Traveling is an enriching experience. It allows people to meet new friends, discover new destinations, and experience new cultures. However, traveling also comes with a variety of unforeseen instances that can muddle up any trip, especially when one fails to plan ahead. Whether on a weekend getaway to one of the Philippines’ best beaches or on a month-long pilgrimage across Southeast Asia, preparing the essentials and equipping oneself with the right tools can help a traveler make the most out of any trip.
Plan ahead
Thorough research and informed planning can help globetrotters maximize their budget and itinerary, and prepare them for different situations at any destination. From the hippest museums and coolest bars, to the best deals on accommodations and airline tickets, the Internet offers a wealth of resources on what’s new, interesting, and inexpensive. For the best flight deals, travelers can check out the Cebu Pacific website (www.cebupacificair.com), as the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier offers low-cost fares all year round. It also has the widest network of destinations with the most flight frequencies and routes within the country, providing more travel opportunities to its passengers. To save on airfare further, travelers can book their flights months in advance or book early morning or midweek flights, which are usually lower in cost. Preparing multiple copies of important documents such as passports, insurance information, airline tickets, and hotel reservation confirmation can come in handy just in case a traveler loses them or experiences theft during his trip. Keep one set inside the suitcase, and email scanned files of travel documents to a personal email address so there’s always a copy when it’s needed.
Pack smart, pack light
Luggage weight restrictions, airport security procedures, and decisions on what to bring are just some of the challenges one faces when packing for a trip. For experienced travelers, the trick is paring down luggage to the basics and choosing multi-purpose products that can save precious space in one’s suitcase. Seasoned travelers suggest carrying just a week’s worth of clothes that are easy to care for and do not wrinkle easily. Also stick to versatile pieces that can be worn in different combinations, using accessories to jazz up everyday outfits. Shawls, for example, can be very hardworking fashion accessories for ladies who always want to look chic. Apart from keeping the wearer warm, it can also be used as a head wrap, scarf, blanket, pillow, towel, or even a skirt. Packing cubes are helpful in keeping clothes, travel accessories, and other items organized. Using them to compartmentalize luggage can also make it easier for the traveler to find what he or she needs, while saving space at the same time. Another trick to minimizing baggage weight is bringing only travel-sized toiletries. Shampoos, lotions, and the like can also be transferred into small refillable bottles, placed in resealable plastic bags to avoid spillage.
Tech-savvy travel tools
A variety of websites serves as vital references that can help travelers stay on top of details and keep track of travel expenses. Budget-conscious folks who are sticklers for quality can refer to websites such as Agoda.com (www.agoda.com) for credible hotel reviews and hotel flash deals. Travelers planning and researching about their next destination can also visit web magazines such as Cebu Smile (www.cebusmile.com), the online portal of Smile, Cebu Pacific’s in-flight magazine. Fun and functional smartphones can also take the roles of mobile travel agency and tour guide, thanks to a variety of travel-related apps. Among the most popular ones is Google Translate, which supports more than 50 languages and allows those traveling abroad to break through language barriers. Frugal travelers will also find the XE Currency application useful, as it features a currency converter with live currency rates. With all these resources, travelers can fly the friendly skies and explore with ease and peace of mind, so they can focus on the fun and exhilaration of discovering the world. PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Caption: Gear up for adventure! A well-planned itinerary, organized luggage, and useful gadgets let travelers iron out travel glitches in a snap.
Caption: Stay comfortable on your flight with a neck pillow and an eye mask, and sort your essentials in small pouches. Get these must-haves in the coolest designs from the Cebu Pacific Fun Shop.