Get Ready For Spring Break With These Top Travel Tips
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or venturing outside of your hometown for the first time when it comes to being travel ready, Tops ‘n Travel will have your back. We recently caught up with Nasser Omar, owner of Tops ‘n Travel, to learn some of his top travel tips.
Having travelled all over Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Nasser Omar is an expert of all things travel.
“I love to travel. I’m passionate about traveling and being in the store and selling travel accessories gets me in the mood to travel,” said Mr. Omar.
He’s been at The Crossroads Carmel for seven years, helping experienced travelers and panicked, last-minute shoppers alike. He regularly hosts travel seminars to educate people on how to pack more efficiently and get the most out of their excursions. We asked him to share some of his top tips for traveling like a pro.
Make Your Luggage Stand Out At Baggage Claim
Marking your luggage is one of the best ways to get out of the airport and on with your journey quickly. You reduce the chance that someone else will mistakenly take your bag and you can identify it quickly. Here are a few ideas to make your bag stand out:
- Use a colorful or eye-catching luggage tag
- Add colorful handle wraps or ribbon to your bag
- Invest in a bold colorful bag
- Use a tracker, like a Tile, that will ring if it’s within range (or show you where it is via an app on your phone)
- If you need a fast, last minute solution colorful duct tape wrapped around your bag will work in a pinch
Top Underrated Travel Accessories
When you get ready to pack it’s easy to remember the items you use every day but traveling is different from your every day life. Don’t overlook these underrated travel items next time you pull out your suitcase.
For restful sleep
- Small travel pillow
- Eye shade
- Ear plugs
For your suitcase
- Travel locks
- Packing organizers/ cubes
- Extra bag for dirty laundry
For traveling
- Money belt (to protect yourself against pick-pockets)
- Smartphone charger
- Earbuds and headphones (with a regular jack for use on the plane)
- Electric converters/ adapters (these will vary by your destination)
Pre-Trip Packing Checklist
When getting ready for a big trip it’s important to think through everything you might need – especially if you’re traveling to foreign lands. Use this list to make sure you pack everything you might need.
- Check the expiration dates on your passport, driver’s license, and credit cards
- Determine an emergency contact
- Take photos of tickets, passports, and itinerary for yourself and send a copy to your emergency contact
- Notify your bank of upcoming travel
- Leave a key with a neighbor
- Make sure to pack (or check to see if it’s available at your destination):
- Extra batteries/ chargers
- Clothing care kit
- Motion sickness bands
- Duct tape
- Personal hygiene items
- Toiletry kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb/brush, deodorant, shampoo & conditioner, soap, skin care lotion, shaving kit
- Eyeglasses
- Scissors
- Nail clippers
- Travel towel
- 3-in-1 travel bottle set
- Health vaccinations
- Medications
- Pain reliever, nose spray, throat lozenges, stomach and laxative medications
- Vitamins
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- First-aid kit including antibacterial ointment
- Water bottle
Luggage: Old Vs. New
If you love the luggage you have now and it works well for you, there’s no need to replace it! If your luggage is damaged and is still under warranty, it is best to send it in for repair. Once it’s damaged, difficult to use, and no longer under warranty it is time to replace it.
Did you find these travel tips helpful? Would you like to learn even more travel tips from a travel pro? Join Tops ‘n Travel for their next seminar. You can expect to learn how to pack light, maximize space in your bag, and breeze through TSA.
View Next Seminars at Tops ‘n Travel.
Did you learn something new for your next travel adventure? Tell us about where you’re headed on Facebook or Instagram using #thecrossroadscarmel.