They say that travel broadens the mind, but it’s hard to expand your horizons when you’re dealing with endless hassles or trying to figure out where your luggage went. Before you take that next vacation, save yourself the headache with the tips in this article. They’ll help make your trip go smoothly.

Be wise about food allergies when visiting a foreign country to avoid dangerous liaisons. The more severe your food allergies are, the more important it is to learn key food terms in the local language. Then at least you can warn the staff and possibly get a quicker response for medical professionals.

When planning a major trip, you should always purchase travel insurance. This protects you against loss on big ticket items like international flights, as well as helping you recover the costs of lost baggage or other emergency expenses. Travel insurance covers you if you have to cancel your trip or if your trip has to be ended early.

When traveling with a dog, brush your dog before putting them into the car, particularly if the car is a rental. This will significantly cut down on the amount of fur that flies around in the car during the drive. It will also reduce the amount of time you have to spend removing the hair from the car.

If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.

During your trip if you’re staying at many different hotels, you can rest assured there is an easy and cost effective gift you can give your friends as a souvenir. Collect all of the little samples such as shampoos, body washes, body lotions and coffee packets that hotels give out, put them in a basket and give them away as gifts to your friends. It makes a nice gift because it gives a taste of culture from different hotels and is cost effective to you for making a friendly gesture.

Next time you’re out on the town and looking to grab a bite, consider chowing down at the nearest Japanese restaurant. Fresh sushi and sashimi are full of protein, very low in fat, and also incredibly delicious. Salmon, for instance, is amazingly rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.

Hotel stationery is a great souvenir, and hotels do not charge you for taking it. The hotels realize that their stationery is a form of advertisement for them, so if you take it and use it, you are doing them a favor. Most higher-end hotels have beautiful stationery, so snap it up! They don’t mind.

When going on a cruise, wear your room key around your neck, on a lanyard or similar item. Losing your room key on a cruise ship can cost you greatly, not only in money, but in lost time. Keeping your key with you wherever you go can insure that you, and your belongings, will be safe.

If you are traveling on a cruise ship, always tip the maitre d’ when you get on board. It can be very difficult to secure a table for two in the dining room. Talk to the maitre d’, and let him know that you would love an intimate table one evening. Thank him for listening to you, and give him a tip for his time.

Allow time in your travel plans for diversion. When you are planning events and activities during your trip, separate some of these plans with an hour or two gap in between. This allows for extra time at an event or the opportunity to explore some of the local scenery that you might not see otherwise.

Always be prepared to clean up spills and messes as you travel. Carry some general items such as plastic bags, travel wipes and even travel size cleaners. Trying to locate these types of things on the spot can be difficult and add needless momentary stress. Unpack these to a specific location in your hotel so everyone knows where to turn.

To pack light while traveling, make time to plan ahead. Lay articles of clothing out before you pack, and make sure that each top can go with more than one bottom. Bring clothes that are comfortable and easy to wash, in case you need to do laundry on the road. Think carefully about the shoes you bring. It is best to wear your bulkiest items on the flight, to make more room in your luggage.

Search for an airline that will credit you the difference in cost if the ticket that you have booked drops after you have bought it. There are some airlines that will match the lowest price of the flight if it was to decrease between the time that you book the flight and when the flight actually departs.

Pack a nightlight. Many people can easily find their way to their bathroom in the middle of the night at home, but attempting to do so in an unfamiliar location can lead to bumps and bruises. If you do not have the space for a night light, leave the bathroom light on, but close the door so that only a small amount of light is visible or excess light may keep you awake.

A great travel tip is to not venture too far off of the beaten path. This is especially important if you’re traveling overseas. It’s always best to stick to known locations and to not try and explore too much because you might end up being a victim of crime.

No matter what sort of travel plans you have, whether it’s a cruise around the world or a road trip to a neighboring state, your trip will go more smoothly if you take advantage of the advice in this article. Just remember what you’ve learned and you’ll have a great time.