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This Christmas and holiday season may cause some problems for travelers. Weather is often a factor as well as crowds of people all trying to get somewhere for dinner.  Here are some tips to help make your travel experience more pleasant.

8 Holiday Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Vacation

Between the overabundance of family togetherness, relatives who overstay their welcome, and delayed flights, the holidays are stressful.

But you can make your travels hassle-free by taking a few simple steps. Step back, take a deep breath, and dive into the holidays with these tips.

1. Check for flight delays before you leave

Call your airline or check online before you leave the house to see if your flight is delayed or cancelled. If it’s cancelled, you might have a better chance of getting rebooked on the phone than in person — especially if you’re a frequent flier. Either way, it’s helpful to know what to expect when you arrive at the airport.

2. Get to the airport (extra) early

Even the smallest airports are incredibly busy during the holidays. Last year I almost missed a flight in my hometown because I assumed the airport would be less crowded that it was. Account for things that could go wrong on the way (traffic, late train or bus), leave the house early, and be prepared to wait in long lines once you arrive at the airport.

3. Bag your toiletries

Save time in line by putting your travel-size toiletries in a plastic baggie before you leave the house. Keep the bag in accessible spot so you won’t hold up the line while frantically digging through your suitcase in search of your deodorant and toothpaste. For a green toiletry option, Tom’s of Maine has some great environmentally-friendly travel-size products.    –more

Top Tips For This Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is such a busy time of the year; it may be easy to forget that your international staff may be feeling homesick and overwhelmed.

Here are our Top 5 Tips to make your international staff feel welcome and included over the holidays:

1. Include your international staff in your holiday events- they will appreciate it!

2. If you are a large employer with a lot of international staff, why not organize an international holiday party?

3. Ask your international staff to talk about the holiday traditions in their home country to make them feel included.    –more

Related Holiday Travel Articles

• Air Travel Q. & A. (nytimes.com)
• 36 reviews of Northwest Airlines (rateitall.com)
• No Perk Too Small for Airlines’ Best Customers (nytimes.com)