Travel Tips
Some useful information
Be Flexible
We always plan for delays and try not to get upset when things inevitably go wrong. Patience is extremely important when traveling!
Learn Common Phrases of the Local Language
A simple āPlease,ā āThank you,ā and āIām sorryā in the local language goes a long way. I also like to learn the word for beer, but thatās just me.
Make a List
About a week or so before each trip, I make a mental list of items I donāt want to forget ā which I WILL forget if I donāt write them down. Iāve learned that when I think of something, I need to write it down.
Donāt Forget an Extra Camera Battery (or Two)
Have you ever gotten to that epic sunset photo spot and realized your camera battery is dead and you donāt have a back up? I try to bring at least three camera batteries on all of our trips so that we donāt miss out on that perfect shot.
Always Buy Travel Insurance
A medical emergency can wipe out your savings ā or even worse. We use and trust World Nomads for travel insurance.
Make Photocopies of Important Documents
In my early twenties, I was very good about keeping a copy of my passport in a separate bag from my actual passport. Then I got lazy. Recently, a friend of mine lost her passport at the airport. She was told that if she had brought a copy of it and extra passport photos they would have let her travel. Since she didnāt, she was forced to forfeit a $2,000 flight and a week in Europe. I now carry a copy with me.
Pack Extra Underwear
Undies are small and itās always a good idea to have a few extra pairs in case of emergencies. Another option is to pack these quick-dry underwear so you can easily wash them on the road.
Pre-plan Your Outfits
Iām a lazy, last-minute packer, so Iāve spent too many trips with all black or all grey outfits because I didnāt plan my outfits before packing. I look back at photos and wish I had put more effort into packing.
Bring Lotion in Your Carry-on
I fill both sides of a contact lens case with hydrating lotion (I use this all-natural hydrating lotion) because they rarely have it in the lavatories and airplane cabins are exceptionally dry.
Put Your Room Number & Hotel Address in Your Phone
Am I the only one who canāt remember my hotel room number?? There has to be others out there like me.
Ask The Locals
We always ask the locals to point us to the best restaurants, awesome spots to watch the sunset, the best coffee shops, etc. I do like to tell people what type of food Iām craving though. Iāve been led to some interesting restaurants that wouldnāt have been my first choice.
Let Someone at Home Know Your Plans
This is extremely important when traveling solo, but itās still a good idea no matter how many people are in your travel group.