Researching a Destination
Do your research. You need to research where you are going, the flight times and prices for airlines, and which documents you need to take with you. Plan out your itinerary carefully. Some cities, like London or Paris, really need a week to see what they have to offer. Travel times also need to be taken into consideration. Traveling by train can take longer than traveling by car.
Get a good guidebook. Fodor's, Rick Steves, and the Michelin guides are all excellent places to start. Make sure you have the most up-to-date guide book for the area of the world you intend to visit. Some are updated every year. Others are updated every other year, or every few years. A good guidebook is a $15-20 investment that can save a lot of headache. Don't be afraid to rip it up and staple together only the pieces you need. A well-kept guidebook might make a nice souvenir, but it may not be worth the extra weight of carrying around information that you don't need. Travel blogs, photos, and recommendations that you can find online can also be helpful.
Understand the basic customs of the area. Before going on the trip, research what is and is not acceptable in your destination. When you arrive, observe how others act in person. Remember: some things are okay for locals to do, but not for tourists to do.
Learn some basic phrases of the country you are going to. This is just polite. Even if you struggle with it, the locals will appreciate that you've at least tried their language instead of rudely asking "Do you speak English?" (Or whatever your native tongue happens to be.) If you use the native language to ask for something, expect the reply to be in that language and at normal conversational speed – which is going to be faster than the audio lessons you learned. This is not to say that you shouldn't learn some basic greetings and questions. You should, however, be ready for the responses.
Get a reliable map of the area you are going to. Memorize it and note each of the places you will be visiting. Keep your map safe and dry. If you have access to a laptop or a smartphone (with data), you may not expressly need a physical map – but it is still usually smart to carry one as a backup. EXPERT TIP Allyson Edwards Allyson Edwards World Traveler & International Consultant Allyson Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations. Afterwards, she went on to facilitate International partnerships with agencies in over twenty countries, and has consulted for companies in industries across education, fintech, and retail. Allyson Edwards Allyson Edwards World Traveler & International Consultant "Download Google Maps for the area you’ll be traveling while you have WiFi," adds travel expert Allyson Edwards. "You can then use it offline in case you’re stuck in a remote area and need to navigate your way back."
Be aware of common scams in your destination. Examples include the "dropped ring" scam, the "fake petition," and friendship bracelets tied on your wrist by aggressive vendors. Also be aware of other common crimes, especially pickpocketing. TSA approved travel locks and money belts are both helpful, especially in areas where pickpocketing is extremely common. The infamous #64 bus in Rome, for instance, is popular with pickpockets because it's the only bus in Rome that hits all of the popular tourist destinations. It's usually packed with tourists, and thick with thieves. Know what each local coin and bill is worth. For example, in Panama, everything is tied to the US dollar, so money comes in the same size, denomination, and material. In the UK, you'll find 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2 coins, as well as 5, 10, 20, and 50 pound notes. By knowing your denominations and specifying how much you are handing over, you can help avoid another common scam: intentionally incorrect change.
Planning Your Itinerary
Prepare your travel documents. Make sure your passport is up to date and won't expire before your trip ends. Different countries have different requirements for passports and visas, but in general, your passport should not expire less than 6 months after your expected return date. EXPERT TIP Allyson Edwards Allyson Edwards World Traveler & International Consultant Allyson Edwards graduated from Stanford University with a BA in International Relations. Afterwards, she went on to facilitate International partnerships with agencies in over twenty countries, and has consulted for companies in industries across education, fintech, and retail. Allyson Edwards Allyson Edwards World Traveler & International Consultant Keep a copy of your passport somewhere safe. Allyson Edwards, travel expert, tells us from experience: "A paper, color photocopy of your passport is valid about 99% of the places you’d otherwise use a driver’s license. When I got my drivers license stolen abroad, I used a copy of that in lieu of my U.S. driver’s license when I went to bars or went shopping."
Look into vaccine requirements. The country you're going to may require you to have certain vaccines up to date. Make an appointment with your doctor to get this taken care of, as well as other medical considerations.
Get travel insurance. Check you have the appropriate cover, and look into international health insurance. Chances are that you will never fall ill while traveling abroad, but it has happened. Bones have been broken; people have gotten food poisoning; pregnant women previously cleared for travel have gone into premature labor. Consider whether the added expense is worth being "safe rather than sorry".
Decide where you're going to stay. Accommodation choices are largely a matter of budget, comfort, and convenience. You can pay for a private hotel room or share a hostel; stay with friends or family; or explore online travel communities like Couchsurfing.com, AirBnB, or WWOOF.org. Think about staying in an apartment if you'll be in one place for more than half a week. Hotels can be expensive, and you can often get much better deals renting someone's home. Furthermore, this approach might give you a more authentic idea of what it's like to live in a given city. Consider a Bed and Breakfast or a self-service vacation rental. This last type of accommodation can help save money, as they're often cheaper than hotels, and you'll save money by buying your groceries and cooking there instead of going out to eat. While you might find a great accommodation deal, consider the overall cost of living as well. Do your research to figure out how much you will need to pay for meals, drinks, entertainment, sightseeing, and local transportation.
Figure out how you're going to get around. Your options are broad and varied, and you'll have to choose the best mode of transportation to suit your itinerary. If you will be traveling long distances between destinations, you might consider flying or taking trains. If you'll be traveling within a city or region, try biking, renting a car, or using public transportation. Research the place you're going and try to understand how the locals get around. Check the distances: even if cities are in the same country, it might take several hours to drive each way. Trains can be relaxing over long distances. Consider taking night trains – in theory, you can sleep on the train and awake as the train pulls into your next destination! If you plan to rent a car, look into insurance requirements. Consider applying for your international driver's license. Ferries are a solid option for crossing water. They are usually cheaper than another plane ticket, with better food.
Don't take animals, plants or anything else that's not accepted on flights. If you plan to travel with your pets, look at the rules and regulations for traveling with them to keep them out of quarantine. This generally includes a certificate of health from your vet, making sure that rabies vaccines are up to date, having them microchipped, and even a certificate of health from your local government office, such as the Department of Agriculture in the U.S.
Packing Effectively
Make a list a few weeks before the trip. The list should include everything you are going to take with you. You can put these items into separate columns under what bag they are going in. If you don't have everything you need, write it down then buy it when you are shopping, this way you can prepare everything so you are organised. If you are still struggling with what to pack, you can find an online rough guide with the essentials and basics. When you are all packed, take out you passport and any other travelling documents and keep them with you in a separate bag with your purse/wallett and phone, so it all stays together.
Pack efficiently. No matter how you're traveling, extra bags and unnecessary things will weigh you down. As travel writer Rick Steves says, "You can't travel happy, heavy, and cheap. Pick two." A few classic pieces that are easily mixed and matched and a knowledge of how to use the local laundromat can save you money on overweight baggage fees. Know the common dress codes for your destination. For example, if you're visiting the Vatican, women will need their shoulders covered.
Research airline regulations for what you can pack. If you're flying, you don't want to exceed the maximum weight. Extra or overweight bags often cost more money, and most airlines don't allow carry-on bags over a certain weight.
Consider leaving basic toiletries behind. You don't have to take everything you think you'll need. Nearly every country you'll visit will have basics like toothpaste, deodorant, soap, and contact solution, and you can't carry more than three ounces of any liquid in carry on luggage, anyway. Carry copies of your prescriptions in case you run out.
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