General Travel Tips

General

• If you are passionate about one thing find a way to fit this into your travels.
• Many public libraries, particularly in North America, have free internet access, even for people who are not members of the community.
• Using the same brand of travel guides over and over again can be great because you know where to find the information you need. However, it’s useful to look at other brands when planning a trip. Perhaps another book has more current information or has a specific type of information that you’re looking for. Check for copies at the public library!
• The best travel guides are less than a year old.  Guides printed more than two years ago often have incorrect data. If you use an older travel guide, many of the restaurants and accommodations may have closed or changed hands.
• When sitting, at a cafe, on a bus, or in a park, always loop your purse or bag’s straps around your arm or leg. When sleeping on an overnight train or bus, do the same.
• Ask the hostel or hotel’s front desk as many questions as you can.  They will mostly likely be able to speak English and often provide many services.  A hostel in Buenos Aires booked all of Kelly’s buses for her Argentina trip in September 2010. If you don’t know the local language it may be difficult for you to purchase tickets at the bus station!

Food

• Eating out all the time can get expensive! Buy food from local markets and stores and eat in a park or at your hostel / hotel.
• Try the street food. It’s cheap and delicious. Be sure to eat at stalls that have a lot of customers; this means the food will be cooked when you order it – not 3 hours beforehand.

Market in Loano, Italy July 2011

Packing

• If you will be spending most of your time relaxing at a beach, bring your books or computer.  However, if you know you’ll spend most of your time sight-seeing or walking around, why bring an item that you know you won’t use?
• Travel backpacks are most convenient overall. You never know if a city will have good sidewalks or if they will be clear of snow, water or leaves.  Additionally, it’s faster and easier to carry a backpack in crowds rather than pulling a suitcase.
• If you will be staying in hotels, you most likely don’t need to bring towels.
• Ensure that everything in your suitcase matches.  You should be able to wear every top with every bottom.
• Pack light layers of clothing instead of thick individual items.