What to set up at home before travel?

Here are 5 best suggestion to set up at home before leaving for travel.

1. Neighbours, friends and relatives should be told that you're out
2. Keys - keep them in the luggage and leave a pair with relatives/ friends or the neighbours.
3. Domestic help & services - tell them you're out. That way you won't have a week's paper at your door when you're back & others won't know you're not at home.
4. Eat up food that won't last while you're out. Also stock up for the day you get back, who likes running to the market, back straight from a vacation!.
5. Ensure that all lights and the Cooking gas in switched off. All windows and doors properly secure.

How to have more fun at your Destination

1. Making a list of to do's brings everyone together. Having a plan also means you won't miss stuff you wanted to do and enjoy a well paced holiday.
2. Getting an idea of activity timings and sight-seeing circuits is also great. There's nothing more disappointing than to arrive to a place and find it shut or all seats filled.
3. With kids be watchful and safe but do let your hair down too after all it's a holiday!

Travel Tips for Holidays

Travel Tips for Beach Holidays

• Sunscreen: Carry sunscreen cream or lotion to avoid sun burn.
• Sun Glasses: Invest in a pair of good sun glasses; make sure that they have UV protection.
• Shopping: Carry some change to shop from beach vendors, as most hawkers may not have the loose money.
• Laundry bag: Good to carry a laundry bag when going for beach fun.
• Safety: Do not swim in the deep waters; ask lifeguard about the beach.
• Beach Wear: Carry a pair of floaters and light cotton clothes.
  

Travel Tips for Hill Holidays

• Mountain Sickness: If trekking, go up slowly, giving your body enough time to adjust.
• Pills: Carry some pills to see you through your holiday in the hills. Mountain Sickness is common after an altitude of 2500 m and higher.
• What to carry: Torch, Umbrella and a good pair of sturdy shoes are useful.
  

Travel Tips for Adventure Holidays

• Essentials: Raincoat, torch, spare batteries and woolens (if travelling in a cold region).
• First Aid Kit: Personal first-aid kit including medication for common ailments such as headaches, loose motion etc.
• Food: Carry chocolates, glucose and some energy drinks to keep you going

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Good Tips for Better Train Travel

• Two hours before your leave: Keep all your travel papers (tickets) in an easy to carry pouch. A waist pouch is well suited to carry important papers.
• Leave on time: Do keep in mind that every one is heading for a holiday and there may be traffic jams. Beat the traffic woes by leaving for the railway station early.
• No confirmed Tickets: If your train tickets are not confirmed till the time you leave for the station, it is good to store the PNR number in your mobile. Ask a friend, who has easy access to the Internet to update you on the latest status.
• Railway Enquiry: Important contact numbers of Indian Railways - 131, 139. If using mobile phone, dial area code followed by the number. For e.g. 011-139 (for Delhi).
• Do confirm if your train offers food on board. If not carry your own stuff to keep hunger pangs at bay.
• Train Info on the Move: Just dial 139 xxxxxxxxxx (10 digit PNR number) and 139 xxxx (4 digit train number) to get the ticket and train status immediately.

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Good Tips for Better Air Travel

• Before you step out: Check all your papers, including passport, visa (if required) and tickets are in order. Keep them safe, preferably in a hand bag or waist pouch.
• Flight Timings: Confirm your flight timings to be sure that it is on time.
• Prohibited Items: Be sure not to carry items like liquids/skis/cues/walking canes/sticks/Swiss knives in your hand baggage.
• Motion Sickness: If you are prone to motion sickness, take an anti sickness pill before the flight.
• Baggage Policy: Check with the airline that how much baggage is permissible to carry.
• Be on time: Get to airport 90 minutes before the schedule departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before for international flights.
• Book Taxi: To avoid last minute hassle, book taxi in advance for airport transfer.
• In-flight Meals: Carry fruits & finger foods if the flight does not serve meals.
  

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Tips for Taking Great Holiday Pictures

Firstly carry that extra roll of film or memory card, there's never enough!

1. Carry extra batteries and a charger for sure.
2. Lights conditions being weak it's better to carry a 200ASA film that will
   handle nearly all situations.
3. Carry a tripod - some places look awesome at night. Remember any decent
   shot at night means exposure beyond 20 secs.
4. Basic shot guidelines.
   
   • Aim & shoot' safer than 'compose' when it comes to wildlife.
   • Add friends and family to that magical scenery. It adds perspective
     and a personal touch.
   • Shoot friends or family on fast shutter speeds, they fidget a lot!
   • If you're shooting something in the fore with a great background, focus
     on the fore.
     
5. Flash.
   
   • Use the flash in the day to beat out high contrasts in bright sunlight.
   • Also flash hogs the battery so carry extra batteries.
   • Shoot friends or family on fast shutter speeds, they fidget a lot.

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Tips for how and what to pack before trip

How and what to pack. Some packing checklists..

1. Clothes - packing light & packing for the weather

• Pack light, then throw in another days' clothes.
• Tightly roll denims & socks rolled take less space and also make great 'padding' without getting crushed.
• Grand Ma's advice - there's nothing better than a shawl to keep cosy, add one to your bag.
• Given the rains everywhere this time, carry an umbrella/ rainwear. It's great to beat that rainy day that could otherwise mar your trip.
• It's always good to be carrying a good torch. Add a knife and needle-thread, they are surprisingly useful.
  

2. Medicines

• Ensure that you carry all prescription medicines that you take.
• Take medicines for - headache, pain, fever, running nose, a loose tummy. Throw in some cough lozenges, an anti-septic cream, cotton and band-aid

3. Tickets and what to keep within easy reach.

• Check and recheck on all tickets and booking vouchers. Keep them within easy reach to pull out as you need conveniently.
• Keeping tissues and hand-wash within easy reach is also very handy.
  

4. Packing for kids

• All medicines, wipes, creams and powder.
• Their favourite toy and a good book.
• A good hand sanitizer
• Their Doctor's phone number.

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Best Driving Tips for Better Trips

Driving somewhere? Run through these...

1. Papers

• Avoid police hassles - carry in the car, attested photocopies of your Registration Certificate, Insurance & Pollution papers. Carry originals in luggage/ on person.
• Don't trust local mechanics - carry a Contact list of Service stations for your car.
  

2. Tyre Health

• Check Tyre pressure for sure before your head out on cold tyres - tyre pressure affects braking, ride-comfort & even mileage.
• Heading to the hills? Reduce pressure by 2 points before you climb. Firstly you will get better control as the footprint will increase + as you climb remember the outside pressure will reduce, so your tyres will bloat as it is.
  

3. Under the bonnet

• Check all lights especially the brake lights are functioning properly. Carry a spare head-lamp.
• Check water in the battery and fill to proper levels.
• Ensure that Wind-shield washer fluid, engine oil, brake oil and radiator coolant levels are all optimal.
• It's always good to carry a Jump-start cable and a Tow rope in the car, if not for yourself, then to help someone who's stranded.
  

4. Practicals

• Carry chewing gum - research proves that it is the most effective way of staying awake and alert as you drive.
• Drinking water is an essential - 2 bottles in the car & a container in the dickey
• Carry simple fruits, not only are they healthy, the sugar keeps everyone perked up. We're sure you'll stop on the way for meals!
• For the hills if anyone is Mountain sick nothing works better than chewing on raw Ginger and smelling lemon.
• Indian roads - best time to head out is early morning at 5 am. Less traffic, good driving and a wonderful way to start the day.
  

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