Every traveler discovers their own travel tips to pass along. Today we’ve gathered some of our favorite travel tips for a new traveler. Of course there the obvious things like always make sure you have a
valid passport. And always check for
visa requirements in advance. You can download the Passport and Visa app to help with those requirements. But what else should know as a first-time new traveler?
Leave your prejudices at the check-in.
Whether you realize it or not what you know about the world before your travels are solely from stereotypes and prejudice whether from media or from other people’s stories shared. This, however, does not give truth to what you think about different groups of people or cities.
The best advice would be to open your ears and allow for people and cities to expose themselves to you keeping that prior knowledge in your head but not letting it fog your mind.
Do your research and ditch the travel books.
Travel books are grand for an introduction to a city or a region, but let it be the inspiration for you to dive deeper and do other research on places you want to see. Travel books act as the bones or structure, but it’s up to you as the traveler to put the meat on the bones.
Guidebooks never talk about the off-the-beaten path and local hot spots. You’ll learn your best ‘travel book’ is befriending local people or other travelers you find along the way.
Pack light but for anything.
“Pack light, but for anything” sounds like an oxymoron, huh? Well, it’s possible and you will thank yourself once you master this.
There’s no reason to have several pairs of shoes, instead pack multi-purpose items like a blanket scarf, (HELP to insert other good clothing items that you need or don’t need).
Because the truth is- when you get bit by the travel bug you don’t want to stop and you don’t want the size of your luggage to hold you back. Even if you’re only making a short trip to somewhere like Ireland you cannot predict the climate because
one day you can experience all 4 seasons.
Packing tips are always a must-know and must-discover for all travelers.
Travel slow.
There are a lot of worlds to see, but don’t try to squeeze the whole continent of
Europe into 3 weeks! Sure you will have a lot of photos to share. But, you will be missing out on gaining genuine knowledge of the places you will travel to.
For some reason, it has become a fad to do trips like ’6 countries in 14 days, but don’t give into it. Travel like a rabbit, be as curious like a child, indulge like a local, and relax like an elderly.
Be prepared to be ripped off a few times.
You will be ripped off. Whether it’s from a professional currency exchange, a local trying to make some money or an airline you will have run run-insure you walk out with non-refundable charges but this is just a part of traveling. It’s these experiences that make you wiser and act like a reality check to be more aware.
Make friends everywhere.
You don’t travel to the other side of the world to hang out with people from your home country! Where is the fun in that? Sure it’s comfortable, but you learn so much more when you befriend other travelers and locals along your travels. Open-minded people attract other open-minded people.
Doesn’t matter if you make
friends in one week, one month, or one semester… If you make friends that make goodbyes hard, you’re doing it right.
You’ll get better as you go.
Practice makes perfect in nearly everything- including traveling! Along your way, you’ll learn tips from your past experiences traveling, locals, and new friends that you’re going to wish you could do it all over again. Whether it’s traveling financial tips you learn, languages, or cultures you will grow so much as a person, far more than that could be taught in a classroom.
Conclusion
All in all, traveling can be a fun, exciting and educational adventure if you are properly prepared. Taking the time to research your destination and plan ahead will help make your journey smoother. Follow these tips, and before you know it, you’ll have experienced enough travel to write your own guidebook for future generations.