Traveling is exciting, refreshing, breathtaking. But sometimes is also stressful and exasperating: planning, facing problems, taking decisions, starting you trip with a relaxed state of mind is fundamental. These are our best pieces of advice to make the most out of your journey:
1. Plan: Don´t over plan, but still have a general idea of what you´ll be doing. Arriving to a place without any guarantee can be a real hustle. This is especially important for large groups, you don´t want to be in the street surrounded by other 20 annoyed fellow travelers over not having accommodation for the night.
2. Meet the locals: There´s no better way of diving into new cultures than talking to locals. A random conversation in a café can help you understand the cultural heritage and local traditions better than any book. Local guides are also a guarantee of a true experience.
3. Take pictures: you don´t have to post them anywhere, is not about bragging is just a way to keep the memory. Believe us, you´ll be happy you did in some year´s time.
4. Keep an open mind: things will be different than what you are used to, and thank goodness they are! You have left your comfort zone to explore experience and try new things, new food, and new ways of living. Open your eyes and heart, it will be a blast!
5. Learn the basics in the local language: locals will be thankful. Thank you, sorry and hello should be enough if you are not a language geek. But still, try to learn those and use them, we promise you it will make a difference.
6. Buy travel insurance: foreign hospitals can be very different to what you are used to and bureaucracy can be a nightmare. You´ll feel safer and be safer too.
7. Pack comfortable shoes. No matter your age or destination. This is probably the most important item of our list.
8. Do not carry your wallet in your back pocket. Just be careful with your belongings as you would be at home.
9. Make photocopies of your passport and leave it in a safe place. Usually is ok to bring a copy as identification. Losing it is messy and will steal lots of time from your trip!
10. Go with the flow: enjoy, that´s what you are doing it for.
