7 Travel Tips For Enjoying Your Time Abroad

I’m often asked how I manage to travel as often as I do. Or how I survive my short, 4 day trips while managing to have an awesome time. Well, there’s a definite method to my madness. Here are my top 7 travel tips for those about to take to the open road, be it solo travel or with a group.

Decide where you want to go

Don’t laugh or discount this travel tip, even if it seems a bit obvious. Sometimes, we’re struck with wanderlust, but can’t assuage it. Why? Because we have no clue where we want to go. Or who we want to go with. Or maybe we’re in a panic about what needs to be done to prepare. Take the time to make a travel list. Do a top 10 list, a list by region, a list by country…whatever tickles your fancy. Just make a list. This way, you have somewhere to focus your attention on when it comes to answering the all important question of “Where shall I go next?”

Once you know where you’re going, follow the rest of my essential 7 travel tips to take the stress off & increase your comfort and enjoyment one hundred-thousand fold, (why yes, that is a real number.😉)

Do your research

Once you decide where you want to go and for how long, it’s time to look at the nuts and bolts of making that idea a reality.

• Do a quick search for flights and lodging so you have an idea how much your trip will cost. This allows you to properly budget, set timelines, and have a solid basis upon which to judge any “deals” that come your way.
• Determine what travel documents are needed.  Do you need a passport? A Visa? Be sure to give yourself time to apply for, and receive, the necessary documents before your scheduled departure. Mini travel tip: make a copy of your travel documents and leave one set with a trusted friend at home, and take another with you just in case you lose your originals.
• Look into the activities, sights, and experiences your destination has to offer, then create a travel agenda. I *may* be a bit of a planner & slightly more detail oriented than most.😊 I create detailed travel plans to keep me on track, ensure I hit my identified high spots, and ensure I don’t find myself overwhelmed with too much, or worse nothing, to do.
• Safety- always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Some places are fine during day, not so much at night; some places draw a higher volume of pickpockets and scammers, while others may be best to steer clear of entirely. This is not a slam against any city or country, more of an edict to be aware there may spots that are not the safest for you for whatever reason. When I’m traveling, especially as a solo female, I make sure to do a safety check to increase my comfort & security levels.
• Familiarize yourself with prevalent forms public transit where you’re going. This allows you to work out the best, safest, and most budget friendly ways to take in the sights and get around the city or countrysides.

I can’t even lie, this is my favorite travel tip! I really love digging into all there is to do at my destination and putting together a plan to maximize my enjoyment.

Be Prepared

Preparation is key:

• Set travel alerts with your banks to ensure you’re able to use your credit cards while traveling. Though now a days most cards are equipped with a chip & PIN, so setting a travel alert is not always needed. But better safe than sorry. Also, look into the best ways to facilitate purchasing in the cities you visit. In some places, cash is king and you’ll get far better deals when using cash vs. a credit card.
• Work out the best way to attain local currency. Even if you plan to use your credit cards, cash is often a better option for public transport, tipping, or shopping in smaller shops. You can check with into currency exchanges and banks for their rates and procedures. My favorite option is the airport ATM, they are a generally safe and quick way to get local currency at a good rate.
• Pack seasonally appropriate clothing. Again, this seems like a no brainer, but check the weather about a week out to ensure you have the right clothing to navigate your surroundings. Look for any weather trends so you’re prepared for the occasional rain storm, cold front, etc.
• Get an international plan for your cell phone. There is nothing worse than being abroad with no wifi. Each carrier has different plans and prices, and it’s worth to always be able to send a text, make a call, or pull up a map. It also means some protection from international call, text, or roaming expenses.
• Make a plan for the language & cultural barrier. Most places speak english, but locals tend to appreciate your attempt to speak their native language. Familiarize yourself with a few common phrases (salutations,  “Thank you”, “you’re welcome”, and basic directional words serve me best). Also, be sure you don’t unintentionally offend by overlooking a custom your host country holds dear (some hand gestures don’t mean the same as they do here). Also, there is no such thing as personal space in some cultures, while in others getting too close is a no-no.

Don’t forget the travel essentials!

• Pack proper travel accessories! Depending upon your needs and where you are going, you may need a travel bag, sleep pillows, power adapters, luggage racks, etc. My favorite, and most underrated, travel accessories include generic plastics bags (for soiled clothing or shoes) and extra ziplock bags (for liquid or less-than-solid items). You just never know when you’ll need them, and they take up almost no space in your luggage.
• Don’t forget your toiletry items. Be sure you have your medications, facial, hygiene, hair, and other such products. I’m a fan of traveling only with a carry on bag + my personal item, so I have to make sure all of my toiletry items pass security. Some things I pack, others I purchase once I land. You don’t want have to toss expensive perfumes, lotions, or products because they cannot be taken on the plane. I’ve seen this happen more than once standing in the security line.
• Save the name & address of the your accommodations in your phone. I also have a printed copy of the same info, along with basic directions in a my bag. Nothing like getting caught up in the excitement of the trip and forgetting where you need to go. ESPECIALLY after a night out on the town where you may have had a few adult beverages. Just saying….😄

Don’t Be Afraid to Explore

After days, weeks, months, or years of planning, you’ve made it to your destination!! Don’t be afraid to store your bags & immediately check out the neighborhood you’ll call home for the next few days. I always give myself my time check out my surroundings, make acquaintances with the hotel concierge, and get an overall sense of self. Then go out and explore, experience, and enjoy yourself by trying out a few things that take you out of your comfort zone.

While you are exploring and being an adventurer, don’t be ashamed to do the touristy stuff. I found riding on the top of the double decker tour bus in London to be the best way for me to take in the main sights quickly and get a good lay of the land. Because of this, I was able to better manage time by getting a truer sense of distance and cross some items off my list, thus allowing me the opportunity to get to some secondary things on my travel plan.

Chronicle

Take all the pictures, videos, and notes you can!  There’s nothing like when the excitement from your trip wears off a bit, and you can’t remember that cute little shop you saw, or that restaurant with the best lobster you’ve ever had, or…. you get the idea. The one thing I don’t do is allow anyone to make me feel shame for documenting my journey. I take all the pictures I want, without being obnoxious or intrusive.  I also travel with a notebook so I can write things down. I like having specific places, dishes, or drinks so I can look them up later. I like writing down my actual footprint for the day, because even with a travel agenda, I don’t always follow it. And when I go off script, I like a bit of detail around what I did or my feelings when I saw or experienced something unique. As a writer, taking down the scents, flavors, and overall atmosphere is invaluable to me when I’m looking to add them to a story later.

Have Fun!!

The most important travel tip I have is to have fun and enjoy yourself.  You are living one of your dreams, experiencing a place you’ve been wanting to.  So do just that, relax your mind a bit, take it all in, and most of all enjoy.

These are my top travel tips I use to increase my comfort levels, reduce anxieties, and help me get the most out of my travels. Hopefully, you’ve found them just as helpful! Did I list some of your travel tips as well? Or maybe I left off one of your favs. Let me know in the comments section!

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