10 Quick Travel Tips

If you, like me, have the travel bug then this article will probably be old school to you. However, everyone’s got to start somewhere and after a few trips these are my top tips for travelling overseas.

Tip 1. Have at least your first and last nights accommodation booked before you leave, making sure you tell them your flight arrival time in case it’s late at night or early morning, so they can be expecting you. There is nothing worse than arriving somewhere at 2am and everything is shut for the night. Backpackers are a great over night choice – they’re easy affordable neat and tidy.

Tip 2. Make sure you know the customs of the places your visiting. Some countries require women to cover naked skin, others your not allowed to take photos of. To help you - buy a Lonely Planet Guide for you destination of choice. I buy one (sometimes second hand ones are available) for every country I visit. They're jam packed with information that is relevant and up to date.

Tip 3. Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.

Tip 4. Before leaving download the destinations travel guide onto your iPod or MP3 from LoDingo. There are Free informational guides with maps available for download. Also in depth walks and guides. Also for the plane trip, download the language to practice before you get there. These use great examples to help you learn the language faster by relating it to real life examples.

Tip 5. Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.

Tip 7. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines.

Tip 9. Don't stand out in a crowd. Match your dress style to that of the locals. Don't wear an obvious 'tourist' outfit like a loud shirt with a camera slung around your neck. Notice the people around you. Be wary if someone seems to be taking more than a passing interest.

Two tourists were driving through Wisconsin. As they were approaching Oconomowoc, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town’s name. They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch. As they stood at the counter, one tourist asked the blonde employee. “Before we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please pronounce where we are… very slowly? The blonde girl leaned over the counter and said, Burrrrrr, gerrrrrr, Kiiiing.”