You know the best kind of trip? Nope, not the one you have somewhere in a field at Glastonbury. Neither is it the one where a banana skin sends you tumbling. Instead, we’d wager your favourite type of trip is most certainly a spontaneous one, equipped with creating wonderful memories and offering that all important sense of freedom.
Here, minor inconveniences can become hilarious anecdotes. Messed up routes become opportunities. Strangers, most importantly, become friends. But the truth is, spontaneity is fun under one condition, you’ve done a little organisation prior to setting off. Just the essential stuff, which is this; our 5 IDEAL things not to forget when travelling overseas.
YOUR PAPERWORK
Passport. Check. Visa. Check. Insurance. Check. It’s the fundamental trio of every responsible traveller’s peace of mind. Indeed, if you have any international travel planned, it’s first crucial to check the validity of your passport right away. Certain (most, in fact) countries won’t let you in if your passport’s expiration date is less than 6 months from the day you arrive. This so called 6 months rule applies to a whole host of countries in Europe and further afield.
It’s also imperative to also check the country’s visa requirements well in advance of travel. If you’re going abroad just for vacation, you might not need a visa at all or it may be possible to get one on arrival (e.g., in most of South America, Indonesia, Rwanda, Vietnam and Thailand). Unfortunately, not every destination country is as flexible and open. The type and period of validity of a visa can vary from country to country, so check with the country’s embassy prior to setting off.
Finally, insurance; you can either get basic travel insurance or decide to ask for help with buying life insurance as, if this is something you were considering anyway, your insurance carrier can help you pick an adequate traveller’s package to complement your basic coverage. Keep in mind though, that if you choose to visit a dangerous country, e.g. war-zones or at risk of terrorism, the carrier may reject the application.
MANDATORY VACCINATIONS
Besides keeping your routine immunisations up to date, you have to be aware of the obligation of vaccinations in other countries. Indeed, mandatory vaccinations differ from country to country and so-called recommended vaccinations, e.g. Japanese encephalitis (Asia, Western Pacific regions) or typhoid fever (South America, Asia, Africa) will also vary according to location.
Mandatory vaccinations most often are against highly dangerous and infectious diseases, e.g. yellow fever (West Africa) and you won’t be granted entry to the country without having had one. Bear in mind that some immunisation sessions require up to 6 weeks either to start working, or require a few doses with pauses in between.
TO HAVE YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU
Being careful with your credit and payment cards is not paranoia. Tourists are the most popular target for petty crime, and as such, a little caution is required when on the move. Getting your cash stolen — that hurts but it happens. But the theft of your cards or passport can cause a whole lot more serious trouble. To offer a blanket of protection, don’t hesitate to let your bank know about your trip and even planned expenses. Banks have procedures in place to block cards and payments when unusual transaction behaviour occurs, so informing them in advance of your movements will assist with this element of security.
In the modern world, especially when travelling, it’s particularly important to exercise caution online. Check out our 9 essential cyber security tips for travellers here for more advice.
TO LEARN THE LOCAL LINGO & CUSTOMS
Making friends with fellow explorers is great, and part of the reason you’re out here exploring. But if you’re truly intent on experiencing new things, it’s vital to put yourself out of your comfort zone. Don’t just cosy up with other travellers for the duration of your trip or you might as well be back home, chatting to strangers in Starbucks. In doing so, you risk missing out on seeing the ‘real’ culture of the country you’ve chosen. Instead, learn a few phrases – some polite, some playful – of the local lingo to help you integrate with the people of the city; people who may well offer to show you around, have you over for dinner or share a drink with you. That’s where the real memories are made.
THAT ALL IMPORTANT SPONTANEITY
As a spontaneous traveller with fun and freedom at the forefront of the itinerary, you do admittedly need some semblance of a schedule, as it gives purpose and meaning to your trip. What’s really important, though, is not to be too rigid in sticking to this plan. If you’ve met some great people who’ve invited you along to see the local temples, do it. Perhaps you’ve been invited to a local’s house for dinner with their family; you’d be crazy to pass up the opportunity. Maybe you’ve even been asked to attend a local celebration, festival, wedding or another party? This is why you’re here! So, be open to making changes to your carefully laid plans, and you’ll end up having a much more rewarding time.