Are you getting ready to take a trip? Will you be traveling overseas? Is this your first major vacation? If you’ve never traveled abroad before, you might be wondering how everything is going to go. Maybe you’re worried you’ll forget an important document or you’ll accidentally end up on the wrong flight. Maybe you’re concerned about finding your way around a foreign city or making it to your destination at all. No matter where you’re planning to visit, there are a few things you can do to make your overseas vacation travel a little bit easier.
1. Pack light
No matter how light you think you packed, you definitely packed too much. When you’re traveling overseas for the first time, it’s easy to go overboard with packing. You want to be prepared for anything, after all. It’s normal to overcompensate by throwing in an extra pair of pants, an extra shirt or even extra socks. Instead of packing more than you think you’ll need, try to pack less. You can always do laundry at your destination. Even if your hotel doesn’t have a laundry room, chances are there will be at least one public laundry facility nearby. You can also buy souvenir shirts or extra clothes when you arrive at your destination.
2. Learn the language
You probably won’t learn a complete foreign language before your trip; however, you should try to learn a few key phrases before your vacation. Many staff members at international resorts will speak English, but if you plan to do any exploring or you’re going to stay at a hostel, you need to speak at least a little of the local dialect. You can purchase a guidebook with key phrases, download an app or even check out YouTube videos for tips on speaking.
3. Create a plan
Before you leave, create a tentative plan. How long will you stay? How many days do you want to spend in each city? What attractions do you definitely want to see? Do you have any goals or hopes for the trip? If you plan to participate in any excursions, you should find out how to book these before you leave for your trip, as some tours require advance booking. Other sight-seeing activities, such as visiting museums, you can tentatively plan ahead of time and then purchase tickets when you arrive.
4. Be flexible
Even if you create a detailed plan prior to leaving on your vacation, things can go wrong. Maybe it will rain on a day when you wanted to go hiking. Maybe a tour you hoped to participate in will be booked solid. No matter what happens, try to maintain a positive attitude and stay flexible. Remember there are plenty of different activities you can do at your destination. Even if you can’t do a specific activity you wanted to, chances are you can find a replacement fairly easily.
5. Stay safe
Traveling overseas isn’t without risks. Make sure you stay safe during your journey. Travel in a group as much as possible. If you want to wander off, make sure someone knows where you’re going. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family members back home. Make sure you have a copy of your passport and other important documents. Traveling can be a lot of fun, but it’s even more fun when you’re safe about it.
No vacation is perfect, but with planning and preparation, your international trip can be one you remember for the rest of your life.