When you stop to think about it, travelling to a foreign land, with its different customs, traditions, language, cuisine, dress codes, and even which side of the road they drive on, is a huge shift in our day-to-day lives. But we all take it in our stride. That said, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that things not only run smoothly but that you also get so much more from your trip.
Here are some useful tips for before your trip, and once you arrive. Memorise them – there may be questions afterwards (only kidding).
Before you go......
Learn the language
Well, we don’t mean you have to be fluent in order to visit a foreign country, but a few everyday words and phrases can improve your travel experience. “Hello” and “thank you” are always helpful, and “toilet” is a must. Others include: “please”, “nice to meet you” and “excuse me, sorry”. Failing that, you could always try hand signals, images on your phone, or free and paid apps such as Babbel, Duolingo, Memrise or Google Translate.
A few other tips before you travel......
Research local and cultural traditions
- Have an itinerary
- Book a guided tour
- Check out local public holidays and other days when shops and the like are closed e.g. Paris on a Sunday or Saints’ days in countries such as France, Italy and Spain.
Once you’ve arrived......
The early bird catches the worm
Get out and about while it’s still quiet to have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding large tourist crowds. The morning is also the perfect time to visit sites in hotter countries without getting too uncomfortable during the hottest part of the day. It’s also a magical time for photos due to the soft diffused light, and it’s usually easier to interact with locals getting ready for their day. Want those postcard Instagram travel shots? You need to get out there before everyone else does.
Take it easy
Slow down to enjoy the experience more. Don’t try to cram too much in. Good things happen when you take the time to explore. You’ll learn about things that aren’t in your guidebook and meet people who are eager to advise you or show you around. If you can, rent a car. It really opens up your opportunities for discovery and adventure. And with the
fantastic member-preferred rates on offer from our partner Tripbeat, you can go a lot further, and see a lot more, for less. But first, get an idea of local driving habits – and remember to take your driving licence.
Study daily life around you
A great way to get a feel for the pulse of a place is to spend a few hours sitting in a street café, park, or on a busy street corner by yourself just watching the world go by. Observe the details around you, the human interactions and sounds. You’ll notice things you never noticed before. You’ll really absorb the destination this way and remember these moments
long after you leave.
Go with the flow
This is a top tip in life that really comes into play while you’re away. It’s always great to be prepared but some of the best experiences when you’re travelling just happen organically. When planning restaurants for dinner, why not research a good place to go as a backup but walk around the area and look for somewhere that catches your eye. You never know, you might discover a hidden gem. Leave some free time in your schedule, that way you can talk to locals and see what they love about the area you’re visiting, they should know best after all, they live there! Holidays are meant to be a break from life, so relax, let loose once in a while and don’t sweat the details too much.