Travelling is an exciting and thrilling journey. It’s not only to uplift your mental health, and rejuvenate your physical well-being too. Once in a lifetime, you should plan for traveling whether it’s a solo trip or accompanied by family. How do you feel when you fly to your favorite destination, get away from your daily grind, sleep without alarms, enjoy sipping your coconut water, and click install-worthy pictures with sun-kissed vibes? How soothing it was!! Yes, it is soothing and refreshing, but it can be stressful too if you don’t plan your trip with a little bit of preparation and whole lotta guidance.
When you plan your first trip, you’re overwhelmed with shenanigans, like what stuff you need to pack. How much extra money should I keep? Am I willing to travel solo or do I need to hire a service from a travel agent? Take a deep breath, relax and chill. Take notes, and put your mind at ease, before you embark on your journey. We have curated 10 travel tips for the beginner traveler to plan wholesome and stress-free vacations!
10 Travel Tips for the Beginner Traveler
1. RESEARCH IS THE KEY:
Do plenty of research before you go on your journey. The more you research, the more smoothly your travel. Google about the climate condition of where you go. Watch the travelogue series or follow a breed of travel bloggers online, from accommodation to tourist attractions, restaurants to public transport, and heritage culture. They’ve got you covered! Read their reviews and highlights thoroughly and plan your trip accordingly. You’re always dreaming of wandering the streets of your wishlist destinations. Research in advance or reach out to any travel guide to enjoy every bit of your me-time to its fullest. Bless yourself with a much-needed trip, and feel calm and content.
2. MINGLING WITH LOCALS:
Travelling is all about interacting with new people and tasting new cuisines. Walk, and talk like locals. You feel connected and resonate. Blend into a crowd and feel like you’re a part of them for ages. Mostly every country translates their instructions, particularly into English. So you won’t face any difficulty. Practice viral phrases they frequently use and study all aspects from fashion to food, save you from any cultural shock. We all are indifferent people, belong to diverse backgrounds, and meet unintentionally. Folks can be courteous and cooperative, especially the hotel staff where you’re staying. Don’t leave your room and attach a bathroom in a mess. Leave a positive impression where you go.
3. HOP ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Don’t go for ride-hailing apps or hire local taxis, it will cost you an arm and leg. Be aware that scam stories, but does not happen in every country, but a few of them are famous for it. The points are convenient and comfortable, saving you extra bucks. You can easily get a ride on every hook and corner of the city without delay, again it varies from country to country. In the meanwhile, eye on google Maps to navigate your location. You can make a pitstop for an odd hour’s hunger pangs or take away a fresh and delicious sandwich for nibbling.
4. A BAG WITH A ZIPPER IN FRONT COMES IN HANDY:
Invest in good quality luggage and comfy shoes. You’ve to walk extra miles now and then. Take a bag with a zipper in front along with you. It will keep away all pickpockets in a rush. No need to carry extra suits. Jeans never go out of style, wear wrinkle-free and crisp jeans everywhere. Wide denim-leg jeans pair up with multiple t-shirts. Don’t overstuff your luggage, just keeping three or five shirts would do the job. Don’t forget to take your night suits. Plus, pack two or three pairs of socks or underwear because you won’t get much time for laundry. Nothing beats the smell of fresh socks and underwear.
5. LOCAL SIM CARDS AND APPS WORK WONDERS:
Buy a local SIM and get it from the main city, not the airport. All commodities are a bit pricey in the vicinity of the airport. Different packages are catered for different Mbs. You just select the one and turn the hotspot on. You can get maximum Mbs at a low cost. Don’t hesitate to reach out to those places where that offer free WiFi services. Install apps to check in famous restaurants and malls. Keep an extra power battery bank, to save your phone from dying. You would stay active online across all social media platforms.
6. KEEP EXTRA COPIES OF YOUR PASSPORT:
Make extra copies of your passport or other necessary documents. You should have to keep a digital and physical copy with you. You never know when and where someone asked to show it during your trip. It saves you any hassle if you lost it somewhere or were stolen by someone. Mine solicits advice to you to hide your cash or important documents secretly at multiple places. Maybe, robbers are lurking around you, you never know. Play peek-a-boo.
7. SPEND WISELY:
Don’t waste your hard-earned money on extravagant meals. The roadside vendors or cafes are so welcoming and warm, and their food is also delicious and filling! You should try their varieties of food and specialties or grab the appetizers, munching on them on the go. Mesmerize and drool over breathtaking views which leave you in awe. Shop from the local mart, no need to check top-notch malls which have high-end brands that are heavy on your pocket. Grab souvenirs to gift them or avail of exclusive deals and discounts. Plan your vacations at the right time, of course not in peak seasons, at the right place that won’t ask for your kidney. Even book your tickets two or three months beforehand. Always deal in local currency and keep extra cash with you.
8. STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOVED ONES:
Stay connected with your friends and family, and inform them whereabouts you are. In case of any emergency, they can contact you and you won’t feel homesick. Keep posting your stories, and share your experience with them on facetime. You can either go for digital detoxification for some or not. It’s truly your choice. I’m pretty sure they would be curious to know about you and would love to hear your travel tales. They benefit from your travel tips.
9. STAY SAFE WITH A FIRST AID KIT:
If you have asthma or allergic issues, stay healthy with your inhaler or relevant medicines. Pack a first aid kit to treat yourself in your time of need. Prevention is always better than cure. Despite following the remedies and totals, do the needful, and reach out to nearby doctors or pharmacies. A pack of pills will save you from viral and contingencies infections, otherwise, you will feel under the weather and end up isolating yourself in a hotel room. Don’t treat yourself on your own. A little knowledge is a very dangerous thing. Stay healthy and stay safe.
10. MAKE SUNSCREEN YOUR BFF:
A friend in need is a friend indeed, a famous saying goes perfectly on SPFF who keeps your skin safe while staying in the sun. Great travel energizes your soul, sunblock would revive your uneven skin tone. You get rosy cheeks and plump and hydrated skin with the perfect morning or evening skincare regime. Don’t be harsh on your skin. Sunscreen will save your skin from darkness and deterioration. So befriended it with sunblock and tuck it into your bag and wear it everywhere.
THE FINAL WORDS:
Traveling is the perfect time to rekindle and reconnect with yourself. It’s about relaxing and resting. See a better version of yourself after an incredibly amazing trip with how-to-spend holiday travel tips. Don’t stick to your schedule, allow your mind and body to heal after burnout. You can spend quality time within the country’s most visited destination in a full swing. We’ve covered all travel tips for beginners who’re going to help out you to plan your vacations sooner or later. Relax, refresh and rejuvenate. Have a safe journey!
Write by: KANWAL LIAQUAT
