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7 Great Tips For The Newbie Traveller

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So you have decided…You are finally going traveling!

Great, you have made a wise decision to take the journey of your life into the unknown. Don’t worry about leaving your job or giving up a steady pay cheque. Saying goodbye to your family and friends might be a little tough at first but after all, you are only a plane ride away!

Deciding to go traveling is a big decision, especially if you are in your early twenties or thirties when a lot of people are “settling down” and taking out mortgages etc. But you won’t regret your decision and you will find a way to make it work, enjoying the sights and wonderful people and experiences you will encounter along the way.

For many, one big trip or extended gap year is their first time to really travel properly not just like a 3-day break away to Western Europe. Is this like you?

Packing your bags and leaving stuff out is difficult, especially if you are a girl! We need stuff on the road, or at least we think we do. But as you set sail on your voyage you might find yourself getting rid of clothes or stuff that you thought you would need. There are loads of places to buy, sell, trade, or donate your stuff on your adventures.

Before setting out, having done some research into the destinations you wish to visit is important. Information about visas, money, local taxes, transportation links and your accommodation bookings are important to get insight into so you won’t be panicked when you arrive. If you are a newbie traveller, below are some great tips to help you prepare for your trip.

7 great tips for the newbie traveller

  1. Get travel insurance

There is a wide range of safety and crime rates across the globe. Also, some places are more prone to the spread of disease than others. With that in mind, a solid insurance policy is essential. For example, for taking part in extreme pursuits or water sports, please ensure that your insurance covers you for these, as some insurance companies won’t deal with certain activity.

  1. Passport check

Make sure that your passport doesn’t expire anytime soon. This seems basic but you would be surprised at how many travellers do overlook this before they jet off. It’s actually quite simple to forget your passport’s expiry date because if you haven’t been using it very often, then you wouldn’t have a reason to check it. You don’t want to be shocked on your flight day that you can’t fly due to an expired passport!

As a tip on the road, ensure that you check the expiry date before you intend to book your next flight.

  1. Communication technology

Some people keep their existing phone plan and smartphone when they go on long term travel. This might not be the best idea, with charges for roaming and issues with data and signal, it might be better to start with a local phone and sim option. Obviously, this would depend on where you go and for how long.

Just use your common sense. Maybe hold off on buying a new high spec smartphone before your trip. Around the world, there are some great phone and/or sim plans available. But remember, being on your phone every minute of the day is not what you want when you travel. You will miss out on events, interactions and the experiences of it all.

  1. Stick to the beaten track

Especially as a solo-traveling female, you should strongly think about going somewhere well known, not too remote and with a lower crime rate against women. Do some research and be smart. Joining a group is a great way to chat to travellers who may have been to the area, they can give you the low down.

With everything going on in the world today, watch the news and local updates on anything that would make the destination a little dangerous. For example, some Arab countries have different laws for women that us in the Western world wouldn’t adhere to at all! Check out guide books, blogs and forums that will help you to understand the destination(s) better.

  1. The right baggage gear

Get yourself a quality comfortable rucksack and/or small suitcase as hand luggage if you’re going to bring cameras, laptops or similar. Shop around online and visit some of the outdoor-adventure shops too as they often stock solid products. The key is that you want to pack your bags lightly. Try using a rigid “in or out” system when you pack. Also, get yourself some luggage padlocks and maybe some name tags to recognise and protect your luggage on the road.

  1. Be open minded with your accommodation

For meeting other travellers on the go, staying in a hostel or camping are two great ways that also won’t break the bank. The world is full of great hostels and campsites. Prices can vary from place to place and in the different seasons. Hostels are supposed to be basic, so you may only get a bed in a shared dorm room, with no bathroom but the communal one down the hall. Be prepared ladies! Most hostels are quirky, fun places and usually have decent wifi.

  1. Backup your documents

Making copies of your drivers license, trip route, flight itinerary, boarding passes, insurance policies and obviously, your passport is a wise move.

Remember too that some countries will require a certain visa to enter and stay, so making digital copies of any visas that you may require will give you some reassurance if your real documents did happen to go missing or get stolen. Before departure, back up whatever you can and save them to a USB key and also create a folder on Google Drive or a password protected folder on Dropbox with to save the digital copies to. You will then have access to your important documents from anywhere with internet or through the USB key in the hostel!

All set? Just to recap

  • Travel as lightly as possible and keep an eye on your baggage
  • Hostels and campsites are great fun at a low budget
  • Make a copy of your documents (USB key and on the cloud)
  • Check your passport well in advance of booking a flight
  • Do some due diligence on your destination and try to stick to the beaten track
  • Consider a local phone/sim plan
  • Get insurance for your persona and valuables
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5 More Things To Pack In Your Carry-On Bag

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Nearly packed your carry-on bag but feel like you have forgotten something?

