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Whether your purpose is business or pleasure, travelling can be an amazing adventure. To improve your travel experience, follow these 25 tried and trusted travel tips from a seasoned traveller.
1. Do your research: Gather sufficient information about the place you want to visit. Research your destination to learn of any visa requirements. While it may sound like an obvious one, the last thing you need is to be turned away at the border.
2. Carry only what you need: When packing for your trip, carry only the important items you will need. Your clothes should contain essentials, but not your whole wardrobe. Packing less can save you money, as airlines will charge you for excess luggage.
3. Backup your documents: Your passports and important documents should be duplicated and kept in a safe place. If possible, scan them and store online, so they can be easily accessed wherever you are. This way, if they are lost or stolen, you will have a form of backup to use until you return or can secure a replacement.
4. Get Insurance: You need insurance when travelling. Any number of things can go wrong when you are in a foreign
country and AMI Travel Insurance will give you peace of mind.
5. Backup your important data: Backup the contents of your phone (and any other gadgets) on a removable device or in a cloud account. This way, should anything be lost or stolen, you can easily retrieve any important data and carry on with your trip.
6. Contact your bank: Your bank and credit card companies need to be aware when you are embarking on an overseas trip. It’s also a good idea to let them have a means to contact you in case of any suspicious transactions on your account.
7. Carry travel money: Have cash in the currency of the country you are visiting, so that you can easily pay for everyday transactions such as cab fares, meals and tips. You may want to pay with your credit card, but be aware that banks and card companies often charge a foreign transaction fee on international card purchases.
8. Start early or finish late: It’s a good idea to start the day early, or stay out late to avoid crowds (and at times, to beat the midday heat).
9. Eat local meals: How can you have a complete experience if you don’t try the local cuisine? Not only might you enjoy it, but it is often cheaper than hotel food.
10. Stay away from tap water: If you are unsure about the source of the water in the place you’re visiting, stick to bottled water. More often than not, it’s advisable to avoid drinking tap water completely when in a foreign country. You can use tap water for washing, but not for drinking.
11. Take care of yourself: Travelling can significantly affect your internal clock and your general health. Pay particular attention to your body. Get enough sleep and ensure you stay hydrated by drinking enough water.
12. Take lots of photos: You need something to remember your trip by and that’s what your camera is for. You will regret not capturing the moment. However, if you want to take a picture of local people, it is wise to ask their permission first.
13. Get vaccinated: Before setting out on your journey, pay a visit to your doctor for any vaccinations relevant to the region which you are visiting.
14. Learn common phrases in the local language: Phrases like “hello”, “please” and “thank you” in the local language will endear you to the locals and help you to get around more easily.
15. Public WiFi? No thank you: Avoid public WIFI and internet hot-spots completely. These facilities are used by hackers and identity thieves to access your banking and personal information. You can instead use your hotel’s WIFI, as long as they have strong security.
16. Learn to negotiate: You need to learn the art of haggling. Local shops can easily identify visitors and are likely to up their prices in order to make bigger gains. You’ll need to haggle in order to beat the prices down. In many countries, haggling is part of daily life.
17. Know emergency numbers: Even with the best made plans, things can go wrong on your trip. Have local emergency numbers to hand if you need help quickly.
18. Follow the news: It helps to stay informed and follow the news when you are in a foreign country. You might glean important information that will help you avoid any potentially unpleasant experiences.
19. Make a list: You will likely have an itinerary of the places you want to visit and the things you want to see and do. Make a list, so that you don’t miss out on any of your planned activities.
20. Expect Anything: Realise that you will likely have experiences you are not used to. When travelling in a foreign country, expect anything. Every country has their eccentricities, which is all part of the fun.
21. Pay attention: When in a different country, it’s important to pay attention to your environment. Every city has its unsavoury characters. The moment you see any suspicious person or behaviour, leave the location immediately. Trust your instincts.
22. Pay attention to your belongings: No matter how excited you are about a place or activity, pay attention to your luggage. It’s not advisable to leave your luggage in a taxi when you are not there - even if you have to leave for just a few minutes.
23. Don’t carry all your cash: Carry only the amount you feel will be enough for the day (and a little extra). Then find a safe place to leave the remainder – perhaps a safety deposit box where you are staying.
24. Spread your cash: Don’t put all your cash in one pocket or a wallet. That way if you are the victim of a pickpocket, you will still have some cash left.
25. Make friends with the locals: You may have a guide book that lists all the hot-spots and interesting activities, but the locals usually know better. Befriend the locals and they will help you get better deals and visit more interesting places – those that guide books may not even know about.
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