6 tips from an experienced traveller

As a frequent traveller, there are 7 rules that I live by when travelling by plane. For me these have become absolute laws of travel that make every trip easier and more enjoyable.

Plan what needs to be planned

Nothing is as stressful as realizing your forgot something so planing is very important. For each type of trip (business, conference, vacation, etc) I have pre-determined checklists to ensure I don't forget anything. If you don't have one ask a friend or email me.

Make sure your passport is up to date (having at least 6 months before expiry). Make sure you have all the required vaccines, visas, etc. Make at least 2 photocopies of each official document that you can keep just in case the original get's lost or stollen.

Plan your trip to the airport properly. I would rather get to the airport an hour earlier than required and comfortably check in, go through security and relax with a cold beverage at the gate rather than showing up late and constantly worrying about missing my flight.

Stay Hydrated

Read my article about the importance of staying hydrated. The summary is avoid all caffeinated beverages and alcohol. Drink lots of water and drink it constantly. 

Dehydration can make you sick and really contributes to jetlag.

I got to move it move it

Don't use your flight to be a couch potato. It is very important to move around and get some "exercise". by exercise I don't mean running, jumping or breaking a sweat but making sure you stretch your muscle and get the blood flowing. This makes you feel better, reduces jetlad and reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Get up and walk a little. Stretch your legs and calves. maybe even stretch you back, arms and shoulders. Walk, move, walk.

Eat well

Airplane food is extra salty which dehydrates you. Don't use your trip to gorge. Eat normal portions and choose healthy options. Think veggies, fruits, etc.

Check with your doctor

If its been a while since your last physical, go to your doctor for a full physical and have a blood test done. This will ensure you are in tip top shape and won't have any surprises at your destination. Take extra meditations (if needed) and make sure you carry all your meds in the original pharmacy container which has the pharmacy name, medication name, dosage, your name and often the doctor's name. Some countries demand this or will confiscate your meds.

When I travel to some African countries, I bring along my own seringes just in case. For these I get a presciption from my doctor. I don't want anyone confusing me for a drug user.

Travel carry-on only

A huge frustration is waiting for your luggage at the destination or having it "delayed or lost". Read my article about travelling with a carry-on only.

Wear this shirt for 100 days without washing it

Wool & Prince claim that you can wear their new shirt for 100 days without having to wash or iron it. The company claims this is possible because of a new special wool technology that wicks moisture away (better than cotton), fold resistance and breathability. 

Putting aside "Mr disgusting" looking for ways to wash less often, this could be an amazing addition for business travellers looking for wrinkle resistant stay clean shirts. It could mean less content and lighter luggage. 

Is all of this worth $US98?

They are crowdsourcing the funding on kickstarter. 

WineSkin is the ideal way to bring back Wine from your trip

One of the joys of travelling is discovering new tastes and bringing some of it back with you. Bringing back some souvenir alcohol is a great but most travelers worry about the bottle breaking in transit and leaving an indelible mark on your valuables.

The WineSkin may just be able to solve your problem.  The WineSkin is a thick peal-and-seal bubble protection system for your alcohol. Using it is very simple. 

• Insert your favorite 750ml (or smaller) bottle into the WineSkin
• Peel and press the seal (the inner seal) against the vinyl covering
• Form fit the rest of the WineSeal around your bottle
• Peel and press the seal (the outer seal) against the vinyl covering 

The WineSkin is a single use item but you can find a 3 pack for $9.99 or less. 

Alternatives

There are some reusable alternatives but they are usually much bulkier and don't seem to offer the same level of spill protection. Having looked at about a dozen different models, I am confident that this is the one you will want in your luggage.

Where to find it

This is my personal blog and I don't use any kind of affiliate marketing. Any links I provide here are done for your convenience (I don't get anything from the retailers).

Take a quick look around the web and you'll find these everywhere.  

• IWA has a 6 pack for $18
• The Container Store has then for $2.99 each
• Amazon has a 2 pack for $7.98
• Sears has a 2 pack for $19.40 

Obviously shop around but it is easy to find and very affordable. Your local travel store may even have some in stock.