Holiday Travel Tips

The holidays are steeped in family traditions - opening presents at first light on Christmas Day, napping during the football game Thanksgiving, the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah during Hanukkah, the car slowly through a traffic jam on the interstate and standing at an airport which comes from the line doesn 't move.

To maximize the happiness of the holidays and to minimize the coal-in-the-stocking sorrow, follow these tips compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know the secrets that will help you and your family came to the house of the grandmother full of Christmas.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Before the trip Begins
Contact a travel agent well in advance of your trip to get the lowest price of airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars that usually sell out quickly for the holiday. Be aware that the escalation of prices generally during the holiday season, because demand is highest.

Packing light savings time and energy when it comes to filling the trunk with bags packed with fragile gifts or racing to fill the last gap in the upper compartment. Some airlines place special restrictions during the holidays and allow only one carry-on bag, with less baggage is vital. For more advice on how to pack wisely here.

A tip for packing light to ship your gifts to your destination in advance. Allow at least two to three weeks for your package arrives for the holidays are hectic times for courier services such as UPS and Federal Express.

Before leaving, be sure to secure your home. Lock all doors and windows, and do not forget to set the alarm. Also, give your house a lived-in look to repel potential burglars through a friend of your mailings, setting lights on timers and not leaving the details of your trip on the answering machine.

Now, Dasher, now Dancer - Flying during holidays
Without a sleigh and eight reindeer, your travel plans will most likely give you, and millions of others, at the airport. But fear not - with a few precautions and a little TravelSense, your pre-flight schedule will be absent from anxiety.

First, avoid peak travel days. As your travel agent will tell you, in the days of flying are those who, immediately before and after the actual holidays. Book your flights two days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Your travel agent can guarantee you a non-stop flight, or one involving fewer connections and stops. Whenever your plane touches the ground during periods of peak traffic, the possibility of delays because of bad weather or problems with air traffic increases. Also, the purpose of reserving flights in the morning, which tend to be less frequently than delayed departures afternoon.

If possible, have a friend drive to the airport or take a shuttle or public transportation. Shuttle services generally fetch guests early to ensure on-time delivery. If you drive and park at the airport lot, do not leave valuables, such as CDs, in plain view. Also, do not forget to put jumper cables in the trunk in case the battery dies during your trip.

Take the worry of getting to the airport completely from the equation by staying in an airport hotel the night before an early flight. The extra sleep is well worth the trouble. In some cases, hotels, allows you to leave their car at the hotel lot for the duration of their trip, to make some calls to find out what are the hotels offer this valuable service.

That sometimes overbooked flights during holidays, it is essential to check in early. Domestic passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before departure, while international passengers should arrive three hours in advance. Pass an hour in vain for the gift shop is much better than missing your flight ten minutes.

If you do not send your donations to come, then do not wrap them before the flight. With security a priority for all airlines, security personnel must have access to all articles. Pack collapsible gift bags to be used as packaging on arrival.

Keep a positive attitude, but also be prepared mentally for the setbacks. Delays occur, and the airlines do their best to keep their schedules on time. Bring water and snacks, an airbag and eye mask, a good book, your favorite CDs, a portable CD player and a card game. Boredom is the real enemy in these situations, so be prepared to win!

Turkeys Can not Fly - Tips for the Exploration of the Open Road
Most Americans tend not to depart significantly from their family background, making long drives on the inter integral part of the ritual of holidays.

The first step in ensuring a safe journey by car is to keep your vehicle in good working condition. As temperatures drop during November and December, being stuck on the side of the road while waiting for an overworked truck driver-trailer is not the place to be. Before you go, have a qualified mechanic check all vital signs of the car brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and parts that need regular maintenance.

As with all long-distance road trips, it is wise to bring emergency equipment, as a first aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, as well as flares and jumper cables. A raclette and chains for tires will also help. Even if a white Christmas is excellent for memory, it is not ideal driving conditions.

Pad your schedule to allow sufficient time for the reader. Like shopping malls, roads are busiest on the days just before and after the summer holiday. If possible, take an additional day's leave to reduce the chance of being lodged in a traffic jam.

Once on the road, drive carefully, patiently and elk stifle any outbreak of road rage. Try not to view other cars and traffic lights as personal obstacles. Work with your fellow drivers, and not against them. Indicate lane changes and to give everyone a lot of space. Also, be forgiving when someone demonstrates reckless driving.

Do not leave valuables in your car. Pack all items, especially brightly wrapped packages in the trunk. If fear bows crushed, wait until you get to wrap gifts.

Overall, try to make driving fun, and see it as part of the celebration, not as a chore. If traveling with children, get everyone involved singing or memories of holidays spent on favorite. The trip will be over before you know it, and you get really looking forward to driving at home.

Thanks Giving - Arrive Safely is pretty please
If Santa can travel safely, year after year, and can therefore you and your family. Remember these tips from the friendly travel agents to ASTA. With a little TravelSense, everyone will be home for the holidays with warm memories to share.