• If the hotel room has a safe, use it for all your valuables including jewelry, electronic devices such as iPods, cameras or anything else that will fit that’s of worth to you or a family member. If the safe is electronic, wipe down the touch keys before operating with a damp cloth and dry it before entering your safe password. Also once you have keyed in your code and closed the safe door, press all the other keys that don’t make up the code. Certain hotels have found their staff putting a light oil residue over the touch keys that shows them what numbers were pressed when a special light was shined on it. A few staff members were opening safes from a few rooms and taking small amounts of money from each. Although this is a rare occasion, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

• Never carry a large amount of cash in your wallet. If you do have to carry a lot of bills, don’t pull all of your money out when you go to pay for something. It will attract the wrong kind of attention. When possible carry Traveler’s Checks or credit cards, which are much easier to track if stolen or cancel if needed.

• Wear pants that have zipper pockets, they are harder to pickpocket. Also don’t leave things, such as a wallet hanging out of a pants pocket or purse that is unzipped, it will tempt thieves to steal it.

• Never invite strangers into your room. When you are on vacation you may like to meet people who are also on vacation enjoying themselves. After a few drinks, you may think this person is your best friend, however, you don’t know them, so until you’ve hung out with them enough to feel like you actually know them, don’t invite them back to your room.

Whether you are travelling on a business trip or taking a family beach vacation, arranging the contents of your suitcase is important to ensure nothing gets too wrinkled and you have room for everything you need. Many people tend to over pack, which just creates more work for you. Lugging around a heavy suitcase at the airport is no fun, especially when you really only need half the contents for your trip. Here are great packing tips to follow for the next family beach vacation you plan:

• First, make a list of everything you think you need to bring on your trip. Keep in mind where you are going, what activities you plan on doing and whether or not you’ll have a washer and dryer available while on the trip. After the list is complete, go back through and eliminate things you really don’t need to bring. Choose your shoes wisely. Go for pairs that can be dressed up or dressed down. Wear your heaviest pair during travel and pack two pairs or less. If you’re paranoid you are forgetting something, just remember, if you arrive at your destination and realize you left something behind, odds are if it’s an emergency and you need it, you can buy it at a local store.

• Make sure to pack travel size toiletries. Pack lotions, shampoos, and powder makeup in individual plastic bags so if there is a spill, it doesn’t get all over your bag and everything else, and airline inspectors can see the contents easily. Packing toiletries in a pocket of your suitcase or in a makeup bag is the best way, and it also makes it easier to keep track of everything during your trip.

• Pack whole outfits, not just a shirt here and a pair of pants there. You don’t want to get to your destination and see that you didn’t bring anything to wear together. Plan your outfits for each day of the vacation, this will make it easier to determine what you need. Make sure to consider that you may need a day outfit and a night outfit on some days. If you’re going on a family beach vacation, you probably don’t need too many day outfits, just bring two swim suits instead and re-wear day outfits if you aren’t at the beach as much as you thought.

• To start packing, lay everything out on your bed. Fold each clothing item in half, starting with the heavier items like pants and jackets. Roll each item tightly until you reach the end; you should now have a tight cylinder that you can neatly place in your suitcase. This rolling method helps to prevent wrinkles and allows you to fit more things in your suitcase. If something is unable to be rolled because it’s a delicate item, place it folded on the bottom of the suitcase or hang in a separate garment bag. Fill your shoes with socks and underwear, if possible, to save space.

• After you’ve loaded your suitcase with your clothing items, it’s time to stuff your shoes along the sides. You may also stuff your belts along the sides.

• Find a place in the center of the suitcase for your toiletries bag. Being surrounded by other items will reduce the chance of anything being squished and spilled.

• After you’ve fit the smaller items in all the available space between items in the suitcase, cover the surface of the suitcase with a dry cleaning bag. The slippery surface of the bag won’t allow anything to stay in the same place long enough to get too wrinkled.

• Make sure to wear any nice jewelry during travel and if you’re planning on checking your bag, you should keep all jewelry in your carryon. You wouldn’t want your family beach vacation to be ruined because your favorite necklace was stolen.

