By MICHELLE THOMPSON
Converged Media Manager/Webmaster
Have you ever wanted to travel and explore new countries, learn different cultures, meet new people, try new food or even learn another language, but you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry. Here are some tips you can use to help prepare yourself for an adventure.
Step one: PLAN
Always plan your trips ahead of time. According to www.nomadictmatt.com, a travel blog, you have to decide where you want to go. It will help you narrow down your research on the country you want to visit, places you want to go and activities you want to be a part of. Planning will also help you decide on how long you want to stay in that country, so you can decide how much money to save and spend.
Step two: START SAVING MONEY
Work out the average total of your expenses so you can decide on where you could cut back. For example, you can learn how to cook in order to save money on eating at restaurants. You could also try earning money by selling clothes or old stuff that you no longer use. You could even invite a friend to come with you and split the price.
Step three: BOOK YOUR FLIGHT
After deciding the length of your trip, it is best to book the flight as soon as possible to ensure you purchase a flight when the prices are low. According to www.nomadicmatt.com, it also helps to be flexible when traveling in case the date before or after your plan is cheaper. Flights are cheaper during the weekdays since most people travel during the weekends.
Step four: BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Hotels won’t be cheap, but according to www.nomadicmatt.com, you can always try signing up for hotel credit cards and get free rooms. You can also try websites like www.airbnb.com to search for people in different countries who will be willing to host or rent a room or an apartment for a couple of days or even months.
Step five: PLAN YOUR ACTIVITES
Research the cities you want to visit to see what is happening in the area. There could be a festival, different attractions to visit, museums to explore and so much more. This will also help you plan your budget to make sure you save enough money for the whole trip.
Step six: PACK
During your research, make sure you check the weather forecast for the dates of your travels. You don’t want to end up wearing just shorts and a t-shirt in a country with low temperatures during the summer. Make sure you bring things that you need. You are going to want to buy some souvenirs and gifts for friends and family, so accomodate by leaving space in your suitcase and carry-ons.
Step seven: ENJOY YOUR TRIP
You have carefully planned, researched and booked everything that you need for your trip. Now, you can go to the airport, enjoy your trip to a new country and gain new experiences. Just don’t forget your passport.