Home is Calling.
The holidays are all about tradition – Eggnog and cookies, Mom letting you open one present the night before Christmas (pajamas again!), Thanksgiving football games and gathering to light the menorah during Hanukkah.
Despite repeated advice to plan ahead and make your holiday travel plans early, there will still be thousands of people that wake up Monday morning with a longing to get home. Are they out of luck? Not necessarily, but if you have to fly you will definitely pay more and have less choice than you would have if you had booked months ago. Here are a few tips from the American Society of Travel Agents when making holiday travel plans.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Before the Trip Begins
Contact a travel agent now to secure the lowest-priced airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. Be aware that prices generally escalate during the holiday season, as demand is higher.
Contact a travel agent now to secure the lowest-priced airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars. Be aware that prices generally escalate during the holiday season, as demand is higher.
Packing light saves time and energy when it comes to filling the trunk with fragile bags packed with gifts or racing to fill the last empty space in the overhead bin. Some airlines place special restrictions during the holidays and allow only one carry-on, so less luggage is vital. Consider shipping your holiday gifts to your destination allowing at least three weeks for your package to arrive.
Secure your house by locking doors and windows, and don't forget to set the alarm. Also, give your home that lived-in look to repel potential burglars by having a friend collect your mail, setting lights on timers and not leaving details of your trip on the answering machine.
Now Dasher, Now Dancer - Flying During the Holidays
Without a sleigh and eight reindeer, your travel plans will most likely bring you, and millions of others, to the airport. With a few precautions your pre-flight schedule will be absent of anxiety. Avoid peak travel days. As your travel agent will tell you, the busiest days to fly are those immediately before and after the actual holidays. Book your flights two days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
Try to secure a non-stop flight, or one involving the fewest connections and stops. Every time your plane touches the ground during peak travel times, the possibility of delays due to inclement weather or air-traffic problems increases. Also book morning flights, which tend to be delayed.
As flights are sometimes overbooked during the holidays, it's critical to check in early. Domestic travelers should arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure, while international travelers should arrive three hours in advance.
If you do not send your gifts ahead, then do not wrap them before the flight. With safety a priority for all airlines, security personnel will need access to all items. Pack collapsible gift bags to be used as wrapping upon arrival.
Keep a positive attitude, but also be mentally ready for setbacks. Delays happen, and airlines do the best they can to keep their schedules on time. Bring water and snacks, an inflatable pillow and eye mask, a good book, your favorite CDs, a portable CD player and a deck of cards. Boredom is the true enemy in these situations, so be prepared to conquer it!
Turkeys Can't Fly - Tips for Navigating the Open Road
Most Americans tend not to stray too far from their family's roots, making long drives on the interstate an integral part of the holiday ritual.
Most Americans tend not to stray too far from their family's roots, making long drives on the interstate an integral part of the holiday ritual.
The first step to ensure a smooth car trip is to keep your car in good working order. As temperatures drop during November and December, being stuck on the side of the road while waiting for an overworked tow-truck driver is not the place to be. Before you leave, have a qualified mechanic check all the car's vitals: brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and any parts that need regular maintenance.
As with all long-distance road trips, it's wise to bring emergency equipment, such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, along with flares and jumper cables. An ice scraper and chains for the tires will also come in handy. While a white Christmas is great for the memories, it's not ideal for driving conditions.
Allow plenty of time for the drive. Like shopping malls, the roads are busiest on the days right before and after the major holidays. If possible, take an extra day off to reduce the chances of being lodged in a traffic jam.
Once on the road, drive carefully, patiently and stifle any burgeoning impulses of road rage. Try not to view other cars and traffic signals as personal obstacles. Work with your fellow drivers and not against them. Indicate during lane changes and give everyone plenty of room. Also, be forgiving when someone demonstrates reckless driving.
Don't leave valuables in your car. Pack all items, especially brightly wrapped packages, in the trunk or better yet, wait until you arrive to wrap the gifts.
Overall, try to make driving fun, and view it as part of the holiday, not as a chore. If traveling with children, get everyone involved by singing or reminiscing about favorite past holidays.
Giving Thanks - Arriving Safely Is Thanks Enough
If Santa can travel safely year in and year out, so can you and your family. Just remember these tips from ASTA. With a little travel sense, everyone will be home for the holidays with warm memories to share.
Categories: Travel Columns by Walter