Whether you are thinking about travelling abroad or perhaps considering spending an extended time in a particular country, you may be planning your next journey. Now, while other websites are content to give you a simple overview of advice, we are going one better. This article is a journey unto itself, braving the scales of the alphabet to give you an A to Z guide to all the travel tips we can think of. Quite how we are going to traverse the obstacles that are Q and X is something you are going have to find out for yourself as you read on. Let’s go!
A is for Adventure
A is for Adventure
Every travel experience should be an adventure. Once you have set foot off the plane (other modes of transport are available), a whole new world awaits. The sights, the sounds, the smells… you need to be prepared for them all. We listed some of the remarkable places we think you should visit at http://www.calistaleahliew.com/, but wherever you go, make sure you carry the spirit of adventure with you, and take a few risks.
B is for Beware
As mentioned, travelling is about taking risks, but you do need to be careful. There is some useful advice at https://www.travelsupermarket.com for staying safe abroad, but wherever you go, do your research beforehand. You probably don’t want to head to a war zone, for example, and as a tourist, you are going to stick out like a sore thumb when venturing around a new country.
C is for Cruises
Get vertigo when flying? Don’t fancy the idea of backpacking? Then travel around the world on a cruise. You can get some fantastic deals in off-peak parts of the season, and you will gain some fantastic experiences on and off board the ship. Shuffleboard anyone?
D is for Drive
Hire a car or take your own, driving is the preferred choice of travel for many, especially if you are travelling with a family. If you are thinking about a road trip in another country, check out the advice at http://www.redbookmag.com, with ideas for where to go and how to travel safely.
E is for Expat
You may be thinking of extending your travels, and the life of an expat may appeal to you. Not only will you be able to savour a particular country in more detail, but you will be able to extend your travels from the place you are living in. You will need to scour the internet for international property sites, such as https://rumahdijual.com/bogor/villa, though you should probably use a translation tool if you don’t speak the language. After all, you don’t want to end up with a money pit!
F is for Focus
In short, make an itinerary for your travels. Depending on the length of your stay, you want to make sure you get to do all you want to do. So focus on your priorities before you leave, making a list of all the things you want to see and achieve while away. You may need to be flexible, as not everything will go to plan, but you don’t want a wasted journey without some ideas beforehand.
G is for Going solo
B is for Beware
As mentioned, travelling is about taking risks, but you do need to be careful. There is some useful advice at https://www.travelsupermarket.com for staying safe abroad, but wherever you go, do your research beforehand. You probably don’t want to head to a war zone, for example, and as a tourist, you are going to stick out like a sore thumb when venturing around a new country.
C is for Cruises
Get vertigo when flying? Don’t fancy the idea of backpacking? Then travel around the world on a cruise. You can get some fantastic deals in off-peak parts of the season, and you will gain some fantastic experiences on and off board the ship. Shuffleboard anyone?
D is for Drive
Hire a car or take your own, driving is the preferred choice of travel for many, especially if you are travelling with a family. If you are thinking about a road trip in another country, check out the advice at http://www.redbookmag.com, with ideas for where to go and how to travel safely.
E is for Expat
You may be thinking of extending your travels, and the life of an expat may appeal to you. Not only will you be able to savour a particular country in more detail, but you will be able to extend your travels from the place you are living in. You will need to scour the internet for international property sites, such as https://rumahdijual.com/bogor/villa, though you should probably use a translation tool if you don’t speak the language. After all, you don’t want to end up with a money pit!
F is for Focus
In short, make an itinerary for your travels. Depending on the length of your stay, you want to make sure you get to do all you want to do. So focus on your priorities before you leave, making a list of all the things you want to see and achieve while away. You may need to be flexible, as not everything will go to plan, but you don’t want a wasted journey without some ideas beforehand.
G is for Going solo
There’s no harm in travelling solo. You don’t have to compromise with anybody else, so you can do all that you want to do, and there’s nobody else to worry about but yourself. Of course, going solo can also be a lonely experience, and safety may be an issue. There are some excellent tips at https://www.roughguides.com for solo travellers, so have a look if this is something you are considering.
H is for Health
Being away in a new land is fun for a while, until you get ill! Therefore, make sure you get immunised from potential diseases, and always have a first-aid kit stocked with ointment, plasters, sunscreen, bandages, and all the other first-aid essentials. You may be put on the first plane home if you go without these medical precautions.
I is for Insurance
You need to be covered for all manner of disasters while you are away, from travel insurance to medical insurance. As mentioned, you might get sick, and you may lose your luggage or have the frustration of a cancelled trip, so make sure you are protected in the event of any potential disaster.
J is for Join in
There are bound to be activities on offer in the country you visit, so don’t be afraid to take part and experience something new. If you are somebody who travels solo, it’s also worth joining in with other groups of people if permitted, as you may not want to be alone all of the time. Being with other people will also keep you safe when venturing into unknown places.
K is for Keep in touch
Again, this is one for solo travellers. Before leaving, make sure you have all the relevant contact details on hand for your nearest and dearest. Then, should you get homesick, you will be able to call family or friends for a familiar and reassuring voice.
L is for Languages
You won’t get far in a foreign country without some knowledge of the lingo. Desperate for the loo? Need something to eat? Make sure you have the phrases on the tip of your tongue. Buy a phrasebook, or go one better and learn the language in detail online or at a local evening class, ensuring you are prepared for every eventuality. This way, you won’t offend an entire nation by saying the wrong thing.
