Top 10 Ways to Explore 2004 Travel Horizons

By: Lynn Christen - [travel/air]
Posted 06/01/04

Fort Walton Beach, Florida - January 1, 2004. September 11, 2001 changed the face of travel as it changed all our lives. For the past two years, the travel industry has struggled to enhance travel security and bring travelers back. Trends indicate that travelers are.com ing out of their cocoons and are once again ready to enjoy the pleasures and privileges of our world. Consider these ways to explore your travel horizons in 2004.

1. Dream a little. Start a list of everywhere you want to go..everything you want to do. Build your Travel Resource File. Use a three-ring binder with tabs for Trips to Take Someday, U.com ing Trips, Travel Resources, and Past Trips.

2. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead. Do your homework. The most successful trips are well-researched and well-organized. You may love last-minute, spontaneous travel. Great! If you do your homework, you'll always be ready to grab your bags and go.

3. Learn to pack smart and travel light. You can take less and have more! Travel-friendly clothing is wrinkle-free, washable, and.com fortable. Plan your travel wardrobe around three colors in a.com bination of prints and solids and become a mix n' match expert. When all your tops match all your bottoms the possibilities are endless.

4. Develop a relationship with a good travel agent. Although the world-wide Web is an ideal way to explore travel horizons and compare prices, it does not replace the confidence and security of working with a knowledgeable travel agent. A travel agent who understands your travel preferences and needs can add value to your trip in ways not found on the Internet.

5. Budget travel wisely. Open a travel account at your bank and make contributions to it on a regular basis. Decide how much you can spend on your trip and research your options. Learn about the ''hidden'' costs of travel and factor them into your travel budget. Protect your travel investment with travel insurance. If you travel frequently, look into purchasing an annual travel protection plan.

6. Choose your travel companions wisely. Understand each other's likes and dislikes, habits and hot buttons. No one to travel with? Consider solo travel with a group tour. Look into specialty tours. You'll automatically have something incommon with fellow travelers.

7. Appreciate the diversity of our wonderful world. Learn as much as possible about your destination. Study the attractions, but don't neglect the history, people, customs and laws. Realize that just because something is different, it is not wrong.

8. Be safe. Check out travel advisories and health alerts for your destinations. Two good Web sites for this information are www.travel.state.gov and www.cdc.gov/travel. Learn the LACES principle. Always be on the LOOKOUT for yourself and your companions. Be AWARE on your surroundings. Stay in COMMUNICATION with fellow travelers and know emergency numbers at your destination. No matter where you are seek out at least two EXIT /ESCAPE routes. Think SAFETY.. first and always.

9. Don't overlook opportunities to explore travel horizons close to home. Visit visitor centers and chambers of.com merce and gather brochures and discount coupons for attractions, a.com modations, and restaurants close to home. Watch for u.com ing events that can be turned into a getaway.

10. Seek out special travel moments and make the memories last. Plan ahead to see major attractions, then allot some time to slow down and savor the small moments that make wonderful memories. Keep a travel journal. Record not just times, dates and places, but emotions and vivid descriptions. Your travel journal could become your travel book!

This Top Ten Travel article is an excerpt from Travel Wisdom - Tips, Tools, and Tactics for All Travelers written by travel experts, Lynne and Hank ChristenSeptember 11, 2001 changed the face of travel as it changed all our lives. For the past two years, the travel industry has struggled to enhance travel security and bring travelers back. Trends indicate that travelers are.com ing out of their cocoons and are once again ready to enjoy the pleasures and privileges of our world. Consider these ways to explore your travel horizons in 2004.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida - January 1, 2004. September 11, 2001 changed the face of travel as it changed all our lives. For the past two years, the travel industry has struggled to enhance travel security and bring travelers back. Trends indicate that travelers are.com ing out of their cocoons and are once again ready to enjoy the pleasures and privileges of our world. Consider these ways to explore your travel horizons in 2004.

1. Dream a little. Start a list of everywhere you want to go..everything you want to do. Build your Travel Resource File. Use a three-ring binder with tabs for Trips to Take Someday, U.com ing Trips, Travel Resources, and Past Trips.

2. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead. Plan Ahead. Do your homework. The most successful trips are well-researched and well-organized. You may love last-minute, spontaneous travel. Great! If you do your homework, you'll always be ready to grab your bags and go.

3. Learn to pack smart and travel light. You can take less and have more! Travel-friendly clothing is wrinkle-free, washable, and.com fortable. Plan your travel wardrobe around three colors in a.com bination of prints and solids and become a mix n' match expert. When all your tops match all your bottoms the possibilities are endless.

4. Develop a relationship with a good travel agent. Although the world-wide Web is an ideal way to explore travel horizons and compare prices, it does not replace the confidence and security of working with a knowledgeable travel agent. A travel agent who understands your travel preferences and needs can add value to your trip in ways not found on the Internet.

5. Budget travel wisely. Open a travel account at your bank and make contributions to it on a regular basis. Decide how much you can spend on your trip and research your options. Learn about the ''hidden'' costs of travel and factor them into your travel budget. Protect your travel investment with travel insurance. If you travel frequently, look into purchasing an annual travel protection plan.

6. Choose your travel companions wisely. Understand each other's likes and dislikes, habits and hot buttons. No one to travel with? Consider solo travel with a group tour. Look into specialty tours. You'll automatically have something incommon with fellow travelers.

7. Appreciate the diversity of our wonderful world. Learn as much as possible about your destination. Study the attractions, but don't neglect the history, people, customs and laws. Realize that just because something is different, it is not wrong.

8. Be safe. Check out travel advisories and health alerts for your destinations. Two good Web sites for this information are www.travel.state.gov and www.cdc.gov/travel. Learn the LACES principle. Always be on the LOOKOUT for yourself and your companions. Be AWARE on your surroundings. Stay in COMMUNICATION with fellow travelers and know emergency numbers at your destination. No matter where you are seek out at least two EXIT /ESCAPE routes. Think SAFETY.. first and always.

9. Don't overlook opportunities to explore travel horizons close to home. Visit visitor centers and chambers of.com merce and gather brochures and discount coupons for attractions, a.com modations, and restaurants close to home. Watch for u.com ing events that can be turned into a getaway.

10. Seek out special travel moments and make the memories last. Plan ahead to see major attractions, then allot some time to slow down and savor the small moments that make wonderful memories. Keep a travel journal. Record not just times, dates and places, but emotions and vivid descriptions. Your travel journal could become your travel book!

This Top Ten Travel article is an excerpt from Travel Wisdom - Tips, Tools, and Tactics for All Travelers written by travel experts, Lynne and Hank Christen. Lynne Christen was a flight attendant for a major airline for over 22 years. Hank Christen is a nationally recognized expert in the counter-terrorism threat assessment and disaster management field. The Christens have traveled to 44 countries and throughout the United States. They may be contacted at travelwisdom@cox.net. Learn more about Travel Wisdom at www.travel-wisdom.com or by calling 888-587-5582 (toll-free).

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