10 Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Trip

Traveling is an incredible experience that can open your eyes to the world and help you discover more about yourself. But it can also be overwhelming, especially if you're a first-time traveler. To make sure your journey is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, here are 10 essential travel tips to keep in mind.

1.Patience is a virtue:

Don't worry about things you can't control.

Life is too short to be angry all the time while traveling. If you miss the bus, don't fret, there will be another one coming soon.

2.Bring passport-sized photos:

Before leaving your home country, take plenty of passport-sized photos (10?) and print them out to take with you, just in case. This will save you a lot of time and hassle in the long run.

3.Don't carry more money than you're willing to lose:

The most important advice I've ever received when it comes to traveling is to never carry more money than you're willing to lose. Always carry the amount of cash you need for the day, nothing more, and make sure you have the money hidden in a safe place for emergencies.

4.Utilize Reddit:

For those of you who aren't familiar, Reddit is good for much more than memes and advice from graduate school experts.

On Reddit, there are communities of people who often ask themselves the same questions as you, whether it's about where to travel, places you should avoid, or places you should include in your travel list. The people on Reddit know the inside scoop.

5.Follow travel bloggers:

Travel bloggers offer great information on where to go, how to do each activity and even images to accompany the recommendations. So, if you desperately need to know what Portugal is like in the next 24 hours before your flight, I suggest watching some vlogs at double speed.

6.Bring charging outlets:

Charging outlets aren't the most exciting thing to think about, but everyone needs them. When traveling to another country, sometimes the outlets change, so it may be useful to buy some on Amazon beforehand, so that you don't have to buy expensive ones at the airport.

7.Travel solo:

While traveling with friends is a lot of fun, traveling alone is when you will REALLY learn about yourself and what you're made of.

Traveling is about creating memories, and most people don't travel with a laptop like Bradley and I do.

8.Get a travel journal:

It was specifically designed with travelers in mind, so you can take notes and write stories and reflections during your travels. Simple travel journals work great for keeping a diary while traveling, as well as for jotting down logistical information, such as directions, contact information, and language tips.

9.Back up your photos:

I have met many travelers whose hard drives have been damaged and have lost thousands of priceless travel photos.

10. Learn some phrases in the local language:

However, one piece of advice I've learned is that mastering some phrases in the local language can improve your travel experience. If you really want to get an idea of the pulse of a place, one of my favorite travel tips is to spend a few hours sitting in a park or on a busy corner, just watching how everyday life happens in front of you.

11. Get travel insurance:

Don't forget travel insurance! Travel insurance will protect you against illnesses, injuries, thefts and cancellations. Most hostels use lockers, so budget travelers should carry their own travel padlock to keep their things safe.