Travelling, as much as we’d hate to admit, isn’t all fun and games. It can be quite stressful to stick to an itinerary, manage everything on time and then realize you’ve forgotten your all-important medication at home or your favourite headphones. When you’re a frequent traveller, you figure out a routine that helps you ease the stress. However, if you’re a rare or first-time traveller, getting into the groove of things can be difficult.
The key to figuring out travel lies in observance, preparation and research. But if you need a quick fix, I’ve compiled a list of tips to help you become a more intelligent traveller.
Plan Ahead
Being spontaneous on a trip can seem like fun, but doing a little research makes a huge difference. Figure out exactly what you want when you plan on travelling. Take into consideration the cost, risks involved, the duration of your trip, and plan accordingly. If you’re travelling on a budget, pick suitable transport and make sure you find accommodation. You can choose from budget-friendly options like Treebo Hotels, OYO, Trip Advisor for your stay. Make sure you create backup options for your plans. Heck! Let your backups have backups! This will greatly minimise any risks involved.
Packing Light Is Right
Whether you’re a business traveller or a solo soul searcher, it’s important to travel light. Create a packing list and jot down your essentials and specific items you may need according to your trip. This will make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and ease your stress.
If you can’t fit everything into one suitcase, then reconsider your list. If you have too many clothes, get rid of items you haven’t used in the last month. Also, don’t carry miscellaneous items such as a toothbrush, towel, shampoo, etc. This is because most hotels provide complimentary toiletries to make things easier for you. Make sure you go through the hotel’s checklist to get a better idea.
Essentials Are Everything
Never let your essentials leave your sight! Keep a few items of importance on hand always. Carry only one electronic item, preferably your smartphone, this will eliminate the unnecessary clutter of a laptop or tablet. Make sure you have both soft and hard copies of your documents. You never know if your wallet or purse is stolen, so email yourself copies to always have on hand.
Carry a tiny bag with your daily medication and a first-aid kit with basics like band-aids, cough syrup, paracetamol, antacids, and pain-relief spray. Also, carry a mini hygiene kit with staples like wet wipes, moisturiser, lip balm, hand sanitizer, breath mints, and deodorant. You never know, you could get stranded at an airport or bus station. These essentials will come in handy then. Another handy tip to to hide away some money in your toiletry bag, first-aid kit, or your socks. This helps if you’ve lost your money or your credit cards have been compromised.
Find A Way To Communicate
When it comes to travel, communication is key. Interacting with the locals is instantly gratifying but it can be exhausting when you’re unfamiliar with the language and culture of a place. If you’re travelling to a country where English is rarely spoken, it makes sense to carry along a helpful phrasebook. Also, work on your non-verbal communication skills to build a rapport with the locals and in turn, a more meaningful relationship. This takes skill and energy to do, so keep at it, especially, if you travel abroad often.
Adapt For Happiness
When you travel, it’s likely that you’ll have to live outside your comfort zone. What might work for you in one location, might not in another. You have to be able to ascertain your situation and adapt to whatever is thrown your way. It’s the key to a happy experience. This helps not just when you travel, but in life as well.
The Eye Of A Hawk
Observance is key when you’re in a new city or country. You have come to see the people, sites, and culture and in order to truly appreciate them, you must be observant. It will also help you avoid trouble. Several popular tourist sites are infamous for pickpockets and muggers, staying aware in these situations will help to avoid a sticky situation.
Think Fast
Travel brings with it a host of unforeseen problems. They might be as simple as losing your way to the airport or no vacancies in the hotel, to a more serious matter like a mugging or a transport strike that suspends the city’s activities. Either way, the challenge is to think fast and work in a way to ease the circumstance and create a strategy to get you out of it.
These tips can make a huge difference between a good and horrible vacation. Take some time off and go through every one of these steps and you’ll be a happier traveller for it. In fact, these tips would make a difference to professional and personal growth as well.