Ten Ways to Make the Most of Your Travels!
Catherine Holmes
Are you about to set off on the adventure of a lifetime? Are you off on a gap year, career break or starting a more exciting retirement plan? Whether you’re heading out to New Zealand for a year of fun and frolics, or taking a trip to Mexico to build homes for local people, make the most of your trip with out ten tips!
1. Be safe
Staying safe should be one of your primary concerns when abroad (having an amazing time is a close second). By taking a few simple steps before you go you can make sure you’re in safe hands even when things go wrong. A visa is the first thing on your checklist. This is particularly important if you’re planning to live abroad for a significant period of time or to work while you’re there.
Next come vaccinations. Make sure you‘ve had all the jabs you need before you travel. Different destinations require different vaccinations and some need up to six weeks to begin to work, so make sure you see your doctor well in advance. Your health isn’t something that you can cut corners on so make sure you get it done!
Travel insurance is a definite must and it won’t take you more than ten minutes to get it sorted. You can get it on the internet, over the phone or you can just pop into your local post office, but make sure you get it before you travel! It won’t cost a lot and you’ll be able to travel with confidence knowing that if something does happen you’ll be protected. Insurance can be bought for single or multiple trips, and various lengths of time. Find one that suits your plans but make sure it covers the whole period of your stay. If you travel regularly you might want to consider annual insurance which will save you a bundle! If adventure activities are on your itinerary, make sure they’re covered by your insurance.
Take a few spare photocopies of your passport and a couple of spare passport pictures as well – just in case.
It’s important that you remain calm, even if things start to go wrong. Personal awareness will make you feel safer and could help you avoid a holiday disaster. Keep an eye on your bags whilst map reading, and be cautious of accepting or asking for lifts. Make sure you know where you are and how to get home if you’re going to be hitting the town in a foreign country. By taking a few simple precautions you’re trip should run smoothly, letting you remember only the good things!
2. Travel light, pack right
Before you set off on your backpacking expedition around the world it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got everything you need. If you’re volunteering abroad you’ll need all the essentials plus any little extras that are required on your placement. Do your research in advance and make sure you don’t get caught short.
Packing your backpack can make a huge difference to the weight of your load! You’ll need all the agility and energy that you can muster as you try to scramble onto the Bangkok Chiang Mai sleeper train! Distributing the weight in your pack evenly will help you do this and guarantee you a seat!
Check with your guidebook to find out what is and isn’t available in your chosen country. Some objects can be picked up cheaply abroad while others will be impossible to find. Buying abroad can, in some cases, save you money and the hassle of sitting on your case to close it!
Some people can’t live without chocolate. It may not be scientifically proven but it’s true. If you’re one of them, make sure you have enough with you to last the trip. The same goes for anything else that you can’t live without (but be aware of customs laws, taking cheese or meat out of the country is generally a bad idea!).
3. Be inspired (pre/during trip)
You’ve booked your project and you’re absolutely buzzing with excitement. This is the perfect time to get inspired before you go. Try taking a look some of the easily available contemporary, classical, cultural or historical literature and films born of your chosen destination. Good guidebooks will usually suggest a selection of contextual reading and this is a good place to start.
Is there a distance learning program or TEFL certification course you can sign onto before you go? It doesn’t matter if you’re going to be teaching on your travels or not, these courses are great for building confidence and getting you ready for your travels.
Taking a small travel radio can break down long journeys and brighten up your day. If you’re going away for longer periods, you might want to tune into BBC World radio service to keep track of what’s going on back home. Alternatively, you could go for the local station. This is a great way to get a feel for local musical trends.
4. Speak
Learning the basics is a great way to break the ice and find a common ground the local people. Be it a “pleaseâ€, “thank you†or “good byeâ€, it’s a great way to show the people you meet that you respect them and their traditions. You may find yourself to be the butt of the local’s jokes for a time but this is normally a friendly sign of appreciation and the cheerful response will spur you on. You’ll find that the locals are just as interested in learning your language and that TEFL course will come in really handy if your new friends start asking for personal lessons.
Grab a phrasebook, keep an ear out and be brave – get stuck in!
i-to-i has a great selection of language courses than can be taken before you travel or while you’re away!
You’ll also find a bundle of useful phrases on the BBC website.
