When you prepare for your first trip (and the second, third or tenth) you always have doubts and questions and sometimes you don’t even know where to start. Everything seems very complicated and the list of things to do, and solve, go on forever.
As you gain experience, everything becomes easier, but if someone also gives you some advice before starting your first traveling adventure, everything flows better.
So for those who consider themselves newbies, I think that these recommendations, which I summarize from the post Ten Travel Tips for Beginners (10 travel tips for beginners) could be useful.
The locker room
You don’t have to be elegant or fashionable, but it’s always good to follow a couple of rules: try not to look like a tourist, among other things not to attract pickpockets and the like, and try to avoid stereotypes.
Money and cards
How much to take and how? It is best to carry a small amount of cash, as well as a debit card and a credit card.
When you withdraw money from the ATM, make sure that it is not more than 200 euros at a time (or its equivalent). This way you control commission charges and, if you were unlucky enough to be robbed, it wouldn’t be a drama.
Budget
You will never be right. Even if you have calculated it down to the last detail, the trip will most likely be more expensive than expected: replace a suitcase, buy items not covered (such as a power adapter), a mandatory guided tour, a taxi, miss a flight connection, or discover the real reason why accommodation was so cheap and, therefore, having to change hotels unexpectedly.
Research only to have basic information
The trip begins to be enjoyed as soon as you are organizing it. Read all the blogs you can, get a guide to the place, enter forums, watch videos of the destination you are going to until you feel like an expert, but do not make a strict schedule, plan routes, or think that you have everything under control.
Once you arrive, you will probably have to make any changes (for example, if it rains or it is a holiday). Go out and discover the city, talk to the locals or ask other travelers for advice.
Meet the locals
Whether you’re staying in a luxury hotel or sharing a hostel room with strangers, you’ll meet people who share your concerns and interests, and this is one of the fun aspects of traveling.
However, it’s also a good idea to explore beyond the tourist attractions and meet the locals. Perhaps the language is a barrier, but mimicry works miracles. A good option is couchsurfing.org.
Alternative means of transportation
Planes, buses, trains, and taxis can take us just about anywhere, but we can save money by hopping on a boat, exploring by bike or horse, or just walking. Your vision will be totally different.
Be realistic
Traveling doesn’t have to be fun all the time. In addition, you also have to take days to rest. Do not make very ambitious plans and do not want to know everything in a short period.
Take it easy as much as possible; It’s not just about taking a couple of photos and moving on to the next destination.
Think carefully about what to pack
The most important recommendation: travel light. It is difficult, but it can be done. It is not necessary to carry more than two pairs of shoes and it may not be necessary to have changes of clothes for each day (in the case of pants)
Items that may be essential: batteries and chargers, maps, flashlights… although it depends on the destination and the type of trip
Useful (and useless) travel tips
Before and during your trip, you will receive dozens of tips and warnings and you will find that many travel guides are quite conservative.
If someone tells you that a place is not safe, ask why and ask for all the information you think is necessary. Do not dismiss the recommendations, but do not deprive yourself of knowing only what the rumors say.
Alert!
Are you sure you want to travel? The biggest danger is that it is addictive. If you get infected, you’ll stay up late at night reading blogs from people you don’t know, you’ll be looking for flight deals even if you don’t have a date for your next trip, you’ll make it the main topic of conversation with your friends and, in the most advanced stage of the “disease”, you will even think about quitting your job or spending all your savings to go see the world. So think it over!
Travel tips from my own harvest
In addition to these 10 travel tips for beginners, I would like to share some things that I have learned over the years.
If you travel to a country with a different currency, it is advisable to change some money before leaving. Even if it’s for small expenses like a bus ticket, buying something to eat, or making a phone call.