O is for Oranges are not the only fruit
The use of that popular book title is our way of saying try something new to eat. You don’t have to stick with the foods you are comfortable with, oranges included, so opt for the cultural culinary delights on offer to you. Some of the foods you should try are listed at https://www.bunac.org/, but you should also pick up a guidebook or follow your nose when spending time in a new locale.
P is for Passport
Quite simply, don’t forget your passport. Nothing more really needs to be said, as you won’t be going far without it. Though you should also make sure your current passport isn’t out of date, and if it is, order a new one several months in advance, as processing times can vary.
Q is for Quit while you’re ahead
Don’t try and cram everything into your schedule. You will only burn yourself out, and spend the rest of your travel time in bed from exhaustion. If you are living abroad for an extended time, you are going to have plenty of opportunities. If not, plan your days with care. Your feet will surely thank you for it!
R is for Rest and Relaxation
You might be the adventurous type, looking for action and excitement on your travels. On the other hand, you may prefer to spend a little more time relaxing and resting, away from the worries of your normal life. Either way, you will need some time to recharge your batteries. There is useful advice at https://www.psychologytoday.com to help you do just that!
S is for Save money
Travelling can be expensive, from arranging transport, to finding places to stay. However, there are ways you can save money, as recommended here, https://www.buzzfeed.com. Oh, and remember to save a little money for emergencies. You don’t want to splash all your cash on the first day of travelling, so budget your finances in advance.
T is for Time passing
Thinking about travelling or moving abroad? Then do it. Time passes quickly, and if you continue to procrastinate, you are never going to get anywhere. It all depends on your commitments at home of course, but if you have the chance to visit somewhere new, take it, before time runs out, and you are still where you were ten years ago.
U is for Understanding etiquette
We alluded to this earlier, but you really do need to understand the place you are visiting. This site, http://www.swissotel.com, gives you everything you need to know about worldwide etiquette. Making the wrong hand signal or a certain nod of your head may get you into deep waters with the local people if you’re not careful, so be sure you do your research before you make an international blunder!
V is for Visa
You may not need a Visa for every country you visit, but you do need to check before you travel. Whether you are planning a short or long-term visit, make sure you know how long your Visa permits you to stay in a certain place. It is possible to extend your Visa, so check with your local and visiting government before departure. Otherwise, you may be back on the plane before you know it!
W is for Write a journal
P is for Passport
Quite simply, don’t forget your passport. Nothing more really needs to be said, as you won’t be going far without it. Though you should also make sure your current passport isn’t out of date, and if it is, order a new one several months in advance, as processing times can vary.
Q is for Quit while you’re ahead
Don’t try and cram everything into your schedule. You will only burn yourself out, and spend the rest of your travel time in bed from exhaustion. If you are living abroad for an extended time, you are going to have plenty of opportunities. If not, plan your days with care. Your feet will surely thank you for it!
R is for Rest and Relaxation
You might be the adventurous type, looking for action and excitement on your travels. On the other hand, you may prefer to spend a little more time relaxing and resting, away from the worries of your normal life. Either way, you will need some time to recharge your batteries. There is useful advice at https://www.psychologytoday.com to help you do just that!
S is for Save money
Travelling can be expensive, from arranging transport, to finding places to stay. However, there are ways you can save money, as recommended here, https://www.buzzfeed.com. Oh, and remember to save a little money for emergencies. You don’t want to splash all your cash on the first day of travelling, so budget your finances in advance.
T is for Time passing
Thinking about travelling or moving abroad? Then do it. Time passes quickly, and if you continue to procrastinate, you are never going to get anywhere. It all depends on your commitments at home of course, but if you have the chance to visit somewhere new, take it, before time runs out, and you are still where you were ten years ago.
U is for Understanding etiquette
We alluded to this earlier, but you really do need to understand the place you are visiting. This site, http://www.swissotel.com, gives you everything you need to know about worldwide etiquette. Making the wrong hand signal or a certain nod of your head may get you into deep waters with the local people if you’re not careful, so be sure you do your research before you make an international blunder!
V is for Visa
You may not need a Visa for every country you visit, but you do need to check before you travel. Whether you are planning a short or long-term visit, make sure you know how long your Visa permits you to stay in a certain place. It is possible to extend your Visa, so check with your local and visiting government before departure. Otherwise, you may be back on the plane before you know it!
W is for Write a journal
Keeping a journal is a great way to remember all the highlights of your journey. From the favourite places, you visited to the quirky people you met along the way, make a note, so you have no chance of forgetting every priceless moment of your travels.
X is for Xerox
Okay, so we were going to write xylophone and make some reference to musical customs, but that just didn’t seem right. However, Xerox is a much better word as this is something you don’t want to forget. Xerox everything that is important for your trip, from hotel booking information to personal identification. It’s better to take precautions, just in case you lose or forget something. Go the extra mile and scan and save everything to the cloud as well, so you have access to important information from your smartphone or computer, wherever you are.
Y is for You
In short, do what you want to do. Travelling is about a personal experience, so don’t let your time be compromised. This is your time to find yourself, learn new things, and follow your dreams. Enjoy your travels, and create memories that you will cherish for a long time to come.
Z is for Z’s
We’re done. We have climbed the peak of the alphabet, and it’s finally time for us to rest and take stock of what we have written. The same applies to you on your travels. We already talked about rest earlier, and this includes sleep. At the end of each day, get plenty of sleep, giving you the refreshment you need to face your upcoming adventures. Especially if you are climbing a mountain the following day, you do need to be at the peak of your physical fitness!
What are your A-Zs? Comment down below!
Love always, Calista xx
