Quick Guide on overlooked Travel Tips – before you go!

• Travel first-aid kit
• Separate your cash
• How to combat lost luggage – separate items into different bags
• Let someone know you are traveling – at home stuff
• Book “early.”
• Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen…a must have!

Hello!  Welcome to Odaatvactions blog.  We are very excited to be launching this part of our site.  Here is a quick taste of the sort of things we will be blogging over. 

Informing you on all things travel, keep you posted on travel warnings, travel tips, provide opinions and experiences over excursions, cruises, theme parks, and, of course, provide up to date promotions to help “save” money.

However, we’re not stopping there.  We also want to build a travel community by sharing travel experiences and stories. 

That’s right, we would love to share one of your travel experiences.  We will gladly give you a shout-out and place your adventure on our blog to share around the world.  Our format is short stories between (500 to 1,000 words) uniquely written by you over travel experience(s).  Simply, send us an email at odaatvacations@gmail.com letting us know you would like to share a travel experience and we will contact you over the writing specifics.  There is no charger and no better way to bring people into the wonderful world of travel than by sharing your experiences.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Okay, the infomercial is over here are some tips to consider for your next big adventure:

1.    Alert your bank and credit card companies about your travel – due to regulations and security, especially if you are traveling abroad these companies will place a hold on your account due to seeing suspicious activity – even if it is you!  So, alert your financial partners, so they know you are traveling.  Even if you are just going to another state!  Better safe than sorry.

2.    Carry extra credit card or debit card – only in case, so you have funds should you accidentally lose your card or money.

3.    Beware of free public Wi-Fi – I know in today’s world this is seen as a perk.  It can also be hazardous.  I’ll never forget staying at a well-known hotel chain where Wi-Fi is a complimentary perk for guests.  I was on a business trip, so of course, was using my computer extensively.  After the trip, I got a call from the IT guy at work.  He stated, “I’m shutting down our system as it appears your computer has been hacked.”  After a thorough cleaning and reboot, all was back to normal.  However, what if I had been hit on my personal computer?  So, be vigilant about free Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, shops, ext.  Avoid entering your bank account or using passwords when on free public Wi-Fi.  One remedy is to set up and use a personal “hot-spot.”  Check with your provider to ensure there are no international charges or fees…just be in the know.

4.    Ask the Locals and eat local foods.

5.    Once you are checked-in put your room number and hotel on your phone

6.    Stay hydrated – you are excited and going to different environments.  Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water and putting on lotion.  It will save you in the long-run!  Treat your body well!

7.    Enquire about transportation pricing ahead of time – if you have a travel agent like Odaat, you will be covered as we will help with giving you price and cost of transportation and excursions.  However, if you are going it alone…remember to investigate beforehand.  I will save sticker shock.

8.    Carry-on bag – place all of your valuables and essentials with you.  Sunglasses, medications, electronics, an extra pair of underwear, toothbrush.  Consider it as an overnight bag…what you put in it is what you need for your carry-on.

9.    Learn common phrases for the local language – it can help when venturing out meeting the locals and seeing the sights.  Find online articles and possibly a book on your destination.

10.  Travel Insurance is a MUST – don’t leave home without it.  Weather, cancelations, unexpected emergencies, these are events which can be surprising.  Be prepared.

11.  Make copies of essential documents – I’m sure you have heard about the nightmare of losing a passport or birth certificate.  I remember forgetting my driver’s license in one of my checked in bags at the airport.  When it came time to show ID…I did not have any.  It was in my luggage.  They could do nothing about that…so I went through my briefcase and found a student ID.  Woo got lucky with that one.  Lesson learned…bring extra copies of your passport photos, documentation and place it in a different bag so should an incident occur you will still be able to travel.  Also, it can save you in the long run, if not for my sheer luck I would have been forced to forfeit a $2,000 flight and a week in Europe.  I now carry a copy with me.  Don’t risk it!

Trip Packing – things to consider: 

1.    Make a list of your packing needs – this will ensure you don’t forget anything essential to your trip.

2.    Pre-plan your outfits – figure out what you are going to wear each day of your trip.  Note – it’s a good idea when possible to have shorts, jeans, pants, or capris that can be worn more than once to cut down on clothing.

3.    Always take an extra pair of underwear – just in case of emergencies.  It is better to have them than not!

4.    Don’t forget extra camera batteries – I know, most of us have smartphones with instant cloud hook-ups.  So, in this case, don’t forget extra chargers and plug-in adapters (if going overseas)

5.    Backup your photos and computer work to ensure you don’t lose it.

6.    Take A Scarf Or Sarong With You – these come in handy in so many ways pending on weather and conditions.

Traveling should be a unique experience for us all.  Planning is such a crucial part of having a great trip.  If you are considering a family get-a-way, romantic randevu, or just some me time.  Let us help plan your next adventure at Odaatvacations.   Let our experts customize your next trip to be amazing.  At Odaatvacations we help you at no additional cost…that’s Right, we are like your personal travel assistant…so why wait…give us a call 404.754.9544 to help take the stress and worry out of your next travel adventure.  It’s going to be amazing!

And always, Safe travels!

Thanks, Odaat