Your next big adventure is fast approaching, but before you take off for your tour remember this to prepare yourself as a true pro.
Here are our top ten tips:
1 KNOW THE RULES
Depending
on the location visited, the rules on the length of a tourist’s authorized stay
may vary considerably. Make sure you know these rules and hold an appropriate
visa (if necessary). Also be sure to bring a valid passport for at least six
months after your expected return date, as required by many countries. And
finally, make sure you know what vaccines are needed to travel safely a quick
Google search and a visit to your doctor will help you get the information and
vaccines! You need and remember, if you are traveling to an exotic country – on a safari, for example – to always plan your vaccines a few months in advance some vaccines must be administered in several injections before you leave.
2 STAY LOGGED IN
I think
we have all experienced this kind of situation. You know, that moment when your
phone’s battery goes down to 4% during a conversation of utmost importance and
you start writing faster and faster to have the time to formulate everything
you have to say before your phone does not breathe last breath. It is a rather uncomfortable feeling and, in
such a case, you will only need your safety from your charger. Make sure you
always have a charger AND adapter, so you can charge all your major high tech
equipment, no matter where in the world you are.
3 USE A MAP
If you’re
traveling on an iOS or Android device, there’s no danger of getting lost, since
Google allows iOS and Android users to save offline maps so you can access them
without an Internet connection. You can
save areas as large as the metropolitan area of Paris and up to 6 cards at a time. If
you already know the cities you will visit during your trip, plan ahead and
download your maps before you leave.
4 OPT FOR LOCAL SOLUTIONS
And to
continue on the subject of the phone if you stay in the same country for a while,
you will have every interest to invest in a local SIM card. This will allow you
to keep in touch with your friends, call a taxi and do your research on the
Internet without having to worry about roaming charges or wifi. However,
be sure to have a phone unlocked because you will not be able to install a
local SIM card on a locked phone.
5 DO YOUR RESEARCH
Make sure
to do your research before you leave. Almost every city, even the smallest, has
a local website listing local events for the coming months; Local editions of
Timeout magazine are also valuable resources. And do not hesitate to ask
friends or friends of your friends for advice on social media you’ll be
surprised how much people look forward to providing advice on their city. The
more research you do, the better you will be prepared.
6 START MAKING A NETWORK
If you
leave alone, but do not necessarily want to stay alone for the rest of your
stay, start building a network and connections before you leave. Share your
itinerary with as many people as possible, starting a travel blog and
connecting with friends or friends friends on Facebook or Instagram once again,
overall people will be happy to share tips or have a coffee with you, if
they’re around.
7 IDENTIFY, CAPTURATE, SAVE, SHARE
Let me
guess: you will probably take thousands of photos during your trip. Every new city, every poolside meeting place,
every cappuccino served at breakfast or every historic monument is a fantastic
addition to your Instagram feed. But if you take old-fashioned photos – with a
camera and not with a phone – then there are much better solutions than
Instagram to save and share. Download them to your blog or create an online
photo gallery with Flickr or Snugmug.
8 LEARN LOCAL JARGON
Being
able to communicate with locals is the key to making friends and feeling
comfortable in your new city (even if you’re just passing
through). You do not have to be bilingual, some basic phrases will help you a
lot, and the more you know, the better, of course. Before you go, buy a
collection of expressions (they are cheap and light and easy to carry) and
study it a little. Being able to book a taxi, do some shopping at the local
market or explain your allergies to a non-English speaking doctor can literally
save your life, trust me!
9 BRING LIQUID MONEY
Unless
you go to Sweden, where the government aspires to
a cashless society, the reality in most countries – especially the least
developed – is still that of “cash is king”. The worst scenario, to
avoid absolutely, would be to not be able to pay for your food, ticket or
accommodation due to lack of ATM cards or ATM nearby; Be sure to exchange enough
money before you leave. But beware of pickpockets – never keep all your money
in one place and do not leave your money on the bed when you leave your hotel
room.
10 PACKING AS A CHEF
There is
nothing more annoying than walking around with a huge bag full of business
which you probably will not wear or not having enough room to bring home one of
those fantastic souvenirs you’ve bought. And now
that you are well prepared and about to leave: Have a good and nice trip!
