When people travel, they experience a wide variety of landscapes, cultures, languages, cuisines and more. Whether they are exploring the jungles of Indonesia or eating their way through Europe, travelers learn about themselves and others along the way.
A person can travel for many reasons, including recreation and rejuvenation, tourism and vacationing, research, visiting friends or family, volunteering for charity, migration to start a new life somewhere else, religious pilgrimages and mission trips, business, commuting, or waging or fleeing war. People may travel on foot, by bicycle, automobile, train, bus, boat, ship, or airplane.
While you can travel spontaneously if you have the luxury of time and money, planning is crucial. It will influence where you go, how long you stay and more. A well-organized trip will also help you budget your expenses and save money in the long run. Make sure you have enough money to cover all of your planned expenses and don’t forget to include daily living costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities and food.
Organize your belongings, and get rid of anything you don’t need. It’s a good idea to leave loyalty cards, extra credit cards and other unnecessary items at home, Levent says. If you’re leaving for a lengthy trip, it’s a good idea to give yourself a break from mail by putting a hold on your deliveries. You can also eat or throw out perishables and put a hold on your trash collection.
Plan your itinerary and research the weather in your destination. It’s a good idea to buy a guidebook and look at maps to understand the layout of your destinations. It’s also helpful to learn some basic words in the local language, and even to download a translation app for your smartphone or tablet. This will show the locals that you care about their culture and respect their customs, even if they don’t align with your own.
Pack light. Don’t lug around more than you need and be sure to have a comfortable carry-on bag that can be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. You should also make a list of all the essentials you’ll need for your trip, including clothing, toiletries and electronics. It’s also a good idea to leave an itinerary with a friend or family member, and a copy of your passport.
Be mindful of your surroundings and follow local laws. Avoid wearing revealing clothes and carrying valuables in public places, as these can draw the attention of thieves. It’s also a good idea not to leave your luggage unattended and to use secure locks on your hotel room door. In addition, be mindful of your body language and don’t stare at locals or act insensitively to the culture.
Travel should inspire and excite, educate and challenge, rejuvenate and ground, and humble you. It should inspire your curiosity, teach you about different cultures and places and their histories and traditions, and expose you to other ways of life. It should also give you a sense of adventure and allow you to see the world’s beauty from different perspectives.