My International Travel Do's and Don'ts

New to International Travel or just travel in general? Here are some tips to help your trip go as smoothly as possible!

Do create a loose itinerary

Creating an itinerary is always a good idea whether you are traveling locally or internationally (traveling solo or with others). However, I believe to give yourself and your travel buddies more wiggle room to be spontaneous, you shouldn't create a super rigid itinerary that you can't easily tweak or move away from. Exploring the area that you are visiting can be much more rewarding when you give yourself the chance to go off the beaten path. Often times, this is where the magic happens. When I went to Italy for a study abroad trip, my professor created an itinerary filled with activities for each day. She always left us room to do our own thing. I can't tell you all of the little hole-in-the-wall coffee shops and gelaterias we found. Those were the memories that I will cherish for a lifetime!

Don't go without studying what is appropriate and inappropriate in your host country

Going to a new country can be exciting and maybe even a bit daunting. Help yourself have the trip of a lifetime by studying up on the customs and social norms in the country you plan to visit. I can't stress this enough, especially for my fellow US peeps. What may be considered small and normal for your home country may be extremely offensive in your host country. I would also add that this step is especially important when you don't speak the local language. An informed traveler is also a safe traveler.

Do know your rights and who to call in case of an emergency

Knowing your rights as a traveler is yet another way to keep yourself safe no matter where you may find yourself in the world. One of the first places you should seek the location of when you are planning your trip is your home country's embassy in the country you are looking into visiting. I know for at least the U.S. Embassy, there is a free program called STEP that serves as a main point of contact for US travelers should any unfortunate events occur during your travels. Remember that itinerary you created for your trip? Send that to a family member or friend as well as the embassy. This is a safety measure that I learned from The Passport Abuser, a globetrotter who has been to fifty plus countries in her lifetime. Always be sure to check up on and follow the laws of the land and keep tabs on any updates for foreigners on your country's official travel website. For those residing in the US, this is going to be www.travel.state.gov

Don't wait until 1 hour before you flight to head to the airport

I know it may be tempting to wait until the last minute until you start heading to the airport, but please don't allow yourself to fall into that trap. There are a few extra steps when flying internationally. You may not get through the lines as quickly as you are hoping to. Another tip that I would like to add is that there are times when the planes will board early. It can be very stressful and even more expensive to miss your flight. Not to mention this can cause a significant delay to your vacay plans.

Do pack a good book or some other form of entertainment

The planes for international flights use various on screen ways to entertain you throughout the duration of your flight. You will have access to a wide array of movies and tv shows as well as games, audio books, and more. However, I think it's important to unplug from the screen every now and then.

Okay, last one for now! Don't forget to have a good time!

Leave at home drama and problems AT HOME! This may be your only chance of the year to not think about everything that is going wrong back at home. Enjoy your stay! Try something you normally never would try. Wear that bold new swimsuit! Splurge a little. You can't have a good time while constantly focusing on yesterday's mishaps!

I will probably do another one of these later down the road. Until the next voyage, stay safe and travel well everyone! WEAR YOUR MASK!!!