There are many things you can do to avoid stress that comes when planning or preparing for a trip. I will provide you with details on things you can do to have a stress free trip.

Plan Your Trip Early: If possible, plan your trip at least one to two months before your departure. This will give you the necessary time needed to make sure everything needed is in place.

Items To Consider Before Your Trip:

- Determine your travel budget
- Select the days you will travel and your destination
- Will you need a rental car and/or hotel once you get to your travel destination?
- Determine the number of people that will take the trip with you
- Determine any special activities you would like to do during your trip
- Gather all necessary paperwork and bring to the airport with you(e-tickets, paper tickets, etc)
- Is there any special needs required for those traveling? If so, identify them
- How many bags will you need to check at the airport?(airlines now charge fees beyond your first bag)
- How will you book your trip?(internet, directly with airline, travel agent)
- Where will you stay once you arrive at your travel destination?(if hotel, make reservations ahead of time)
- If necessary, identify someone to pick up mail, newspaper, advertisements, etc while your away from home
- Determine how you will get to the airport(drive, taxi, shuttle bus, have someone drop you off, etc)
- Have enough cash with you for tipping and other expenses
- Research airline rules before you travel. Rules continually change. Knowing the rules will save you time and headache

Steps To Take Once You Arrive At the Airport:

- If you drive to the airport, find short/long term parking (some airports have covered shelter)

- Complete curb check-in with the appropriate airline

- Some airlines allow you to check your bags at the curb, some do not. For the ones that do not, you can go inside to the airline and do self check-in of your bags. There is a kiosk where you enter your information, including the number of bags. A slip will print and you will provide it to the airline agent. The airline agent will then check in your bags. Once you are all checked in, head to the security area of the airport. You have researched the rules ahead of time, so it should not be an issue getting through security. *Please Note - You will be required to take off your socks and shoes.

- Once through security, find your airline. You can also find eateries and gift shops if you have time on your hands. Just remember that planning and preparing ahead of time for your trip is key. This will definitely cut down on the amount of stress that you experience before, during and after your trip. Happy Traveling!

Teresa Johnson is a Travel Agent, who helps singles and families with vacation planning. Teresa offers a wide range of products and services - from travel planning, to booking of group cruises and assisting others with starting their home based travel business. Teresa specializes in travel planning for singles and families to help others deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of travel planning and starting a new business while still dealing with their normal day to day activities. Teresa educates others on the travel industry and mentors her home based travel team. Teresa is no stranger to the travel industry. She spent over 20 years as a corporate executive where she traveled a great deal.

Travel Booking - http://www.gottitravel.com

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Happy Traveling........