To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, here are five essential tips for planning the perfect summer road trip.

Summer road trips are a great way to explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. However, planning a road trip can be daunting and overwhelming without proper preparation. There are countless potential destinations, routes, and activities to consider, which can quickly become overwhelming. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, it’s essential to plan ahead and take care of all the necessary details. From deciding on your destination and route to packing essentials and planning activities, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make your trip a success. By following these tips, you can enjoy a stress-free and exciting adventure on the open road. So grab your map, pack your bags, and let’s hit the road!

Ekta Mohanani Kamra, Travel Enthusiast and Founder of Hop n Bop, shared five essential tips to help you plan the perfect summer road trip.

1. Plan your route

Considering the present heat situation, decide on the places you want to visit and plan your route accordingly. Use a map or a GPS to ensure that you have the most efficient and scenic route possible.

2. Check your vehicle

Before embarking on your road trip, make sure your vehicle is tuned up and in a good condition. Get it serviced, and check the tires, brakes and oils to ensure a safe and relaxed journey. To prevent motion sickness when travelling, stay hydrated as much as you can, take short breaks for snacks, and eat wholesome foods and cold liquids.

3. Pack light giving more space

Make a list of everything you need to pack for your trip including snacks, and water. Sunscreen and first aid kit. Pack smart and wear comfortable and breezy clothes to not cause any irritation on the trip. Don’t forget to pack some entertainment such as books and a good playlist to keep your fellow companions entertained.

4. Multiple drivers

Having at least two people who can drive is crucial so as to avoid delays and longer halts. Having more than one driver can make sure the driving responsibilities are shared equally, allowing each person to rest and refresh themselves. This also reduces the risk of driver fatigue.

5. Travel early

Travel during the early hours to reach your destination before the scorching heat of the day sets in. This could help you if you wish to do outdoor activities, as it helps you avoid the hottest part of the day, reducing the risk of exhaustion.

In conclusion, planning the perfect summer road trip requires preparation and excitement and with the right mindset and planning, it can become an unforgettable experience filled with adventure and relaxation. So grab a map, plan a route and hit the road for the trip of your life!

If you love planning vacations and trips, here are some financial tips to bare in mind.

We can safely claim that travelling has practically become second nature to us as a result of travel becoming more and more accessible and as more and more people venture outside of their towns, cities, and countries on a regular basis. Don’t let the anticipation of visiting new places impair your judgement if you intend to travel for any vacation. Your personal and financial information could be at risk wherever you go due to the vulnerability of the majority of large hotel businesses’ computer systems and recent hotel system hacks.

Even if we take great care to prepare everything we need for our trips, many of us frequently overlook key financial details prior to departure. We either forget to take them into account because we are preoccupied with planning our trip, or we simply don’t think they are significant enough to worry about. Below are some financial tips to keep your money safe while travelling:

Savings:

Saving is one of the all-time things one should do even when you plan a trip in your mind and plans get successful finally. Saving would really help you fund your trip and in other situations too. Going on a vacation would be difficult if you don’t save from the start.

Draw an estimated budget:

One of the biggest mistakes that we do before planning a trip is not drawing an estimated budget. It’s vital to take into consideration how much every aspect of the trip can cost an individual. For starters, take a general idea of how much staying at hotels, tickets, travel rides and food can cost you. Make a small budget of how much you’ll spend on buying things. These will help you to draw an overall budget.

Use credit cards instead of debit:

Instead of using debit cards use credit cards while travelling since it would be prudent to limit credit card expenditure. Debit cards provide less security if your wallet is lost, while credit cards are less troublesome to deal with fraudulent charges on. Use your debit card instead of a credit card if you need to withdraw cash, as credit cards have significant fees.

Open a special savings account:

It can be really relaxing to know that all of your bills are taken care of before you leave the house. One way is to open a special savings account. Choose an account that offers the highest interest rate you can find and isn’t ATM-accessible.

