Minimize jetlag

While there is no magic cure for jet lag, there are certainly ways that you can limit its affects.

Planning for your trip in advance is key. Make sure to be well rested and relaxed a couple days prior to your trip departure. No one wants to be sick and trying to recover during vacation.

Reset your clock. Adjusting to time differences can be difficult when traveling. It is best to set your watch to the local time of your destination. Also prepare by staying up a little longer or going to sleep earlier can help you adjust to the new time schedule.

Eat, drink and rest. Choosing lighter meals and drinking plenty of fluids will help prevent you from dehydration. It is best to stick to water or fruit juices and avoid caffeine, alcohol and drinks high in sugar. Making sure to get enough sleep is also very important to assure you are well rested when you reach your destination.

Regularly stretch and walk around the plane.

Try to stay awake when you reach your destination by being active. If you are exhausted it is best to take an hour-long nap as soon as arriving and setting your alarm or ordering a wake-up call.

Security on tour

While your Tour Director is always there to guide you, it also helps if you take your own precautions.

If you choose to explore, be sure to tell someone where you are going at all times.

During you free time, make sure you don’t leave the hotel without writing down the address and phone number of your accommodations.

Do not leave money & valuables in your hotel room while you are out. Where possible use the hotel safe.

Do not leave valuables on the coach (even during short stops).

Take precautions to avoid scam artists by being wary of strangers who approach you and offer to sell you something at bargain prices.

Beware of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will: Jostle you; Ask you for directions or the time; Point to something spilled on your clothing; Distract you by creating a disturbance.

Wear your bag across your chest and walk with the bag away from the road.

Try to be as inconspicuous as possible – wearing clothing that does not make you stand out and look purposeful when you are out exploring. Even if you are lost, act as though you know where you are and try to only ask for directions from individuals in authority.

Be discrete with your money when paying for bills or shopping. You don’t want to attract unwanted attention.

When traveling, do not leave your bags or belongings unattended at any time.

Wearing a money belt under your clothing is the safest place to carry valuables. Your money belt should be undetectable under your clothing and should not be regularly accessed throughout the day. Things to put in your money belt include: your passport, a spare credit or debit card, cash and traveler’s cheques as well as larger bills and emergency contact lists.

Most importantly stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and listen to your Tour Director who is always looking after your best interests.

Insight Vacations Tour Director Tips

Tour directors are experienced travelers, learned historians and culture buffs. Their expertise and years of travel make them the world’s best travel professionals. Here are some of their tips for travel:

Ensure that you have budgeted for the entire trip, including money for shopping, extra meals and optional excursions.

Research your destination(s) – learning a bit about your destination before you get there is a great way to prepare for your trip – there are plenty of books and online resources.

Learn some useful phrases – your tour director will be able to converse in the languages of the places you visit but learning a few phrases, and any attempts are usually appreciated by locals.

Hone your photography skills – try out your camera in different conditions and find out what settings work best. Try your camera in different lighting, under various weather conditions. Also try taking the same object from different angles and capture moving objects. A little bit of practice will help you capture better pictures on tour.

Prepare your travel journal: a travel journal is a great way of keeping the memories of your trip alive for years to come. Find a journal that is easy to carry and take a plastic sleeve to keep mementos such as ticket stubs and photos. There are also a lot of online journals that you can use.