Traveling can be amazing. It allows you to see the world and experience new cultures. But it also means that there are plenty of things to prepare for before you go—from packing light to learning a few words in the local language. The Traveling Divas know all about this, so we’ve put together a list of tips for making your next trip as fun and easy as possible!
Pack light.
To be successful as a traveler, it’s important to pack light. The more you have with you, the more likely you are to have issues with your luggage or forget something important. Here are some tips for packing light:
- Wear clothes that can be worn multiple ways. You don’t want to bring a dress if it can only be worn once because of the weather conditions and culture of where you’re going. Bring pieces that can be paired together and worn multiple different ways so they’ll last longer while still looking great!
- Leave behind anything that isn’t necessary. Unless there’s something in particular that needs replacing before leaving home (such as lost socks) leave everything else behind! Don’t worry about bringing an extra pair of shoes when there are plenty available locally; instead focus on what will make traveling easier for yourself by only carrying essentials like medicines, toiletries, etc…
Plan ahead.
It is essential to plan if you want to have a good trip. You will save yourself time and energy if you do not have to spend a lot of time figuring out where to go, what to do, and how much everything costs.
You will also be able to enjoy your trip more because there are fewer things that could ruin it by being unprepared. If you know what’s going on and where it’s happening, then that means no surprises! You can relax knowing that nothing bad can happen when everything is set in stone ahead of time.
Don’t use a carry-on as a purse.
You mustn’t use your carry-on as your purse. In many countries, it is considered rude to carry a handbag on the shoulder or in your hand, because doing so makes it look like you’re carrying a weapon—a very bad idea in most parts of the world! To avoid this, we suggest using either a backpack or duffel bag for your purse.
If you must carry a handbag, please do not hold it in front of you: instead, try holding it behind your back; at least then people won’t think that they’re about to get robbed!
Make sure your passport is current before you go.
Before you go, check to make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in the country. Additionally, your passport must also have at least two blank pages and be signed by you. Your name must appear on each page of your passport, preferably in print as opposed to handwritten.
Finally, always keep your passport in your possession at all times while abroad.
Bring more than one credit card.
Bring a debit card and a credit card. In case the latter is lost or stolen, you’ll still have access to cash. If your debit card is stolen, however, you’re out of luck — no matter how much cash you have in your bank account.
Bring a backup card. The first one may be lost; the second could get compromised by hackers; the third might expire before you can use it again; and so on…
Make sure all your cards have low-interest rates and late fees: that way they won’t cost you too much if they are used up excessively while abroad (which they probably will be).
Use the hotel safe to store valuables.
Now that you have all these great new outfits, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep them safe while traveling. First, don’t leave your valuables in the hotel room. If someone breaks into your room and steals an item, chances are they’ll take something else as well—so put your most expensive belongings in a nearby safe. Don’t get one of those safes that attach underneath the bed or desk; those can be easily broken into by anyone with a hammer or screwdriver (and even without tools). Instead, look for a safe with two keys: one for each of you so neither person has access without the other present.
If neither party is going anywhere without their passport on hand (and if they’re traveling internationally), then consider getting some kind of neck wallet or money pouch that hangs around your neck like a locket but has several compartments inside where you can keep credit cards, cash, and other important documents. This way even if someone does get past all these precautions and ends up stealing something from you at some point during your trip—which is highly unlikely—they won’t be able to access anything else because it’s locked away safely inside this little container hanging around your neck!
Learn a few words in the local language.
You should try to learn a few words in the local language. This will make you feel more comfortable and confident when you are speaking with locals. It’s also good for your self-esteem because when you can speak a little bit of their language, they’ll appreciate it and admire your attempts at communication.
Make sure to learn the basics of their language. That way if someone helps you or asks if they can help you with something, they’ll know what kind of response is expected from them. If people don’t know these words in English, then travel divas should learn how to say them in their native tongue as well! For example: “Merci beaucoup” means “thank you very much” in French; “Danke schön” means “thank you very much” in German; etcetera! Of course, this isn’t necessary all over the world but if there’s somewhere specific where tourists go more often than others like Spain or Germany then learning these phrases could come in handy while traveling abroad! Since everybody loves learning new languages so much – why not give it a shot?!
Bring comfortable shoes for sightseeing, but pack heels for evenings out.
- Comfort first: It’s important to have a pair of shoes that are comfortable for walking around. You will be doing a lot of it, so you want to make sure that you’ll be able to walk comfortably all day long.
- Formal wear: Shoes can also help add some flair to your wardrobe. A pair of elegant high heels will go well with dresses and skirts, while sneakers are great for days at the beach or hiking in the mountains.
- Don’t overdo it: While bringing two pairs of shoes is okay, don’t bring more than two; there’s no need to carry around too many pairs unless you’re going somewhere extremely formal (like Paris).
Conclusion
These tips are just starting points, but they can help you get started on a good path to traveling more often. If your interest is piqued, check out our other articles about planning for your next trip or getting ready for international travel.