Holiday Travel Tips for Safe Holiday Travel
As seen in travelsense.org

The holidays are steeped in family traditions - opening presents at first light on Christmas Day, napping during the football game on Thanksgiving, lighting the menorah during Hanukkah, inching the car through a traffic jam on the interstate and standing in an airport line that just doesn't move.
To maximize holiday travel happiness and minimize coal-in-the-stocking grief, follow these helpful holiday travel 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 arrive at Grandma's house full of holiday cheer.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Before the Holiday Travel Begins
Contact a travel agent well in advance of your trip to secure the lowest-priced airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars that usually sell out quickly for holiday travel. Be aware that prices generally escalate during the holiday season, as demand is higher.
Packing light saves time and energy when it comes to filling the trunk with fragile bags packed with gifts or racing to fill the last empty space in the overhead bin. Some airlines place special restrictions during the holidays and allow only one carry-on, so less luggage is vital. For detailed tips on how to pack wisely, see below.
One holiday travel tip for packing lighter is to ship your gifts to your destination ahead of time. Allow at least two to three weeks for your package to arrive, for the holidays are hectic times for courier services like UPS and Federal Express.
Before leaving, be sure to secure your house. Lock all doors and windows, and don't forget to set the alarm. Also, give your home that lived-in look to repel potential burglars by having a friend collect your mail, setting lights on timers and not leaving details of your trip on the answering machine.

Now Dasher, Now Dancer - Flying During the Holidays
Without a sleigh and eight reindeer, your holiday travel plans will most likely bring you, and millions of others, to the airport. But fear not - with a few precautions and a little Travel-sense, your pre-flight schedule will be absent of anxiety.
First, avoid peak travel days. As your travel agent will tell you, the busiest days to fly are those immediately before and after the actual holidays. Book your flights two days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
Your travel agent can secure you a non-stop flight, or one involving the fewest connections and stops. Every time your plane touches the ground during peak travel times, the possibility of delays due to inclement weather or air-traffic problems increases. Also, aim to book morning flights, which tend to be delayed less often than afternoon departures.
If possible, have a friend drive you to the airport, or take a shuttle or public transportation. Shuttle services generally pick up guests early to ensure a timely arrival. If you drive and park at the airport lot, do not leave any valuables, such as CDs, or GPS in plain view. Also remember to put jumper cables in the trunk in case the battery dies during your trip.
Take the worry of getting to the airport completely out of the equation by staying at an airport hotel the night before an early flight. The additional sleep is well worth it. In some cases, hotels will allow guests to leave their car in the hotel lot for the duration of their trip, so make a few calls to discover which hotels offer this valuable service.
As flights are sometimes overbooked during the holidays, it's critical to check in early. Domestic travellers should arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure, while international travellers should arrive three hours in advance. Spending an idle hour in the gift shop is much more fun than missing your flight by ten minutes.
If you do not send your gifts ahead, then do not wrap them before the flight. With safety a priority for all airlines, security personnel will need access to all items. Pack collapsible gift bags to be used as wrapping upon arrival.
Keep a positive attitude, but also be mentally ready for setbacks. Delays happen, and airlines do the best they can to keep their schedules on time. Bring water and snacks, an inflatable pillow and eye mask, a good book, your favourite CDs, MP3 player and a deck of cards. Boredom is the true enemy in these situations, so be prepared to conquer it!

Turkeys Can't Fly - Holiday driving Tips for Navigating the Open Road
Most Americans tend not to stray too far from their family's roots, making long drives on the interstate an integral part of the holiday ritual.
The first step to ensure a smooth car trip is to keep your car in good working order. As temperatures drop during November and December, being stuck on the side of the road while waiting for an overworked tow-truck driver is not the place to be. Before you leave, have a qualified mechanic check all the car's vitals: brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and any parts that need regular maintenance.
As with all long-distance winter road trips, it's wise to bring emergency equipment, such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, along with flares and jumper cables. An ice scraper and chains for the tires will also come in handy. While a white Christmas is great for the memories, it's not ideal for winter driving conditions.
Pad your schedule to allow plenty of time for the drive. Like shopping malls, the roads are busiest on the day’s right before and after the major holidays. If possible, take an extra day off to reduce the chances of being lodged in a traffic jam.
Once on the road, drive carefully, patiently and stifle any burgeoning impulses of road rage. Try not to view other cars and traffic signals as personal obstacles. Work with your fellow drivers and not against them. Indicate during lane changes and give everyone plenty of room. Also, be forgiving when someone demonstrates reckless driving.
Don't leave valuables in your car. Pack all items, especially brightly wrapped packages, in the trunk. If afraid of squashed bows, wait until you arrive to wrap the gifts.
Overall, try to make driving fun, and view it as part of the holiday, not as a chore. If travelling with children, get everyone involved by singing or reminiscing about favourite past holidays. The ride will be over before you know it, and you'll actually look forward to the drive back home.

Giving Thanks - Arriving Safely Is Thanks Enough
If Santa can travel safely year in and year out, so can you and your family. Just remember these tips from the friendly travel agents at ASTA. With a little Travel Sense, everyone will be home for the holidays with warm memories to share.

