Sometimes all I want to say is, “Burn the maps and go!” However, a little preparation and study for your next journey may go a long way.
For starters, it may help you save money and get a sense of how much goods should cost. Second, conducting some research will ensure that you know what’s going on during your visit and where to go on specific days or months of the year.
Here are four short things to do before you leave:
1. Check for regional festivals and public holidays
My favorite component of traveling is immersing oneself in another person’s culture. Before planning any vacation, I usually check to see what festivals or events are going on so I don’t miss out.
My first visit to Taiwan coincided with Chinese New Year. It was a thrilling and unique experience to witness practically every section of Taiwan lighted up with lanterns painted in red and gold. I was fortunate to witness the actual spirit of Chinese New Year in Asia. I did the same in Thailand a few years later, celebrating at Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat Road.
2. Check the seasonal weather
Seasons vary around the world. And, just like in your home country, the weather may influence what activities are available, how touristic the areas are, whether places are open or closed, and how much you will be able to see and do while you are there.
I visited Taiwan during monsoon season a few years back and was locked indoors for a few days due to a major typhoon. Also, pollution may be a concern that varies seasonally, so if you’re visiting a megacity, it’s worth investigating.
3. Read travel blogs!
Travel blogs are an excellent method to learn from detailed, personal experiences.
Reading blog entries may provide you with information on where to go and what to see, as well as recommendations on how to get around (often down to local schedules) and what to eat.
All in one location.
Reading about various viewpoints on a location may also help you determine what type of traveler you are and what you will appreciate when you there. Of course, traveling is a unique experience for everyone, so use each story as a guideline to construct your own plan!
4. Check local currency
Another crucial thing to do before traveling is to learn about the local currency in the area you will be visiting. Do you know the exchange rate? Is it cheaper to obtain some money in your home country or to withdraw cash from an ATM when you arrive? Getting this figured out before you go can save you a hassle.
It’s also a good idea to learn about the local currency before making a purchase. In certain nations, notes and coins might seem extremely similar; make sure you’re making and receiving the correct change!
5. Stay in multiple locations
Consider how diverse your hometown may be from one end to the other. No two regions are identical. As a result, you cannot claim to have seen the entire nation if you have just seen a portion of it. Everywhere I’ve traveled, traveling an hour in any direction tells a different tale. Different population, architecture, customs, and so on.
When I was in Thailand, the south had wonderful islands and snorkeling chances, while the north was filled with forests and mountains. In Spain, I made a point of traveling from the Catalonia area, Barcelona, to the southern Andalucian province. The cuisine, environment, and, surprise, language were all different.
6. Make friends with a local
Talking to locals is the greatest approach to build a stronger connection with the nation. Learning simple phrases like “thank you” or “good morning” is a courteous approach to convey that you are interested in the local culture. I’ve discovered that a little effort goes a long way, and people will open up much more if you are pleasant and prepared to respect their traditions.
I appreciate James A. Michener’s remark, which goes:
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”
7. Take public transportation
I don’t have a driver’s license, therefore I normally take public transportation. Even if I could drive, I believe this is one of the greatest methods to travel in a strange place. Granted, figuring out the language, schedules, and tickets might be overwhelming, but this is the core of travel.
Figuring out where you need to go, then having to convey it to someone and discovering you’ve been pronouncing it incorrectly, is a remarkable experience! You will almost surely learn about the location and how to travel around, as well as encourage yourself to participate in discussion with the people. I also think it’s a wonderful method to discover out how much
8. Go on an excursion (holiday within a holiday)
This is my favorite pastime. I’m constantly looking for ways to take a “holiday within a holiday!” This occurs when you arrange a trip to a specific nation, then go for a nice weekend or week somewhere else before returning to the same location.
Due to the nature of my employment, I typically reserve long-term accommodations. When I want a little adventure, I’ll arrange something close, like visiting an island, hiking in the mountains, or exploring caverns! It definitely injects some excitement back into the vacation if you are there for an extended amount of time, but it also insures that you make the most of it as much as you can.
9. Capture your memories
This goes without saying, but ALWAYS document at least some moments with photographs and films! Photography and video are becoming just as, if not more, vital for blogs than writing itself, especially for travel bloggers.
Having said that, capturing photographs and videos is really addicting. As a travel blogger, having a decent photograph is essential for correctly depicting the areas I’ve been from my viewpoint. However, try not to spend your entire life staring through your lens; instead, take the time to see everything with your own eyes!
10. Keep a Trip Journal
While you’ll want to snap photographs and chronicle your journey with a lens, writing about it every day (or every week for longer travels) will help you recall it years later.
Imagine you could read your notebook and remember precisely how you felt when you first saw the Taj Mahal. Pictures can convey a thousand words, but let us not underestimate the power of the written word!