Traveling by plane requires great planning. One can minimize problems by planning well in advance and taking a few precautions before embarking on the journey. This will alleviate problems and ensure that you have a safe and hassle free trip.

1. Always book tickets on a reliable airline. Check if they are offering any special fares or discounts. Check the tickets to ensure that what you have is a confirmed booking.

2. Find out details regarding size of baggage and weight allowed. Tag all bags with your name, address, phone number, date of travel, and flight number. Pack the bags yourself and ensure that they are all locked safely. Make two sets of keys.

3. As a precaution pack documents, passport, medicines, and other immediate essentials in the carry on case. In case your luggage gets lost or misplaced in transit you will still have bare essentials.

4. Follow to a t all security rules. Do not carry electronics, knives, batteries, or other banned items. All dangerous s like razors, scissors, and so on must be put in your check in luggage.

5. All electronic items like cell phones and laptops must be fully charged and in accordance to rules turned on for checking if asked. Use of cell phones while flying is prohibited. So do not plan or making or receiving calls when in flight.

6. Take along a valid photo ID to the airport. Check whether you have your tickets.

7. Make prior booking for parking at the airport this will save you valuable time circling around to find suitable parking. If the airport lots are full or inconvenient try any of the private parking lots.

8. Always check the flight schedule before you leave the house. Make sure what the check-in-time is for your flight. Leave with plenty of time to spare. This way you wont have to rush from one end of the airport to the other.

It is against regulations for passengers to carry inflammables, aerosols, or household cleaners. Other prohibited items are: firearms even if you have a license, hunting rifles, baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski equipment, hockey sticks, darts, as well as bows and arrows. Because of terrorist threats it is against the law to speak of hijackings, bomb threats, or other dangerous things. Be cautious about who you befriend. Never accept any letter or parcel to be delivered to persons known or unknown. Never leave your luggage unattended and if you do notice any abandoned parcel or luggage bring it to the notice of authorities. Be aware of what the weather conditions are like where you going and take clothes accordingly. Prepare well for your flight and enjoy it.

Before leaving check online whether there are any diversions to be made at the airport or whether any new rules have been made. Most airports have easy to use websites. Refer to the site and find out where your terminal is and where your car is to be parked. If using public transport only use transportation services from official pick up points. The vehicles must have official markings. Dont get conned by people who make offers of special privileges or deals.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony is perhaps the most recognized formality in Europe, and is conducted at Buckingham Palace every odd day of the week beginning at 11:30pm. Although the ceremony doesnt get started until 11: 30, mass of tourists begin swarming the palace gates and beyond as early as 9:30am. The procession of colorful guards and other such royal officers and horses begins their march from Birdcage Wlk., continuing down Spur Rd., past the Queen Victoria Memorial, and on through the gates of the palace. Precisely at 11:30am will one can hear the beating drums and the clopping of horse hooves and the brass instruments resounding through the British air as the marching guards make their way through the huge crowd.

Ever since 1660 Household troops have guarded the Sovereign Palaces. The Palace of Whitehall was the main residence until 1689 and was guarded by the Household Cavalry. The court moved to St Jamess Palace in 1689. When Queen Victoria moved into Buckingham Palace the Queens Guard remained at St James' Palace and a detachment guarded Buckingham Palace.

The Changing of the Guard takes place inside the railings of the forecourt to Buckingham Palace. The Foot Guards provide a colorful display in their red tunics and bearskins and are accompanied by a band throughout. During the 45 minute ceremony the New Guard replaces the Old Guard and a detachment is left at Buckingham Palace with the remaining New Guard marching on to St James Palace. For a good view, get there early and position yourself near the railings or the Victoria Memorial. Changing the Guard is one of the oldest and most familiar ceremonies associated with Buckingham Palace. The Queens Guard usually consists of Foot Guards in full-dress uniform of red tunics and bearskins. In this ceremony, a New Guard exchanges duty with the Old Guard, accompanied by a Guards band. The music ranges from traditional military marches to songs from West End shows and even familiar pop songs.

The ceremony begins with the Old Guard detachments at St Jamess Palace marching to Buckingham Palace, where they join the Palaces Old Guard and await the arrival of the New Guard. The New Guard led by their regimental band, marches from Wellington Barracks (next to the Guard's Museum on Birdcage Walk) to the Palace. Inside the Palace forecourt the Old and New Guards go through drills and the band plays for about 30 minutes. The ceremony ends with the Old Guard Captain handing over the Palace keys to the New Guard Captain. The Old Guards then march out of the Palace and back to Wellington Barracks, led by the regimental band. The safety and protection of the Sovereign is the responsibility of the Household Division. At Buckingham Palace, the five regiments of Foot Guards perform this duty.

Being a very popular event, the area around the Palace can get rather crowded. To give everyone a chance to see the guards, half of them follow a route to the left of the Queen Victoria Memorial, and the other half go to the right.