Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - little known tips about traveling?

Amanda: Different people try different things. All of them are good ideas, but work out for whatever suits the person. I am not a world traveler. I've been to Asia and several spots in the Caribbean and lived in Frankfurt, traveling back and forth maybe a dozen times. Now I'm back "home" in Pennsylvania. My wife had not been to Europe until the first of our two trips (together) in '97 and then in '98. I had her try what I do: At the departure airport, I walk around and avoid sitting for long periods. On the plane, I can't sleep, so whenever I see that the attendants are not wheeling drinks or food, I take a walk around the cabin. On a 767, you can walk the plane and if thirsty, stop and ask the attendant for something. I usually don't snack and I'll have a beer or glass of wine with the in-flight dinner. maybe I'll doze for a half hour. Prior to landing, I'll go to the restroom and wash up a little and brush my teeth, etc. It tends to make you feel better. After we land, pick up rental car, exchange money and so on, I'll drive to our hotel. Depending on where it is, it may be late AM and we can check in. We'll sleep for maybe three hours, shower, dress and go out about 4:30pm and see some sights and have dinner. We turn in at 11:30-12:30 and get up the next day feeling great. There's five of us going to Bavaria in May and we'll use this same scenario. Now, some people can't sleep on arrival and feel good, but if I don't, I don't feel good for days. It worked well for my wife, also. About photos? I take them and then put them into an album for our keepsake. Some make it on the wall and some end up with relatives. They aren't wasted and I don't remember boring anyone. We have a nice 8X10 of Painter's Square with Sacre Coeur in the backround hanging up right now. Just watch for the pickpockets in crowds: airports, trains, subways, buses and in long lines. I've never been robbed and I've traveled steadily since 1983. Good luck and have lots of fun!