BEFORE YOU GO/PLANNING/PACKING

1/PLAN OR NOT TO PLAN

Some people are planners-every little detail and some aren'tnbut no matter your personality type you need to plan- where you are going and how you're going to get there. Don't be afraid to ask for advice...it doesn't mean you have to take it!!!!! Everyone is different and what you may like your friends and family may not, but they may be able to tell you something you didn't think of.

RESEARCH-if you want to go to Japan for cherry blossom season it's not a good idea to be going in June. Or check and see if you can catch a festival/ show or concert because it coincides with your trip.

SHOP AROUND for deals-whether you go through a travel agent or do it yourself. Check those online booking sites for hotels, read reviews and make your decisions on places to stay with what you want to do, it could make a big difference about how much you enjoy your stay. If you're after rest and relaxation and you book your hotel in the busiest part of town you might be disappointed, if you want to shop till you drop and you have to carry your purchases for miles or waste money that could be spent on shopping on a cab instead you might not be happy.

If you want to do tours, check out websites like viator or city-discovery to see what is available, (sometimes it is cheaper to get your tours when you arrive in a new place, but some tours you may only be able to do when booked well in advance and you don't want to miss out. It also means if you book and pay for tours ahead of time when you get to your next destination you don't have to be hunting around for the best tour companies and the money you have can be spent on more important things like food and shopping :) .

2/LEARN A FEW GENERAL PHRASES

If you're going away to a non-English speaking country try and learn a few phrases like Hello. Goodbye, Please and Thank-you Do you speak English? I'm sorry,Yes please and very importantly NO thank you. They may be the only words you learn but along with a friendly smile will go a long way to help you enjoy your trip. Do not SHOUT....shouting in English doesn't make it any easier for someone to understand you.

3/CHECK SMARTRAVELLER.COM.AU

or your country's equivalent so you are aware of any travel warnings that may be affecting the area you wish to travel in, also if you can register your travel information so if there are problems within the country the government is aware that you are there and can help you get out if need be.

4/CHECK PASSPORT/INSURANCE/VACCINE AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

Really you will be surprised at how many people leave things to the last minute and don't realise that their passport is not valid for more than six months, that they didn't get insurance till it's to late, that they forgot to get the yellow fever jab or the visa they thought they could get at the border actually needed to be done back home before they went away.

Make sure you have copies of your passport and documents...just in case!!!

Have hard copies of maps(download from the internet or buy them) as you might not always have access to the internet (and although getting lost can be fun it can also be damned scary)

5/PACKING-

Pack light...I know easy to say but not so easy to do but if you don't wear it at home you're not going to wear it while you're away!! Mix and match, use accessories to switch things up!!

Make sure you pack baby wipes and tissues you don't know when you you might need them (remember you might not always have washing facilities or toilet paper so be prepared)

Make sure you have a plastic bag for dirty/wet clothes so you can keep them away from the clean clothes. Pack any necessary medicines and electronic goods in your hand luggage (plus a change of clothing and a few toiletries in case your luggage is delayed)

6/CONTACT THE BANK

If you are using your credit card or debit card while you are away let the bank know so they are aware...some banks will stop overseas transactions and you don't want to be caught short. Also they will have overseas numbers for you to call if you run into difficulties like loss/theft or fraud.

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY.

1/BE OPEN MINDED AND TRY NEW THINGS/ FOOD/EXPERIENCES

Remember you are not at home....things are going to be different (after all that is why you have travelled isn't it? Because you want to experience something else.)

BE PATIENT-what you think needs to be done NOW can wait

Take the opportunity to talk to people around you, they might give you helpful hints of places to go and things to visit that might not have occurred to you.

Eat where the locals eat, and eat foods that you would never think of eating. 

GET LOST-(make sure you have details of where you are staying so you can get back) but look outside your guide book and walk down a street that isn't marked.

2/OBEY THE COUNTRY'S LAWS

Again, it seems like something obvious but not everyone does!!!!! Some things may be obvious, but it's the small things that can get you into trouble-so be aware.

3/KEEP IN CONTACT WITH HOME

Whether it's a daily thing or once in a while, let people know where you are and what you're doing (so they can enjoy your experiences too) and for more practical reasons if you need help the family knows where to send it.

4/TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS/NOTES

Take lots of photos (you can always delete them) and take a notebook and jot down information...after all one church/temple/rock formation can look like another when you are seeing a lot of them so it can help you out when it comes to slide night :)....always remember to back them up though you don't want to lose them!!!!

5/BE SAFE

Be aware of what is going on around you, again remember you are not at home any more and although not everyone is out to scam you there are still one or two that will-so be careful. (TRUST YOUR GUT-if you think it's wrong than it probably is!!!!)

Keep your valuables safe-if you can't afford to lose it (financially or emotionally leave it at home)-

Don't carry all your money and cards in the one place...have a backup wallet/secret hiding spot just in case the first one gets lost or stolen.

6/PASSPORT/BORDER CONTROL

Remember border and passport control agents don't get sarcasm or jokes (the joke could be on you if you spend your holiday locked up or sent back home) so think before you do or say anything. On that note don't get belligerent or angry because they are only doing their jobs. If you have to wait in lines because they are checking luggage, be pleased that they are because you do and in the long run you'll be happier and safer yourself if they do their job right.

7/MOST IMPORTANTLY ENJOY YOURSELF

Have fun, smile, laugh, dance with the people around you.

Get off the beaten track and do something different.

Embrace every opportunity.

If there is a delay or you have to wait for something, sit back, relax- have another cup of coffee/beer/pastry, watch and listen to those around  you, don't stress about things you can not change.

Remember not everything is in a guide book so keep your eyes/mind and heart open to what is around you.

WHEN YOU GET BACK.

1/START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP