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Going on a trip is all about fun, adventurous and sensational experiences, but it could take a disastrous turn if not thoroughly planned. Thorough research and planning ensure that you are ready for a successful adventure.
Therefore, when planning your next trip, do your research right. Remember you’re leaving your cocoon and stepping out of your comfort zone to explore a whole new place, culture and language.
To prevent annoying that friendly neighbor lady or sleeping in a cell, here are tips to make your wanderlust professional and hassle-free.
1. Picking Your Destination
The first thing to consider when picking a destination is Budget. Knowing what you can afford conveniently without a hitch home and away is the most important aspect of traveling.
Then, your budget determines the duration of your trip. You can plan your trip according to the time you have on hand and how comfortably you can afford such duration.
Another destination marker is the Purpose of the trip. Is it a destination wedding, honeymoon, baecation, or family trip?
The purpose of the trip determines the perfect location or place. This will also help you research on certain laws and regulations surrounding such purposes in that place.
Your Traveling Companion should always be in consideration while choosing a destination for a trip.
2. Know Your Destination
After picking a destination, the next thing you should do is to research and know the place in and out. One of the worst tripping mistakes is going blind to a destination.
You should properly start your research on Geography and Climate of the place. Having acrophobia and heading to Arthur’s Pass National Park is not a good idea. The same goes for certain climatic conditions.
You should also know beforehand where you would eat, the kind of food served, the type of food allergies they put in consideration as well as the overall review of the restaurant.
Knowing the Best Way to get to your destination and Best Commute System in the place will help to curb out cons and scammers from duping you.
Look and book a Secure Hotel or Hostel for your duration of stay. Make sure to check for the best affordable rates and no or less history of deaths and other crimes. You should also consider the neighborhood in which you are going to be. Are they tourist friendly? How far away is it from the the center of the city? Etc.
Learn basic terminologies in local dialect of the people most especially if their lingua franca is not the same as yours. Practice emergency phrases and sign languages in the local language. It’s common knowledge that folks warm up to tourists who greet in local dialect.
Don’t forget to read and familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations and know your rights in that place. Also, look up hidden Visa charges. Some countries may demand certain fees on Visa on Arrival.
3. Practice Safe Travels
While going to New places and exploring new cultures is great, putting yourself in danger is not. Don’t gamble your health and safety for a few days of thrill.
In every destination, always research on the safety of their women and children, minority parties like Black, LGBTQIA, Muslims etc. Most especially, if you identify with these susceptible groups.
Always Secure your bag and belongings safely. Purse-snatching, pickpockets and thefts are common in most tourists attraction centres and countries.
Make sure you keep friends and family up to date with your movements and check-ins and always register with your embassy in that country.
4. Line Up Your Trip
After extensive research and getting knowledge on your destination and all is still looking good for you, then it is time to plan the trip of a lifetime.
#Travelhack101: always clear your browsing history before booking tickets. Airlines and Travel websites can use data from your cookies and might increase price accordingly.
You should start booking tickets after midnight especially in festive season as it is cheaper then.
Also, make reservations at high end restaurant and major sightseeing centres to avoid missing out on the experience and large number of queues.
Construct your activities in a day as many as you can adequately enjoy and savor. Try to limit sightseeings in a day in order to avoid running from one place to another.
Plan your day well with tour e-books, city map and other itinerary information.
5. Keep Your Travel Documents Protected
Make copies of all your travel documents especially your passport. You can leave a couple with a trusted friend incase of emergency and secure the other copies on your trip.
Scan and get digital copies of your documents as well and secure them in your cloud folder in case of theft.
6. Money, Money, and Money
The worse thing to happen on a trip is getting financially stranded. You should try as much as possible to tidy up your finances before, during and after the trip.
#Foreignexchange101: Changing a few of your cash to your destination’s local currency is easier and cheaper in your own country.
Know the conversion rate and the difference between a counterfeit note and original. Folk have been known to play funny in matters of money during tourism.
Additionally, inform your credit cards company about your travel plans to avoid having your cards frozen.
7. Be Mindful of Expenditures
No one wants to travel and come back bankrupt. Minimize your spending especially when you go shopping in the local markets.
Use public transportation and explore local or street cuisine. They give you grounded and unique experiences in comparison to expensive private cabs and fancy dining.
8. Bring Essentials
#Packinghack101: Always pack your essential items and gadgets separately in a bag.
Putting your essentials in a portable bag ensure you get to carry them with you always. Extra clothing, documents, chargers and backup power, gadgets, portable Wi-Fi, drinking bottle/mug, chapstick, sanitaries etc should all be in a go-to bag.
Don’t go overboard with packing essentials. You don’t want to burden with a heavy backpack. But definitely, stuff it with snacks (😉 winks)
9. Pack Like A Pro
#Packinglikeapro101: Before packing your Traveling bags, always ensure that you know the amount of kgs you are allowed by the airlines.
Pack only what you need. Don’t pack for a few days trip like you’re not coming back. Remember, you will go shopping and you will get souvenirs as well.
Therefore, leave that heels behind on a hiking trip and drop that jacket on a trip to Dubai. Pack smart and efficiently otherwise your trip will be spent hurling tons of luggage around with less enjoyment.
10. Make Memories
Going on trips is essentially for memories and experiences. Be on your best behavior in another different world. Respect their culture no matter how strange and obey their laws.
Take pictures, eat lots of food, merry and party all while being responsible. Sometimes, whatever happens doesn’t stay there, it comes haunting.
Make use of these tips to help improve your future globetrotting. Share more tips in the comments below if you are an expert in traveling.
About the Creator
Pore Camara
I’m known as Cammy. One thing I have not been able to outgrow is my inquisitive nature. This has made me restless, overthink and even passionate about everything. The good thing is that it got me reading and writing most of the time.
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