So, you’re planning to travel for the very first time… I know how you feel – you’re excited and nervous at the same time. The things that you watched in the movies are starting to flood your brain (and Liam Neeson is so not your dad when things go rough). But then again, life is not as fun if you don’t travel and see the world, yes? As scary as it may be, you just have to do it. I am not a very experienced traveler, but after my first travel, then the second, third, (and hopefully the fourth one before my birthday) I have totally got out of my comfort zone (hi, room!). And here I am, sharing the five things you should do before you start traveling. They are very basic, yet important.
Know your
budget
Money has been my number one alibi not to travel. To quote Jim
Rohn: “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll
find an excuse”. Traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. You should know your
expenses limitation; only you know how much money you have in your pocket. My
very budget-friendly trip was in Batangas, with so many resorts and hotels
there, we didn’t have any problem looking for the place to stay in, and we only
spent less than a thousand pesos! So, research on the places that are within
your budget. Or you can you join group tours, not only they’re affordable you
also get to meet new and potential friends while you’re at it. There are also online hotel and flight booking sites, like Traveloka, where you can find discounted hotel and flights deal.
Don’t
over-pack
Believe me, I’ve been there. I was a chronic over-packer who
packs everything and ends up not using half of it. While it may be better to be
prepared for all weather and activities, you’ll only tire yourself up. Decide
on the things that you really need
before you pack, check the luggage allowances (if you are to travel by air),
and always prepare a big zip lock bag for dirty clothes so they won’t affect
the clean clothes. But always, always
pack extra underwear or two. Pack less, but pack smarter.
Do the research
Experiencing different things and cultures are the reason why
you travel. You have chosen your destination for a reason. But before you
leave, you must do the research first. Find out every important detail of the
place you’re going to visit so you can prepare the things you’ll have to brought
with you. Following travel blogs is
a big help as they tend to have useful tips and itinerary. Researching is the
best way to get information’s. I remember when I visited Cagbalete
Island in Mauban Quezon, if we didn’t do the research, we will never know
that Villa Pilarosa doesn’t have an electricity during the day and that the
market is a one - hour away by boat. So yeah, research is definitely important.
Document your
trip
The best thing to remember your first trip is to document it. There
will be lots of fun and exciting things that could happen along the way, so
take lots of photos, and post in on your social media accounts or blogs to keep
track of your trip. Bring the appropriate camera with you so taking photos will
be much easier. Of course, power bank is a must. You don’t want an empty battery
when you’re in the perfect moment with your friends or family. I want to share
a travel hack that I read from way back: “Every
time you enter a new destination, take a photo of the country or city sign;
this way you know where your new set of photos starts and the previous set ends”.
Clever, right?
Enjoy
the moment
The most important thing is to enjoy yourself. Life is too
short to stay in one place. Make it worthwhile – travel often. It is best to
have your first trip with your best of friends, like what I did. Savor the moment;
soak everything up, because you will never know when your next travel will be. Try
every activity, the foods, and the culture because that’s the whole point of
traveling, to try different things. See the world, because you’ll never know
what’s waiting for you out there.
Do you have more tips for first-time travelers? Comment it
down below.
BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM