Travel Tips
Be Prepared
Be Adventurous!
Preparing for trips is the most important piece of travel advice that can be given. Always be sure to know when you need to leave to arrive at your destination on time, research what kind of items you may need, and make sure to schedule a place to stay upon arriving. Some other things that are necessary to consider before traveling internationally are to obtain the correct type of currency, make sure you have a passport that is not expired, get any vaccines that may be needed and learn some common phrases of the country you are traveling to. It is also always best to make preparations as soon as possible, as doing things like buying hotel and plane tickets may not be possible if you wait until a time too close to your vacation.
While planning out your daily activities can give vacations structure, it is also important to remember to be spontaneous and adventurous! When visiting a new place, don’t be afraid to change plans on the fly or get lost wandering around, provided the location you are in is safe. There is no better time to try something new than when exploring a new location or culture. It’s always a good time to try new foods, experiences, or other types of activities that you would not normally try otherwise. Additionally, if your destination is a popular vacation spot, many of the activities tend to be catered to tourists and it can be easy to miss out on the more authentic experiences the location has to offer. In cases like these, going off the beaten path can help you experience the best the location has to offer!
Take Lots of Pictures
Whenever someone takes a fun trip, it is much more common for them to regret not taking enough pictures than taking too many. Make sure to get a good combination of both pictures with and without yourself in them. If you are traveling solo don’t be afraid to ask strangers to take a picture of you! You will definitely be happy to have the pictures to remember your perfect trip for years to come! Once you get home, be sure to share your beautiful shots on Explorics, everyone wants to see them!
Slow Down
When on vacation it can be easy to get caught up in trying to do as many things as fast as possible in order to fully enjoy the time you have, but doing so can just as easily leave you with a feeling of dissatisfaction at the end of a trip. Try to remember that ultimately the point of most vacations is to take time to unwind and be away from the business of daily life. Don’t be afraid to eat a slow meal, take a walk on the beach, or do other activities that may not be the most exciting. Often these quiet moments are the ones we remember the most when all is said and done.
Additional Tips
In this video Hank Green discusses travel tips specifically related to flying, ranging from how to have the smoothest TSA experience possible to making your flight as comfortable as possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVk_B0yrsdg
In this video Christianne Risman gives ten useful tips on how to budget for backpacking trips, but the advice in the video can apply to any form of traveling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCBs_8SBnSE