Travel is great for the mind, body, and soul. You will go places and see things that are well beyond your realm of experience. If you have the spirit of a traveler and want to do all these things, then you need to prepare. Traveling comes with its own set of very real concerns that you need to be aware of. As long as you are prepared, then you can have the adventure of a lifetime. To help you get on your way, here are a few things to bear in mind if you want to have the best traveling adventure possible.
The Laws, Rules, and Regulations
If you want to avoid getting into any sort of trouble with the law, then you need to read up on all the laws for the countries you intend to visit. Every country has its own set of laws that you will need to adhere to when you are there. Some countries may have very liberal laws, step over the border, and you may be faced with something far stricter. Road laws are important to investigate to, if you are on a road trip or are thinking of hiring a car. When it comes to driving, it may be advised to avoid alcohol altogether despite the fact that some countries are a little more lenient than others. There may be some different rules when it comes to financing too. Gogin over your credit limit is a punishable offense in some countries. Another important yin to consider is the religious element. Some places are far more openly religious, and you will be expected to act accordingly. So, it is best to list all the countries you are going to and work out when is and isn’t acceptable in each.
The Language
It may be useful to do a crash course in the language. For example, learning a bit of Spanish may be very useful if you are traveling South America. At the very least, learn a few key phrases so you can get by in shops and restaurants. Downloading a useful translation app may be a good idea too, and a phrase book for when that internet connection or phone battery runs out. Learning a bit of the lingo is a way to have a much more immersive and real experience traveling.
Research
If you want to stay safe, then research the towns and cities you plan to visit so that you know which areas to avoid. Every city has dangerous areas that locals don’t like to visit, let alone tourists, who are going to be naive to the culture and systems going on. So, do your homework and discover where not to go. Also, it may be an idea to try and emulate the local dress code so you don’t stick out quite so much. In any busy area, you will be targeted by pickpockets, so try and reduce this by being a little savvier in the area. It is also a good idea to find out about the best places to visit too. You don’t want to go to some city and miss the most iconic things about it. You’ll want to discover the best places to eat and drink too. If you are into sports, find out about the sports bars, for example. Each city has its own special brand of entertainment. Just find out what suits you best and run with it.
Avoid ATM’s
Apart from being in any physical danger, what would be the worse thing to happen? That’s right, losing all your money. In some countries, criminals commit a crime known as skimming. This is where the ATM is targeted and fitted with a device that is able to copy all your card details and pin. This device is undetectable and is a common practice in some places. Due to this risk, it is a good idea to enter the banks and draw money out this way. Although you cannot do this at night, at least your money is safer, and your trip is not ruined.
Insurance
Traveling without insurance is not a good idea. You may be the fittest, healthiest person on the planet, but accidents happen when you least expect them. So, to prevent huge doctor and hospital fees, any other associated costs, and a lot of heartache, ensure you get all the right insurance for your trip. As long as you are covered, you will not have to worry about the potential cost of remedying a situation.
