Your next vacation should be relaxing and stress free. You have worked hard and paid a lot of money to spend that time doing what you want to do where you want to do it. Let us help put your mind at ease with these simple steps that you can take to ensure your happiness, while traveling.

When traveling, it is important to remember to pack only what you need. This rule is most applicable to trips by air, as luggage fees are much higher now than they previously were. Most airports will sell anything you might not have room for and major surrounding cities should as well.

Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. With all the chaos, jet-lag, partying and other excitement of travel comes a whole lot of stress on your mind and body. By the time most vacations are over, another one is needed to recover so taking a few minutes each day to rejuvenate will make it easier for you to resume your normal life when it’s all over.

Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the airport. You can save on cab fare and long term parking fees. Many people will be happy to perform this favor for you, especially if you are willing to reciprocate later on down the road, when they are taking a vacation.

If you are traveling with a companion but you do not normally share funds, consider having a joint wallet, for expenses like meals, travel and lodging. You and your companion can add the same amount of money to the joint wallet each day. This way, you aren’t constantly splitting bills or exchanging money.

For added security when you are going to stay in a hotel, make sure you bring along a door stopper. You may not have access to the type of security that you think is acceptable. If there’s no deadbolt or chain behind the door, put a small, wedge doorstop under the room door before you go to bed.

To find good deals on your air fare, make sure you get prices from as many companies as possible. Booking on the internet should save you money: most travel agents take a commission on their sale. Consider taking a route with several stops and changes if it is cheaper.

Airport food can be pricey and not all flights provide snacks while in flight. Its handy to keep a couple of sticks of jerky, a candy bar, or maybe a pack of peanuts in your pocket or purse so that you can get that quick energy boost you need without having to pay an arm and a leg or take the time to buy food at a shop.

Losing your rental car in large parking lots is no fun. Carry one of those fluorescent foam balls that fit over the tip of your antenna or maybe even a colorful ribbon to tie to the rear view mirror. They take up no room in your luggage and can sure make locating that car a whole lot easier when there are exactly 37 others that look just like it in the same row where you parked!

Save money on your travel plans by researching what other travelers are paying for similar trips. There are websites that allow you to input your route and then show you the average prices for airfare, in the month that you are traveling. Some sites will also display the best deals that other users found in the past few days. At the very least, you will get a good idea of what you should be paying.

Fanny packs are back! These trademarks of the 80’s had their day in the sun and then were quickly shunned. As a lot of things do, these have now come back into style. They are perfect for travel as you can keep a lot of important things at your finger tips including ID, passport, money, and even snacks.

Airline travel does not have to break the bank. There are several ways to go on that vacation you want to and not pay too much for it. You can travel during off seasons and save quite a bit on destination travel. There are also travel agents that can save you money when you buy airfare and lodging together.

If you’re packing your laptop for work or recreation while you travel, bring along an A.V. cable as well. Many hotels offer both free high speed Internet and a large HDTV in your room. If you’ve got an A.V. cable, you can plug your computer right into the HDTV and view your online content right on the large screen.

Pillow cases can serve many functions during your trip, so bring one or two. If you need a bag for laundry, grab the pillow case. If you need a towel for a quick clean up and none are available, grab your pillow case. If you need a clean or more comfortable pillow case, you just happen to have one available.

Alcohol consumption should be kept to a minimum while you are traveling. It is fine to have a few drinks yet if you get drunk while waiting for a plane, train or bus you may be targeted by people looking to take advantage of the situation. Always be aware of your surroundings and staying sober will help you do this.

Before leaving Fido home or at the kennel on your next trip, consider bringing him along for the fun. Many hotels are striving to accommodate their pet-owner clientèle, by turning their properties into pet friendly places. Pets often stay for free, and some hotels offer services like bringing a doggy bed to the room, and turn-down service with a biscuit instead of a mint! So, take along your pooch the next time you need to travel, you’ll both be happy you did.

Now that you have some information that you will need, in order to have a well-planned and relaxing getaway, all that is left to do is to pack your bags and put the advice here into good practice. Travel should be an enjoyable experience and these tips will make sure that that happens.