Travel Preparation
Travel preparation is a prerequisite for a comfortable journey, regardless of its duration and destination. Thinking through the plan of action in advance, you will protect yourself from many unpleasant surprises. Use the checklist to make your vacation interesting and safe.
Know Your Destination Better
How to start preparing for a trip to an unfamiliar country? First of all, it is necessary to study its features. Each country is a new world with its own unique culture. Try to learn more about the customs and traditions of this world. The unspoken rules of conduct are based on them.
Eating on public transport is prohibited in the Czech Republic, as is the custom in Russia to give way to the elderly. In Turkey, traffic flows on the right, and in most European countries you are unlikely to go shopping in the evening - all establishments close early.
Before buying tickets, it is worth checking the planned departure dates for coincidences with national holidays, as many attractions for tourists and shops may be closed on holidays.
It is not superfluous for the traveler to study local laws. If you are traveling by car or plan to use car sharing services, pay special attention to traffic rules and parking spaces. There are many areas where parking is only allowed for local residents: a tourist risks getting a large fine for stopping in the wrong place.
Tip: You can learn more about the country from its residents by contacting them on social networks. As a rule, people are happy to share information about their native places with tourists.
Make Your Vacation Safe
There are many factors involved in security. First of all - seasonality and weather conditions. Not every period is suitable for tourism in a certain region. For example, rainy seasons in some states can trigger entire flooding.
The seismic situation is another important factor.
The political environment is no less important. Reliable information on this can be found on numerous news sites and travel forums. As a rule, personal blogs of eyewitnesses contain the most visual and relevant information. The presence or brewing of military conflicts is something you should definitely know before traveling.
Planning to visit several countries in a row? Make sure they maintain a stable relationship. Due to political differences, the borders of states may be closed or restricted to the entry of tourists.
When planning a trip, also consider the crime situation of the destination. For example, India and Indonesia top the list in terms of theft.
When traveling to these states, take care of safe storage of funds - it is better to store money in parts and in different places. Before you leave, learn and write down important numbers that might come in handy in an emergency:
embassies;
organizations helping foreign citizens;
insurance company.
Tip: To avoid the consequences of swiping, be sure to change the PIN codes for cards you use abroad when you get home.
Make an Action Plan
Preparing for a trip requires preparing an itinerary - it will determine the concept of your trip:
Entertainment style. Depending on the goals, you can relax in any place actively or in moderation;
Stop points. Determine the list of cities for rest and overnight stay. It is better to book hotel rooms in advance in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and choose the most comfortable option. It is convenient to search for accommodation through online booking services;
places to visit Make a list of cultural monuments, museums and institutions that you want to visit abroad;
Use electronic maps to make the best routes. For example, the MAPS.ME application contains maps of all countries with a high level of detail. You do not need an internet connection to determine your international route;
Calculate time and effort. Although the to-do list can be voluminous, it is advisable to consider the rest periods between walks when planning;
Tip: Make a few plans to explore an area. By deviating from the route, you can see much more beautiful and lesser-known places for travelers.
Plan your finances
Most expenses can be estimated before departure. Spending abroad falls into several categories:
tickets;
Accomodation;
Nutrition;
Travel by local public transport;
Paid visits to attractions, visits to clubs, theaters and other cultural and entertainment venues;
Unexpected expenses.
Budget planning will allow you to understand how to prepare for the trip and at what stages you can save. To determine the level of spending, stick to the following plan:
Decide how much of your budget you want to spend on your trip;
Find out about the price level abroad. Try to calculate the average bill for a meal at a restaurant. Public transport, taxi and car share Find out how much tickets for IM services cost;
Make a list of future expenses by category;
Allocate funds between categories based on your priorities.
Wherever you go, take dollars or euros with you - it is easiest to exchange them. When you arrive at your destination, buy useful local currency at cafes and shops.
Tip: Hide money in different places and in different ways. Part of the money can be left in cash, the other part can be put on a card.
Pay attention to visa and documents
If you still need a visa, consider applying in advance. You can do this yourself or by contacting a special visa centre.
Unfortunately, lost or stolen securities can happen to anyone while on vacation. To feel calm in an unfamiliar city, make copies of the following documents in addition to the originals:
Internal passport;
International passport;
Driving licence;
In case of traveling with children - personal documents, leave to leave;
Photos of different sizes - may be required during visa on arrival;
Printed pages, coupons for hotel room reservation;
Travel insurance policy;
Vaccination certificates.
It is desirable to carry copies with you throughout the trip. It is also worth having electronic versions of papers on electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops.
Tip: Store documents in a waterproof folder or bag in humid climates.
Get Insurance
Travel insurance isn't always necessary, but it can save you a significant amount of money in the unexpected. The cost of medical care for foreign citizens is often much higher than the cost of local residents. Even the safest medicines are often not sold to tourists without a doctor's prescription.
Consider pre-insurance to protect yourself financially in case of health problems.
The insurance content is generally as follows;
Immediate transport of the victim to the hospital;
Outpatient and inpatient treatment in life-threatening situations;
emergency dental services;
Evacuation of the injured tourist to his homeland, if necessary.
The filling of the insurance policy is variable. For example, if you enter for extreme sports during the trip - surfing, diving, rock climbing - you can add the necessary options to the insurance.
Insurance starts to work the next day of purchase, so you should arrange an insurance service in advance.
Think About Your Health
First of all, it is necessary to solve the vaccination problem. Some countries are prohibited from visiting without prior vaccination. Yellow fever injections are required for travelers to Angola, Cameroon, Congo, and other African countries.
You must be vaccinated at least one month before departure. Successful immunity after vaccination requires 3-4 weeks. In addition, some vaccines require a series of injections at specific time intervals.
When traveling, you should take a first aid kit with your essentials. The mandatory minimum medication includes:
pain relievers;
antipyretics;
Indigestion remedies;
antihistamines;
cold medicines;
Dressing materials: bandage, plaster, cotton swabs;
Antiseptic agents for the treatment of injuries.
Pay attention to the selection of an individual first aid kit, especially if you have chronic diseases. Consider what medicines you will need in an unfamiliar country, taking into account the specifics of your destination and your plans. For example, in exotic countries you should take antihistamines even if you are not allergic.
Tip: Please note that some medicines containing strong substances have import and export restrictions. Check in advance whether you need a medical prescription to bring medicine.
stay in touch
When planning a trip, think ahead of ways to stay in touch with loved ones. There are two main options for organizing communications abroad:
Connect to the most advantageous tariff plan with the help of a home operator, choosing cellular communication and Internet options. As a rule, incoming calls on such tariffs become free;
When you arrive at your destination, buy a SIM card from a foreign mobile operator. You can find a card in supermarkets or specialized communication stores. You can also order delivery to the hotel prior to arrival.
Travel gadgets are as essential as food and shelter. When traveling abroad, make sure you have all the necessary chargers, cables and spare batteries. Do not forget to bring adapters suitable for the types of sockets you use at your stops.
Tip: Cafes and hotels in most countries have free Wi-Fi that you can use if you have problems with your local area connection.
Learn the Basics of a Foreign Language
English is a universal language and is mostly used for communication abroad. But in some cases, interaction with local residents requires knowing their mother tongue.
Before you travel, learn about the basics of national vocabulary - make a list of phrases that might come in handy.
Greeting, goodbye