How To Plan A Trip Abroad - Things You May Miss

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couple in london with red bus in the background

Plan Your Trip

Travelling abroad can be fun and exciting enough without adding the stress and frustration of possible mishaps to the adventure.

From becoming lost to losing your baggage to simply wasting time, all of the worst possibilities of your trip can be avoided simply by paying attention to a few simple rules before you even leave the house.

Check Visa and Passport Requirements

You may think this is obvious, but there are too many cases of people being sent home for lack of proper paperwork or worse.

Look:

Passports take time to process and if this is your first passport, you will need to wait six weeks sometimes. Other countries may have stipulations for allowing you into their country.

You may need a visa or at least a passport with six months left to the expiration date. You will find plenty of information online and a short ten minutes of research can give you all the information about the countries you will visit.

This is how to plan a trip you will love. Bonus Tip:

Leave a copy of all your travel documents and IDS with a trusted friend at home. If you are in a bad pinch, you can have them mailed to you.

Map Out Important Locations

No voyage begins without a good look at the charts. The maps of the locations and sites you will see will make your navigation far easier and less time-consuming.

So, prep before you leave by studying all the places, distances and directions. But never leave without the wonders of the modern age at your fingertips.

You will be able to access all the information you need while on the go, but having the locations saved and studied will mean you don't have to do this while in the middle of nowhere.

Bonus tip: you can even take a moment to jot down the important contact information of the visitor sections and fronts desks of sites and hotels you will be visiting.

Having all this info on one sheet of paper, or phone record will eliminate the hours it will take to produce this same information in unfamiliar terrain.

You can also use a travel planning app such as Google Trips - Travel Planner.

Review Travel Warnings and Alerts

From malaria-ridden mosquitos to the possibility of a bloody coup, poisons abound in paradise and having a little information under your belt can save you from a fate worse than death.

While not everything is this ominous, there are typhoon seasons, special holidays and other local matters than can adversely affect your trip.

Imagine you want to visit a world renown beach only to find a severe shark warning in place upon arriving! Yikes! It is better to learn as much as you can about the destination of your holidays.

A quick study and noting down important points will come in handy.

Next:

Weather Check

Remember to check the expected weather at your holiday destination. Get your smartphone and do a quick weather check, this will help you pack the appropriate clothes and other accessories.

Hello> Hola > Bonjour >

One of the most important tip in how to plan a trip for is practice communications. Get a head start on your trip and learn some of the local words and phrases. "How much is this?" "Where is the restroom?" and "Hello! Good Morning" (afternoon or evening) are great ways to share a smile, get valuable information and do business abroad.

Ok, now let us get packing:

A checklist

  • Your suitcase should include deodorant, mosquito repellent, sandals, at least one jacket and a formal outfit; you never know where you will end up on your vacations.
  • Try to put your toiletries in a sealed bag or somewhere in the suitcase where your clothes are not at risk of staining.
  • Do not forget the camera, cell phone, computer and even razor chargers.
  • Take resealable bags for bathing suits or laundry.
  • If your destination includes a trip to the beach, keep in mind to bring sunscreen, burn cream, a hat, a good book and portable speakers.
  • When travelling by plane remember to keep a copy of your documents (passport, visas, driver's license and plane tickets) in your hand luggage if in case your main luggage is stolen or lost. Alternatively, you can leave a copy of your passport and itinerary with your family or friends so that they can send it to you by mail in case of emergency.
  • Carry a change of clothes in your hand luggage, in case your luggage is lost.
  • Note down the contact number of your medical service/insurance and make sure you have coverage abroad.
  • Ask your bank how much money you are allowed to take out at ATMs in another country, so that you can schedule your withdrawals.
  • Carry a mini medical kit, where you can include pills for headaches, stomach aches and diarrhea. If you have any regular medications, you can also carry medical prescriptions.
  • Weigh your suitcase at home, to avoid extra charges at the airport.
  • If you have a trusted neighbour, it is a good idea to leave your house in charge with the neighbors, it is good that someone enters to open the windows and turn on some lights for safety. Do the same with your pets.
  • Never put all your money in cash in one place. If your Hotel has a Security Box, do not hesitate to use it.
  • Read the brochures and directory of your room to find out which hospitals, restaurants or attractions are near the hotel, if necessary.
  • Use your GPS or Smartphone to locate yourself in the city, you can also download applications to locate sites of interest around you.
  • Take some extra memory cards and batteries for your camera so you do not miss to capture those special moments.
  • Do not convert all your money to local currency; you may need your native money during the return.

Enjoy your holidays and be safe. You can take also take a look at our essential travel planning trip article.

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