Massive Trips Travel Tips

PLANNING YOUR TRIP – this is the part of taking a trip that most people do not like (we love it).  It’s your starting point to your trip and the most important part (research – know before you go).

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WHERE TO STAY/HOTEL CHAINS – below are links to some of the major hotel chains:

VACATION RENTALS: unlike years ago where hotels seemed to be your only option, there’s other options while travelling (don’t be afraid to use them, we have used these options a number of times on our vacations and they worked out well…just do your research and read the reviews). Below are links to vacation rental sites:

Trip Advisor - Top 25 B&B's and Inns - World

ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT CHAINS – below are links to some of the major all-inclusive resort chains:

Trip Advisor - Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts - World

TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN:

  • JUST DO IT! – best advise…best memories (take lots of pictures)
  • Under 2 – most airlines don’t require you to buy seat, however when they get over 12 months…it can be difficult on your lap…if your destination is over 3 hours, buy the seat
  • Give children time in the airport/don’t stress – leave extra time at the airport…especially during high travel season…they cannot go as fast as the parents and often you’ll hear “I have to go the bathroom”
  • On airplanes:
    • Entertainment – bring their favorite book…and although many say don’t get addicted to tablets…it can be a blessing when they’re getting ancy
    • Best seats – when booking your seats, book window and aisle as the middle are the last to go…we often end up with the middle seat empty (unless the flight is full)…if you have an infant the front bulkhead is best as there’s typically more leg room
    • check-in on-line – this will save you the hassle as the airport…instead of boarding passes use your phone (such as Wallet on iPhone for boarding passes)
    • Changes of clothes – always a good idea in case they spill or (even worse) throw up…it’s happen to us (YIKES!) bring extra wipes and a few plastic bags in your carry-on
    • Ideal Times to fly – evenings are not bad, they will often sleep…also early mornings are decent as they’ve slept and moods might be better
    • Packing Baby Food – most airports will be understanding, especially when you’re within the 100 ml rule
    • Medications – when booking let the airline know if your child has certain medical requirements (they are understanding and accommodating)…also leave time at the airport and check to assure your country of destination permits the medications
    • Don’t let them get up too much on the plane
  • Don’t over pack – you don’t need everything you have at home…no toys (they won’t play with them)
  • Accommodations – booking villas or units with kitchens or kitchenettes is ideal…in hotels rooms make sure there’s a pull-out sofa
  • Do things they like to do…it’s about them as well
  • GPS Tracking Device – maybe a little over-board, however if it gives you piece of mind there’s devices available: 
GPS Tracker for kids
  • Oceans/Seas – remember when your travelling to a beach destination…the ocean can be rough and unpredictable…always watch them and keep them within arms reach
  • Strollers – bring them with you…it will help while exploring during your travels…airlines always accommodate (they will let you bring it immediately up to boarding)
  • Car Seats – you can bring them with you (airlines will typically not charge to check car seats)…we generally just get a car seat from the rental car companies…I have seen people that book a seat bring them on the plane (check your airline if they allow this)
  • Do practice run with children prior to your trip – if it’s you’re first trip and you’re worried about the busy airport, do a practice run at home
  • Educate your children on the destination – this can create excitement before your trip…show them where the destination is on a world map and pictures of the hotel and destination…talk to them about the culture and food where your travelling to
  • Keep Calm and take in the memories

GETTING THERE (Air travel, train, road trip by car):

  • By AIRLINE:
Trip Advisor - Top 10 Airlines - World
    • Frequent Travelling – it’s best to stick to one airline (i) to get points on that airline; (ii) potentially get status on the airline.
    • Seats – if your fare does not include the price of your seat, always best to pay for and select your seat…airlines will often bump those who do not have an assigned seat (most flights are full or over-sold)…if you’re travelling as 2 or 4 people, book window and aisle seats as the middle are the last to go and people will always give up the middle seat for your window of aisle
    • Type of Air-craft – when booking, if there’s several options to your destination, look at the type of air-craft (example 777 vs. Airbus 320) 777 has more room, more washrooms, better in-flight entertainment system
    • Hopper – this is a great web-site and app to download…”Hopper predicts prices and helps you book your flights and hotels at the right time, saving you up to 40%”.
  • By TRAIN:
    • Try to book first class cabin, as it often provides for better seats, complimentary food & beverage and WiFi
  • By CAR:
    • Routes – check your route ahead (even if you’re familiar with the route)…especially during summer months there’s construction and can be closures or delays
    • Weather – check ahead for weather along the entire route…especially travelling during winter months
  • RENTAL CARS:
    • BOOK AHEAD – especially during high season, rental cars are often sold out
    • RENTAL CAR COMPANIES:
  • Hertz
  • AVIS
  • Budget
  • Enterprise
  • Thrifty
  • Dollar Car Rental
  • Alamo
  • National
  • Ace Car Rental
  • Payless Car Rental
  • Europcar
  • Sixt
  • RATES:
    • AAA/CAA – use AAA/CAA when booking, it’s typically the best rates (also try booking on AAA/CAA web-site, you’ll often find better rates) AAA / CAA
    • Discount Codes – check the internet or travel magazines for discount codes 
    • Airline and Hotel Web-sites – both will often provide discounts rates
    • Credit Cards – your credit card will often provide you with discount rates
  • CAR SEATS – most car rental companies have car seats…when you book include it in the reservation (some companies will give it complimentary with AAA/CAA)
  • AIRLINE POINTS – be sure to include your airline point # at the time of booking
  • INSURANCE:
    • Your Car Policy – check your automobile policy, if your policy includes rental car coverage, you may not need to buy coverage through the rental car company
    • Credit Card Insurance – most credit cards (especially travel credit cards) include car rental insurance coverage…be sure to check if they cover only certain countries and check if there’s a large deductible

