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You can buy the cheapest airline ticket and get out of town with almost no planning. However, if you want to actually enjoy your trip, there’s a lot more that you should and can do to ensure that your travels are fun and relaxing. Keep reading for our tips and learn how to be a savvy traveler.
Tip #1: Always bring a towel
This tip is especially relevant if you plan on using hostel. Hostels abroad often don’t have towels – so it’s better to be safe than sorry! To save room in your luggage, you can get a microfiber towel that folds up and is more absorbent than regular towels.
Tip #2: Bring something to jazz up a casual outfit
It’s not a good ideal to wear something extra flashy in a foreign country; it might make you a target for petty thieves. But if you have mostly casual outfits with you, you may want to bring a nice accessory to dress up a casual outfit. For example, you can choose a nice timepiece from Vincero men's silver watch collection. Or, you can bring a hat that ties together multiple outfits. Bolo ties made with gems and silver would also make an interesting, quirky statement piece for an otherwise simple outfit.
Tip #3: Bring a capsule wardrobe
When you’re packing for a trip, make sure all of the clothing you bring is interchangeable so you can mix and match. You almost never need what you think you need. And don’t forget to layer. This allows you to take off a layer if it gets warmer or put on another layer if it gets colder. Think about bring a shawl, cardigan, and light, loose clothing.
That being said, sometimes it can be indispensable to carry more than what you need. For example, when you're travelling for work, you may be asked by your boss to carry certain things along with you. They could be samples or prototypes that you may need to showcase to a potential client or funder. But, at the same time, carrying all this stuff along can be tiresome. So, you should better seek public storage units in the area where you're headed. These storage units are great when you're travelling with a lot of luggage.
Tip #4: Don’t forget a backup card
If the worst-case scenario happens and you lose your bank card or credit card, it’s always good to have an extra card on hand. After all, you don’t want to be stuck in a foreign country with no way to get money. Speaking of cards, make sure you inform your credit card company that you’re traveling to avoid them freezing your card over suspicious activity while you’re aboard.
Tip #5: Buy travel insurance
Especially relevant in the age of COVID, travel insurance is crucial for any trip. After all, even the best laid plans can be completely ruined in the face of events like cancelled flights, delayed flights, and rental car issues. It’s a good idea to get comprehensive travel insurance and make note of what the insurance does and doesn’t cover.
Tip #6: Print out and screenshot all of your confirmation numbers
If you have to book anything in advance, you’ll usually get a confirmation number for your booking. Before you head out on your trip, place all of your confirmation numbers in one place so you don’t have to panic-search for it at the last minute. Keep it in a paper organizer with your other important travel documents.
Tip #7: Build in wandering time in your itinerary
Creating a schedule of sights and places you want to visit while abroad is a smart idea. It will help you plan the logistics of what is and isn’t possible to accomplish. However, you should avoid planning every minute of your trip to allow for more organic exploration through your destination city or country. Maybe you decide you’d like to walk around the local shops and find dinner. Or perhaps you want an extra beach day. It’s critical to remain flexible while you travel and enjoy the adventures – even the unplanned ones.
Tip #8: Learn the native language
You don’t have to be fluent in the native language of your destination but it’s important to know phrases like, “Hello” and “Thank you.” After all, you don’t want people to assume you’re just a rude tourist!
Conclusion: Being a Smart Traveler
Although the pandemic has thrown a wrench in many people’s travel plans, you can still make the most of next year for traveling when the world opens back up. With that said, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to ensure that your travels go as smoothly as possible. Use this article as a guide and you’ll be on your way to a fun and relaxing vacation!
