Going overseas is always an exciting venture. Especially straight out of school, or newly graduated, travelling as a young adult is an inevitable learning experience, an eye opener, and more than anything it will provide you with memories that you’ll never forget.
But, as with all travel experiences, you need to have your wits about you. Sometimes things go wrong, and no matter how safe the place you are visiting is, there are always dangers when you’re somewhere foreign, and even more so when you don’t speak the language.
Now, I’m not saying you need to BYO pepper spray and protective bebe gun to wherever you go (and not just because customs definitely will not let you take them on the plane). But here are some top tips for travel. You know, just in case.
Prepare
Yes, self explanatory. But preparation doesn’t just mean packing warm clothes for the cooler weather. Instead, jump online and have a look at where you’re visiting. Does it have a stable political situation? Are there any extremists? What is the crime rate like? There are just some of the questions you should be asking. Even in highly westernised countries such as England, there are still going to be hazards, so just make sure you have a look at where you’re going.
Be careful what you carry
Some areas of the world carry stereotypes about tourist theft. And often, these don’t come from nowhere. Tourists and foreigners are easy prey for criminals, so make sure that whatever you carry around is highly secured. If you stay in hostels or collaborative accommodation, don’t leave your passport or wallet lying around. Stash emergency cash in hidden locations such as in a pair of socks in your suitcase.
Travel insurance
Don’t underestimate the value of travel insurance! It’s absolutely necessary no matter where you go; often, travel insurance will cover aspects such as cancelled flights, accommodation refunds, and ticket cancellations. If something goes wrong, even if it’s a small issue, you want to travel with the assurance that you’ll be covered and prepared in the case of an emergency. If you’re not sure about which travel insurance to take out, try comparing online.
Be aware of natural disasters
Do some research before you go (step 1), but look further into what the weather can be like in the area you’re visiting, and check which natural disasters are covered by your travel insurance (step 3). It might not need to be as extreme as a natural disaster to ruin your trip – even a big storm could cause flight delay enough to prevent you from leaving, so check ahead that the weather will probably be manageable.
Check out travel tips
What are the best areas to visit? Where should you avoid? It’s so basic but travel tips for anywhere you go will help you to have the best trip possible. Not only can they keep you safe, but you’ll probably have some sights to add to the to-do list before you go! It should give you a good idea about things to do and where to stay.
And my final tip for you? Enjoy yourself. Traveling in anxiety isn’t fun either. Just make sure that you’re prepared in case something goes wrong. With just a few easy changes to your mindset, you can set yourself up for the trip of a lifetime. Enjoy!
