I’ve put together ten practical tips to help you have the best trip ever. There are ten very simple ways to prepare and things to organize, do and create before and after boarding that will minimize your chances of having any kind of trouble during your dream trip!
10 tips for having the best trip ever
Be organized
You can spend days searching for the best price on flights, looking for the best-rated hotels or spending a small fortune on an illustrated guide, but it all loses its purpose when you forget where you left your passport. Your wallet, watch, cell phone and camera should always be left in the same place. It doesn’t matter if you chose the first drawer on the right or the chair next to the door, the important thing is to make that little corner your only certainty in the room. In any disorganized place, things get lost and take with it the right to point out someone responsible.
Stay tuned
You may be enchanted, but those who are dazzled are careless: know where you are, notice who is around you, check your pockets and never use the back of your chair to store your bags and purses. Whenever you leave a restaurant, ask yourself what you brought and what you are taking with you. Cameras, cell phones and wallets cannot be left behind in public places for more than two minutes without disappearing completely. Be careful, even if you are at a hotel: always lock your bags.
Get to know the place visited
Never travel without knowing at least a little about the local culture: is Denmark a monarchy? What is the currency of Ireland? Those interested in local culture are well received and well treated. Know what to expect from each place you visit and don’t make the mistake of looking for Paris in Orlando: respect your destination.
Have a plan
There’s nothing more depressing than attempting to visit the Louvre on a gloomy, wet Tuesday. Prepare yourself by researching what to see, when to go, and how much it will cost. Depending on the amount of time you have available, how flexible your budget is, and whether or not the visit is required, you may need to investigate the best way to get to your location. Additionally, keep in mind that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, in contrast to galleries and museums that are typically closed on Mondays.
Be financially responsible
You know where you’re going, what you want to buy and how much you can spend: now, respect your limits. The best way to make a trip last is to accumulate new experiences – but you can also choose to pay your credit card bill in installments. Include in your spending forecast the adaptation to the local culture: there is nothing more depressing than seeing tourists refuse to pay a tip.
You’re not there for work
All kinds of people ask for all kinds of orders – say no to all of them . The responsibilities involved in handling other people’s money, credit card fees, the possibility of bringing something wrong or incomplete, wasted time and care in transportation do not combine with peace of mind and fun.
Bring appropriate clothing
Everyone likes to look well-dressed and well-groomed, but tourist trips often involve long walks that start in the morning and end in the evening. Dress accordingly: be content to blend in with the crowd – this rule is golden.
Make reservations and keep them with you
Traveling aimlessly doesn’t go well with the low dollar and the possibilities of paying in installments: even though New York has more than 70 thousand rooms registered with the city’s hotel association, in 2015 alone Manhattan received 60 million tourists – believe me: you weren’t the only one who had the wonderful idea of doing something different this summer.
Have good health insurance
It’s not enough to just pay for a policy: you need to know what number to call in case of an emergency and what your identification code is. Even if unforeseen events happen, being prepared is an option .
Abandon fixed ideas as soon as possible
Different places are made by different people. Get used to the idea of being in a place where people speak, dress and have different habits than you – you will never find rice and beans around noon. It is a waste of time trying to fit a restaurant, hotel or tourist attraction into what you believe to be more or less sensible. Try the local cuisine, use public transport, get to know the city from the first glance. Being a good tourist is essential to having the best trip ever.