Whether you have booked a trip out of town, out of the state, or even out of the country, there is a good chance that you will benefit from the useful advice found in this selection of handpicked travel tips. From packing your bags to shopping for souvenirs, enjoy these tips.

This may seem like common sense, but one important thing to be sure of when you are traveling is that you’re reservations for hotels, flights, visits to attractions and monuments, etc. are correct. Double check confirmation e-mails and contact customer service if anything seems amiss. You don’t want to miss a flight, an attraction, or spend a night wandering around town because the reservation was not what and when you thought it was.

If you’re traveling with kids, it’s tempting to let them all tune out with their own mp3 players, but consider bringing along some books on CD. Having something literate and interesting for the whole family to listen to is not only entertaining and interesting, but provides a common experience that each family member can take forward with them into life (“Hey, remember when I was ten, and we listened to Black Beauty on the way to Maine?”). It’s the stuff of which fond memories are made.

If you’re going on a road trip but don’t have space to keep a cooler, there’s a simple way to make sure you have ice cold water on you trip! The night before you leave, fill some water bottles (but not all the way to the top!) and put them in the freezer over night. Take them on the trip with you the next day and they’ll slowly melt over the course of the day, leaving you with ice cold water.

You always want to make sure that you have a visa, if it is needed for entry into a county. Research exactly what you will need to present, to be allowed access to that location. Also, be aware that sometimes a visa will not even allow you entry.

When traveling by air, conceal a store of emergency money in your carry-on luggage. This stash will be useful if you run into a worst-case scenario, like a mugging or pick-pocketing. Make your stash as large as you feel comfortable with, but remember you may need it to purchase food, transportation or even an overnight room.

Check the local news for the area you are planning to visit. Whether it is finding out about fun, local events, holidays which may impact local attractions, or serious political matters that may affect foreigners, it is always a good idea to be informed on what is currently going on in your destination city, area, and even country.

Anyone who has flown on an airplane multiple times know you can often get stuck seated next to someone who just won’t stop talking. If you’d rather not listen to them, pack some headphones. Even if you’re not listening to anything, people will see the headphones and most of the time won’t bother you.

It is helpful to label your power cords when you are traveling. Most people travel with a lot of different electronic devices. Not all of them will need to be constantly plugged in, so many people invariably leave one of the cords behind. If you write your name and phone number on masking tape and wrap the tape around your power cord, you have a much better chance of getting it back.

Remember to pack an eyeglass repair kit if you wear glasses. If your glasses break while away on vacation, it can be difficult to locate the correct parts and tools, especially if you are in foreign country. There is nothing worse than going sightseeing and not being able to see the sights.

Pay extra for the balcony when traveling on a cruise ship. Not only does it give you and your partner a little retreat, but it also provides you with an incredible view of the ocean. A balcony can add just the touch of romance that you might have been craving on your vacation.

If your destination has a visitors bureau, call them at least three months before travel to inquire about coupons or special packages. To attract more tourists, many of these locations have made deals with local attractions and service providers to offer steep discounts and special rates to visitors. You can save a lot of money and plan your time accordingly.

When dining out during your travels, take the opportunity to choose one meal completely at random. You may wind up having the best meal of your vacation and you are sure to have a little fun in the process. If you are worried about this technique, try it on a day that you will be visiting multiple restaurants, so you can fill up somewhere else if you don’t like your dish.

If at all possible, when traveling abroad, try to get some of that country’s currency before you even get on the plane. That way, you have one less thing to worry about when you arrive and will prevent you from having to take out large amounts of money at the airport.

Make sure to do some research on car rental rates when traveling. These rates tend to fluctuate more than those of airlines, but they don’t require money down until you are at the counter. Make a reservation and keep tabs on the rates to make sure they don’t drop. If they do, make a new reservation at the lower price to save money.

When you plan on hiking during your trip, avoid doing so alone as it can be unsafe, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Do not rely on what knowledge or skills you think you may have. Remember you are responsible for yourself and anybody who is with you, so be smart and cautious.

It does not matter if your destination is Paris, Texas or Paris, France; a perfectly planned travel itinerary and lodging arrangements can make all the difference in your stay. Use the information that you have just read in these tips as part of your smooth and stress-free, memorable vacation.