For shopaholics, any good travel itinerary is incomplete without a shopping experience. All over the globe, there are plenty of malls and shopping centers which are worth visiting. Some are so unique, large and fascinating that they may even be worthy of a spot on your bucket list.

Here are some malls to visit around the world:

Dubai Mall, United Arab Emirates

Dubai Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. It is home to over 1 200 stores and is connected to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

The mall even boasts a virtual reality park, as well as its famous walk-through aquarium. When in Dubai, a shopping spree at this mall is definitely worth experiencing.

CentralWorld, Thailand

With over 500 stores, CentralWorld in Bangkok offers an electrifying shopping experience. It is the place to be if you’re in search of high-end products and extensive dining options. What’s more, this shopping centre also includes a luxurious 5-star hotel worth experiencing.

Villaggio Mall, Qatar

Villaggio Mall is famous for its 150 meter-long indoor canal. The Venetian-inspired shopping center offers a memorable and unique shopping experience.

You can expect luxury and entertainment. The mall is also not found wanting when it comes to ambience and uniqueness. At the theme park which is found inside the mall, one can enjoy action-filled activities such as bowling and go-karting.

Mall of America, United States

The Mall of America welcomes more than 40 million global travellers on an annual basis. It boasts more than 520 stores, as well as over 60 restaurants.

Previously, the mall was home to the popular Chapel of Love where thousands of couples tied the knot until it closed in 2022. Currently, a number of interesting features can be enjoyed at the mall. These include the Nickelodeon Universe which consists of 27 rides and allows one to be fully immersed in a 4D multi-sensory experience.

Mall of Africa, South Africa

Opened in 2016, Mall of Africa offers a world-class shopping experience. It is home to over 300 stores and you can expect the latest in fashion, footwear, accessories, homeware and tech. There is a vast array of local and international brands.

If you’re a foodie, a number of restaurants stand ready with different menus to tantalize your tastebuds. Thus, if you seek an exceptional shopping experience that oozes African luxury, Mall of Africa is worth considering.

Travelling with kids can be different than your usual trips. Considering their age and needs, you need to adjust your itinerary accordingly, especially when it comes to their hygiene. Here are a few tips by expert

Travelling is enjoyable but when it comes to travelling with your family, especially with children, it is easy to imagine why some people start worrying. One has to factor in a ton of uncontrolled occurrences that can pop up while the food, drink and air in a new place require some getting used to. Additionally, children are susceptible to issues brought on by travel, with illnesses like diarrhea and motion sickness. Planning and smart packing can help you keep your family well prepared while travelling. Dr Chaman Ram Verma, Dean at NIMS University in Jaipur, revealed to Zarafshan Shiraz a list of must-have items to keep in mind when travelling with kids.

1. Box of supplies in an accessible bag - It is very important that parents have an easily accessible bag of all major supplies including medicines, power bank, safety pins etc, when traveling with children and parents as well.

2. Medical kit - Whether at home or travelling, a first aid kit or kit has been one of the most useful yet underrated items in many cases. Usually, people do not realize its significance until they experience a medical emergency. So, it’s a good idea to carry some pain killers along with basic first-aid essentials including bandages, antiseptic disinfectant liquid, antibacterial creams, small scissors etc. Don’t forget inhalers, allergy medicine and insulin, if needed/prescribed by your doctor.

3. Germ protection wipes - While travelling via road or air, you come in contact with multiple surfaces that will be handled by others too. Also, there are instances where one does not have access to water. A germ protection wipe will come in super handy for this. Get one which is easy to carry and is re-sealable. A travel pack of germ protection wipes would be perfect to clean away the germs from your mobile phone, wallet, chair arms and any other surface. The best part? The wipes are truly multi-purpose: safe to use on hands, body and surface (glass, marble, wood, plastic, and stainless steel) even gadgets. Germ protection wipes have a skin-friendly pH. They are soft and gentle on skin.

4. Comfortable car seats or cushions - Depending on your child (and age), some parents are more comfortable with the child in their car seat during the flight. Being in their car seat can bring them a level of familiarity and can even be comfortable enough to fall asleep.