Nothing compares to viewing the world from a newer perspective. Travel can be entertaining and adventurous, but it can also be educational. With all the places to explore worldwide, there’s a dream vacation destination for everyone. You can make the most of your traveling by using these tips.

When traveling internationally, do not keep all your valuables in one place. Separate your passport, identifying information and cash and travelers checks from each other. Unfortunately, tourists tend to keep these items together, and in the event that they misplace a bag or are the victim of theft, they lose all their essential documents.

When you travel, it’s important to stop for the cheese as well as the big-time monuments. What that means is this: Go to Mt. Rushmore, sure. But first, you need to stop at the Jolly Green Giant Statue in Minnesota and get your picture taken. You need to actually go see the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD, and Wall Drug. These places are kitschy, and that’s exactly why they’re essential. America is both a place of great beauty and great silliness, and both should be celebrated by the traveler.

Being careful about purchases while traveling will help you through customs. Remember anything you buy on your trip must pass through customs when you return home so exercise caution when you see street vendors abroad or other sellers who may be offering counterfeit or unsafe souvenirs you will have to surrender later.

Traveling light can make the difference is a great vacation and a tortuous experience. Think about it. If you don’t take it with you can almost always buy it there. There are exceptions of course but even with those just a little bit of thought while packing can greatly reduce your load and make your trip much more enjoyable.

If you are traveling abroad you can be easily the target of a crime. Make sure you don’t wear any expensive or conspicuous jewelry and carry an extensive amount of money. Following these two tips will lessen your chance of being pick-pocketed or being the target of a petty crime.

No matter where you’re traveling, make sure to wear sunscreen. Even if the sun isn’t shining, your exposed skin is still subject to the sun’s harmful rays. Wearing 15+ SPF sunscreen will ensure that you don’t get a painful sunburn and that your trip can be fun without the pain.

Making the necessary preparations will make a big difference before a trip. These preparations range from ensuring that one has packed everything that is needed to using the bathroom before leaving the house. Having everything prepared and in place before traveling will give one more time to relax and enjoy themselves.

If you’re going on a cruise, you should arrive a day in advance. This will stop those close calls of getting stuck in traffic or having your flight delayed and causing you to miss your trip. The stress of almost missing the ship is not how you want to start your trip.

When booking your room on a cruise, always pay extra for a balcony. Having your own private balcony can be one of the best parts of a cruise. You’ll get great views, have a nice quiet place to relax, and you won’t have to worry about other people being around.

Plan far in advance when booking flights around holidays. Normally you can find the best deal by waiting until the last second to buy a ticket. However, around the holidays airlines know that they will be busy so they start increasing the price early as people panic and decide to buy tickets. If you absolutely want to travel during the holiday season you should purchase your tickets as soon as possible.

If you are taking a short trip, it could be in your best interest to travel in the middle of the week as opposed to the weekend. Not surprisingly many companies, mainly hotels, may charge more for their services on the weekend when they experience increased volume. If the time of week does not matter to you, choose the cheaper option.

When packing your luggage for a flight, affix a card with your name, phone and address inside the bag in the event the luggage is misplaced and tags are lost. Often the airlines will inspect the inside of lost luggage when the tag is lost, in an effort to find some identifying information about the owner.

Bringing your own bottled water to countries with dubious water supplies is recommended. Drinking water in most other countries hasn’t been purified and may cause a range of different illnesses. Also used the bottled water when brushing your teeth. This is one subtle way that tap water can make you sick.

Never underestimate the power of a small medicine kit while traveling. Include an over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine, antibiotic gel or cream, anti-itch cream, stomach acid reducers, pain relievers and Band-Aids. You never know when tiny medical irritations may strike and it is better to be prepared. You may even be able to help out a fellow traveler!

If you are traveling with children, allow them the opportunity to get some exercise before you bring them to the hotel. It can be difficult for children to ride on a plane or in the car for a long period of time. Try to find a playground to stop at or allow your child to swim at the pool once you get to the hotel. This will help them unwind at the end of the evening.

If you are traveling with children, bring a pair of dice with you. Your kids are sure to argue about something on your trip. Make the decision fair by allowing the children to roll the dice and attempt to get the highest number. That person can make the final decision regarding the argument.

You should be ready to plan your trip now. Maybe, even to places you haven’t yet dreamed of. With the tips you learned here, your next vacation will be more fun, less stressful, and much more enjoyable. Don’t forget to write!