When traveling to a foreign country, it is a great idea to befriend some locals. Locals can give you unique and inside perspectives on the culture, and take you to places that are off the beaten path. This article will give you some tips about how to make friends with the locals next time you travel.
If you are worried about safety, carry a fake wallet. If you are traveling through a rough area, take precautions and carry a spare wallet with a few token dollars in it. In the off chance you do get accosted, you can hand over the fake wallet and your real valuables will remain safe.
Take an extra debit card with you while traveling. Things sometimes get lost on long trips. If you can, keep an extra debit card handy. Having too much cash on hand is often a bad idea. An extra debit card is much less risky and far easier to keep track of.
Pack your bags several days ahead of leaving for your trip. By doing this you can continue to think about things you want to take with you for an extended amount of time, keeping yourself from feeling so rushed and having to worry about forgetting something important or necessary.
If you’re going on a trip where you expect to be doing lots of walking, break in your new shoes in advance. This will prevent blisters and help keep your feet from becoming sore. Good shoes can be the difference between the most enjoyable walking tour of your life, and a torture session.
If you’re worried about travelling alone, especially if you’re a female, you should consider taking some self-defense classes before you go. This way you can learn basic ways to get away from a mugger or rapist in the event that you need to. Most areas have a few schools that teach self-defense at reasonable rates.
When picking a destination, remember to know the lay of the land before you go. You can do some research online or ask people that you know, who have been to the particular destination that you will be travelling to. If you have an idea of what you want to do at your destination, before you even get there, it can help your whole travel experience to be much smoother.
Make sure you take clothespins with you when travelling. You would be amazed at how useful these will turn out to be.
You have several insurance options when traveling. When you book a trip, you should decide, first of all, what kind of traveler you are and your appetite for risk, and then determine which policy or policies you should purchase to cover contingencies on your trip. The sooner you make these insurance decisions after booking, the less money you will pay and the more options you will have. You may buy trip cancellation insurance, a popular option; insurance against loss of your luggage; insurance against medical emergencies; or even weather contingency insurance.
When traveling and sleeping in hotels, considering bringing along a small portable fan. This will allow you to create white noise, should you have a noisy neighbor. It can also help circulate the air in a stuffy room without needing to chill the room to uncomfortable levels using the air conditioner.
When you get to your hotel, check the alarm clock. In some cases, the last person who stayed in the hotel will have previously set the alarm. If you do not wish to be awakened at four in the morning, you may want to double check the all the alarms.
If you are traveling abroad, it’s a wise idea to sign up with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free government service for citizens of the United States who live in a foreign country or are planning to visit one. Providing STEP with your contact information and some details on your trip allows them to contact you in the event of an emergency and to advise you of travel warnings and alerts.
Camping is a great way to see the country, or even the world, on a budget. Instead of springing for expensive hotels, look for camping sites along the way of your trip. Many of them have amenities like plumbed bathrooms and showers. You can even avoid having to cook by continuing to eat out, as you would if staying in a hotel.
When traveling by plane, make sure to wear shoes that are easy to remove. You will be required to remove your shoes to go through security, so wearing slip-on or Velcro shoes will allow you to remove them quickly. Once they come out of the scanner, you will be able to quickly replace them and be on your way.
Lost luggage is common when traveling, so prepare beforehand by packing some essentials in your carry-on luggage. A change of underclothes, one outfit and a bathing suit enable you to carry on with most of your plans while you wait for your luggage to be located. To cover all bases, buy travel insurance that covers your luggage whether it is lost, stolen or damaged.
Knowing what is and is not allowed on an airplane can save you a hassle at the airport. Many people do not realize that simple everyday items such as hand lotion, sunscreen, etc., are considered spreads and either need to be in a clear plastic bag, or in your checked luggage. It is best to check with the TSA website before you leave for your trip to ensure smooth sailing at the airport.
As was stated at the beginning of this article, befriending locals is a great idea when visiting a foreign country. Locals can take you places that you would not otherwise see just sticking to tours. Apply the advice from this article next time you travel, and you will be sure to appreciate a unique and different adventure from your regular travel plans.