I think we can all agree that getting to a place is the worst part of traveling. No matter how carefully you plan, changes often occur so it’s important to be prepared for the unexpected and roll with the punches. But what about when your feet are on the ground again and suddenly the house is on fire back home. Or when you’re not exactly your effervescent self because you can’t remember what day it is. We’ve all been down one or more of these roads and want to help you make the most of your time away. So, here are a few tips from our travel pros to help you face the unexpected and deal with it.
Potential Problem: You’re crossing multiple time zones and are worried about jetlag.
Possible Solution: Nothing positive to say about jetlag except that you can prepare for it if you get a jump on it in advance.
Scientific American reports that the best preparation is light therapy, seeking or avoiding light at the right times a week prior to departure. To seek light stay out in bright and continuous sunshine or use a portable light box. To avoid it, stay indoors away from the light or just wear dark glasses. Calculating when to seek or avoid depends on the number of time zones crossed, direction of travel and usual sleep and wake times. For reasons which are probably best left for scientists to explain, if you’re flying east, avoid light a few hours before bedtime and if you’re flying west get outside the moment you wake up.
Some people are tempted to use caffeinated stimulants and alcohol to trick their bodies to be awake or tired at the wrong times. Beware! Both cause dehydration, which only worsens jetlag. www.scientificamerican.com
Potential Problem: You’re not sure what to do about transportation once you arrive at your destination.
Potential Solution: The decision here is between spending money on taxis or a car service (which can be ordered spontaneously), renting a vehicle or researching the public transportation system ahead of time. No matter which way you go, store the number of a local car service in your phone before departing. This is a good idea should an emergency arise. If you’re headed to a big city, it’s best to use taxis for short distances, especially if you’re not alone, as fares can compare favorably to a bus or subway if you’re in the car for only a few minutes. If you’ll be making day trips or doing extensive sightseeing, rent a car. It will help you get the lay of the land quickly in the destination in terms of directions. For longer jaunts that may involve heavy traffic or difficult routing, take the metro or subway in order to save money and time. It’s great
for people watching and you’ll feel like a local. In the end this could wind up being a much shorter trip, too, as subways don’t have to deal with block-to-block traffic. www.hopstop.com
Potential Problem: The weather forecast looks bad and you can’t cancel the trip.
Possible Solution: Remain calm. Weather reports are not always 100% reliable, especially a week or two in advance. There’s just no reason bad weather should stop anyone from having a good time. It just means that you’ll be spending more time inside than you’ve planned. That said … seek out museums, shops, films, exhibitions, or plays and take along several decks of cards. Better yet dig out the dominoes and brush up on your Charades techniques. If you’re headed to the beach and there’s no threat of lightning, go swimming anyway and stay down in the water or try an activity like kayaking. Bringing along protective gear including a sensible hat and cover-up will make all the difference, remember, and rainy days sometimes serve as fodder for great journal entries. And they’re great for nice long naps, not to mention inspiring conversation. www.weather.com
Potential Problem: Your plans lack sufficient activities and you’ll have tons of down time.
Possible Solution: Why is it when you’re suddenly bored you turn to your computer, iPhone, or iPad? When the trip starts to drag, fight the urge to make technology take the place of seeing that awesome monument; instead, make it your best friend and savior by putting it to work for you. Simply turn the iPad into a tool: use GPS, social media, and Internet savvy to download localized apps like transit maps or weekly news magazines to research nearby activities. Get on Twitter and send a Tweet like “I’m in Copenhagen with nothing to do. Any #travelexperts out there have some tips?” www.twitter.com
Potential Problem: You’re anxious about what you’ll be missing at work while away.
Potential Solution: Here in the U.S. for many of us, our jobs are our life and the stress that comes with them an integral part. You don’t have to be CEO of a Fortune 500 company to understand that. Often they’re taxing enough that even the promise of a getaway can’t stop us from calling “just to check in!” Guess what? Your company won’t crumble if you’re gone for a week. But that doesn’t mean that the fear of it happening will disappear. As one particular New York Times writer recently asked: “Is there a way to get the most out of my trip? Or at least not to ruin it with work? Can one avoid the seven-day trap: three days impatient to be relaxed already, two days actually being relaxed, and then two final days of dread before going back to work?” The answer? Give your smartphone to someone else to keep in their bag, or better yet, leave it in the hotel room. The New York Times Article