Business executives often travel frequently and are always prepared to leave for far-off destinations on a moment’s notice. They’ve got the program down. Bags are packed in a jiffy and the seasoned traveler leaves home confident that essentials and nice-to-haves are not left behind. Have you ever taken a trip under hasty circumstances, only to find you’ve forgotten half of what you really need? Experience is a great teacher, so check out these tips from the pros and smooth out the wrinkles of last minute travel.

If you’re traveling by car, transportation issues are simplified. Check your oil, water and tires, including your spare. Fill up on your way out of town. If possible, drive at night. There’s less traffic so you’ll encounter fewer traffic problems. If you’re traveling through or to a major metropolitan area, plan your arrival to miss the heavy commute hours. This can save you a few frustrating hours stuck in stalled traffic.

Traveling by air? Last minute travel by air can be costly if you book by conventional methods. If you have even a day or two prior to departure, the very first task on your agenda is a quick and diligent search of your local papers and online resources such as craigslist, auction sites and E-bay.  Google is also worth a shot. Just type, ‘air tickets for sale’ followed by your destination airport. You just may get lucky and find a great deal.

Now to packing: before you start tossing things willy-nilly into your bag, take a few minutes to jot down what you need to do and bring. This little trick may sound silly, but you’ll be surprised to find how helpful it is to organize on paper beforehand. Be sure to include a ‘before leaving’ category with tasks and errands such as stopping your mail and newspaper, returning library books or arranging for pet care. People who frequently make last minute travel trips keep such a list handy at all times. If you have medicines you need every day, get them on your list. Organize your clothing choices so you can mix and match most items. Plan to wear bulky items, such as an overcoat or boots.

Whenever possible, stick with a carryon. You’ll save time and hassles, both at check-in and your destination. Rolling your clothing saves space and reduces wrinkling. Upon arrival, hang dresses, pants and shirts in a steamy bathroom for 20 minutes. You won’t even need to iron.

Travel restrictions on baggage items change so frequently and are quite precise on items like shampoo and lotion. Just one additional ounce of shampoo or the wrong type of container results in confiscation.  Avoid this problem by buying these items when you arrive.

So don’t get in a tizzy over a last minute travel situation. Be thoughtful in your planning and stay organized. The worst case is then having to pay full price on your air ticket!

Have you ever met a person who passes judgment on something based on hearsay rather than their own experiences? I have to admit that I have experienced this many times during my career in social work. I am not trying to say that only people with mental health issues make these kinds of rash decisions or opinions; however it is quite common amongst this population. They convince themselves that something is bad so that they do not have to take the risk of trying something new. It is quite a challenge to get them to change their opinions.

I found myself doing a similar thing with my son. He is in his third year of college. He announced that he want to go on a Florida spring break. My initial response was absolutely not. I have heard stories and have seen pictures of the parties, drinking nudity and drug use that occurs during the spring breaks. I told him that this was only asking to get into trouble and that he did not want to get caught doing some illegal activity that would block him from going on to law school or from getting a good job. I heard Florida spring break and I reacted without letting him finish about what he wanted to do. He had brought this up on the telephone. He said we could discuss this more when he came home for the weekend. I told my husband that our son wanted to go on a Florida spring break and that I was totally against it. I wanted to want him in advance so that we would both be giving our son the same message when he came home for the weekend. My husband asked me several questions regarding what part of Florida he wanted to go to and who he was going with and where they would be staying. As my husband asked these questions I realized that I had not given our son a chance to fill in any details. I heard the words spring break and automatically jumped to conclusions and through out an opinion based on media coverage alone. I in fact was doing the same thing that I work with clients on not doing. My husband suggested that we hear what our son had to say about the arrangements and then make a decision.

When our son arrived home I immediately apologized for cutting him off and jumping to conclusions. I know that he is a responsible kid and he does have firm goals for his future. He shared that he wanted to go to a friend’s family condominium for the week. The friend and his parents would be there. This sounded like a great opportunity for him to relax and to have some fun. I cannot believe how quick I was to react without having detailed information.

Rising gasoline prices here in the U.S. cause most of us to pay close attention to the price at the pump. Gone are the days when we jumped in the car to do an errand without giving the cost of fuel a thought. What can be done? You’ve got to get to work and back and make at least a weekly trip to the store. Perhaps it’s time we think outside the box for a better transportation solution. One answer might be to take a page from the European train plan.

Transportation infrastructure here in the U.S. consists mainly of highways. If you don’t own a car, getting around can be a big inconvenience. True, here in the U.S., we have a rail system, but it is concentrated mainly on the East Coast, serving the large business centers.  If our rail system was expanded to rival the European train system, people living in Santa Barbara could easily commute to San Francisco or Los Angeles.

After World War II, our government invested heavily in the freeways, with interstates criss-crossing the country. Gigantic tangles of freeway stretches were incorporated to navigate across large metropolitan areas. At that time, everyone was into the freedom of having their own car to carry them anywhere they pleased. The luxury and convenience of travel by automobile was welcomed by all. Gas costs were not then a monstrous portion of a family’s income.

