for hours.
Cash- In this digital card carrying age cash may seem to be an unnecessary item. While it's true that in the US you may be able to swipe your way through life, when traveling it is good to have some cash on hand, especially if you are traveling outside of the US. Carry a small amount of cash in the currencies of all the countries you will be visiting; you never know when you may need to hop a bus, grab a cab or tip someone for helping fix your travel troubles.
Smile, adjust your attitude, be flexible, be prepared, and have some cash handy are all great strategies to having a stress free trip no matter what mother nature, TSA or the airlines may throw at you.
Andrea was born and raised in Montreal by a Mexican mother and a French Canadian father. She studied cinema and photography in Argentina and Montreal, and has now been living in Playa del Carmen for several years. Both her Mexican and Canadian roots are an important influence on her identity and how she perceives the world through her photography and writing as the content creator for BuyPlaya Real Estate Advisors www.buyplaya.co and the blogs at https://www.buyplaya.co/playalife/
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