At GuestQuest, we’ve heard great travel tips over the years. Here are five we’d like to share with you:

Travel Tip #1: If you have to travel alone, be alert to your surroundings. Always keep your cell phone close to you and avoid carrying a purse that could be easily grabbed. If you must go out late at night, be especially cautious when in an area you don’t know well.

Travel Tip #2: When you’re at your family vacation getaway, don’t give in to your appetite too often. Many people indulge while on trips and wind up suffering with stomach aches and headaches. Be wise and choose your foods carefully.

Travel Tip #3: Ask for the best price. When you call to make a reservation for your next fun family vacation, just inquire as to whether the price you’re being offered is the best deal they can make. Certainly, they might say they can’t go any lower, but you’ll never know unless you bring up the subject.

Travel Tip #4: Pack lightly. If there’s one thing that can rapidly ruin a fun family vacation, it’s too much luggage! Bring only what you need and remember that you can probably buy some necessities at your family vacation destination.

Travel Tip #5: Stay hydrated while at the beach. Too many people unnecessarily experience heat exhaustion (or, in more extreme cases, heat stroke) because they drink too little water while at the ocean or lake. Keep a water bottle with you at all times.

GuestQuest hopes all your travels are fun, safe and exciting!

(To read Part I of this Travel Tips series, click on this link; to read Part II, click here; for Part III, go here)

For our final set of Travel Tips for Traveling with Pets, we’ll look at how to handle some emergencies that may arise while you’re away from home.

1. Your Dog/Cat Becomes Ill

Just as humans can get sick while traveling, so can pets. If your dog or cat seems particularly ill, a call to your veterinarian at home is in order. He or she can advise you whether you should contact a local vet at your family vacation destination.

2. Your Dog Bites Someone

This is every pooch owner’s nightmare, but it can and does happen.

Should your dog bite a person or other animal during your family vacation getaway, you may be the target of legal action. Therefore, it will behoove you to write down as much information about the incident as you can after it occurs. Get the names and phone numbers of the persons or animals affected. Then, quarantine your dog as much as possible. Again, a call to your vet will help you obtain information on how to deal with this unfortunate problem.

3. Your Pet Dies

Again, it’s a horrible thought, but it could absolutely occur that your dog, cat, snake, hamster, pig, et cetera, could pass away at your family vacation spot. If this occurs and you’re in a hotel or condo, contact the manager for information; he or she may have dealt with this situation previously and may be able to connect you with a veterinarian. If you’re in a stand-alone home or cabin, look through the yellow pages or online directories for information on veterinarians.

4. Your Pet Becomes Lost

If your cat or dog gets away from you, contact the local authorities immediately. You may also want to alert people in your hotel or condo, neighborhood tourist spots and residents and perhaps even the newspaper. The more people you inform at your family vacation destination, the better chance you have at finding your furry buddy fast.

5. Your Pet is Miserable

Your cat wails night and day. Your dog moans and won’t eat. You’re at a loss.

Though this wasn’t the family vacation getaway you expected, understand that pets are individuals and won’t necessarily behave the way you expect them to. Therefore, be open to the possibility that you may have to leave your family vacation spot early if things become too rough for your pet. If that isn’t an option, you may simply have to spend more time with your pet than you do on the beach or touring the town.

(To read Part I of this Travel Tips series, click on this link; to read Part II, click here)

Okay – you and your fur buddy have arrived at your family vacation spot! Hurrah! Now is when the real fun (with pet in tow!) begins… as long as you keep these reminders in the back of your mind at all times.

1. You Must Take Your Pet Along Most of the Time

You didn’t take Fido on vacation to sit in your Canadian lodging place while you toured solo. This means that practically whatever you choose to do during your family vacation will need to be pet-friendly.

Now, obviously you can go out for dinner, lunch, touring alone. But only if you’ve spent a good amount of time entertaining your pet. Remember that this family vacation getaway should be as thrilling for your kitty or pooch as it is for you.

2. Not Everyone Loves Your Pet as Much as You Do

It’s a fact of life; you’re always going to love your pet more than people outside of your immediate family. That means when Spotty yelps in the middle of the night, others who are staying at your Florida lodging area are going to be less-than-thrilled.

