There will be a second edition of articles to this blog, where I will be writing in tips and recommendations for Nomads, those taking an extended break from life or those going for a short break away 💕
These will serve to give an insight into the good and the bad sides of travel, how to make the most out of your time and money, and generally a look at the different places I have been and would recommend for people🕯️
I hope you will find this useful, Fellow Wanderer. Each post of this type will be titled in this way, so you know to look out for it!
⭐ So without further ado, here are my current top 10 travel tips, which I'll be delving into more in future posts...
#1 Go where you want to go ⭐
This may sound a bit irrelevant, but I speak with so many people who say that X is top of their bucket list because it's where everyone goes, or they are going to some random place because their friends are going there.
Now, that's not to say that these places wouldn't be enjoyable. If a place is popular, there's a reason for that- it may or may not be overrated.
Equally, going somewhere where your friends want to go is nice, because you will likely be spending time together outside of the normal day-to-day life, which can be really fun! 💃
Rather what I mean is don't feel pressured. If some insta-worthy place doesn't pull you, then go somewhere else. Find a place on Google maps that looks adorable and just go there! That's what I did in New Zealand and I didn't regret it once ☺️
Similarly, if your friends are going somewhere, you can always join them for a little time and then do your own thing. Or, you can go on a solo trip. It's okay to want to take time to yourself (I of course would encourage it) and the thing is, you will also make other friends who are visiting the same place and doing the same thing, opening yourself up to a whole other bunch of connections and adventures 🪷
Tekapo was EPIC
#2 Plan minimally ⭐
So this is very subjective. I know a lot of people, including avid travellers, who plan absolutely everything. And if that's not too stressful beforehand and will allow you to fully enjoy your trip stress free, then do it!
However, I have learned through my travels that leaving yourself open to last minute adventures are the best. You never know when you may find some beautiful forest or lake you would like to explore, or meet someone really fun that you'd like to do a 6 hour road trip instead of a bus tour, or maybe you find a wonderful place that you never expected to be on your horizon, and you want to stay longer...
Leave yourself open to all possibilities ✨
Look at the crazy things you may find
#3 Plan well ⭐
No, this is not a contradiction. Just spend the planning time covering the important stuff, like transit, best prices, where to stay, how to get around etc.
Have a travel bank card. And a back up. I need mine and thanked my former self profusely for ensuring I had one. It's a nightmare if you don't (Sasha, I'm talking to you 😁)
#4 Always double check your flight/train/bus times ⭐
I'm ashamed to say that I have made this mistake... I have only ever missed my flight once and that wasn't my fault (stupid COVID test), but I did once nurse a delicious milkshake when I should have been boarding a bus, and didn't find out until 2 hours later when no one was at the bus stop. Thankfully I was young and haven't repeated this mistake (often) 🙃
#5 Check the entry requirements ⭐
People paid lot more attention to this one around COVID time, when you had to shove a bunch of things in your nose and throat to go anywhere... And those of us who have EU passports (or once did, British friends) often take for granted that we travel in Europe so easily and that further abroad, it's not the case.
So to avoid paying a £200 fee for a 30 minute rush visa... Check the entry requirements before you book your flight and ensure you are prepared 👍
#6 Be cautious of pricing ⭐
So some people like the freedom to just pick a flight and book it. Done. Next task. I can't do that. I have to check that it's not cheaper elsewhere because I travel so much, work is not paying for it and so I need to ensure I'm not chucking my money away for no reason. So Skyscanner is your friend, but so is the direct airline's own website, which also allows you to collect air miles ✈️
What I would personally avoid is when you use a third party site, as there have been times where they have cancelled last minute, or where you may have to cancel, then receiving a refund is almost impossible, requiring weeks of admin. Life's too short.
#7 Speak to people ⭐
Speak to tourists, locals, staff, anyone! You don't have to put yourself out there much, just be open to some communication and ask for people's opinions and recommendations... You may get locals offering to take you on tours etc and you can politely decline, but they will still know some great spots. Equally, other nomads or travellers will be able to help you find cool cafes, secret beaches and where the party's at (if that's your vibe)...
Joined someone from my hostel for an incredible hike in Wanaka
#8 Learn some of the local language ⭐
Okay, those of you who know me were expecting this one. I speak 6 languages and am learning Indonesian and now Vietnamese (that's where I am writing this, as I drink my cheese coffee)
Locals love it when you speak a few words. Just learn some basic phrases and it will warm people's hearts, even if it's just because they're laughing at your atrocious pronunciation!
Don't be shy to practice. Firstly, you're likely to never see these people again, so who cares if it sounds bad?! Secondly, other people often don't speak English as perfectly as they think, they also have strong accents (Frenchies, I'm talking to you, with love), so just go for it. Besides, it's great for your brain and will also help you to avoid ordering something you don't want to eat... (Like an enormous King Shrimp in the south of France which you have to dismantle in order to eat).
#9 Don't over pack ⭐
I'm a total hypocrite as I entered Vietnam with 16kg of weight on my check-in back pack, but really, try not to overpack.
You can wash clothes there... Funnily enough, all countries seems to have washing machines (or lakes to wash clothes) so you don't have to bring 20 pairs of pants and 10 different smart casual outfits. Besides, you may want to buy things whilst you're there and it's nice to support local businesses in this way 🩷
#10 Be Street Wise/trust your gut ⭐
This is something that comes from experience more than anything, so fake it til you make it. Wherever you go, look confident.
Memorize where you want to go beforehand (roughly) so you're not opening yourself up to being pickpocketed or worse... That's an extreme of course, but having a general notion where you want to be is a good thing. If you need to check directions, head to a cafe and ask for WiFi, to a shop or sit in a well populated park.
Don't flash your cash and always put your money or card away before you leave somewhere (thanks mum 🤗)
Lastly, if something feels wrong, trust that feeling. Be overly cautious if you have to be. You can always go back somewhere after researching it better or checking afterwards. But if you feel like someone or something feels dodgy or is giving you a weird vibes, abort mission (calmly). Do not take the risk. Do not do it - I am speaking from experience here, trust that gut feeling and trust your instincts, because they are correct.
Your gut also leads you to the best places and the best people...
🪷
And so that's it!
There are many, many more tips to come, but these are the first, in a nutshell, for setting out on your voyages!
Wishing you happy travels, Fellow Wanderer 🌍💗
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