If you're a road warrior, these travel tips will help reduce the stress of
your journeys.

1. Choose your Travel Modality Wisely
Planes, trains or automobiles: what's the choice to be? While air
travel is clearly the only way to go for long journeys, shorter trips of
a couple of hundred miles might be faster via train, bus or auto.
When making your decision, consider time spent traveling to and
from airports, plus time spent lining up for check in, security and
departure. Also consider the effects inclement weather can have on
your travel choice. It's no fun hearing the announcement that your
plane can't land due to poor visibility and you'll be returning to your
departure airport.

2. Consider Alternative Airports
If you're flying, consider alternative airports that are outside the city
you're going to visit. As a rule, these airports have fewer flights, less
overbooking and less delays than their larger counterparts.

3. Obtain an International Drivers License
If traveling outside your own country, an international driver's
license will be more readily recognized than your locally issued
driver's license. The cost is not prohibitive and in most regions, the
licenses are easily obtained by showing your local driver's license.
Inquire at your local Automobile Association.

4. Get Your Maps Before You Leave Home
Travel is less stressful if you know how to get around. Before
leaving home, obtain maps of your destination city. One approach is
to visit web sites such as City Search (http://www.citysearch.com/)
and print out maps. Place your printed maps in plastic folders for
protection against the elements. Trying to read a road map while
standing on a rainy street corner has its obvious disadvantages.

5. Carry Electronic Documents Rather than Hard Copy
Rather than carry heavy stacks of brochures or sales letters, take
electronic documents on diskettes and have them printed at a local
printing service. Similarly, if you are working a booth in a trade
show, it's a good idea to carry electronic documents in case you run
out of the stack you shipped from the office.

6. Find Hotels that Cater to Business Travelers
Hotels that cater to business travelers will have Internet capabilities
and offer access to business machines such as faxes and
photocopiers.

7. Remember Adaptors and Converters
If you're traveling to a foreign country, remember that you might
need special voltage adaptors for electricity. You might also need
plug adapters to accommodate both electrical plugs and telephone
jacks. A good travel store will be able to help you decide what's
needed.

8. Use Calling Cards
When you're staying at a hotel, the phone bill can be a major
expense. The cost of calling your family, checking your voice mail
and checking your email is best handled by using a telephone calling
card or a corporate credit card.

9. Check your Cellular Service
Cellular phone companies regularly offer new rates. Check to be sure
you're getting the best deal -- some now include long distance
charges in the monthly fee. If your business travel will take you to
small, out-of-the way towns, your digital phone might not work. You
will need an analog or dual digital/anlog phone for such trips.

10. Protect Yourself Against Theft
Before leaving home, make copies of your travel documents
(passport, airline tickets, travel insurance, credit cards and itinerary).

Take copies with you and leave a copy with a contact at home. Take
special precautions for your electronics. See what your local travel
store has to offer in terms of protective luggage. You can purchase
laptop cases that disguise the fact that they're used for laptops, or
laptop cases that look old and battered. And of course, you already
know how fast and savvy a pickpocket can be. Avoid carrying
important documents in your purse or hip pocket.

How-to Pack and Travel Lite

In this day and age of traveling cephalalgia, there are a few packing tactics to employ. To cut out an extra thirty to forty minutes at the arriving airport, start with packing small luggage. Since carry-ons can not exceed a linear dimension of 45 inches, you can escape the fiasco of the baggage terminal by simply packing and traveling light. To learn how to pack all your needs into one suitcase, read more.

Use the following pithy packing tips to make your travel light:

Make a list. Compose a pack list. Be sure to coordinate shirts and blouses with bottoms. To maximize your traveling wardrobe fashion savoir faire, stick with solids and versatile basics. Rule-out any clothes that do not match other items.

Roll ‘em up please. The best way to fit all your clothes is by rolling pants and shirts. First fold each item in half. Then simply roll. To try to maintain any creases, start on the bulkiest end of the article of clothing.

Gear up. How to make an awe-inspiring impression out of a basic or mundane outfit? For the most glam appeal, accessorize with a vibrant tie (for him) or a florid scarf (for her). Multihued accessories can liven up just about any attire.

Minimize bulk. After you check for space, edit outfits – ruthlessly. Try to pack microfibers with wrinkle and stain free comfort. With most of your attire, stay in the same color scheme – in case you have to layer up for warmth.

Employ shoe smarts. For men, any leather rubber-soled shoes can make the day and night transition, easy. For woman, a pair of flip-flops, strappy sandals and comfy wedges can serve all casual – chic dressing needs.

Put under garments on the top. To reduce the embarrassment of under garments becoming the side show attraction of the open luggage scan, place all panties in a plastic bag free of any clippers, lighters or other questionable paraphernalia. For expedient security review, place the transparent bag on top of your other items so security can access the bag without ruining your efficient packing method.

Lose Extra Baggage. Leave the heavy travel guide at home. Duplicate important resources to keep your luggage free of extra pounds. Since most hotels and resorts provide irons and blow-dryers --leave yours at home for light travel.

Leave restricted items at home. If you want to make it through security extra fast, avoid any firearms, weapons, box-cutters, scissors, razors, lighters and any other item that may be used in a terrorist situation.

About the Author

Freelance writer, Holly Bentz is the owner of a media boutique, www.fruitionMedia.net. From subliminal e-sales letters, informative articles to powerfully persuasive web content, Bentz takes pride in providing awe-inspiring copy.