More and more people are traveling abroad for their vacations than ever before and hopefully, the great majority of them return home with many enjoyable experiences to remember and to recount to their maybe less fortunate friends.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen and the reason is often down to lack of preparation and planning on the behalf of the traveler.
Having traveled extensively through my work and because of my passion for learning about the world and its people, I’d like to pass on a few tips picked up from personal experience that may help anyone traveling too far climes.
Some of these tips may seem silly but I have seen some dire results of not taking them seriously.
Table of Contents
Visa Requirements
Find out if you and your family will need visas to enter the country you have chosen to visit and if so how much they cost, where you get them from, and how long they last. Simply do a Google search for “?country? visa requirements” You may find that the visas will cost you more than your vacation.
Necessary Documents
Before leaving home take photocopies of all your passport’s main page and visa page if you have them. Keep these copies in a different place from your original documents. If you have any other photo i.d. take that as well. A lost passport with no other form of identification can turn into a nightmare.
Research
Do some research on the climate and then pack appropriate clothing. Or, of course, just take a pair of swimming trunks and be prepared to shop till you drop whilst there. Investigate not only the cost of living but also the tourist prices in the area; they do not always tie in together.
Insurance
Be sure that the medical and travel insurance coverage you have is adequate and the payment method will be acceptable at your destination. Your insurance company will tell you this. Find out through your local medical center if it is suggested that you have any special vaccinations or inoculations.
Electrical Appliances
If you intend to take any electrical appliances with your check that the Electrical Supplies are correct and if you will need a power outlet adapter. You will probably be able to get then at your destination but the prices will, most likely, be high.
Baggage Allowances
If you are using different airlines to get to your destination, or plan to use local airlines once you get there, check the baggage allowances for each of the airlines you intend using. The majority of the smaller, budget airlines have lower baggage allowances and will sting you for being overweight baggage. I have seen many very angry passengers who have suddenly found they have to pay quite substantial charges to be able to complete their journeys. Also, remember when packing that you are liable to bring more stuff back with you that you take!
Self Care and Insect Protection
If you are traveling to a tropical or sub-tropical destination and security at your departure airport allows it I suggest you take Sunscreen, insect repellent, and maybe an insect-killing spray or device; arriving at your accommodation in the middle of the night to find a horde of stinging things are already in occupancy is not a great way to start a vacation!
Driving License
If you plan to drive in the place you are traveling to, check that you have an acceptable license. You may need an international driving license, for example. If you can familiarise yourself with the local driving laws where you are going it will stand you in good stead and probably reduce frustration later.
Breaking Journey
Finally, and this is from personal experience. On long hauls, say 10 hours plus, if you have any stopovers think seriously about extending one of them to an overnight stop if your carriers will allow it, book a hotel at the stopover location effectively breaking your journey into two. I have found this to be an extremely good idea particularly on the return journey and it will mean that you arrive back home ready to hit real life again. You may think that a 6-hour stopover will be enough but 6 hours in some airports can seem like a lifetime, especially if it is not a major airport and all the facilities are closed.
Whatever else you do, ENJOY yourselves. 🙂
