Traveling can be a great experience. It is a chance to see another culture, another area of the world, and just a good break from our everyday routine. But if you are not prepared, what is supposed to be relaxing can turn into misery abroad where you're just waiting to get home. Here are some important tips that will help aid your travel experience.
1. Prepare for the worst situations
When you're traveling abroad, make sure you know you're prepared for any situation. Verify in advance all the arrival and departure requirements so you don't have to worry about getting stuck. That happened to me once when I was traveling to India. Because my passport was expired, we had to spend a day in Amsterdam with very little money or knowledge of the language or city. We got some lucky breaks but not everyone does. In the event that you get stuck, make sure you have spare clothes and money on hand so you don't have to endure a bad situation.
2. Know the airports or stations you will be traveling through
This is actually a very basic tip, but you would be surprised how many people gloss over this step because they think they can figure it out when they reach the airport. Next thing you know, you are running around the airport with absolutely no clue where to go because, surprise, none of the signs are in English and you didn't prepare in advance. Beforehand, look at the maps and plan the route you will have to take in the airport. Know where you may have to eat or what trains you may have to take so you are not rushing at the airport with your flight leaving in 20 minutes and you on the other side of the terminal.
3. Take care of business and don't be afraid to ask
Exactly 13 hours before I started writing this article, I was preparing to fly to Greece with my family. We were at the counter getting our bags checked in when I noticed that the tag of the bags was not checked all the way through to Athens. I asked and she realized her mistake. She told us we would have to pick up our bags in Amsterdam and recheck it to Athens. So we were saved, but if I had forgotten to say something, we likely would have left our bags in Amsterdam and continued on to Athens. This is your stuff; take care of it. Don't be afraid to speak up. If they get mad so what? It is their job to take care of our stuff.
4. Know the political climate, language, and food options at your place
There are so many countries in this world that don't speak any English at all. If that's the case, you had better be able to communicate at least somewhat sufficiently in their language. Knowing the political climate of the region helps so you know that the place you are going to is relatively safe and if it's not you will know what to do. Know your food options especially if you can not eat certain foods.
These are very important things for all travelers to know. I hope people follow it and have a safe journey. Bon Voyage!
