In the excitement of preparing for a journey, it is easy to forget some of the day-to-day details that can make traveling overseas more difficult. For those who have never traveled overseas before, there are several things one should keep in mind.
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Things Such As
- Pack Light
A good practice for any kind of travel is to pack as little as possible. If you pack too much stuff, then, needless to say, you’ll be carrying around a ton of weight. You will also find that most airlines have size and weight restrictions on their flights, so even if you do manage to get all your stuff in the storage compartments, it might not fit when you go to board.
On top of having restrictions for how much you can pack, there’s also the issue of airlines charging additional fees for overweight luggage at check-in.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking, which is good for getting in shape and seeing the sights! But if you’re traveling for many days, then it’s ideal for breaking in your shoes before wearing them on an airplane. The last thing you want is to have blisters or other foot pain by the time you get to your destination.
- Check Phone/Data Coverage Before Leaving
You need to make sure that either your phone works overseas or you get an international plan on your local smartphone (which is actually quite affordable these days). Otherwise, you will have to buy a local phone when you get there.
Some cultures are more open to foreigners than others, so it’s good to be aware of that too. If you’re going to somewhere where being an outsider is not common, then maybe try dressing conservatively or at least getting some local clothes.
- Get Travel Insurance
This is very important for any trips longer than one week. You never know what could happen – your wallet gets stolen while out drinking with your friends, or your flight gets delayed due to bad weather conditions; all sorts of things happen, and having travel insurance will ensure that you don’t lose all your hard earned cash.
- Bring Copies Of Important Documents With You
It’s always good to keep a secondary set of keys, identification cards, and other documents in case the originals get lost or stolen. This way, they aren’t completely useless and can still be used for certain purposes.
Important documents to carry with you include your passport, driver’s license (if applicable), health insurance card, and any electronic devices that could be used as forms of ID. This includes credit cards with security chips like the one you probably already have.
- Translate App
Download an app that can translate text from different languages into English. You never know when it could come in handy – either for reading menus or deciphering signs while traveling on foot. Understanding what people are saying around you can help a lot too.
- Keep A Travel Journal
The best way to remember all the crazy stuff you did while traveling abroad is by keeping a day-to-day, written account of your experiences. A visual travel planner also lets you relive those fun times whenever you want, so whether it’s before going to sleep or taking a break from whatever task you’re currently doing, this can be quite therapeutic.
Certain apps are available for smartphones these days that let you add pictures, video, and music content to your journal entries! So if it’s easier for you to remember stuff in a visual format, then this is a great way to start building up a digital collection of memories.
