So you want to travel abroad. Great idea! I love
traveling and showing you the world.
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Learn about the places
you want to visit.
Go to the library
or bookstore; visit the travel section. Check out not
only the guidebooks, but also those big coffee table picture
books.
Most libraries have many travel DVDs.
Travel magazines are a must. Check back
issues, if possible. You can get lots of great travel ideas there.
Try an all inclusive free web directory for many more ideas.
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Remember, a guidebook
is just a tool to get you started when you don't know
what to do next. If you need a room, meal, or site to visit, a
good guidebook can help.
Asking
a local can get you a better deal
and more accurate information. Check the travelers' grapevine for
the latest info. These are skills you will learn as you
travel.
Planning is good, too much planning is not. I like to get as
much information as possible on a country before
I go and try to gain as much knowledge of the language as
I can.
This is not for so much for planning purposes, but to be able
to ask better open
questions of locals when I get
there. It also makes navigation through the country a lot
easier.
Here are some Helpful Tips To Know Before Traveling Abroad.
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Why
do you want to go?
Do you want to see the scenes sights? Meet the people? Discover
the history? Find a party? Do you want be someone? Go, because
everyone else is going? Get a tan? Shop?
It's important that you understand your interests and
desires.
Fortunately, many places including Europe can
satisfy the wishes of many kinds of travelers and
tourists. Travel stress, unexpected weather, or stolen gear can
dampen a trip. But these can easily overcome with the good times
that always seem to return.
Go with an open mind, be flexible. Set a
realistic schedule. Be willing to adjust old ways to a new place.
Remember it's someone else's country you are visiting. It's up
to you to be a good
guest and adjust to their way of life.
Why travel if you expect everything to be like home.
Expect The Unexpected. Accept The (sometimes)
Unacceptable. Get organized.
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When
should you go?
I try to travel during the shoulder season,
which is May, June, September, and October in Europe and Asia.
South of the Equator I go in January, February, and March. It's
worked very well for me.
Most people need to travel in the summer. The
weather is the hottest, the sites and scenery are all stunning and
available, the beaches are hopping, and the tourist industry is in
high gear. Yet it can be too hot, expensive and crowded.
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How
much time do you have?
Two weeks, two months. New Zealanders have been known to take
two years off to travel, since they have so much distance to
go and can work in other British commonwealth countries.
Usually it depends on how much money
you have to travel with and if you can work abroad.
Sometimes it's depends on how much time you can get off work. Longer is usually better.
Short trips to faraway places usually end up a blur of jet lag
and confusion of new customs, currency and languages.
Avoid trying to see it all. Big mistake! Get
organized. Slowing down is critical in good travel.
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Where
should you go?
I have many travel pages on places
you may want to visit. This will help you get
organized and create a list of countries you want to go to now and in the future. Should you take a tour?
Talk to friends, co-workers, neighbors, people you meet in line at the grocery store. People who travel love to talk about it. They
can give you great tips and maybe an address of relative or friend
of theirs to visit.
Make flight
reservations as soon as you decide
on the dates and places you want to go in order to get the best
deals.
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Who
should you travel with?
Travel is the most stressful experience any relationship can be
subjected to, whether it is with friends or lovers. Keep
expectations to a minimum. Get organized. Be open,
honest and patient. If there is a problem, get it on the
table before it ruins a trip.
I like traveling with and without companions. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. On long trips by myself I always
seem to find someone on the road to travel with. It always seems
inevitable and a lot of fun.
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Passport
If traveling abroad, get your passport NOW.
Stop reading this and apply at the nearest post office if you are
a US citizen.
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Visas
Check visa requirements as soon as possible
for any nation. Countries in Western Europe and the Far East do not
require a visa before you go. Many times you can get them in
bordering countries just before you enter. Check online. Get
organized. Guidebooks are not always correct about visas, since the rules are changing all the time.
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Health
Travel means there are new foods, new routines, and jet lag. So
take it easy at the beginning of any trip. You'll
get plenty of exercise. Listen to your body to avoid problems like
getting sick.
Food and water are usually safe in most of
Western Europe and many places around the world. Bottled water is
always available. For an extended trip a portable water filter
(I'll add this link later) is a good idea.
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Flights
Tracking down cheap flights is a daunting
task. Rules and prices for airline tickets are changing all the
time. They can become the biggest expense when traveling abroad.
The best way to find lower prices is to go on the
internet. Locate a few trusted travel sites and compare
prices.
Again, make flight reservations as soon as you
decide on the dates and places you want to go in order to
get the best deals.
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Pack
Pack light. Take half the items and twice the
money.
Check each item you bring to see if it's actually needed enough
to carry for a few weeks. Get organized. Go through the packing
list and load everything into your pack.
Carry it around for a half hour. Get organized. Go through your items again
and discard the less than useful. You can always buy it when you
get there, if you really need it.
Put any liquids like shampoo in their own baggies. Bring extra
baggies and rubber bands in any case. It's a big help in keeping
things organized.
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Transport
Find out how to take advantage of local
transportation.
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Lodging
Accommodations can eat up a lot of your
budget. Here are some methods to reduce costs.
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Food
One of the best things about travel is to sample the
local cuisines. My suggestion is to ask the locals for
their favorite restaurants.
Go where the locals go. Eat what the locals
eat.
Gather food for picnics
from local delis, food marts and supermarkets.
Remember street food can be a great deal if served hot or at
least clean.
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Money
Exchanging money is an important part of
travel. Before you go try and get a credit card like Capital
One or Schwab Card(I'll add this links later) that does
charge extra fees when using the card abroad.
ATMs are a good place to get money any time
with the least effort. To reduce fees, take out larger amounts of
money fewer times.
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Language
Learn the simple
phrases like “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye” in
the local language before you go.
If you can, take a language
class. At least get your hands on self taught language course with books, tapes, and/or DVDS. Get organized at your local library, where these material can be checked out for free.
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Remember,
it's your vacation.
Travel at your own pace and in your own way. Get organized.
Reward yourself for being frugal. Splurge on the unexpected. It's
stupid to spend so much money to get to a place and forget sampling the local culture. Don't be penny wise, and pound
foolish.
