Beginner's Guide to World Traveling
I think it is safe to say that I am in a family that loves to travel. I have been traveling since before I could talk; it first began with Canada simply to visit family for Christmas to my most recent trip to Peru to visit the jaw-dropping Machu Picchu. I am thankful for the opportunity to be exposed to different types of cultures and visit countries that some people dream of traveling to.
For as long as I could remember, my mom used to bring around this manila colored folder that was full of papers and would freak out if me or my brothers ever tried to touch it. Once I was older, I realized that it contained all the research she had accumulated for the trip. From information about where we were staying to what sites we were planning to see to common scams to be careful of, my mom had it in that manila folder.
This is a concise version of the information that my mom always researched before we would leave for a trip. These tips don’t guarantee a perfect trip, but can help prevent some common mishaps.
Booking a flight
Once you’ve decided where you want to travel to, it’s time to figure out the best time to travel. April is known to be one of the most ideal times to travel anywhere. During this time, it is considered “off season”, so the flights and accommodations tend to be cheaper because there are less tourists traveling. Weather-wise, April is the best time to travel to Asia since it is no longer monsoon season and hasn’t hit the high temperatures of summer yet. To figure out what is the best time to travel to any country, there are many websites that suggest the best months to visit and why. To find the best price for airplane tickets, here is a video that illustrates easy ways to get the cheapest price.
Travel documents
There are lots of items that you can still travel without, but a passport is not one of them. If you could glue your passport to your body, I would. You can always buy new clothes or toiletries wherever you are going, but you can’t get replace a passport as easily. Keeping a photocopy of your passport and an extra photo in your carry on, just in case, is a reliable backup if your original passport goes missing.
A detail that is usually forgotten is the expiration date on your passport. You must make sure that your passport has six months remaining before your departure date. Visas are required for entry into the country you are visiting. Therefore, prior to leaving your home country, make sure to research if your destination requires a visa to enter. No visa, no entry!
Finding where to stay
With the soaring popularity of vacation home rentals, tourists are given a wider pool of options on where to stay. From one bedroom hotel rooms to vacation homes that fit more than fifteen people, you are bound to find a right fit for your family, or just yourself. To help you choose whether to rent a place or stay in a hotel, this page will weigh the pros and cons of each choice. Prices range depending on the number of people staying there and its proximity to popular tourist sites. If you aren’t renting a car or with a tour group, it is important to pick a place near a train station or close enough to walk to the landmarks you want to visit.
Sightseeing, food, clothing, scams
There is an endless amount of information online about almost country in the world to start your research about what sites to see, what food to eat and not to eat, what type of clothes to bring, and what are common scams tourists fall into. Doing research prior to traveling will save time, money, and stress.
For sightseeing, it is important to find the popular landmarks to see and find out if you need to buy tickets in advance or if it is free entry. Food is a bridge to other cultures and it is important to know the popular dishes of the country before arriving so you can have the whole experience. Finding the restaurant with the freshest fish in Japan or the number one place that serves escargot in France is a step towards gaining that part of cultural intelligence. Scams are sometimes overlooked because it is easier searching the fun activities to do than to find how you can be tricked to paying more for something or worse. There are the common pickpockets that will steal an occasional wallet or phone, but there are also scams like a broken taxi meter that can steal hundreds of dollars. It is important to have a good time, but be aware of your surroundings.
Have fun!
You’re on vacation, this is the most important tip of all. It is easy to get caught up in the planning of everything and want each plan to go perfect, but that isn’t possible. Let go of the things you can’t control and fully give yourself to what the country has to offer. Say yes to new experiences. Try every food. Take lots of pictures. Step out of your comfort zone. Have an open mind. Take advantage of every second you are there because you never know when you’ll be back there again.
Works Cited
“Best Times to Travel.” Journey International. Accessed March 22, 2019.
BRIGHT SIDE. “6 Ways to Find the Cheapest Airplane Ticket.” Filmed May 2017. YouTube video,
Duchar, Alex. “The importance of research before travelling.” Stunning places, last modified January
Hitchcock, Mark. “Food can bridge cultural divides.” Michigan State University, last modified July 16,
Karsten, Matthew. “15 Common Travels Scams (And How To Avoid Them),” Expert Vagabond (blog),
“17 Reasons Why Around the World Travel is Good For You.” Airtreks. Last modified July 18, 2016.
“Six Month Passport Validity Rule - 6 Month Validity Rule for Visitors Explained.” U.S. Passport Help
“Why You Should Definitely Consider Traveling in Off Season.” Just a Pack, last modified July 28,
Wilson, Abbey. “Guide to Airbnb vs Hotels for 2019.” Skyscanner, last modified December 9, 2018.
Woodrow, Christy. “My 25 Best Travel Tips After 10 Years of Traveling the World,” Ordinary Traveler
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