Travelling is awesome. But what makes travelling even more awesome is doing it right. This can mean trying to keep things as local as possible, not falling into any tourist traps, and trying to learn as much as you can about your chosen destination while you’re there – among other things. Here are 10 travel tips we swear by to keep in mind when you’re on that dream trip.
Eat local food
It’s not that hard, or even that scary, to find and sample some local delights in a new country or city. All it takes is a little searching and, before you know it, you’ll have found someone detailing the best local dishes in any given destination you could imagine – plus probably some different eateries to try said dishes.
Not only is this a great way to try something new, but you’ll be eating alongside actual local people and experiencing an important part of everyday culture.
Learn some lingo
It doesn’t take a great amount of effort to know basic phrases. We’d say that probably the most essential phrases you should get to know are “Hello”, “Please”, and “Thank you”, as well as “What is that” and “Where is…” A few things like “post office”, “bank”, and “hospital” would be fine to learn as well.
Even if you don’t learn them by heart, having a phrasebook to hand that you can consult in times of linguistic need would be a very good idea. Read more about our guide to UK slang here.
Wear comfy shoes
You might want to wear your newest pair of trendy shoes but if they’re not comfy, leave them at home. Get yourself some comfy shoes that you love to wear and you won’t have to deal with dreaded blisters or shoes that rub.
Travel light
Travel is a lot of fun, but one way to take the fun out of a trip is by lugging super heavy luggage around your destination. Try to keep your packing to a minimum and opt for streamlined outfits that you can easily dress up or down depending on the situation.
Once you learn the joys of travelling light you can save money on baggage fees and feel free and breezy when you arrive too.
Know about local customs
One of the best pieces of advice we can give is to take time to learn about local life in the place you’re travelling to. Understanding local customs can make a big difference to your trip and offer a deeper understanding to the world around you.
In India, for example, it’s better to wear clothes that cover the knees, and in Japan taking your shoes off is normal when entering homes and some types of accommodation.
Swot up on history
Similarly, knowing a bit of the history of the country you’re visiting will give you a good insight into why things work the way they do there. Not only that, but you may find out something that you never knew before, which could end up pointing your travels in a different direction.
That means going to see historic monuments, once-important cities or other attractions that aren’t on the usual tourist trail.
Have an emergency stash of cash
You might think you won’t ever need to use it but having some cash stashed away can be a lifesaver. It’s a good idea to have some cash rolled up in a safe place that you can exchange for local currency no matter where you are.
You never know when you might misplace your bank card or have your bag snatched. These things can and do happen and you will be so thankful for that extra cash, it can help buy you a meal or a place for the night while you work things out.
Read reviews
Whether it’s for accommodation or nearby restaurants, reading reviews is a sure way to find something decent in any given destination. Locals and tourists alike will be more than happy to leave their two cents if they’ve had an awful time somewhere; likewise, they’ll write about the experience if it was amazing, too.
Seek out only the best, making sure to read reviews that mention anything specific for any of your own requirements, too.
Walk
Taxis cost money, public transport isn’t always great, so if you’re somewhere that is small enough to walk around, take to the streets and stroll around. Sometimes the spaces between the big-hitter sights in a destination can be more interesting than the attractions themselves.
You’ll find hidden squares, cute shops, picturesque scenes, or maybe something else you wouldn’t even imagine finding. Lose yourself – but try not to actually get lost.
Don’t do everything
Bucket lists and travel guides can sometimes make it seem like you should do everything on the tourist trail. Don’t feel pressured into spending every hour of your trip cramming it all in if you don’t really want to. Focus on what you want to do and enjoy yourself.
If you’re ready to get travelling, there’s no better way to do so than with a Working Holiday. To get started with a UK hospitality job, take a look at our Working Holiday programs.
We hope to help you on your journey soon.