THINGS TO DO + EXCURSIONS:

Whether your trip is escaping to the sun, exploring in Europe, Asia, South America, U.S.A. or Canada, when looking to plan ahead for Things to Do while traveling or excursions, you don’t need to do everything…remember your likely going on vacation to get some R&R, so pick the top things to do or activities during your trip or simply things that you find most interesting.  Also remember, excursions can be very pricey (especially in popular tourist areas)…so pick one or two and consider that you may be able to do them on your own (as long as it’s safe).

PASSPORTS / VISAS / TRUSTED TRAVELER CARDS:

  • PASSPORTS – prior to booking your trip or immediately after, make sure your passport has no expired or expiring…leave time to renew your passport. 

TIPS:

(1) take a picture (you and everyone your travelling with) of the photo page of your passport…if your passport is lost or stolen at least you’ll have a photo image of the passport

(2) Consulate office – before you travel (especially abroad) it’s a good idea to find out where your countries consulate/embassy office is located within the country your travelling to

  • VISAS – prior to booking your trip, check to see if your country of destination requires you to have a Visa to enter the country
  • TRUSTED TRAVELER CARDS (Global Entry, NEXUS, Trusted Traveler Program – TTP) – if you’re a frequent traveler, consider applying for trusted traveler cards will save you time while travelling (remember these cards also expire, so check ahead prior travelling

OTHER TRAVEL TIPS:

LUGGAGE TRAVEL TIPS:

  • What to bring on your trip – most people bring far more than what they actually need (even more than the extra outfits that people want to have as options)…layout all your clothes, shoes and other items…consider how long your trip will be and try to eliminate some items that you’ll unlike wear or use 
  • Packing for your trip can be a headache – I find packing shoes and larger items first best as you can pack your clothes around these items (try stuffing socks inside shoes to save space)…roll up shirts and tuck them between items.  Also if you’ll be checking luggage and travelling with a partner/spouse and children, consider breaking up all your items and packing ½ your items in each carry-on, this way if the airline loses your luggage at least you’ll have ½ your clothes
  • Check-in Luggage vs. Carry-on Luggage
  • Check-in Luggage
    • check your travel credit card as the card might give you free checked luggage
    • Fare class – if you know that you’ll have check-in luggage, compare the next level of fare as it may include 1 or 2 check-in bags and often is less than the check-in charge
  • Carry-on Luggage
    • if you can travel with carry-on only this will save time at the airport (departure you won’t have to wait in a luggage drop line and you won’t have to pay for luggage, if the airline charges and at  arrival just get off the plane and go (if carry-on only think about leaving some room as you might shop at your destination)…and most of all you completely eliminate your luggage being lost by the airline
  • Purchasing Luggage for your trips:
    • Hard shell – I prefer hard shell luggage as I find hard shell is easy to move through airports and is more durable and protects your items in your luggage. Here’s a great link that gives pros and cons to Hard Shell vs. Soft Shell luggage:
What to consider when buying luggage

Leaving home before your travels:

  • Water main – we always turn off our water at our house before leaving when traveling.  We’ve had friends come back to a flooded house after being away.  It’s easy to do and could save you from the hassle of coming back to a flooded house.
  • Furnace + Hot Water Tank – it’s also a good idea to turn down both your furnace + hot water tank while your away.  There’s no need to heat your house at your typical temperature while traveling or keep your hot water tank temperature up while your away (will save you on your utility costs and it’s also good for the environment to save on resources).
  • Mail + house sit – not a bad idea to have a friend, neighbor or relative stop by and pick up mail or a quick check of your house while your away…built up mail gives an indication that your away.   

PHOTO BOOKS – at the end of every year we’ve been ordering a yearly photo book with all our travel memories…so far Costco has the best photo books (use the premium book, a little expensive, but worth it)…book is solid and pictures look amazing.

ACCESSIBILITY – I read about this app on Air Canada’s in-flight magazine…I thought this app sounded very helpful for anyone in need of accessibility.  “AccessNow is all about sharing accessibility information around the world”  AccessNow app

CELLULAR/MOBILE PHONES:

  • Your plan – prior to travelling, check your plan to make sure your covered where your travelling to…if not covered, make sure to add a travel plan…you don’t want to return and be stuck with a hefty cell phone bill
  • Keep your cell phone in a safe place…pick pocketing happens and cell phones and wallets are the 2 things that are often pick pocketed
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