Remembering what you can and cannot bring in your carry-on bag becomes second nature to you as you travel more and more.

Some countries might have more stricter policies than others. But having your essentials will put your mind at was as you embark on your journey.

My other article on 6 Things To Pack In Your Carry-On Bag got you started with some bag styles and some basics to throw into the bag.

Below are a further five things that you can pack to make sure you have all you need at your disposal, no matter what length the flight is.

  1. Makeup!

Limited space in your carry-on bag and liquid limitations make it hard to bring makeup on your flight.

  • Some mascara will work wonders and help you brighten up those eyes after a long flight.
  • A good under eye concealer should be for hydrating shouldn’t crease. This is perfect for covering up any dark circles and nourishes the

  1. Panty liners

Traveling a lot in the one day will probably mean that you won’t have any showers. Ladies, pack enough panty liners and change them throughout your journey.

The main thing is to keep you dry and odorless and while keeping you fresh until you reach that shower!

  1. Mintor boiled sweets

It’s a good idea to avoid chewing gum on your flights. Since when you’re chewing, the swallowing of air can often give you a tummy ache.

As an alternative, go for something like a nice mint or sucky boiled sweet. Some people’s ears “pop” causing some mild discomfort and a slight deafening effect when they reach a certain altitude so having something to suck on may help this.

I’m not sure if this is just an old myth or if it actually works, I have never had my ears pop.

  1. Smell nice and sweat-free!

Ladies and gentlemen, please do us all a favour and use a deodorant! Buy a small can that you can take on the airplane and feel free to reapply it mid-flight.

  1. Keep those teeth white

Usually, it’s nice to pack your own electric toothbrush into your bag, but you can also buy small travel sized mini brushes to give you that quick freshen up brush on the go.

You can leave these in your purse or wallet no matter where I go so you will have a fresh breath and healthy white smile for those snaps!

 

You are set!

So five more things that you can add to your carry-on luggage. Remember to not pack any sharp objects, too many liquids or any other forbidden items.

If there are other things unique to you such as medicine or inhalers etc then obviously pack those in but these mentioned above and the few items from my other post will certainly get you ready for the best carry-on bag.

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5 Great Tips For Travel

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Are you seeking some travel advice?

Maybe this is your first time to travel. Having the know-how to best manage your trip will help you to really enjoy the experiences you encounter along the way.

From experience, I have drawn up some tips to help you out. Below are five great tips to get you started.

  1. Be a sun riser

There’s nothing more beautiful to watch than the sunrise in the early morning. Having the best sights and locations all to yourself is special.

If you are into your photography, getting some photos at sunrise will be great due to the sun’s light at this hour.

Places more known to be dangerous are also less so in the morning time. Free from any distractions, being at one with yourself as the sun rises is a lovely way to appreciate life.

  1. Humility

In many years time, you’ll remember the times along your journey when you looked or felt like a fool.

When you’re in a new city with a new language and way of life, it is very normal to feel slightly vulnerable or stupid for not knowing how to do or say something.

Don’t be too embarrassed, just have some humility, laughing at yourself and smile. Don’t fear failure and remember to appreciate other culture’s customs.

  1. Cash stash!

Cash is king. For an emergency, having some extra cash stashed away in a few places is a good way to cover yourself.

A couple hundred pounds or dollars or whatever is worth having stashed. This way, if you ever lose your purse or if your credit cards cease to function, you will be covered with your stash! ATMs run out of cash occasionally too.

Your extra cash can be stored away in secret, in your shoes, in a rolled up sock, in your toiletries bag, or maybe in a small hidden compartment of your main luggage bag.

  1. Meet the locals

You should try to make an effort to avoid other travelers for long periods of time and start conversations with local people instead.

Basic English is spoken in a lot of countries or you could even learn some basic sentences in their language. So don’t panic. It’s much easier to communicate with others than you might have imagined, use your body language and gestures.

You will no doubt learns something new and the local people you encounter will surely enhance your travels more than a  lot of travelers will.

  1. Have patience!

If you are one to worry about every little thing, then don’t! Whatever life throws at you, it’s a waste of energy to be annoyed and angered at most things for any longer than a few seconds.

What if you miss your flight? Not to worry, stay a little longer and see is your ticket covered, maybe you can rebook for free or at little cost.

God forbid if the internet goes down for a while! This is great! It’s good to take time out from technology and social media to engage in a  meaningful conversation with someone instead. Have patience.

Take it in your stride

No matter what happens, you’ll work it out as it happens. Your journey might pivot to a different route but that’s life.

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