Travel – Eat – Sleep

Traveling to a new and exotic city can be very exciting. Arriving in a city that is brand new and exciting to you is always a sure bet for adventure. When the big day finally arrives, here are some pointers to ensure a relaxing and fun trip. The bad side to arriving to a strange environment is that simply everything IS new. You are not familiar with your surroundings; receiving and understanding directions to the motel, restaurant, etc. can be very difficult; and you will likely have a complete feeling of loss and panic.
One important step to help cut the feeling of helplessness is to gather information regarding landing times from your airport and select a departure flight that coordinates with a daytime arrival time. Usually an early check in can be arranged with your hotel. This way you are not caught at the airport/bus station at four a.m., praying for daylight. Another topic to cover is cash. Being in a new city, you will not want to wander all over to find an ATM. Always have cash on hand, and preferable smaller bills. Some hotels and taxi cab drivers will not break a $100 bill. Also, trade in some ones for quarters, for water bottles and such. This will ensure that whatever situation you find yourself in, you will be monetarily prepared. Researching how much time and money it will take to get to your motel is important also. You do not want to reach the end of the taxi ride, only to find you are short the fare money. In addition, knowing ahead of time the duration of the trip will come in handy also, especially if on a time itinerary.
Another survival guide on your journey is to either bring a map with you, or purchase a detailed, specific map of your city. Wandering to find your way is one way of becoming familiar with the layout of the city, and asking directions from a local always is not very reliable either. If you have printed directions for mapquest.com or a store bought map, this will ensure less time trying to find your way and will free up more time for sightseeing.
By keeping these few tips in mind the next time you set off for an adventure, you can be sure of saving time, money, and your peace of mind.