
Travel essentials tips
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Always Get Travel Insurance
No one ever thinks they’ll get sick, injured, or robbed while traveling. But it happens when you least expect it.With travel insurance you don’t have to worry about huge hospital bills or stolen gear when it eventually happens. For all kinds of trips ranging from a weekend
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Always Pack A Lock
I always pack a small combination lock as well as a thin steel cable when I travel. It comes in handy in many situations, for example if you’re staying at a hotel with lockers, or if you need to lock your bag to something for some reason.
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Avoid Expensive Hotels & Resorts
You don’t need to stay at expensive hotels while traveling. In fact, you can save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on your trip by staying in more budget-friendly accommodation, like hotels, local guesthouses, or Couchsurfing — an online community of people who share their couches with
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Back Up Your Files & Photos!
If your laptop computer gets stolen, having most of my important documents and photos backed up saved my butt. I’ve met many travelers who’ve had a hard drive fail on them, losing thousands of priceless travel photos.In addition to photos, keep digital and physical copies of your
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be flexible and dont over plan
I cringe when readers ask how many days they should spend traveling in a particular country or city. The truth is I have no idea what you’ll enjoy or who you’ll meet.My advice is to pick a starting point, 1 or 2 must-do activities, and an ending
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Book The Cheapest Flights
Flying can often be one of the most expensive parts of an international trip. But with practice, you can learn how to book super cheap flights and save tons of money. For example, by booking 2-3 months in advance.Sign up for cheap ticket alerts, keep an eye
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Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Challenge yourself to try things that normally give you anxiety. The more you do this, the more that anxiety will fade away. Not a hiker? Go on more hikes. Have trouble talking to strangers?Talk to everyone. Scared of weird food? Eat the weirdest thing you can find.The
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Bring An Extra Camera Battery
There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a perfect photo opportunity, but powerless to capture it because of a dead camera battery!These days I don’t go anywhere without a spare battery for my camera, charged up and ready for action. That way you’re always ready
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Bring Good Travel Shoes
You’re going to be walking a lot when you’re traveling, especially if you want to save money. So invest in a good pair of travel shoesI like to bring a pair of good sneakers, as well as a pair of sandals. If I’m going to be doing
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Bring Your Own Water Bottle
If you haven’t noticed, humans are destroying the planet with plastic waste. Constantly buying bottled water when you travel is incredibly bad for the environment! But tap water isn’t always safe everywhere either…My advice to both save money and help save the environment is to pack a
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Carry Spare Passport Photos
Obtaining visas for certain countries can be a real pain, and some can require multiple passport sized photos.Before you leave your home country, get a bunch of passports sized photos (10?) printed up and bring them with you, just in case. It will save you a lot
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Cook Your Own Meals
One of the benefits of staying in a rented apartment or hotel is these types of travel accommodations usually have a kitchen. Do you eat out every night when you’re home? Do you think the locals do? Of course not.One of the reasons travel is so expensive
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Don’t Be Afraid Of Other Countries
The news media loves to report on tourists getting killed or kidnapped. However, the world is not nearly as dangerous as the media makes it out to be. Keep an eye out for sketchy situations but don’t let that be the focus of your whole trip.Use common
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Don’t Get Discouraged
Nothing is impossible. If you are having trouble going somewhere or doing something, don’t give up. You just haven’t found the best solution or met the right person yet. Don’t listen to those who say it can’t be done.Perseverance pays off. I can’t tell you how many
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Eat Away From Tourist Attractions
Restaurants that are conveniently next to popular tourist attractions are ALWAYS overpriced. If you want to save money on food, try walking a few blocks away to eat at a normal restaurant, not one geared for tourists with inflated prices.Also beware places where the menu is written
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Eat Local Food Frequently
Taste a bit of everything when you travel, especially if you don’t know what it is. Ask local people for recommendations. Eat street food from vendors with big lines out front. Eating street food is an awesome way to save money while you travel!Don’t be scared of
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Follow The Business Travelers
Hate long security lines at the airport? Try to get in line behind business travelers, because they travel often and will know what they’re doing. Stay away from families, because they take forever to unpack and get through security.
