Deciding to take an international trip can be very overwhelming! I decided to put together a little checklist of sorts to possibly help some of you begin to plan your very own adventure.
1) Pick a Destination
In my case I actually have a bucket list of places I want to go. For no I am working on whittling that list down, though it seems to get longer after every trip. Keep in mind that the farther away the destination, typically the more expensive the trip will end up being - airfare is a killer. If you are having trouble picking a specific city or series of cities start by picking a category - European, Asian, Hot, Cold, Tropical, Snow-Covered etc. then narrow it down from there! Don't forget to do research regarding the destination - make sure its safe! For example, Egypt and the Middle East may not be ideal vacation spots right this moment. A good website to check out before you go is this one.
2) Start Saving Up
This is the necessary evil of traveling - it costs money. Usually it costs quite a bit of money. Start saving as soon as you get the thought in your mind that you might want to travel!
3) Plan Your Lodging
Decide what kind of trip you want to go on - is this a backpacking adventure? a mountain cabin getaway? A spa/resort type trip? That will determine your lodging. Personally, I opt for hostels whenever possible (when I travel for fun). I cannot explain how much I love hostels. You get to meet people from all over the world, get inside tips from locals, get cheap food, and most importantly get cheap lodging! You can pay anywhere from $15 - $50/night!! Even in major cities! Now you will have communal showers and communal rooms, but they give you a locker (bring your own padlock or you will have to buy one from the front desk - same goes for towels and sometimes sheets)
4) Plan Your Transportation
This is an important step. Don't just expect a bus to be waiting for you at the airport - if there are buses expect there to be multiple. A lot of hostels and hotels will provide information on the easiest way to get from the local airport to their location. The best mode of transportation can vary from city to city. For instance, in Paris I used the subway to get absolutely everywhere but in Amsterdam I simply walked. In NYC there are cabs available, but talk about expensive! Often times it is worth looking into buying a public transportation card for several days- you'll be amazed how often you use it! In some cities, such as Nashville, public transportation is not readily available and you may want to look into renting a car. Don't forget to review the road rules of the country you are in because they may be different than what you are used to.
5) Plan Your Activities
I know a lot of people want to just go with the flow and I do too, but only to an extent. When I travel I make a list of key places that I will be sad if I don't see. I make sure to plan certain activities for certain days, but I leave flexibility. For instance, in Paris we decided to leave the Louvre for a rainy day and explore the city while the sun was shining! I also think it is important to leave time for spontaneity. That way I know I will get to see absolutely everything I wanted to see, but there is room to explore!
6) Plan a Budget
The best advice I can give here is to be generous with your budget. You main expenses are going to be airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and food. Don't forget food. I recommend eating locally. Instead of constantly hitting up the restaurants nearby, check out the local grocery stores. While it is no where near as glamorous, eating pb&j sandwiches will sure save you money! You can also make it fun - in Paris we bought cheese, sausage and bread from street vendors and had ourselves a feast! Yum!
I also highly recommend "You Need A Budget" (YNAB). It is a little pricey but I got it on sale for $15. It is seriously amazing. It lets you set aside money for certain things (bills, travel, food etc.) Set a savings goal and when you reach that goal you don't have to feel any guilt at all spending it on the trip of a lifetime!
7) Get your Travel Documents in Order
Make sure you have ALL the travel documents you may need. Some countries require visas. These will also vary depending on how long you will be traveling. Do your research! The last thing you want to happen is to have your trip stopped before it even began because you didn't realize your passport was expired. Check that expiration date! Even if it is current, some countries require your visa be valid for 3 months AFTER your trip.
8) Plan Out Your Packing List
This sounds a bit like over-organzing but it is a lifesaver. Look around online for example packing lists. You'll be glad you did. This way you don't forget vital things like power adaptors and converters (those are two different things!) You also won't make it all the way to Europe and realize you have no underwear. Now keep in mind it is not the end of the world if you forget an essential, at least in most places. Europe has stores just like here in the US. You can typically find somewhere to buy some toothpaste etc.
9) Buy Your Tickets
I don't mean just your plane ticket, either! You should buy your tickets ahead of time for as much as you can, in my opinion. Having our Paris Rail Card sent to us ahead of time was so convenient. It can also save you time and money. We got to skip the MONSTROUS line for the eiffel tower and show up at our scheduled time. Anything that might have a long line I recommend buying the tickets for it ahead of time if at all possible.
10) Go Shopping
This is the time to pick up travel-sized everything! Remember that liquids are not your friend as far as the airlines are concerned.
11) Pack
I recommend packing conservatively. I have another post here with some packing tips!
12) Head Off on an Adventure!
Remember to have the time of your life, but respect the culture you are in. Just because the locals do something differently from you, doesn't mean they're wrong. Keep an open mind. In general people are good. With that said, I do recommend that you be aware while abroad (and in general). Keep your money zipped in an inside pocket and try not to stick out as a tourist. Use apps instead of paper maps and try to learn at least a basic greeting in the native language of that country.
I hope this helps!
Malena
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