Essential Summer Travel Tips And Tricks

Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Tagaytay, Baguio, are among the most well-known destinations in the Philippines. In fact, many Filipinos have visited these beautiful places and have returned many times to refresh and recharge. Some even go as far as purchasing properties in order to have their own piece of paradise. During summer, booking in these places could be difficult if you don't do it in advance. But if you're a seasoned traveller, it should be a breeze finding cheaper fares and great accommodations.

Now that you've got your leaves approved and your excursions lined up, all you have to do is plan. While some people enjoy it, others find it a rather burdensome activity especially if done last minute. Planning does not mean you can't be spontaneous though. It is just a way to outline your trip so you might avoid ending up wasting time and money. Plus, you get to make room for some adjustments just in case things don't go according to plan. To make it less stressful for you, we've rounded up some simple summer travel tips to ease your planning woes-whether you're travelling by land, sea, or air.

Make a list – before you start stuffing your bag, make a written list first. It helps to prioritize important things like toiletries, gadgets, first aid kit, and other emergency staples. It's wise to put similar items together to make it easier for you to access. If you have medicines, make sure to check expiration dates and label them accordingly.

Bring dual-purpose garments – you don't necessarily have to sacrifice the fashionista in you if you bring clothes you can re-use. A scarf can be used as a cover up, a blanket, or a pillow. Bring neutral colors for bottoms to easily match your tops. Also remember to roll, not fold your clothes. This saves space and prevents deep wrinkles

Put gadget accessories in a small pouch – carry tech stuff like chargers and cables in a small pouch inside your carry-on bag to make it more accessible for you. This way, you don't need to fish them out from your luggage, if you're bringing one.

Bring different kinds of plastic – resealable and clean garbage bags are always useful. You can use resealable bags to protect your stuff from water. Other than sanitation, clean garbage bags have various purposes like being used for dirty laundry, gathering things, keeping yourself dry, tying a splint, making a sling, etc.

Double check your flight status prior to leaving – if you're going by plane, make sure to check your flight status. Unfortunately, announcements of last minute changes are not always made readily available. Be sure to check your email, SMS, and online messages.

Protect your skin with sunscreen – summer in the Philippines or any other tropical country is no joke. Whether you're hitting the beach or not, it is necessary to put on sunscreen wherever you go. It also helps to bring a light hat, a small foldable umbrella, sunglasses, and insect repellent.

Download some useful apps – thanks to technology, you can practically get anything online. Apart from booking tickets, you can also make the most out of some very helpful apps that assist with navigation, food-hunting, and other cultural activities.

Read the reviews – whether you're booking an Airbnb unit, a hotel, or a resort, make sure to read the reviews of your choices. It's easy to be deceived by photos and descriptions so dig deeper to find what people are actually saying about the place. It's wiser to always go for those who are “preferred” or “verified”.