Similarly, not every place that allows pets may want yours. Sure, you know your pot-bellied pig is potty trained, but the hotel manager may not want to take the chance. If you’re shown the front door, don’t be surprised. (This is where maximum planning beforehand is critical. It’s not enough to find out if a place allows pets; you also have to find out if there are any limitations on the types and numbers of pets. In other words, a phone call to the staff is pragmatic and may save you some headaches.)

3. Your Pet is Going to Need Reassurance

Even if your doggie adores traveling, he or she still knows that home is far, far away. That could make him or her very antsy, especially if you have to leave him or her behind in your condo in Illinois for a few hours.

Just as you would for a child, bring along familiar objects for your dog or cat – a fetch toy, a special pillow, a favored blankie. Those small reminders of home could be all your furry friend needs to relax and unwind while you’re out for breakfast or sight-seeing.

Our final Travel Tips for vacationing with pets is up next!

(To read Part I of this Travel Tips series, click on this link)

Now that you and your four-legged buddy are ready and rarin’ to go to your family vacation destination, it’s time to think about the actual travel part of the trip. Here are some areas to consider for maximum comfort and ease:

1. Planes Can Be Miserable for Pets

Many pet owners would like to believe that their dogs or cats are as comfy as they are while journeying to their family vacation destinations. However, plane travel can be tough on pets.

Ask your veterinarian for medicines to help make air travel a little calmer for your feline or canine companion. Though you may hate the thought of medicating him or her, it could be the travel tip that saves your buddy from a frantic flight.

2. Car Rides Should Include Plenty of Breaks

Are you planning to travel by car to your family vacation destination? If so, be certain to plot places where you and your pet can get out and enjoy some fresh air. Dogs love to run or just walk, and they need to exercise their legs after a joint-stiffening car ride just as much as humans!

As you’re planning your itinerary, check out your maps and vacation guides to see if there’s a pet-friendly park along your route. That way, you and your pet can get some much-needed stretching together in a beautiful atmosphere.

3. Dogs and Cats Need to Stay Hydrated

When you’re packing food and water for your traveling, don’t forget your pet’s needs. Hydration is very important, especially during car and plane trips; without water, an animal could easily overheat.

There are fold-up cat and dog bowls that store easily and can be used primarily for vacations. Look around the Internet and you’re sure to find exactly what you need. (Of course, you could always throw an old-fashioned plastic or metal bowl into the car if you have room!)

Want more Travel Tips for taking your best family vacation with your pets? Check out Part I in our series and look for Part III where we’ll discuss what to do on vacation.

If you’re a packrat, you know it. You’ve come to terms with it. But that doesn’t mean your traveling companions will like it when you lug everything under the sun to… and from… your family vacation spot.

Here are some ways that you, as a card-carrying member of the sometimes-irritating (but ultimately lovable) packrat community, can curb your appetite for clutter while at some of the best family vacation spots on the planet.

1. Have someone else pack for you

Now, don’t freak out. Seriously consider this as a viable travel tip. After all, you know very well that if you’re packing your duds for a week at one of those wonderful Delaware condominiums, you’re likely to throw too much together. So why not allow someone else to pack on your behalf?

Just make sure that you let him or her know of things that you absolutely need, like medications. But don’t dictate how many bathing suits or magazines to pop into the suitcase. That way, you’ll arrive at your family vacation destination with less to lug.

2. Set a packing limit

Just as you would set a “spending limit”, why not set a limit on how many things you can pack in your suitcases?

For instance, say you figure you’ll not pack more than 50 things (total, including toiletries) for your stay at a Florida vacation condo. If you go over the amount, you’ll have to remove items. If you’re under the amount (and let’s face it, no packrat will be), you can celebrate.

3. Carry everything yourself

If you want to curb your packrat ways, tell yourself that whatever you bring, YOU have to carry. Not someone else. This means up the flight of stairs in the airport or through the train station concourse on your way to your best family vacation spots.

If you know you’ll have to muscle anything you bring, you’re less likely to fill your luggage until it’s about to pop open. And that means your visit to a few Canadian hotels will be much less of a workout.

Bon voyage… lightly!