Welcome back and thank you so much for reading my series.
This is the final installment with lessons learned from Q through Z.
So let’s get to it…
QUIT MAKING EXCUSES…
by taking the first step towards creating your travel history. Start making your travel memories today!
Just like a child who builds their first castle or fort from building blocks, their creation starts off small. As they gain experience and confidence, their creations become larger and more detailed. This is how to approach travel. Start small and build larger travel itineraries as your confidence increases.
For example, If you have fear of going too far from home, start your travel close to home. Plan a full day excursion to a local museum, city, beach or park.
Confidence building comes with expanding from the littlest seed. As you become more comfortable planning and venturing out, you can expand this formula to larger itineraries.
Every time you step out your door can be a step towards a life time of travel memories.
RESEARCH…
is key to getting the optimal results for your trip.
Once you know your budget and where you want to go, the fun truly begins. I really enjoy researching different places.
Sometimes, I have found that research can even change the trajectory of where you planned to go. For example, you may find that your first choice is not where you want to visit at that point in time.
My first step in my research process is searching the internet and travel sites for ideas. I’m also a fan of our local library where I “borrow” travel books rather than purchasing them.
Doing your homework BEFORE you travel is so important. With each trip and excursion, you will build not only confidence in your own abilities but you will learn how to make the next trip even better.
SAFETY…
is SO important when traveling. Where ever your travels take you, keeping yourself, passengers and all your belongings safe and secure is paramount.
Here are my top travel safety tips:
- Get to know your destination in depth BEFORE you arrive.
- Always be aware of your surroundings.
- Look into purchasing travel insurance. This is not an option for everyone but it can provide necessary emergency health care as well as piece of mind in case of flight cancellations, delays or lost baggage.
- Make copies of all your important documents and DO NOT pack them into luggage you are checking on to plane.
- Wear a money belt to keep your credit/debit cards and money safe.
- Buy a voltage converter. If traveling abroad, this is a necessary item. Your phone/tablet/laptop is key to helping you out in an emergency. But if you are unable to use your charger, you’re out of luck.
- Be careful when using any public WiFi
- If driving, have your car checked out BEFORE you leave, have insurance and necessary phone numbers, and keep necessary tools in your car (i.e., spark plugs, tire jack etc…) and,
- Keep in touch with your friends and family.
TOURS…
are a great option for many travelers.
For some, their entire trip needs to be booked through a tour operator . This means that every aspect of their trip from transportation to lodging to food to sightseeing is scheduled and booked for them. It leaves all the planning to someone else. And for many, this may be the best option. But…
not for me. I have always booked my family’s vacations from soup to nuts because I actually enjoy it. And I believe that if you give it a chance you will most likely too.
Tours that I like to book include walking, cooking and museum tours. These tours range from anywhere to a couple of hours to a full day.
UNEXPECTED…
finds when we travel can turn out to be some of your fondest memories.
We all travel to places with a checklist of the most popular sites to visit. However, I’ve found that delving deeper into what a location offers can turn up hidden gems.
And sometimes, without planning, you stumble upon something that you want to visit in your travels. Be open minded to a site or activity that you didn’t expect.
Keep a lookout for my upcoming blog about my family’s unusual and unexpected travel experiences!
Visiting Mardi Gras World in New Orleans was quite an amazing and unexpected experience!
So, delve deeper into what your travel location has to offer and you may find that the most unexpected find turns out to be your fondest memory.
VACCINATIONS…
are something you need to ensure that you have when traveling abroad.
Make sure you do your research and check with your medical professional that you are up to date if you’re traveling somewhere remote.
WALKING TOURS…
are a great way to get acclimated to a new city.
Booking a walking tour at the start of our vacations in many cities has proved to be invaluable. I find these tours provide a great overview of your destination as well as a reinforcement to what you have already researched. And there are many tours that are free!
Local tour guides are also great sources of information about places to eat and maybe sites that weren’t on your to do list.
XANADU…
is an idyllic, exotic or luxurious place as defined by Merriam Webster.
I hope you will find your “Xanadu” in your travel journey!
YOU CAN DO IT!
All it takes is the first step! Book that day trip or weekend excursion and start your travel history.
ZZZZZsss…
are key to keeping healthy when away from home.
Keeping somewhat of a normal routine and getting a good night’s sleep will keep you alert. As a relatively light sleeper, I always travel with earplugs in case of noisy streets or neighbors.
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I hope you enjoyed my three part travel series.
Keep Traveling!