While travelling on leisure, everyone wants to enjoy as much as possible, but whether or not you’re able to enjoy to the fullest depends on how well you plan your journey.
If you’re a backpacker and have lots of time at hand, you may not want to carry anything more than a passport, money and a few clothes, but if you are travelling for limited time and on a budget, you’d certainly want to plan everything in advance.
It is always good to do some research before you decide upon where you want to go and what all places you’d like to visit there, what activities you’d like to do there. So find out as much as possible about the place(s) you are going to visit, choose what all you want to do there depending on the amount of time, money and preferences that you have.
Obviously, if you’re travelling abroad you have to carry all the required travel documents like passport, travel insurance, confirmations of accomodation bookings etc.
Its always good to take up travel insurance to cover yourself for any eventualities.
Plan an itinerary , allocate tme for any activity that you may want to do, keep ample time for rest, keep buffers in between allowing for travel delays or for extra time that you may want to spend on something.
If you plan to drive on your own vehicle, make sure its serviced and everything is functioning properly remember the spare tyre, the tyre changing kit, wiper blades and the air conditioning.
Reserve hotels, onward journey, day tours, car (if you plan to rent a self drive car), onward travel conenctions in advance. By booking in advance you can search for the best deal online and you dont have to face disappointment due to rush esp during peak tourism season.
Carry your driving license even if you do not plan to drive, you may need it!
Keep photocopies of all important documents safely and separately from originals just incase you loose the originals.
If you’re travelling alone carry an ipod or any portable music player so you don’t get bored while waiting/travelling.
Carry a road map of the place(s) you intend to visit, take the least possible baggage but dont compromise on essential items like a pair of comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, important medecines, basic first aid kit (esp if you plan to go biking/trekking etc).
Keep the weather conditions of your destination in mind and carry clothes accordingly.
Carry enough camera rolls, batteries, charger. memory card. If you’re travelling overseas make sure your mobile phone works there, carry a charger and also a conversion plug/adapter if different kinds of plugs/voltage is used at your destination.
Also, when travelling overseas carry some of your local currency as well it will be handy for taxi etc when you’re returning. Also carry some change, small denomination notes of the destination’s currency.
Do not carry too much cash but carry a credit card, when travelling to a newplace, be aware and beware , tourists are often soft targets for local criminals. e.g.: a common thing that happens at many places is when a foreign tourist arrives at a new place, some people approach him and tell him that they’re plain clothes policmen who want to check your wallet because a lot of fake currency is in circulation, unsuspecting tourists hand over all cash, bank cards and the theives run away with it (it happens to lots of tourists the world over!) Ask for proper identification, (they carry fake Ids), rememver in most countries the police cant just stop and check your wallet on the road esp in plain clothes
Avoid going out alone at odd hours at a new place no matter if its a domestic or international destination.
Know all the emergency phone numbers in advance.
Budget some extra money for additional shopping/activities you may want to do after getting in the holiday mood!
Take care of what you eat , drink plenty of fluids if you plan to walk a lot, take time to relax dont be in a hurry to see too much in little time.
Thanks for reading, enjoy your journey, don’t forget to rate and commment on the review :)