Advice for First-Time Travel: How to Make the Most Out of Your Vacation

5 minutes

July 11th 2022

Advice for First-Time Travel: How to Make the Most Out of Your Vacation 1

Veronika Mikec is a full-time student, writer, and future revolutionary.

Excitement. Fear. Hope. When you go on a trip for the first time, you are overwhelmed by many emotions. You are afraid because you don’t know what to expect, but at the same time you are looking forward to stepping into the unknown. Not quite sure how to pack effectively, what to think about and what to avoid by far? Read these five tips that will help you quickly become an experienced traveller.

Start with an “Easy” Destination

Travelling through certain lands is easier and friendlier to (beginner) travellers. If you want to make your first trip easier, choose London, Amsterdam or some Scandinavian city, but if you are a big nature lover and you don’t have too many problems with a rather long flight, go to New Zealand. When you’re travelling for the very first time, it’s a good idea to choose a destination where it’s not difficult to find your way around – i.e. they have well-organised public transport, well-marked stations and train, subway and bus routes. If you don’t speak the language of the country you’re travelling to, don’t worry. English is sufficient in the mentioned locations, but if you can’t say something with words, don’t be ashamed to try and gesture it.

You Don’t Have to Pack Everything You Own

Remember that you will definitely need less things than you think you will. Make a list of essentials in advance – such as underwear, certain cosmetics, a towel and a mobile phone charger. Definitely don’t forget to pack a “travel pharmacy” – include plasters, painkillers, an ointment that speeds up wound healing, and don’t forget cold medicine, because walking around with a stuffy nose will make you annoyed on your trip. Be sure to also pack wet wipes, which can come in handy in countless situations.

If you’re having trouble narrowing down the amount of clothes you want to take with you, simply plan outfits for particular days. For city breaks, a travel suitcase is the most convenient, but otherwise, a good old backpack usually turns out to be a great companion. Remember that you don’t really need clothes for more than a week, as you can find a laundromat practically anywhere. And also – if you will have a completely full suitcase from the start, where will you stuff your souvenirs afterwards?

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Think and Plan

Before you leave all your worries behind and set off on an adventure, you have a few things to do at home. It is good to tackle them as soon as possible, so that if you happen to encounter a problem in the complicated world of bureaucracy, you have enough time to solve it. Arrange your insurance for abroad. You can get even more help in the event of an accident by taking out insurance for abroad with one of the private insurance companies.

Check that your identity card or passport is still valid in plenty of time before departure. Also make copies of all documents that you will take with you, so that you have them with you even if they happen to be stolen. Of course, put the copies in another hidden place in your luggage. Also check whether you need a visa to travel to a certain destination.

You can travel the world even with a fairly small amount of money, but remember that you must always count on unexpected situations (for example, if you suddenly remember that you simply need to learn to dive in Fiji). But seriously – no matter how good and detailed your plan is, you can never predict everything. And there is a special charm in that. Relax and go with the flow, but at the same time be ready for changes in the plan.

Keep in mind that it is never wise to keep all cash in one place. Not even in a large wallet in your backpack, which can easily slip out of your pocket and you won’t even notice it.

Forget About the Plans

A book in which your first travel destination is described in detail will of course come in handy. But don’t rely on it too much! Guidebooks are great because they give you a comprehensive overview of the destination, but you won’t find the latest attractions that are hidden off the beaten path. The best source of information while travelling? People. Don’t be embarrassed to ask or engage in a chat with the friendly locals.

Of course, it’s tempting to try and see if you can see everything the place has to offer. Since we have limited time to visit a certain destination during our trip, we usually try to cram as much as possible into a few days. And what do you see when you look back? A small sea of photos, stress, a lot of experiences, but you ran out of time to really experience the destination. If you rush, you will only realise on your sofa that you have seen everything, but nothing at the same time. Think about which attractions really interest you, and which ones you would visit just to put a checkmark next to the name. Simply let the second group go. The best thing is when you really take time for what interests you the most. You make memories for yourself, so follow your heart.

Don’t Be Afraid of Hostels

Hostels sometimes have a reputation for being dirty, noisy, and sometimes even dangerous. Of course, in the multitude of hostels there are also those that are not exactly dreamlike, but most of them are quite pleasant, and socialising is at the forefront. If you are travelling alone, this is the ideal accommodation, as you will easily find company there. Don’t be too shy. The first step is sometimes difficult to take, but forget how you usually behave at home, take courage and say hello. Everything else will happen almost by itself. Try something new and step outside your comfort zone. At the end of the day, these will be memories that will last forever. You know what they say – no good story ever begins with, “The night I went to sleep early…”