15 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
1 SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
If you're expecting a five-star vacation but booked a budget hotel, you may have set yourself up for disappointment. Do your research in advance of your travels and make sure your plans at least match your minimum expectations.
If you're expecting a five-star vacation but booked a budget hotel, you may have set yourself up for disappointment. Do your research in advance of your travels and make sure your plans at least match your minimum expectations.
2 PACK LIGHT
We read somewhere that the lighter you travel, the easier you travel. This is so true! You will always end up carrying your luggage more than you anticipate, and you will never use everything you brought along in your suitcase. Packing light means less weight to carry and less items to track. We pack only what can fit into our carry-on luggage, and we still usually bring unused items home. Read our packing tips HERE.
3 BRING BASIC FIRST AID
We always pack a mini first aid kit complete with bandages and basic over-the-counter medications. A simple Band-Aid or a dose of ibuprofen can bring quick relief and make all the difference if you have a blister or minor ailment away from home.
4 LEARN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE
Okay, it's probably not practical or even possible to become fluent in the local language, but it's helpful to learn a few basic words and phrases before your travels. Common greetings and a "please" and "thank you" can go a long way when navigating a new place. Learn more about overcoming the language barrier HERE.
3 BRING BASIC FIRST AID
We always pack a mini first aid kit complete with bandages and basic over-the-counter medications. A simple Band-Aid or a dose of ibuprofen can bring quick relief and make all the difference if you have a blister or minor ailment away from home.
4 LEARN THE LOCAL LANGUAGE
Okay, it's probably not practical or even possible to become fluent in the local language, but it's helpful to learn a few basic words and phrases before your travels. Common greetings and a "please" and "thank you" can go a long way when navigating a new place. Learn more about overcoming the language barrier HERE.
5 AVOID TAXIS
Taxis are expensive. They also provide opportunities for a stranger to take an unknowing tourist for a longer than necessary ride. We always prefer to walk or use public transportation. If you have no other choice, have an idea of how long the journey should take by car and (if there isn't a meter) negotiate the fare before the journey begins.
6 BE THRIFTY, NOT CHEAP
Traveling shouldn't break the bank, but the price of admission also shouldn't prevent you from experiencing something magical. We like to splurge on a few memorable activities of interest during our trip (e.g., one fancy meal out at that famous restaurant) and look for ways to cut costs elsewhere (e.g., buying snacks from the local grocery store). Spend the bulk of your budget on what matters the most to you and make concessions elsewhere. Read more on how to be a thrifty traveler HERE.
7 VISIT THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE
The local grocery store is not only a great place to find reasonably priced foods to supplement restaurant meals; it also provides a window into daily life at a particular destination. We always have a great time checking out the available products, finding brands that are familiar to us, and learning how things are done differently in other countries. Who knew eggs are not refrigerated in Europe?
7 VISIT THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE
The local grocery store is not only a great place to find reasonably priced foods to supplement restaurant meals; it also provides a window into daily life at a particular destination. We always have a great time checking out the available products, finding brands that are familiar to us, and learning how things are done differently in other countries. Who knew eggs are not refrigerated in Europe?
8 NEVER ACCEPT "FREE" GIFTS
Tourists are easy targets. Never agree to hold that bouquet of roses or accept that bracelet, or you might find yourself obligated to pay a mandatory donation.
9 RESPECT SIGNAGE
Nothing bothers us more than when tourists ignore the "no photography" or "do not enter" signs. These rules are in place to protect the land/artwork or your safety. Please don't be disrespectful and ruin the experience for the rest of us.
10 CARRY COINS AND TOILET PAPER
You'll need coins for the pay toilets and toilet paper for the free ones. Find out what else we carry in our day pack HERE.
11 GO COUNTRY
Leave the city center and visit the countryside. It provides an entirely new perspective of any given destination. Plus, there are usually some pretty landscapes and photo opportunities! We tend to sign up for tours of the surrounding countryside when time in short just to get a taste of life outside the city.
10 CARRY COINS AND TOILET PAPER
You'll need coins for the pay toilets and toilet paper for the free ones. Find out what else we carry in our day pack HERE.
11 GO COUNTRY
Leave the city center and visit the countryside. It provides an entirely new perspective of any given destination. Plus, there are usually some pretty landscapes and photo opportunities! We tend to sign up for tours of the surrounding countryside when time in short just to get a taste of life outside the city.
12 CARPE DIEM
Our usual mindset while traveling is to see and do as much as possible. It's never a guarantee that we'll be able to visit a location again. We prioritize our top activities, create a tentative itinerary, and set an alarm to get out of bed. Make the most of your time while traveling. Nap when you get home. 13 SMELL THE ROSES
While it's important to make the most of your time at a given destination, it's also important to take the time to really enjoy it. It's stressful to run from attraction to attraction without slowing down to notice the special things about a particular city. Some of our favorite travel moments happened just by strolling the streets or by enjoying a bottle of local wine on our balcony. We now leave room in our itinerary to allow for some flexibility and free time to just explore or experience the city.
14 BE ADVENTUROUS
Traveling is about trying new things and gaining life experiences. Have I mentioned one of us is afraid of heights? Yet, we're always signing up for an activity that tests this fear (e.g., kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, climbing the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, crossing Arenal Hanging Bridges in Costa Rica, etc.), and these moments are usually the highlight of the trip. Branch out and try new foods and activities.
15 KEEP IT POSITIVE
It's rare for everything to go exactly as planned while traveling. It might rain. You might get lost. You might not care for the food. You might find that the "amazing" attraction was just mediocre. Things happen beyond your control, and it's how you respond to those instances that will make or break a vacation. Focus on the positive experiences, and keep an open mind. Please don't ruin the experience for your fellow travelers with complaints and negative attitudes. Consider yourself lucky to have the opportunity to travel the world!
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