Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started in your life of adventure, every tourist needs a few travel basics to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. I’ve been blessed to travel all over the world and have learned valuable lessons along the way. In this blog I share with you a few tips to help you plan your next adventure.
1. PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
In my opinion, you can never over-plan for an upcoming trip. From the moment you select your travel dates to the moment you arrive safely back home, planning your itinerary is a basic necessity for getting the most out of your travel adventure.
I prepare a trip narrative/city summary for every trip I take. This includes my plans for hotel stays, restaurants, things to see, and available activities. I spend a lot of time researching each destination. One of my favorite online tools is Trip Advisor. I like how it ranks places based on real visitor reviews. If something has a 4.5-star rating from over a thousand people, I know it’s worth considering. I’ll also cross-reference with other travel sites and then organize all that information into a summary. I write everything down in a clear format, so I have a clear visual of what my options are. Here’s an example of a trip narrative I wrote for Nashville. It will give you a good idea of what to include in your own itinerary. If you have an assistant, the city summary and detailed plans are something they can help you put together!
As you make your plans, store all your information in a travel folder so you’ll have a comprehensive resource for the future. My wife and I have revisited our favorite places many times, and the trip narratives have saved us both time and money. Eventually some of the details get outdated, but it’s a great starting point for any trip.
Include transportation in your planning as well. If visiting a city for a day, I will map sites out on google to determine how far apart stops are and the best way to get around – whether walking, taxi, hiring a driver or even renting a scooter. I have found that mixing up transportation, where possible, makes travel even more fun. On a recent trip, Kathy and I switched between a private driver, renting e-bikes and scooters. Once I am clear on the trip narrative, choosing how to get around becomes part of the adventure.
Once your basic plans are made, consider contacting a travel agent to help you fine-tune the details. By being well-informed in the first place, you’ll be able to ask the right questions and get the best advice for things like transportation, lodging, and excursions. Keep in mind, travel agents aren’t necessary, but they can fill in the blanks and help finalize your plans.
Truly, you can’t over-plan your trips. While certain things will be out of your control, the better you’ve planned, the less headaches you’ll experience. So, plan your way to that next destination with confidence! Remember, once you have arrived, hold your plans loosely and be open to new ideas you discover along the way.
2. ALWAYS HAVE SAFETY IN MIND
When traveling anywhere – domestically or internationally – always have safety in mind. These days, it’s not only your physical safety you have to worry about but also your financial security and protection of personal data. Here’s a basic list of things to consider while traveling:
- Photocopy/scan your passport and driver’s license and keep copies of them in a second packed location
- Consider obtaining an international driver’s license for driving abroad
- Keep an updated medical insurance card with you
- Have your vaccination information on hand and include a list of known allergies
- Carry no more than two credit cards and have the phone number of the credit card companies in your phone
- Consult with your travel guide or hotel staff when booking taxis or other public transportation for the safest way to travel
- Know beforehand what areas of the city are safe/unsafe
- Keep your hotel key card with you without the envelope that has your room number on it
- Consider carrying your wallet and other valuables under your clothing (hidden from view)
- Know the emergency number for your location if it differs from 911
- Consider getting travel insurance. I buy medical travel insurance through Med Jet. It ensures I will be flown back (by private jet) to America or Europe for medical treatment, which is what I prefer. This gives me peace of mind, knowing my family will obtain the best medical care in case of an emergency. Thankfully, we’ve never had to use it, but it’s well worth the annual investment.
Your safety when traveling is of utmost importance, and I highly encourage you to take the necessary steps to ensure your family and valuables are protected.
3. WHAT TO TAKE AND WHAT TO LEAVE
Some people travel with everything but the kitchen sink, packing way too much and carrying things they’ll never use. Knowing what to take and what to leave behind is a basic travel skill that’s easy to develop – especially when you have a plan.
I’ve created detailed packing lists for both domestic and international travel. I hope you’ll find them useful and feel free to adapt them to your own travel needs. Keep in mind, you won’t need as much as you think. If you have proper identification, secure payment methods, and a comprehensive travel itinerary, you can often do without the extra baggage. Using detailed lists when packing will spare you the headache of realizing you’re missing certain items once you arrive at your destination. Having everything you need makes a trip better. It reduces stress and saves you from paying premium for items forgotten.
Planning trips can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. By doing your research and creating trip narratives, you’ll have detailed itineraries to follow as you work with a travel agent or venture out on your own. Whether you’re a travel pro or just getting started, stick to these travel basics and get the most out of your next adventure!
ACTION STEPS
Set up a travel binder/folder for future trip narratives and keep your travel itineraries in one place!
Do you have an experience related to what you have read? Please share it with us in the comments section and help others learn too.