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Gas Prices Are Rising. Will It Be Too Expensive To RV This Summer?
How Will Gas Prices Affect The 2022 Camping Season? Normally, this time of year sees many RVers excitedly making plans for summer RV camping. However, so far, stratospheric fuel prices are putting a big damper on our excitement as we work out the cost of taking out the
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Get A Comfortable Travel Pillow
I have a hard time sleeping on planes, and I know I’m not alone. Along with packing a pair of earplugs like I mentioned earlier, I also recommend splurging on a comfortable travel pillow like this one to help me fall asleep easier on long international flights.
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get lost on your purpose
If you want to see the parts of town where real people live & work, you need to go visit them. The best way to do this is on foot — without knowing exactly where you’re going. Write down the name of your hotel so you can
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Get Off The Beaten Path
I know it’s cliché, but you should still attempt it. Seek out interesting and unusual places that don’t see much tourism while travelling (or traveling). Many memorable travel experiences have happened to me in areas that are not easy to visit. By all means, travel to popular sites,
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Get Your Vaccinations
Getting sick in a foreign country is never fun, and some countries have a higher risk of certain diseases than your own. Do your research and learn which travel vaccinations you might need for the areas you’re planning to visit, and make sure to get your shots
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Go On Free Walking Tours
One great money saving travel tip is to join free city walking tours when you first arrive. These tours allow you to orient yourself in an unfamiliar city, scope out some good photography locations to return to later, learn facts about the city, and maybe make some
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Keep An Open Mind
Don’t judge the lifestyles or customs of others if different from your own. Listen to opinions you don’t agree with. It’s arrogant to assume your views are correct and other people are wrong.Practice empathy and put yourself in someone else’s shoes.Embrace different possibilities, opinions, religions, customs, and
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Laugh At Yourself Sometimes
You will definitely look like a fool many times when traveling to new places. Rather than get embarrassed, laugh at yourself. Don’t be afraid to screw up, and don’t take life so seriously. Relax!
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learn a few foreign words
There’s no need to be fluent in order to visit a foreign country. However, one tip is to master a few phrases in the local language can improve your travel experience. Hello, please, thank you,nice to meet you, excuse me, sorry, and “can I take your portrait”
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Listen To Podcasts For Long Trips
Podcasts are awesome. It’s like your own personal radio station full of shows and music you always want to listen to. I never thought I’d actually look forward to a 10-hour bus ride. But with podcasts, it’s possible (well, as long as the seats are comfortable)!Time will
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Make Friends With Locals
Make it a point to avoid other travelers from time to time and start conversations with local people. One of my best travel tips is to make eye contact and smile more. Maybe stop to ask for directions. This is a fast way to make new friends.Also,
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Observe Daily Life Around You
If you really want to get a feel for the pulse of a place, one of my favorite travel tips is to spend a few hours sitting in a park or on a busy street corner by yourself just watching day-to-day life happen in front of you.Slow
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pack ear plugs and eye mask
This travel tip should actually be #1 on the list. I love my earplugs! Muffle the sounds of crying babies, drunk Australians, barking dogs, honking horns, dormitory sex, natural gas salesmen,and more. A traveler’s best friend.A comfortable eye mask is another wonderful investment to cure jet-lag. If
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Pack Less Stuff In Your Backpack
You don’t need 1/2 the gear you think you do to travel anywhere. We’ve all done it. It’s a right of passage for travelers to slowly become better at packing less.If you’re not sure about packing something, you don’t need it. It’s also possible to buy most
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Packing Cubes For The Win!
