There are some good standard rules for travel that apply across the world.
Planning Your Trip
Research your destination. Heavy research in the planning stages on things like climate, political stability and guided tours can prevent a lot of trouble in the future.
Bookstores and libraries are great resources, along with travel sites, for selecting places to see.
Check out Travel Visas. Some countries require you to have a travel visa before entry, some of which require long waits (i.e. China). Others may have a fee for entry depending on where you are from (i.e. Turkey). Others just stamp your passport and let you pass. Research visa requirements before booking your trip.
Shop Around for Airfare. Cheap tickets are available frequently and often unexpectedly. Check Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak, and Momondo before making a final purchase. Even searching on airlines’ individual websites can produce deals. Travel agencies just for students (college and high school) can save even more money. (STA Travel is one of the best.)
Make an Itinerary. Even a loose schedule allows you to see what you want, and not let the days slip away from you.
Check tourism websites. Even North Korea welcomes tourists! Most places on earth have eager people ready to show you the sites of their area.
Learn some Basic Phrases. English is widely spoken in our globalized world (more than 30% of the world’s children are currently learning it). However, picking up a few words and phrases in the native language of your destination is imperative if you really want to know your destination and bond with the locals. It is amazing how much a few words can help. We recommend learning numbers 1-10, greetings like “hello”, “please”, “thank you”, and how to ask for directions.
ALWAYS Check the Forecast. It is just a good idea to have comfortable clothing to wear and not be caught in torrential…anything.
Make up a List of Emergency Contacts. If something happens to you while traveling, a list of emergency numbers will let local passerby and/or medical professionals know who to contact about your predicament.
Prepare for plane rides. There is no shame in medical sleep aids on a 14-hour flight; you’ll be grateful and well-rested upon landing. If you aren’t a sleep aid person, I recommend a book, e-reader, phone, make-out buddy, or something else to pass the time. In-flight entertainment tends to be dicey and unpredictable at best.
Looking out over the Alps. Even looking out the airplane window can also be entertaining.
Accommodation
Couchsurfing: This social network of like-minded travelers can help you save a bundle on accommodations. Adventurous types can set up an account on Couchsurfing.org and immediately contact millions of people around the world willing to host other travelers for free. (Note: It is customary to bring a small gift as a token of appreciation.)
Hostels are another option for cheap sleeping arrangements. Just about every major city on earth houses a few of these barebones facilities that resemble a dormitory. If all you want is a place to lay your head, the hostel is for you. Even small inns and guesthouses are a great deal if you desire your own bedroom but aren’t too picky about sharing a bathroom. (Hostel World, Booking.com and Hostels.com are great resources for both hostels and guesthouses.) Always check the reviews on the booking website and Google.
If hostels creep you out (thanks, Hollywood) or you just simply desire a hotel, check out Priceline or Hotwire. New deals pop up every minute. In my experience, Booking.com is the best website to use for booking places to stay outside of the United States.
Eating and Drinking
Avoid the tourist areas. If the food seems outrageously overpriced, it probably is. Exercise caution eating at restaurants near tourist hubs, as the food can get mediocre and expensive. Sometimes walking just a few blocks can save your wallet some pain… Basically, just look for a place filled with locals. They are usually the best.
However, the best food I had in Florence was located next to a tourist site. A bit expensive though, but so worth it.
Where are Mom and Dad? If unsure where to pick up a meal, pay attention to where families are going. You will likely get a lot of food at a good price, as families are often looking for a deal.
Drink Smart. Alcohol can be a lot of fun in moderation but be careful how much you imbibe and stay alert to your surroundings. Solid advice anywhere, but especially if you are a foreigner in a new land.
No Drinking. In some countries and even American counties, buying alcohol is just illegal. Sorry. Make sure you know this in advance.
Historical Sites
Finally, here are a few special tips on visiting places of historical significance, as they often require extra care:
Listen to instructions and tour guides and read signage. Your guide knows the site. You don´t. Pay attention to both written and verbal instructions for your tour.
Ask about photos. Especially in museums with older paintings, the photography policy is an important thing to know. Flash photography can damage and fade these artifacts.
Don’t Steal. This should go without saying, but many archaeological sites experience looting from the very people who are coming to “preserve” it with their tour money! Every item taken is a puzzle piece that the experts no longer have. Please be respectful. And seriously, do you need one more ceremonial death mask in your living room? At this point, it’s just cluttery.
Look with your eyes, not your hands. In museums and historical homes, every surface is important. The curators and workers are already fighting a battle against time and decay, without extra finger grease or damages to displays.
I was encouraged to touch this statue, but it still felt so wrong.
Treasure the special experience. Traveling for history and culture is a special niche. You are inserting yourself into the past, the lives of others, another time. You have the experience to be a time-traveler for this brief window. Treat that experience with the care and respect it deserves.
When you plan your next vacation, check out these tips for maximum ease of travel.
