Tips & Tricks

Travel tips to think about before your next vacation

Time for a holiday? Whether you are going to a vacation hotspot or on a backwoods adventure, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead to help avoid stressful situations to ensure your experience is memorable! Here’s a few travel tips to get you headed in the right direction.

• Invest in good equipment - Buy a good backpack or good quality luggage if you are traveling to multiple destinations as well as comfortable pair of shoes. will be your two most important investments before you leave home. If you’re going to splurge somewhere, splurge on these two essentials.
• Purchase travel insurance - Always purchase travel insurance for international travel.
• Plan your budget carefully - Budgeting for all of your hotel costs, meal cost, bus, cab and train fares is important to calculate when planning your travel budget, then bring twice as much money as you’ll think you need.
• Talk to your bank - Your bank will flag your account if you start spending money in a foreign country with no warning. Also talk to your bank and credit card companies about foreign transaction fees.
• Talk to your cell phone provider - Look into international cell phone plans or a one-time travel plan with your provider before you go to avoid costly cell phone bills from foreign countries.
• Consider traveling during off-season - Peak times like spring break, Easter, Christmas are popular. Savings on flights and hotels are considerably less during the off season.
• Familiarize yourself with your destination - Read up on your destination before you go. Is tipping expected? What’s considered appropriate attire in various situations? What will the weather be like while you’re visiting? Are there any popular local scams to be on the watch for? All of these are important questions to have answered before you go.
• Pack light - Familiarize yourself with the amount of weight you plan to travel with. Look into airline weight restrictions for carry-ons. Packing light also leaves room for space to bring home purchased items.
• Pack medicine - For a stress-free trip, you should never cut the essentials, and a first-aid kit is essential. Bring various kinds of medicine, especially if you are traveling to a country where you’re unfamiliar with the language. Items like bandages, antibiotic ointment and antibiotics, etc.
• Remember these random, but useful things
  • Microfiber towel
  • Ear plugs
  • Toilet paper (not a whole roll, but definitely keep some handy)
  • Duct tape
  • Water filter (depending on your destination)
  • Comfort item for a little bit of home to combat homesickness on longer trips (it could be a small stuffed animal, a loved one’s t-shirt, or even your favorite coffee or tea from home)
• When packing clothes, think synthetic materials and layers - Synthetic clothing is lighter and dries more quickly than cotton, making it perfect for trips. Layers are an excellent way to transition between warmer and cooler climates without having to pack two entirely separate wardrobes.
• Bring a battery pack - While on your journey you may not have a chance to plug in to recharge your cell phone. Without your information or access to a GPS it makes it more difficult to get back or find your destination.
• Write down the address of the place you are staying at - Every time you make it to a new city, write down the address of your hostel, hotel or host and keep it with you.
• Check in with family and friends - Give your itinerary to a few different family members or close friends before you leave. Then make a habit of checking in with them at set intervals. It could be as simple as sending an email before bed each night, but having someone who is aware of your location and expecting you to check in each day can make a huge difference if something goes wrong during your backpacking trip.

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