Packing Lists and Packing Tips
Here are two kinds of travellers in the world: those who packed light and those who wish they had. To include everything needed in as little space as possible, follow these helpful packing tips compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know the techniques of efficient packing and packing tips for all types of travel.

PACKING LIST - MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase by creating a packing list. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be beneficial in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.
When planning your wardrobe, consider the events you will participate in both day and night and write down a possible outfit for each activity. Crosscheck this packing list to determine if one piece can cover multiple occasions. Pick clothes that coordinate well together, based around complimentary colours
Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly. Also, be sure to know the local traditions, where a t-shirt for dinner could be a serious blunder, or bare shoulders may bar your entrance into such places as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. For almost all outdoor activities, take pieces that can be layered.
Forget dress clothes for every occasion. The world at large has relaxed its dress code, showing almost universal leniency to tourists. Dark colours - a black dress or blue jacket - will get you through most dinners and plays.

PACKING TIPS: TO PACK OR NOT TO PACK? THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Now that the wardrobe is thoroughly planned, stick with it. When packing, lay out the items you intend to take and re-examine your packing list. If possible, weed out single-use items and extras.
Set aside the pieces you intend to bring and ensure that they are clean and ready to be packed. Contact your travel agent about the hotel's in-room amenities - such as a hair dryer, an iron and board, soap, shampoo etc. - so you'll know what to leave behind.
Jewellery - don't take what you don't want to lose, and leave behind the flashy pieces that could attract thieves. Keep makeup to a minimum to save space, and leave the perfume behind when scented lotions will work just as well.
When it comes to the question of toiletries, travel kits are always the answer. Having a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case will save in packing time before the trip and aggravation after arrival. Most personal toiletry items come in inexpensive travel sizes, so purchase these whenever you see them so as not to arrive with a half-empty bottle of your favourite hair gel. And don't fill bottles up to the very top, for pressure inside the plane may force the contents to expand and overflow.

ALERT: The US Department of Homeland Security is restricting the amount of liquids passengers can carry on an air plane Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union have imposed similar restrictions. Click here for more information

See also: TSA's 3-1-1 on Carry-On Luggage [PDF]With each item you intend to bring, visualize how to make it smaller, like photocopying certain pages and maps from the guidebook instead of bringing the entire book. Streamline your daily habits. Bring only one bottle of all-purpose lotion instead of multiple lotions for hands, face and body. Choose a regular toothbrush or razor over electric models.
Film and other accessories can be purchased globally and often easily, so save packing room by leaving them behind. Create an in-trip adventure and discover more about the area by shopping for a local brand of deodorant or lotion.
When it comes to incidentals, a few items will go a long way. Important items to bring include a first-aid kit, a tin of aspirin, sunscreen and a small bottle of Woolite for emergency, in-room laundering if needed. Also, a Swiss army knife will amaze you with its handiness, whether peeling fruit or uncorking a wine bottle. Remember - it's not allowed on the plane, so pack it in your checked luggage.

Once your travel kit is complete, be sure to pack it in your carry-on bag to avoid a mess in your checked luggage and have on hand during the flight.

THE ART OF PACKING
Now you know what to bring, so let the packing begin. Iron everything before placing it in the suitcase. If it goes in crisp and clean, odds are more in its flavour of coming out the same. Button all buttons and zip all zippers.
Learn to fold. Practice folding like they do in clothing stores - they use that method for a reason. The better the fold, the fewer the creases. All garments can be folded in many different ways - T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats can be rolled up and strategically positioned (i.e. stuffed) in a duffel bag or travel pack.
The interlocking method of folding clothes is ideal for suitcases. Overlap two pieces of clothing flat and then fold them into each other so that each piece cushions the other to aid in defying wrinkles. Placing a piece of tissue paper between each layer of clothing will also help prevent wrinkling.
If using the fold and stack method, try to think chronologically, placing the items to be worn first on the top. This will prevent rooting around the suitcase for a specific item while disrupting the rest.
Always pack tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle. Eliminate wasted space, such as the insides of shoes, which are perfect for socks or underwear.
Always carry travel documents, medication, jewellery, traveller’s checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.
Label each piece of luggage, both inside and out, with your name and telephone number, but not your home address. If an address is needed, then put your offices. And remove old claim checks to avoid confusion.
Unpack as completely as possible as soon as you get to the hotel to prevent further wrinkles. When repacking, remember that balled-up, dirty laundry takes more space than carefully folded clothes, so repack your used clothing identically to your original packing method.

ZIPPING UP
The main message: be in control of your luggage and not at its mercy. With a little Travel-sense, a few packing guidelines and some helpful packing tips, travelling light will be an easy plan to follow.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, airlines have imposed strict regulations on the size and the amount of luggage passengers may check. Travellers who fail to check size requirements before their flights may be charged with extra fees in order to bring the bag on board the aircraft. To avoid such issues, ASTA advises you consult with the individual airlines' Web sites or Customer Service lines.

© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises

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