Every season is travel season—as long as you know where to go! As summer turns to fall, it’s the perfect time to snag some late- or off-season bargains as the weather is starting to cool, or to fly a little further, where it’s still peak beach weather.
“Vacation” means something different to just about everyone. Some long for the luxury of relaxation—to be in a beautiful place without responsibilities or an agenda. Others want a full schedule filled with sightseeing and cultural experiences. Then there are the adventurers who head to the wilderness for a taste of something primal.
Summer Travel Tips
Whatever your vision of the perfect vacation, some planning and preparation goes a long way in ensuring it meets expectations. Here are some of our top travel tips:
Pack Smart
Make sure you’re packing all you’ll need in terms of hygiene products and other essentials. Be sure that you have hand sanitizer and wet wipes handy in addition to your other toiletries. You might not always have easy access to a sink or hygienic water supply for hand washing.
You’ll also want to pack enough clothing, including undergarments, to last you the full trip—especially if you won’t have access to laundry facilities.
Think about what kind of footwear you’ll need based on the local terrain. Are you planning to be on foot a lot? Waltzing into a Michelin Star restaurant? Wading in the water or traversing a rocky landscape? Make sure you have the right footwear for the job.
It’s wise to bring physical maps or satellite GPS for trips to places with poor or absent cell service. We’ve all become so reliant on smartphone apps to help us get around, and it’s easy to forget that we could be lost without them. Best to plan for all possibilities.
Double-check that you’ve got all the prescription or OTC medications you need counted out and packed safely. Pack medication in your carry-on in case luggage goes missing (it happens). Be sure any medication is clearly labeled with your full name, your health care provider’s name, the medication’s generic and brand name, and exact dosage.
Bring copies of all written prescriptions with you and leave a copy at home with a friend or relative, just in case you lose your copy or need an emergency refill. It also helps to have a doctor’s note regarding the prescription—especially for controlled substances and injectable medications. Be aware that any items exceeding 3.4 oz or 100 ml will need to be screened on their own, separate from your other belongings.
Make Local Reservations in Advance
There’s nothing worse than traveling all the way to your destination only to find that the area’s top attractions are already fully booked for the duration of your stay. Go online and look up the top attractions in the area, decide which ones you want to be sure to visit on your trip, then make reservations as soon as you can. Even if you’re not 100% sure you’ll keep your spot, it’s better to have to cancel than lose out on the option altogether!
Get to Know the Area BEFORE You Get There
Do some research. Read up on reviews, travel guides and blogs for lessons others have learned the hard way. Tips on parts of town that might be more dangerous to tourists, for example, or the best time of day to visit certain attractions or areas. Forewarned is forearmed!
Stay on Top of Your Transportation Schedule
There are plenty of apps available to track flights and get notifications of any delays or cancellations in real time. It’s a smart move to get those set up in advance so they’re working smoothly for you on your day of travel. Be sure you also have key phone numbers and emails handy to contact the airlines should the need arise.
Flying to Your Destination: Hygiene Recommendations
Airports and airplanes make for close contact with lots of other people. It really can’t be avoided. That’s not a reason for fear, but it is a good reason to take basic precautions to protect yourself from germs that could make a mess of your trip. That hand sanitizer you packed can come in handy, and when you’re unable to keep a healthy distance, there’s no shame in masking up to stay on the safe side!
There’s an excellent chance you’ll need to use the airport restroom, and it’s there in particular that you want to avoid direct contact with surfaces as much as possible. If available options like touchless soap dispensers, faucets and hand dryers are installed, this will help immensely in decreasing points of contact. Keep an eye out for hand dryers with eHEPA® filtration to help reduce the transmission of bacteria and viruses. And fast-drying hand dryers for airports have features and benefits that can help speed up the flow of traffic through the restroom, decreasing wait lines and crowded facilities.
Dry First Class: How Excel Dryer Can Help Improve Transportation Centers
Even when we can’t fly first class, we can dry first class. Excel Hand Dryersoffer just the right combination of touchless technology, eHEPA filtration and fast drying times. Our Made in the USA™XLERATOR®, XLERATOReco®, ThinAir® and XLERATORsync® provide users with a fast, easy, safe and hygienic experience.
The D|13 Sink System positions XLERATORsync® with eHEPA filtration alongside a high-efficiency, touchless faucet and soap dispenser on the sink deck. This maintenance-friendly, intuitive, hygienic, hands-free design allows users to wash and dry their hands quickly and thoroughly at a single station, without requiring so much as a pivot. Paper towel waste is eliminated, and water captured effectively by the system to minimize any spillage.
Impressed by its style, convenience, cost-savings and hygiene benefits, The Denver International Airport installed the D|13 Sink System in their Concourse B family restrooms. A single concourse in the airport serves 26 million people a day, meaning high-volume efficiency, cleanliness and hygiene are all crucial. Airport facilities managers don’t make product selections lightly. They’ve found that the D|13 system allows restrooms to practically maintain themselves thanks to the elimination of paper towel waste and wet floors. Travelers’ restroom experiences are elevated, and the airport is saving precious resources on maintenance and restocking costs.
Make the Most of Your Trip
Being safe, healthy and well-prepared is the best way to ensure you’ll make the most of your trip. It’s well worth it to take that extra time before departing to make sure you’ve done all the preparation up front and left nothing for yourself to do on vacation but enjoy yourself!
Want to learn more about how Excel Hand Dryers can optimize the travel experience? Contact us today.
