Are you planning your first travel adventure? Travel can be a life-changing experience, enabling you to discover new places and people and develop important life skills, but it can also be incredibly daunting, especially on your first trip. No matter where you are going, who you are going with (if anyone) or how long for, there are sure to be a mix of emotions that you are feeling and this is perfectly natural. Read on for a few tips which will hopefully help you to feel more prepared and less stressed while ensuring that you have the best possible experience on your trip.
Save More Money Than You Think You Need
Money can be a big cause of stress when traveling because you certainly do not want to run out or not have enough to really make the most out of the trip. At the same time, it can cost a huge amount to cover the cost of accommodation, travel and living expenses, especially if you have no money coming in. This is why you should always save up more money than you think you need so that you have a safety net – you may also want to look into ways that you can earn as you travel, such as:
Bar work
Online jobs
Renting out your room
Working for accommodation schemes
Research Every Destination Carefully
In order to have the best possible experience and make the most out of the trip, it is important to research every destination beforehand. Some people might say that you should simply “go with the flow”, but you will have a much better time if you understand your destination and have looked into the best places to go. Of course, there is no need to become an expert and discovery is all part of travel, but it is still a good idea to have a firm knowledge beforehand, especially if there are local customs/dangers to be aware of.
Learn the Language Basics
Following this point, you should always make the effort to learn the language basics anywhere that you are traveling. People will always look favorably on you if you can speak a few phrases and this will always come in handy and could allow you to have a more authentic experience. Tourists have a bad reputation (particularly so in some places), so showing that you are not the stereotypical tourist is a smart idea.
Pack Light
Packing is always difficult, but the best tip is to pack lightly as opposed to taking too much. You must keep in mind that you are going to have to be lugging this backpack around with you in places that you are completely unfamiliar with, so you do not want to be struggling. Remember that you can always pick up items/throw things away as you travel so you do not need to take absolutely everything with you. Similarly, make sure that you invest in a high-quality travel backpack that is comfortable to wear when full – this will make a huge difference to your experience.
Take Lots of Pictures and Keep a Journal
You need to make an effort to take a lot of photos during your trip and even simple ones like playing cards in your hostel will fill you with many great memories over the years. Everyone has a decent camera in their smartphone these days, but if you really want to take some special photographs then it is worth taking a digital SLR with you. Additionally, be sure to keep a journal as you travel – again, this will provide you with great memories even if this is just a doodle or a shopping list.
Invest in a Good Smartwatch
A smartwatch can be an incredibly handy gadget to have while traveling around the world. The best luxury smart watches for men can help you to easily stay in touch with people, keep track of your bookings, track your movements and much more. It is also helpful for monitoring your health statistics like heart rate and steps taken while some even have useful travel information too, which will obviously come in handy.
Try to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Following this, it is also important to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling. While you certainly should have fun and enjoy yourself, you also need to look after your physical and mental health so try to get regular exercise, sleep and maintain a healthy diet during your trip.
Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
It is also important that you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone while traveling. This is a time for trying new things, meeting new people and exploring, so you need to be brave. Obviously, you should never do anything that is dangerous or unsafe and listen to your instincts while being willing to step outside of your comfort zone.
A travel adventure can change your life in many ways but it can also be daunting. Hopefully, this advice will come in useful.