5. Eat
Local delicacies can range from extraordinary to shocking but whatever they are they’ll give you an amazing insight into the local culture! Check out our Culinary World Tour for a little taster of global cuisine.
While you’re abroad it’s vitally important that you get enough fluids, especially if you’re working hard on a volunteer project. If you’re travelling to a tropical destination then you should definitely take some dehydration sachets with you. They’ll prove to be a lifesaver if you let your attention slip and start feeling a little light-headed.
If you’re eating out take a look around before you order. If it doesn’t look clean and hygienic, go somewhere else! If in doubt, follow the locals. If they’re eating in a local restaurant then you can guarantee it’s a good one!
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when it comes to food though, is be bold. You may never visit this incredible destination again so make the most of it while you’re there. If nothing else, it’ll be a story to tell when you go home.
6. Guidebook
A guidebook can be a nifty little tool both while you’re planning your trip and while you’re away! They have everything from maps to phrases, attraction listings to local histories and you won’t want to be without one!
Guidebooks can also help you find your way off the beaten track to the world’s lesser known attractions. It will help you find out where they are and get you there safely without having to trust the directions of the dodgy local. Lonely Planet guide books are particularly good!
7. Sleep
Staying in a plush five star hotel might be your idea of heaven but it isn’t necessarily practical. There are a whole range of affordable accommodation options out there so look around and see what else is on offer before you waste your hard-earned cash on an expensive hotel that you’ll hardly ever be in.
Traditional guesthouses and youth hostels may require you to respect the local customs but will give you a great insight into the local culture. If you have the chance to stay with a local family, do it. There is simply no better way to integrate yourself into the local community! You’ll still get your own freedom, you’ll probably be close to a whole network of volunteers and on top of that, you’ll have a truly amazing experience.
Make sure you’ve got your first few nights booked so when you get off the plane with a nasty bout of jetlag you can get the rest you need to make the most of the rest of your trip.
Responsible and sustainable travel are becoming more and more popular with eco-friendly travellers and with just a little extra effort you could turn your travels into a positive instead of a negative. By respecting the local culture and environments, by staying in environmentally friendly accommodation and thinking about your actions, you can give something back to your host country.
8. Go with flow
Be prepared for a whole new experience! One simple reason why travellers are so keen on overseas travel is the desire to do something different, to immerse themselves in a new and unique foreign culture. While this can be the driving force of your trip, sometimes it can be a bit of a shock as well.
Culture shock is a common issue when travelling abroad, and can manifest in many ways. Whether you feel lonely, teary or just a little tired, a little time and some much-needed reassurance will sort you out! The sights and smells of a new country can be a daunting assault on the mind, especially if you’re a little run down or homesick. By accepting everything that comes your way as new, and maybe just a little exciting, you’ll have a sound time and enjoy limitless self-development.
Some of the best travel stories come from journeys that haven’t quite gone to plan so don’t worry if your travel experience takes an unexpected turn, it could be for the better.
9. Share
After you’re given out your gifts and baffled relatives with your new found culinary tastes or linguistic skills why not spread your enthusiasm a little further? Whether you want to raise funds for your volunteer project, tell your story to the local newspaper or just speak to your fellow travellers on an i-to-i forum, you’ll find that sharing your experiences will keep them fresh in your mind and help inspire you to travel more in the future!
10. Beat the Blues
Your return home can go one of two ways; you’ll either be really excited about seeing your friends and family, or really depressed that the whole experience is all over. Re-accustoming yourself to the 9-5 can be a mighty task but there are ways to make it easier!
While you were away did you pick up a new interest? See if you can cook that amazing Chinese meal or maybe try to learn the local lingo for your next trip! And you shouldn’t need an excuse to head to the local Thai restaurant for a little reminder!
Planning your next trip is a great way to get rid of the post-travel blues and it will get you looking forward instead of back! Research a new destination, start learning the language, learn about local customs and history… you’re passion for travel doesn’t have to end with your return!
Update that CV and make sure you’ve added your brand-spanking new international experience. If you’re a dab hand at volunteering, and fancy a career change, could you explore opportunities to work overseas or study abroad? Planning your next trip and using your experience can be a real driving force for your work back home!
And there you have it! Follow this simple guide and you’ll be well on your way to an incredible travel experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life! So what are you waiting for?
