General Tips for Travelling

General Tips for Travelling

Travelling well is not just luck, it's a skill. There are some small tips that can make a difference while you are travelling and save you a considerable amount of trouble. Here is some advice to make the most of your holidays:

This tip can also save you money. Use the hotel soap or carry a little traveller sized bottle of laundry detergent and wash your clothes in the sink or shower. This won't just save you money, but it is convenient and it will save you time looking for a laundromat in a foreign country.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a World health issue this March 2020 but most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover. Wash your hands frequently.

Practice respiratory hygiene, consider wearing a face mask when you're in a public place where there are lots of other people but careful some stupid people may think you are ill and harass you

Carry baby wipes. This will help you feel clean when it's a really humid and hot weather, or there are no showers like when you are out camping.

Don't be afraid to say no, especially in Asia, when you are at a market place and people try to sell you stuff. Just Google how to say “No, thank you” in their language and this will save you from finding yourself paying for a massage you didn't want in the first place.

Instead of always buying food from a bistro, head to the grocery store to get some cheap food and local flavours. Otherwise, you might want to check the local markets for real fresh vegetables and fruits at the best price you can find.

Always keep an emergency stash of money or a second travel card. Usually when you buy a travel card, they give you a spare one just in case you lose the first one. Although this might seem a bit obvious, some people keep both cards in their wallets, so when they lose their wallet, they have no access to money and when you are in a foreign country, this can be particularly troublesome. Therefore, just keep that card and a stash of money in a safe place. In that note, always make sure you bank cards work before you travel abroad. With technology, you never know and this might be more difficult to fix from a foreign country, as well as expensive while calling the bank.

This might be a problem for Americans and other nationals from countries where you are allowed to get your licensed by driving an automatic car. You better learn how to drive a manual in case you have to rent a car abroad and they only have manual cars.

If you need some extra space in your suitcase, roll your clothes when packing. And when you do, also pack an empty plastic bag where you can place your dirty clothes and shoes. This will keep your dirty laundry from getting your clean laundry stinky, particularly those stinky socks you've been wearing all day while sweating and walking all over town.

Learn how to pack light. You know those high heeled fancy boots you are thinking of taking with you? Think again. Also, you might not need that blow dryer as you might find one at your hotel room.

Ask how much a taxi will cost or download Uber which is considerably cheaper and it is available in many countries across the world.

Pack flip flops for the shower, particularly in hostels where you have to share the bathroom with many other people. These are known to gather many germs so be on the safe side and get some flip flops.

Be ready to sleep anywhere... on the bus, on the plane, on the reception of that hostel, on the coffee shop while you wait till check in or at the airport. Just carry some ear plugs, eye patches, a blanket and a suitable small pillow.