Know your destination – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Planning is half the fun of any trip, and the more you know about where you’re going, the more flexible you can be with your plans.

Study local maps, get familiar with the main roads and how they intersect, and learn where your areas of interest can be found. Moreover, find out what public transportation is available and, if possible, download their routes and schedules. It’s also helpful to know something about food and shopping options for the areas in which you plan to spend time, especially if you have dietary or other concerns.

Bottom line: knowing your way around helps decreases travel stress and increase the chance for spontaneity!

Pack something that reminds you of home – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

No matter where the destination, chances are you’re going to be out of your usual comfort zone when traveling abroad. When I embarked on a two-week trip across parts of Europe last year, I began to feel homesick after a couple days and wasn’t enjoying my “trip of a lifetime.”

Fortunately, I discovered that my friends had tucked a few pictures of themselves in my bag before I left. This gave me a little piece of home to carry along with me.

Therefore, when leaving home for a period of time, it’s a good idea to bring something familiar with you, to quell any sadness. Whether it’s a picture, blanket, or favorite snack pack, a comfort item can handily ward off being homesick.

Befriend the book swap – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Instead of carrying enough books to last the length of your trip, seek out a hostel, bed-and-breakfast, or local cafe’s book swap. Sometimes they’re listed among a facility’s amenities in guidebooks. Other times, only asking — or (better yet) exploring — finds one!

Using book swaps keeps your luggage light, an imperative with new airline luggage weight restrictions. Also, perhaps, you’ll get turned on to a new genre of literature (as I did in Bolivia).

The Kindle holds no candle to discovering a love for short stories! Furthermore, a paperback is much less vulnerable to the elements… and to “sticky fingers!”

Carry a printed a map showing your hotel – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve been up all night traveling to an international destination. You’re tired, hungry and probably cranky. All you want to do is get to your hotel. You hop in a cab only to find there is a huge language barrier. If you have a printed map with you, just show it to them and you’re off. Bring a few copies just in case.

Ed’s note: this is a good idea in the US, as well, given that some taxi drivers rely exclusively on GPS now, and occasionally the address you need isn’t in the GPS…

Exchange traveler’s checks before going to dinner – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

When dining in a foreign country, exchange your traveler’s checks for local currency before going to a restaurant.

While traveler’s checks are pretty much accepted everywhere, don’t expect the restaurant employees to be adept at exchange rate calculation.

My best friend and I learned this the hard way dining at our first restaurant in Europe. We received far less change than we were owed and couldn’t communicate well enough to explain the problem. That, or we were taken advantage of. Either way, we didn’t make that mistake again!