✈️ A General DIY Travel Guide

*Here I’m sharing the things I prepare and consider for any trip I take. Different destinations and different people might have different needs. Make sure you always check your travel requirements in advance.*

Many of the following items listed are obvious things to consider, but I like the thought that our mind is for thinking, not storing information. Listing everything, no matter how self-evident, is my way to ensure I make as little omissions as possible and have my back covered for most situations, especially considering I often travel on my own.

My General Guide

Know what country(ies) or city(ies) you want to go visit.
Know what sights you want to see, what you want to eat, what activities you want to do.
- Consult a travel guide book (Lonely Planet has both the essential tourist sights and off the beaten path activities);
- Use The New York Times 36 Hours (last minute pre-planned guides);
- Use TimeOut or Narcity (for generic information about current festivals);
- Search local blogs for up to date events and insights to navigate the city like a local (type blog + name of the area in a web browser and it should give good results);
- If you want to visit certain museums, you might need to book in advance to ensure entrance, make sure to check their opening hours, Monday is not a worldwide off day.
Have a map and circle the locations you’re interested in or save to Google maps (on a personal map or just by starring them on a general map) or save on a different map/travel app.
- **Pro tip 1: for Google maps, you can download the map of an area to your phone so it’s always available even offline.
- **Pro tip 2: even without wifi/data, you can track your location on your Google Maps app, just make sure when you get to a new location to update your location via a wifi connection, once that is done, you can turn off wifi and it will keep track of you.
Determine, based on how the locations are regrouped, and on available transportation, where you want to stay.
Select the way to get there, and to go around the different locations:
- check for transportation discounts you can get (a weekly card = cheaper than a per-use card, student preferential price…);
- download apps for public transportation, booking trains, renting bikes, renting a car, booking a taxi (Uber is not global);
- obtain a map of the subway or bus lines (paper or offline to ensure access at all times);
- If you want to book local trains, boats, planes, check online options, it’s often simpler.
Buy the tickets → and get all the documents needed for your travel (visas/passports etc.)
Reserve an accommodation (check my full guide here)
- As a guest for free (with family or friends, Couch Surfing, volunteer on a farm or at a hostel for accommodation and meals);
- as a lodger (AirBnb, apartment rental sites);
- in a hostel (great for hanging around other travellers and they often have group activities and discounts for students or young travellers (normally 30 and less));
- in a hotel/motel;
- maybe your accommodation is already taken care of for you if you are doing a student exchange, volunteering for a cause, or travelling for business.
Note the address, telephone number (and Google map location) in your language and the local language.
- Save it your preferred way:
  - print it;
  - write it in an agenda/diary/notebook;
  - on a spreadsheet ;
  - in your electronic calendar;
  - etc.
This one could sound strange to some and common sense to others, BUT, inform yourself about common scams of the region you’re visiting. When you are a foreigner you easily stick out like a sore thumb and knowing what might come your way is useful to prevent unpleasant situations.
- **Add to this: know the local numbers for police or emergency services
Packing (Leave enough space, you might want to purchase souvenirs or products abroad and bring them back)
- Be minimal, use multipurpose items.
- Consider a basic first aid kit.
- Packing cubes or compression bags (ones that don’t need a vacuum to deflate) are a great investment.
- So is a microfibre towel.
- And for adult females, the menstrual cup and period underwear are game changers 🙏
- And if you need the extra organization, a toiletry bag with compartments, a hook, and a mirror integrated can become your best friend.
- You might need a converter for your electronics.
- I like having a list for all the things I’ll bring along. Check mine here(coming up soon, stay tuned😉).
Currency exchange
- Inform yourself about the best way to use the local currency
  - Converting in your country and bring the money over might be the best option.
- You might be able to just use your regular debit or credit cards to take cash from certain banks (check online to know if your cards are accepted abroad).
- You might be able to get a card that offers preferential conversion rates.
- You might have to send yourself money (using Western Union for example).
Prepare basic phrases and expressions in the local language, here is my survival language kit.
Once you get there
- It is not a bad idea to go to a tourist information centre because they can help guide you and normally have FREE maps and a local dishes guides and any other necessary guides;
- wherever you are staying, if the personel is local: ASK THEM !!! they know more than you about how to get around and other tips and tricks. THEY ARE TRUE LOCALS and will HELP YOU feel like one too 😉

☞ I hope this post proves useful ✨ Safe travellings 🧳 I wish you many exciting adventures 😄

Questions or Comments ☞ Let’s Chat 😊💬

☞ What’s your favourite part of planning a trip?

☞ What is something you can’t part with while travelling?

☞ What is something you like to do in every place you visit?

☞ What should I write about next?

The ESL Teacher C · Nomad Educator