Today, it can be argued that we should invest in new infrastructure, with an efficient network of rail systems such as the European train system provides. The European train system is a model worthy of serious consideration here in the U.S. In Europe, gasoline is even more costly than here in the U.S. Daily automobile use is a luxury enjoyed only by the very affluent European.

The high-speed European trains are an absolute delight for tourists and commuters alike. Traveling safely and smoothly at speeds up to 300 miles per hour, you can leave Paris at 10:00 a.m. and be at the Spanish border by 7:00 p.m. or travel from London to Paris in just over an hour!You zip along, seated in roomy and comfortable seats, with a large private dining table equipped with an attractive banker’s style lamp. Catch up on reading or work, watch the scenery, take a nap and enjoy a nice meal to pass the time. You arrive at your destination rested and refreshed instead of worn out and stressed from maneuvering endless stretches of freeway. Concerns over driving in bad weather are no longer part of the equation.

European trains follow routes laid out in a manner similar to our state highways and Interstates, such that you can reach almost any town in Europe by rail as easily as we do by car here. Doesn’t it make good economic sense to give this idea some thought? Hmm. Maybe I’ll write my Congressman. Perhaps you should too!

If you’ve never had the opportunity to take a California vacation, put it on your list of places that you must see in the near future. California is simply an entirely different world. There are parts of the state that will absolutely amaze you and you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re even on the same planet. And yet other parts of the state will make you want to head back to your hometown as quickly as possible. California vacations are quite popular for people of all ages. No matter what you’re hoping to do, you can find something in California.

If you have children, planning your California vacation could have some incredibly fun days for your family. Make a stop for a day or two at Disney and let the kids live a day in the life of their fairytales. They’ll be so happy that they won’t mind what the rest of your vacation will entail.

Stop in San Francisco to see the legendary island of Alcatraz. After you take the tour of the old jail, you’ll be thankful that you never had to spend time behind the bars. Look across the bay and see the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk around the docks and see the seals basking in the sun. Drive along the coastal lines of San Francisco and enjoy the breathtaking views.

No California vacation is complete without a visit to the famous city of Los Angeles. Walk down Rodeo Drive and peek in the windows of all of the glamorous stores that are practically unaffordable. Do some research ahead of time and see where the celebrities do their shopping and dine in the evenings. You might just get lucky and have some sightings of someone famous. Get your photo taken in front of your favorite celebrities star on the walk of fame. And of course, you need to buy some cheesy souvenirs in the dozens of little shops.

California vacations have tons of different sights to choose from. You can head in almost any direction of the state and find something to do. There are so many points of interest simply waiting to be explored. When you’re planning your California vacation, be sure to find some routes from one site to the next that will allow you to either view the coast or the beautiful mountainsides. Of course, finding hotels is always simple with all of the travel sites that are available online. There are some hotels that will have rates within your budget and others that will force you to pick your jaw up off of the floor. Of course, only you know what your budget is for your California vacation, so stay within your means. But, don’t compromise on what you want to see and do. A lot of the sites that you may want to visit are very affordable and will be something you’ll remember for a lifetime.

DISCOVER THE MAGICAL WORLD OF TRAVEL WEBSITES

You’ve heard of the armchair traveler? Rare is the person who loves travel and can make it a full time occupation. Although there are such lucky individuals, most of us must be satisfied with the yearly vacation. However, you can be a savvy armchair traveler who waits patiently, using the time between now and vacation time to learn all about your chosen destination. When you finally book your ticket, you’ve assembled an in-depth wealth of knowledge that makes your trip much more satisfying and memorable.

Travel websites are treasure chests of cultural insight and practical information - the starting point for your journey. There are millions of travel websites with various perspectives. Some are geared to an audience of travelers who prefer convenient all-inclusive packages, while others focus on particular regions of the world. Still others cater to history buffs or foodies. One thing that can be said of travel websites in general is that there is indeed something for every taste and style of traveler. Your job is to search out those which specialize in the aspects of travel that excite you.

Remember, the informed traveler garners fuller memories, that keep for a lifetime. Make a point of looking into what you can learn about the culture, cuisine, history and language of your destination. There are other practical issues, such as local customs, points of etiquette and transportation that are also worth your investigation. As for sightseeing, look beyond the famous sights - find out about those lesser known but truly fabulous sights the locals frequent. Travel forums and message boards are good resources.

Most travel websites offer free newsletters that show up in your email on a regular basis. Some travel websites are destination-specific, so look for these as well. A typical newsletter keeps you abreast of the latest ticket bargains, travel tips, must-see sights and links to travel resources and freebies you’d probably have trouble digging up on your own. You’ll find feature articles on a variety of topics, such as accounts of unusual adventures of fellow travelers, travel guide reviews and tips on packing to sail smoothly through customs. Travel newsletters provide loads of interesting material to enhance your trip experience.

So get comfy in your armchair, get online and begin your virtual trip. When the big day comes, you’ll be ready to fully enjoy each day, with a knockout itinerary. Armchair travel is a delightful hobby for the real traveler, just waiting for departure!