TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Whether you’re travelling for an extended period or a quick getaway, having the right information is always helpful in having the best experience.
Here are some handy travel tips to help you have the best trip.
GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS
Meeting people from the area will enrich your travels by teaching you what they know, from first-hand experience. Basic English is spoken in many countries, and with the help of hand gestures and general body language, you will be communicating, no matter where you go. Make the effort to chat with the local people rather than tourists — they will teach you the true lay of the land, that travellers wouldn’t have the faintest idea about.
TUCK FUNDS AWAY
It’s super important to stash some extra cash for those emergencies when cards stop working, ATMS run out of money or you lose your wallet. It’s always great to have at least a few hundred dollars hidden away. Depending on where you’re headed, pickpocketing can be something that you need to be very aware of, so get creative with your cash-stashing areas. You can buy security belts with hidden wallets, under shoe inserts, money socks, leg wallets and more.
TASTE LOCAL CUISINE
If you think you’ve really experienced a particular international cuisine, you’re probably wrong. Eat what the local people eat, and you will taste a true representation of their culture.
Try street food that the locals suggest or from stalls with big lines out the front, and explore different meals.
SAY YES
Impulsivity is the spice of life. If someone invites you to try something new, meet their family or go on an adventure, say yes — it opens up your world to new opportunities and, more than anything, great stories later. Travel is a learning experience, so say yes to getting out and doing things, and enjoy the friendship of locals and other travellers along the way.
SAY SAYONARA TO YOUR COMFORT ZONE
If there’s something that gives you anxiety, challenge it — travel is a great opportunity to help those fears fade away, as you’re already having new experiences all the time. So if you usually stick to the same kind of food, try something different while you can, or if you’ve never been white-water rafting, give it a crack.
KEEP NOTES OR A JOURNAL
In years to come, you’re going to want to look back and remember the details of your trips — the conversations you had, the people you met, the food you ate, and more. Make sure you take the time to write it down. In this day and age, it’s great to keep a digital journal (that’s backed up on an external drive), so that you can take it anywhere, without the risk of losing it, or having it stolen.