Trying to keep a suitcase or backpack organized while you travel is a big headache, unless you use packing cubes. These little zippered bags allow you to keep your underwear separate from dress clothes, or dirty clothes from clean ones.I’ve been using these packing cubes for years
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Patience Is Important
Patience is my top travel tip. Don’t sweat the stuff you can’t control. Life is much too short to beangry & annoyed all the time while traveling. Did you miss your bus? No worries, there will beanother one.ATM out of money? Great! Take an unplanned road trip
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read a book about the country
Before you travel to a new country, I recommend reading a good book about it, to learn more about history and culture before you arrive. This could be as simple as a Lonely Planet guidebook, or maybe a popular novel by a local author.Your on-the-ground travel experience
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Satellite Internet While on the road
have you experienced low or no internet 1. What is satellite internet and how does it work? Satellite internet is a type of internet connection that uses satellites to provide high-speed internet access to users on the ground. Satellite internet providers use special dish antennas to send and receive
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Say Yes More Often
Be impulsive and say yes when someone randomly invites you to meet their family, try a new activity, or explore a place you didn’t know existed. You never know what you’re missing unless you say yes!It’s these unexpected and unplanned situations that add spice to your travels
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Slow Down To Enjoy Your Trip
Please don’t try to cram 6 countries into 6 weeks of travel. All the good stuff happens when you really take the time to explore. You’ll learn about activities that aren’t in your guidebook and meet people who are eager to show you around.The best travel experiences
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splurge a bit while travelling
I’m a huge fan of budget travel, as it allows you to travel longer and experience more of the fascinating world we live in rather than waste your hard-earned money on stuff you don’t need.In fact you can travel many places for $50 a day with no
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Stash Extra Cash For Emergencies
To cover yourself in an emergency, make sure to stash some extra cash in a few different places. I recommend at least a couple hundred dollars worth. If you lose your wallet, your card stops working, or the ATMs run out of money, you’ll be glad you
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Stay Hydrated
The recirculated air in planes is super dry, and sitting there for hours can dry out your body quickly. Most people don’t drink enough water anyway, and flying makes it even worse. This contributes to jet lag too.Before getting on an airplane I recommend you pre-hydrate by
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Stay In Touch With Loved Ones
Remember to call your family & friends from time to time. Maybe surprise them and go old-school by sending a postcard (it’s in the mail, Mom!). Travel isn’t lonely, far from it. You constantly meet other people.But traveling solo means many of those new relationships are fleeting.
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take a scarf or sarong with you
I happen to use a shemagh, but sarongs also work great. This simple piece of cotton cloth is one of my most useful travel accessories with many different practical applications.It’s great for sun protection, a makeshift towel, carrying stuff around, an eye mask, a wrap for conservative
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Take an extra credit and atm card
Having your bank card details stolen can suck, but especially if it happens when you’re visiting a foreign country. If your card gets frozen, stolen, or the ATM machine eats it, you’re screwed!Unless you happen to carry backup cards… An important travel banking tip is to pack
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Take Lots Of Epic Travel Photos
Pay attention to this travel tip. You may only see these places & meet these people once in your lifetime. Remember them forever with plenty of photos! Don’t worry about looking like a “tourist”. Great photos are the ultimate souvenirs.They don’t cost anything, they’re easy to share,
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Travel By Yourself Occasionally
While traveling with friends is a lot of fun, solo travel is when you’ll REALLY learn about yourself and what you’re made of. Traveling solo forces you to figure things out on your own, meet new people, and tackle unfamiliar situations.You’re also free to pursue the activities
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Treat Your Body Well
Travel can throw your body out of whack. When you’re moving from place to place it’s difficult to maintain a workout routine, and many of us slack off. Or we don’t sleep enough. Or we eat too many cupcakes.Remember to be nice to your body. Get enough
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Use Travel Credit Cards For Rewards
It took me a while to get into travel hacking, but now that I have, I use it all the time! Basically, by using certain travel rewards credit cards for your bills & expenses, then paying the off right away, you can collect thousands of points &
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Visit The Local Tourism Office
Most large towns and cities have a local tourism office, and it’s a great place to visit if you’d like to get some ideas for things to do in the area. Tell them what you’re looking for, and they’ll be happy to help. Whether it’s free activities nearby,
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Volunteer Occasionally
Make it a point to volunteer some of your time for worthwhile projects when traveling. Not only is it a very rewarding experience, but you’ll often learn more about the country and its people while also making new friends.There’s a great site called Grassroots Volunteering where you
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Wake Up Early To Avoid Crowds
Rise before sunrise to have the best attractions all to yourself while avoiding large tourist crowds. It’s also a magical time for photos due to soft diffused light, and it’s usually easier to interact with locals getting ready for their day.Want those postcard Instagram travel shots? You