Traveling has long ceased to be a rarity. If 20 years ago there were about 500 million international tourists in the world, now this number has exceeded one billion. With the development of the industry, the popularity of travel sites and blogs is also growing. Here and there, you can come across tips on how to arrange a trip and there are many available online. However, among these travel tips are some to listen and to do the opposite.
- Be spontaneous
Nothing kills the spirit of real adventure like a lack of spontaneity, experienced travelers say. In part, we can live with that because sightseeing one place of interest after another within a strict schedule tire and turns a vacation into a race. And yet, only those who does not deal with a structure of a workplace and head to a new country for an extended period of time can empty their minds and completely let go.
If you are going on a short trip, you should make at least a grey list of places you want to visit, as well as finding housing and logistics. This minimizes emergencies that are especially annoying during a short vacation.
- Be sure to try street food
Getting to know street food can give you an unforgettable gastronomic experience. On the other hand, it can turn into food poisoning. This is especially true in countries of Southeast Asia and Africa, where hygiene standards during cooking are often observed very conditionally. We do not urge to refuse street food completely; however, it is still worthwhile to follow certain precautions.
Vegetarian dishes are safer than meat dishes.
Try to eat at the same time and in the same place where the locals eat. If women and children stand in line for a food stall, this is a good sign.
Give preference to places with an open kitchen, where food is cooked in your presence, rather than selling ready-made dishes.
Pay attention to clean cutlery.
Do not take cocktails with ice. By the way, this applies not only to street food but also to cafes, especially in those countries where there are problems with clean drinking water. In such places, be careful even with salads made of raw vegetables and fruits.
- Give up cash
Bank cards are not a panacea. Even in the most advanced European countries, you will most likely be asked to pay in cash for single tickets in ground transport or small purchases in a store. For example, in Spain, in small stores, cards are accepted for payment of purchases for a total amount of € 5 or more.
Also, there are many places in the world where maps are useful except for chain hotels and supermarkets. In any case, it is always better to take cards of different banks with you, as well as at least a small amount of cash.
- Cheap tickets are everything
Cheap flights do not always guarantee a budget trip. Did you get a ticket for € 30 to Norway? Get ready to pay a minimum of € 80 per night in a simple hotel in the fjord region. Are you flying with a low-cost airline to Beauvais Paris Airport? Keep in mind that a shuttle to the city will cost € 15. And there are a lot of such examples.
We do not urge you to abandon cheap tickets completely. However, before getting your wallet, it is worthwhile to calculate at least the approximate travel expenses to avoid unpleasant surprises and costs that will significantly affect the family budget.
- You can travel without money
You have undoubtedly read inspiring stories more than once about people who quit office work and went traveling without a penny in the pocket. As a rule, these stories are accompanied by beautiful photos. Alas, in life, such trips do not look as glamorous as they do on Instagram, and are often accompanied by a complete lack of comfort.
It is not necessary to spend a fortune on travel. However, if you are not ready to spend the night on the beach, spend hours on the road looking for a ride and ask the museum curator to let you in for free, you still need to take care of the financial side of the matter in advance.
- Try to get as many impressions as possible.
On a trip, you must… this phrase is often followed by a long list consisting of the conquest of Everest, rafting on a wild river teeming with crocodiles, or just a 30-kilometer march over rough terrain. A relaxing vacation by the sea is excluded from this list as an occupation unworthy of a real traveler. One can also get tired of impressions, and if you have enough of them in everyday life, Everest can easily be postponed until next time and enjoy the sea and the beach.
- Avoid popular places.
There is a reason for significant tourist places to be popular, and most often, it lies in their historical and cultural value. It is foolish not to visit the Roman Colosseum, Egyptian pyramids, or the Great Wall of China just because these places are too hyped. Well, a trip in the low travel season or not in the most peak hours will help to avoid excessively long lines.
Keep in mind that there is no universal formula for a perfect trip. It is individual for everyone. And what is the journey of your dream?
About author
Melisa Marzett is a traveler and an article writer with more than five years of experience who is currently working for essay-editor net enjoying staying wherever she goes. She likes getting to know new things and cannot spend a day without dropping at least a few lines.
