If you’re planning a trip, you may be wrapped up in thinking about how much fun you will have when you arrive. However, there are a lot of other things to think about to make sure that your trip is safe and goes well. Here’s a list of things to think about when planning a trip.

To really get a feel for where you are vacationing, follow the locals. Many top vacation spots start to feel very generic and touristy. By asking around and finding where the people who live there hang out, you will get a more authentic feel for the area, and as a bonus, avoid the price markups that plague tourist hot spots.

When selecting a destination for your travels, keep abrest of the recent news. Picking locations that are in high levels of turmoil may not be the best idea. However, don’t let over-anxious friends and relatives talk you out of a trip to a safe destination that has recently been the victim of some kind of attack.

Pay attention to your intution when traveling. If a specific store, person, or neighborhood gives you “bad vibes”, just walk away. Your intuition might be telling you something that you haven’t consciously noticed. Even if you’re wrong, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your safety.

Always let someone know when you are planning to travel. While unexpected trips and spontaneous travel may seem like a good idea at the time, it is not so great if something goes awry. Letting a friend, family member or neighbor know you will be gone and where you are going is always a good idea. Contact that person as soon as you reach your destination. Let them know when you will be coming home. You will be glad you did.

When traveling by air, purchase your airline tickets as early as possible. Airlines that offer very low fares, like Southwest Airlines, have a limited number of seats available at the lowest price. By purchasing your tickets early you are assured of getting the best possible rates for air travel.

Deserts offer remarkable and memorable vistas and exotic plant and animal life. Deserts are a wonder of nature that should be experienced by anyone who wants to feel the vastness and variety of our world.

Think about travelling in the low season. If you can avoid taking a vacation during summer holidays or over the Christmas period, you should be able to find some good bargains. Travel is nearly always cheaper off-season and lots of airlines offer special deals. Another advantage of travelling off-season is that your destination is likely to be a lot less crowded.

No matter where you travel, weather watching is key. Take time when planning your trip to examine the normal weather conditions for the time you are visiting. Knowing this allows you to pack properly and plan accordingly. Checking constantly will allow you to alter your plans, if necessary, due to sudden changes in forecast.

Instead of purchasing souvenirs when you are traveling, consider asking the hotel where you are staying if you can take home a sheet of notepaper and envelope as a memento. These items usually have the hotel’s logo and address written on them, and are great backgrounds for albums. You can also write memories of your trip on them, and place the note in your scrapbook.

When packing for a trip use space management techniques that make the most of your luggage space. For instance, consider rolling your clothing items instead of folding them. This will cut down on wrinkles and make additional space so you can fit a few more items in each piece of luggage.

Leave some of your toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, and soap at home. When you reach your destination you can buy these items at a local store. It is a fun way to get a taste of how the residents live when you are buying the same items as they are. Plus, you now have an inexpensive souvenir.

Take an early flight to avoid a delay in your flight. There will be a little chance of overbooking on the early flights. The first flight in the morning should have very limited reasons for a delay.

Don’t be afraid to eat outside while traveling on vacation. Grab a sheet from the hotel; you can use it as a picnic blanket or a table cloth. Pick a location that you have been wanting to visit and get take-out from a local restaurant. Enjoy having a leisurely lunch or dinner in a beautiful place with your family.

Wear easy slip-on footwear when going on a car trip. Flip-flops, sandals, slip-on tennis shoes, and deck shoes are all great options to use for road trips. Many people remove their shoes in the car when the trip is long, so this helps them with being able to get them on quickly when having to get out for a stop. There’s no waiting on them needing to tie or strap anything; just slip-on and you’re ready to go.

Do not forget to bring entertainment on a long trip. If you are going to be spending longer than an hour traveling, be it by airline or by bus, bring something with you. Music players and books are good choices. You may also want to bring your computer or DVD player.

Keep an electronic copy of your important documents like passports, identification and itineraries in an accessible location such as a web-based e-mail account. You can scan your documents or take a digital photograph and keep the image in a location where you can access it easily if your paperwork becomes lost or destroyed.

Now that you know what to look out for when planning your trip, you can start thinking about the fun you’ll have when you get there. The first step to having a great time on any trip is to plan right. Keep these tips in mind to make sure you don’t forget anything!