I truly believe that deciding to travel is one of the best decisions you'll ever make. There is nothing like getting lost in a country that speaks a language you're not familiar with, eating a popular delicacy with a flavour that you may or may not want to ever try again or just simply laying in the golden sands and watching the sun glimmer over the stunning clear blue sea.That is also why I believe that the more you know before you depart on your new venture the better off you will be avoiding certain undesirable circumstances and focussing on why you are there.
So have a little read on the most vital do's and don't's when travelling and hopefully you learn a thing or two for you next holiday.
Do:
learn a few words and sentences of the language you will be surrounded by on your holiday.
It's not only a lot easier to get around if you've done a little study on the basics before you go but it's just a polite thing to do. Learn words like please, thank you, hello, yes, no etc and keep yourself prepared.
Dont:
Pack to many unnecessary items.
There is no doubt you will be doing a lot of walking when you go travelling with your bag. Even if it's just until you get to the hotel or transitioning to the next city, lugging a big heavy bag on your back can make your trip a lot more uncomfortable than it needs to be.
Do:
do as the locals do.
There is no point travelling to other side of the world just to have breakfast at Mcdonalds, lunch at KFC and dinner at Pizza Hutt. Go to the local cafe's, bars, restaurants, markets etc! It's exciting to try new foods and flavours, you don't want to waste your money on having the same experiences you can have at home. Take a risk!
Don't:
Be irresponsible with your money.
This means...
Don't convert all your money to cash,wear a long skinny strap handbag, leave your cash in easy accessible spots at hostels (under pillow, inside unlocked bag etc) or leave your bag at the table while you go to the bathroom in a restaurant etc...I was once walking along the street pathway and had a cyclist on the road going the other way, as he passed he went for my jacket pocket (luckily he couldn't grab anything). There are plenty of stories of people losing their cash by theft so be extra careful you don't give anyone the opportunity to even glance at your £££.
Do:
Keep note of your passport number
If you lose your passport overseas it becomes a nightmare to sort. If you have a copy of your passport number it will dramatically fasten the process of getting a replacement which will make your life a ton easier.
Dont:
Neglect researching about the water
There are many places in the world where the water won't go down well with your body, even ice cubes can be a risk you don't want to take. The best bet is to either boil the water you drink or even better just stick to bottled water.
Do:
Look for appropriate apps to download.
Researching certain apps for your travels could save you a lot of time and effort. There are apps for plenty of things for example city maps, public transport maps, ATM finder, WIFI finders, Uber etc.
Dont:
Be tempted to stay inside.
You are in a new exciting different country! Maybe you feel a little bit tired/lazy or the idea of going out alone is a little daunting, you must push yourself to go out. You can relax when you're back home and you will kick yourself if you don't spend every chance you have exploring this new environment.
Do:
Wear appropriate shoes.
You will thank me later people! I know it's not the biggest and brightest fashion statement but you will regret it when you are spending hours sightseeing in horrible flat damaging shoes or sexy going out heels with emerging blisters. Wear your trainers and don't let anything ruin the day.
Don't:
Stick between the tourist spots.
Wander outside the touristy zones and discover culture at it's fullest. For example: When in Rome you are not going find the best pizza and pasta beside Trevi fountain, venture down a few side streets and you'll find more flavourful dishes.
TIP- When finding somewhere to eat, your best bet is to find a restaurant packed with locals (You will be able to tell between the tourists and the locals super fast). This will ensure you'll be eating the best foods in town.
My final do:
Be positive and open minded.
You are in a once in a life time experience, enjoy it as much as you possibly can!! Try everything, learn new things and have a positive mindset. You will come home with new memories and stories to tell :)
Thanks for reading. If you have any Do's/Don'ts or any other travel advice then send them in via the contacts page. I would love to hear them!! :)
Until then,
International Travel Pocket x
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