Travelling is a great way to see the world, meet new people, and explore different cultures. It can help you to be more open-minded, understand how other people live, and be more present and appreciative of the world around you. Travelling is fantastic and we recommend it to everyone. But before travelling, you should always do your research!
We’ve been taking a look at some of the top things that experienced tourists suggest you research about a country before visiting, and we’ve rounded them all up in this post. Take a look now and be prepared for your next trip abroad!
1. Visa and travel authorization
Each country has their own rules for entry. In particular there have been lots of recent changes in Europe, so it can be hard to really know what documents you’ll need when you travel. Before you choose a destination, it could be worth first checking out where' you’re eligible to travel first.
Once you have chosen, ensure you have applied for the correct documentation that allows you entry into the country so that you don’t find yourself stuck on arrival!
2. Transportation
When you arrive in a new country, you’re going to want to know how to get around. Check out the public transport systems in your destination country and work out whether you’re going to need to use them.
If you’re taking your car abroad, you will need to check out the rules and regulations for driving in your destination country, including which side of the road to drive on!
3. Insurance
While some countries have agreements with others when it comes to the healthcare of their citizens, you will find that lots of countries do not – meaning you need health insurance. Health insurance can ensure that you don’t end up having to pay huge medical fees if you get sick or injured while abroad.
Make sure to check your health insurance plan covers you for all kinds of medical attention in the country you’re travelling to.
4. Language
Travelling to a new country can be quite daunting, especially if they don’t speak your language! It is always worth knowing which languages are spoken in your destination country so you can look up a few key phrases before you travel.
You may also want to find out how widespread English is as a spoken language in that country. In lots of tourist areas, English is spoken by lots of people which can make it a little less daunting for English speakers.
5. Local customs and traditions
Finding out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the country you’re headed to can help to ensure you behave correctly and don’t offend people. You may also find that you need to pack more conservative clothing in some countries so as not to upset the locals.
6. Weather
Knowing the climate at your destination will make it easier to pack appropriately. If you’re going somewhere' very sunny, you will need cool clothes as well as sun protection, like a hat and sunscreen. If you’re going somewhere' with lots of rain, you’ll need rain protection too.
The weather will also help you decide what kind of activities you want to do. If it rains a lot, you may want to avoid activities that have you outdoors for long periods of time.
7. Emergency contact information
Different countries have different emergency numbers and procedures. Ensure you’re familiar with them before travelling so that you’re never stuck when you really need them! Additionally, you should also look up the location of your country’s embassy on the ground so that you can find help if you need it.
8. Laws
And finally, you should look up local laws, particularly those pertaining to tourists, so that you don’t accidentally break any and end up in trouble!
How much is too much?
When you think about it, what makes a carry-on bag so useful is that it saves you from having to bring a bunch of stuff with you for the rest of your trip. In fact, the reason I have been able to pack as much stuff as I have was because I have a carry-on.
At times I have even packed my carry-on (or checked in my backpack) plus a purse, two jackets, and two books, so I can fly to a country where' it’s hot, then to a place that gets cold at night, and then when I land I can go to a museum or museum visit by day, then go to a nightclub.
But why does everyone seem to be in such a rush to buy their first “carry-on” bag? Because we are taught from a young age that it is impolite to bring more than two items on a plane. We are all forced to go through the airport, after all, to check in our bags, but we don’t have to worry about checking it in. That’s because there are no extra fees for a carry-on bag.
One hundred years ago, however, airlines made so much money that they could afford to sell tickets in advance. A passenger could buy a ticket, then go on vacation and put the bag in his car trunk or under his bed when he returned. It took about six months for everyone to figure out that we could sell the tickets in advance and then not take them.
Once that change was made, we no longer needed the idea of a carry-on bag. We just needed to decide what was too much of a hassle to check in a bag and leave it under the bed. Now, it is no big deal to check a bag in if you want to keep your bag with you at all times.
Even travelers who are not frugal and don’t want to check their bags can justify keeping one on them as long as they know they will not have to be bothered by it while they are on vacation. But it all started with an airline that thought it could sell more tickets if it could market itself as a company that provided travel on the cheap.