Is there anything better than travelling? Now imagine getting to know other parts of the world, how many unique opportunities to get to know different cultures, art and architecture and lots of nature.
Knowing how to prepare a trip with quality and in advance is the key to having freedom and security wherever you go. That's why we've separated some incredible tips to help you in this endeavor. Check them out below!
How to start your trip on the right foot
As redundant as it may sound: everything starts from the beginning. Choosing the itinerary, doing some research on the internet, understanding the situation in that country, if the moment is favourable or not.
Each region has its own particularities, and this is natural all over the world, but it is important to start keeping a close eye on the news of your route.
Find a good travel agency
If you have no experience in international travel, don't risk taking the first steps alone. Look for a reputable and professional agency to know the criteria for tourist visas, since each country has its own.
Study the requirements and anticipate the documentation, but do not anticipate too much, after all, most documents are valid. The ideal is to make a few certified copies of each document to carry with you on your trip; paper weighs nothing and can save you a lot of headaches.
Prepare your travel itinerary
Some countries require details of your trip, with a presumed itinerary, as well as financial proof for each activity. If this is the case in the country you have chosen, this is a great opportunity to put your entire trip on the tip of the pencil and draw detailed plans of time and costs.
Sites like Trip Advisor are great sources, with reviews and tips from other tourists, so you can avoid pitfalls and save money on your trip. If your trip is for work, be sure to provide details, names and places of service.
Keep an eye on the currency exchange rate
Generally, the trickiest part of any trip is purchasing power, which determines whether you'll get to enjoy outlets or have to squeeze every penny out of them.
Watch the exchange rate carefully from the moment you decide to make your trip and buy the money little by little, so you can take advantage of the best opportunities.
Remember that there is a limit on what you can buy at customs, after a certain volume, you start paying a little high tax on your purchases. Keep all the receipts to declare your purchases and avoid problems with customs.
Know the customs and how to protect yourself
Travelling outside your own country requires a series of precautions, with yourself and with others. After all, we are in a country that is not ours, where many common day-to-day gestures may have a different connotation, and nobody likes to make a mistake.
Brazilian people are very affectionate, they like to talk touching, kissing when they meet and everything else, but some of these gestures may embarrass people of other nationalities.
When in doubt, the ideal is to maintain a certain impersonality, always with a lot of respect, and when in doubt, ask. Asking does not offend and shows that you care about the local culture.
It is not difficult to find influencers and interesting tips on how to behave in other countries.
More than just avoiding embarrassing others, you also need to prepare yourself so you don't get ripped off or even robbed. You can't be too careful, and we've prepared a guide here on our blog to help you protect your bags, backpacks, mobile phone and wallet.
More than being ripped off or passed over, it's important to stay in touch. Be sure to take plenty of location-activated photos, check-ins on social networks and leave a copy of your itinerary with family and friends.
Creating evidence of your steps is always important for any kind of international occasion.
Don't go incontact
For more autonomy, you can't just rely on wi-fi in cafés and restaurants: contract a roaming service with your operator or buy a temporary international chip at your destination.
Choose a qualified hotel and share all contact details with your family members. When opting for CouchSurfing or Airbnb, choose only very well qualified hosts, ask users who have already stayed in the destination and clear all your doubts with your host.
Get to know the local climate
As we don't deal with severe cold, it is rare to find clothes prepared for snow days here in Brazil, but they can be very useful when travelling during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
Don't underestimate the cold winter over the tropics, know the climate of your destination in detail. This way you'll even save space in your suitcase.
Take precautionary measures especially in times of cold, pollen and viral transmissions, seasonal or exceptional. If you are renting a car, learn the techniques for driving in the snow.
Be in good health and have quality insurance
Most countries will require your up-to-date vaccination booklet and even some extra ones, depending on the itinerary. More than that, it is important to be up to date with your health, as there are countries where there is no public system and a trip to the doctor can cost a small fortune.
Problems happen, especially in a different environment, so taking out life insurance is a prerequisite that should never be ignored.
If you take controlled medication, it is essential to carry sealed containers, in moderate quantities and always accompanied by a medical prescription, preferably translated into the target language.
Rent a car
Taxis and transport are usually very expensive for tourists, and as we know little of the region, public transport can be a challenge.
If you want autonomy, the ideal option is international car hire, so you can enjoy non-traditional itineraries and stay as long as you like in each place.
For those who are travelling with their family, the per capita cost for each member certainly makes up for the car, not to mention the safety for children and the elderly.
Just as for your health, it is essential to take out vehicle insurance to travel safely. A Happy Tours offers a variety of great car options, with online rental, free mobility and practicality to pick up your vehicle at your destination.
Learn the language of your destination
Nothing reflects a culture more than its language. Learning the basics of a language, more than a way to survive, is a way to show respect and interest in the local culture.
Learn the main phrases for asking for food, leave, information, apologies and be sure to have good translation and interpretation apps installed on your smartphone to situate yourself at any time during your trip.
In times of urgency, scratch out good old English, which is the lingua franca these days and you'll probably manage to make basic contact.
There are many books and language courses for travel that are fun and full of cultural tips that are sure to be productive on your trip.
Are you ready to make the most of your holiday? With Happy Tours you can do much more with safety and autonomy, check out our page to rent your car in the main tourist routes and check our blog for the best tourism tips!
