Traveling all over the world is a lifelong dream for many people. Expanding your views by experiencing new cultures and seeing places that you have only seen in pictures is extremely fulfilling and will probably change your life for the better. However, there are things that you need to get in order before the trip to make sure that living your dream doesn’t become more like a nightmare. We are going to give you a list of all that you need to get in order before starting your journey.
Booking Transportation and Accommodation
Before deciding on a transportation and accommodation company make sure to look up the reviews online. It is the best way to know if you will get the best service possible. Book everything weeks or even months in advance so that you have enough time to plan everything out. All tickets are changeable, so even if something unexpected happens and you have to delay your trip, you can still get your money’s worth. Keep up with the prices online, as companies oftentimes announce tickets going on sale. If you plan on visiting multiple countries around the world buying a round-the-world ticket will pay off the most. Make sure to inform your employer about your trip in advance and get vacation days.
Take Out Insurance
Travel insurance is the best way to protect yourself in case something goes wrong. The chance is that your normal healthcare plan won’t cover your medical costs abroad. Think of other things that you may have to insure depending on the type of your trip. If you are going on an RV road trip all over the country you will need to know the RV insurance cost. Most of the trips require down payments, so you need to make sure that you will be able to recover your money in case something goes wrong. There are many different insurance packages that you can choose from according to your needs. Unexpected costs could be huge, so you should always rather be safe than sorry.
Research Your Destination
Research the culture and rules of conduct of the people. If you don’t, you may do something that is considered normal or insignificant in your country, but that would be disrespectful or unusual to them. Don’t be too trusting of the police and the people you encounter. You shouldn’t be rude, but also there is no reason to put yourself in unnecessary danger. It may seem appealing going to multiple places, but if you make your schedule too crowded, you will only end up tired and annoyed. Before you start your trip, make a list of the landmarks you want to visit and the activities you want to do. However, don’t be too strict with it. If you lose your spontaneity you will lose your fun.
Prepare Credit Cards and Money
Don’t forget to call the issuer of your credit cards and inform them where you are traveling. If you don’t do that, they may find the activity suspicious and block them. Make sure to only take the cards you are going to use for certain. Ideally, you should remember your numeric PINs instead of writing them down. There is a chance you may lose them and put yourself in danger of somebody stealing all your money. Always take a lot of cash with you because you never know when you may find yourself in a place that doesn’t have an ATM or doesn’t accept cards. Always bring some extra money in case you encounter some unexpected costs.
Think About Your Health
As we previously mentioned, you should always invest in travel insurance. The costs of medical treatment abroad can be extremely pricey, especially for foreign visitors. Remember to bring almost all your prescription medication with you. You will probably be able to find it at your destination. In fact, medication is cheaper and legally safe in some countries. Always buy it from official pharmacies. Before you start your journey, take notice of clinics and emergency rooms in the area you are visiting. In case something happens unexpectedly immediately go to the nearest clinic. You don’t want further complications while you are on the road. If you find it more secure, contact your doctor and ask for advice.
Get All the Documents in Order
It is crucial to get all the documentation in order before the start of your journey. It is best to make copies of everything in case you lose it and need to prove your identity. Always check if you need to take out a visa for the country you are visiting. Make sure that your passport and your visa are up to date as you won’t be able to travel without them. Prepare everything early because acquiring some of the documents might take time. Register your trip with the government, so that they know where to look for you in case of an accident. Some countries require your passport to be valid a few months after the trip otherwise you may not be able to leave. If you’re going on a road trip make sure that your driver’s license is up to date.
Pack Appropriately
Make a checklist before you begin packing so that you avoid chaos and forgetting something. Pack according to the weather and culture of the destination you are visiting. Avoid short dresses and skirts if you are going to a conservative place. We have all overpacked at least once, and it has only made things more difficult. You probably won’t need ten different types of pants on a 7-day trip. Get unique and colorful suitcases and bags to make them easier to recognize in case they get lost. Take a first aid kit with you just in case. Don’t forget to pack carry-on luggage because there is a chance you won’t be able to open your suitcase until you get to your accommodation.
When you follow these instructions and finish off every task from the list, you can finally catch your breath and relax. Try to think of every situation that could go wrong and make a plan on how to handle it. After this, you can get to the best part, traveling without a care in the world. Keep your cool, be prepared, and make some memories that will last you for a lifetime.