Top Tips for Savvy Global Travel
Young people of today are an aspirational lot, forever planning their next trip abroad, traveling in far-flung corners of the world for their next fix of adventure, discovery and fun. Cheap air travel and easily-accessible travel information have made global marauding increasingly affordable and stress-free in recent decades, but that’s not to say that even the most experienced of globetrotters couldn’t use some useful tips to make their vacation or backpacking expedition that bit easier. This article presents some of the lesser-known tips that the savviest travelers hold dearest when taking time abroad.
Documentation
Smart travelers are the bastions of the document wallet. Some even prepare two, in case the first is mislaid on the road. Inside, they studiously arrange their important personal information, contact numbers, insurance details, medical history, and all the other documents that’ll make their trip so much easier and less stressful. It goes without saying, of course, that anyone on a longer trip should have comprehensive travel insurance cover and the required vaccinations and treatments, with their proof detailed in the documentation.
Above and beyond the absolutely necessary, you’ll be able to put passport photos and photocopies of your passport and ID in your document wallet – useful for borders at which you may find you need such papers. A document with contact details – your ‘in-case-of-emergency’ numbers, the numbers of the embassies you might have to contact, hoteliers, tour operators, and even the number of a contact you have in the country, can prove a savvy addition in case your plans go badly awry while away.
Medicine
Nothing can be more demoralizing than getting badly ill midway through a trip, with little medicine and a poor medical infrastructure to call upon in your time of need. The only area of your luggage in which you should overpack should be your medical kit, which should contain every type of medical supply you might need in the event of illness or an accident that puts your health at risk. Research travel blogs for the sort of supplies that experienced travelers tend to include.
As well as the medicine you take along with you, you should be completely prepared with injections and anti-malarial medicines before you fly. Go to your doctor to detail you travel plans to them, and they’ll be able to advise you on the various risks of infection from place to place, recommending a series of jabs that’ll protect you from rabies, hepatitis and other diseases and viruses that you might encounter in your time away.
Smart Packing
Deciding what to take with you on your trip abroad can feel a little bit overwhelming. Whether it’s a two-week vacation or an open-ended exploration that you have planned, it’s nonetheless imperative that you keep your baggage weight down while including all of the essentials that’ll make your trip fluid, easy and stress-free. The savvy tip here is to actually remove the stress burden and pack smart by considering what it is you actually need to take from your home, and what you’ll be able to buy once you’re abroad.
Usually, you can separate items quite easily into these categories: what you’ll be able to pick up in the country you visit, and what you must bring from home. All items of clothing can be bought elsewhere, while a specific type of camera battery or phone charger will be far more difficult to locate. It’s smart to pack less of the vital items, such as clothing, that you think you’ll require: if you do end up feeling you’re a little on the light side when it comes to clothes, you’ll be able to visit a market or cheap store when you’re away to top up your supplies.
Money
Getting cash while abroad has never been easier thanks to the ready availability of ATMs in almost every country you’re likely to encounter, but that’s not to say that you can’t make some savvy adjustments to your spending that’ll save you a little stress and money while traveling. Possibly the best route to efficient financial management is through the right kind of travel credit card: one which earns you air miles as you spend. Bonsai Finance detail some of the best options where this is concerned.
You’ll also want to watch the currency rates so that you time your cash conversion before you fly with a dip in the currency you’re converting to. A little experience in currency fluctuations can go a long way when it comes to saving you pounds to spend abroad. Finally, it’s always best to have at least two sources of cash on you at all times, and to keep them secure on your person. Some ATMs, infuriatingly, only accept MasterCard, or only accept Visa and, when you’re in a town that has only one ATM, being stocked up with both providers will spare you the nightmare of being cashless in a foreign land.
Research
Discovering a country at your own pace, allowing for the surprises and off-the-cuff elements that can add spice to a trip, is all very well, but most seasoned backpackers and jet-setters tend to do at least a little research about the country or countries they plan to visit before getting on the plane. They’ll learn a little of the language and cultural customs so that they don’t inadvertently disrespect the people they meet, and they’ll find out the cost of living to ensure they’re not ripped off at hotels, restaurants and stores.
As well as noting down some of this more vital information, the savvy global traveler will also take the time to scour relevant blogs and websites for in-depth tips that’ll point them in the direction of hidden treasures, top-rated bars, and authentic eateries that the likes of Lonely Planet guides and TripAdvisor tend to miss. It’s through this preparatory research that travelers maximize the fun while they’re abroad, minimizing the time they spend casting around for things to do.
Savvy travel is all about preparation and planning: if you’re about to head out on your once-in-a-lifetime trip, you’ll do well to bear these tips in mind before you fly to ensure you get the most out of your time spent abroad.
