The percentage of Americans with passports has increased every year since we began counting. It seems the travel bug is a spreading virus sure to bite everyone soon, but that doesn’t mean they are all prepared.
If you’re new to international travel, you might be concerned about the length of the flight, and what will happen when you get there. You’re not alone. It’s normal to have a little bit of anxiety about traveling to a foreign place so far away.
But have no fear, we’re here to help. Read on for vacation tips to make the most of your time in another country.
Check Out an Air Bnb
It used to be that the only way you could stay in another country was in a hotel or a hostel. But today, the online service Air Bnb is making it easy to book a room in people’s homes all over the world.
Air BnB is great because it is usually cheaper than a hotel rate. It also is awesome because you will stay in a traditional home in the area you are visiting so you can get a more authentic experience when you travel.
Vacation Tips to Plan a Relaxing Arrival
When you get off the plane and arrive in a foreign country, you are bound to be pretty tired and need a little time to catch up on your sleep.
So be kind to your body. Plan a little relaxation time into your schedule so that you can ease your way into the new time zone. By taking time in the beginning to take care of yourself, you will enjoy the rest of your trip a lot more and won’t be so tired.
Go Shopping at the Local Markets
In America, most people do their shopping at large grocery stores that have hundreds of thousands of different products. But in most other countries, people travel to markets in their cities once or twice a week to get locally sources goods from elsewhere in their community.
Shopping at a local market is a great way to get a taste of the local flavor of a country and see what their culture is all about. It’s a great way to inexpensively try local fare and can be an awesome idea for lunch or a late night snack.
Markets have been a popular gathering place in cities for centuries and taking part in this age-old tradition will help you feel like you fit right in.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask the Locals
Trying to find the best places to see in Italy or any country for that matter, always involves asking the locals for recommendations. The last thing you want to do is turn to the same tourist-traps that everyone who watches Rick Steve’s Europe wants to travel to.
Locals will be able to tell you stories about the businesses in the area where you are staying and point you towards establishments that have interesting stories and are part of the fabric of the culture where you are visiting.
Try to Keep an Open Mind, and Schedule
When you are traveling to another country, there are plenty of tourist destinations to see. But there are also often lesser-known destinations that can give you a more authentic experience.
Try to keep some time open in your schedule in case any opportunities come up to get involved with the locals or see something you didn’t expect to. You never know what you will come across if you leave yourself open to the possibility.
Keep the Photo Ops to a Minimum
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to want to get out your camera to snap a picture of everything you see. And if that is what you want to do and what makes you happy, then go for it.
But consider for a moment what life was like before you carried a cellphone around with you that instantly uploads your photos to the web. Were you happier and more engaged with your surroundings?
While taking a few pictures to remember your journey is nice, being present in the moment is the experience that you really want to remember.
Be Patient and Grateful
Many people who travel internationally complain about the jet lag, how long it took to get there, how many different forms of transportation they had to use, and how many things went wrong. But all of those issues are part of the international travel experience.
You should prepare yourself mentally for the hardships of travel before you leave an remember to be grateful for your experience. To the majority of the people on the globe, traveling internationally remains a dream. And traveling on a plane is much easier than the three-month voyage at sea it used to take to get to Europe.
You’re one of the lucky ones who have the freedom and opportunity to travel, so remember to be thankful. You’ll feel a lot better about your journey if you keep that in mind.
Surround Yourself with Great Company
No matter where you are in the world when you go out you will most likely be having a drink, listening to something, and eating something and there are many world-class restaurants in the United States.
So how do you make sure your trip stands out as an outlandish memory? Consider hiring some company. If you’re in London, get more info here.
Tips for Saving Money for Your Vacation
Now that you have read these vacation tips, you’re ready to start planning your international trip.
For help getting started saving money for your vacation, check out our personal finance blog today.