This is a collaborative post.
Going traveling anywhere is an amazingly fun experience, but going long term to multiple destinations can be the trip of a lifetime. However, it’s worth putting that extra effort into it to ensure you get it right. To make sure that nothing goes wrong with your trip at any point of your travel. Your preparation will change depending on where you’re going and for how long, but with so much on your mind and with so much to think about, it’s really easy to make a mistake and miss something out. Here are some tips to help you. They may not cover everything, and you might have considered some of them, but they could jog your memory and help you remember something important.
Get Your Official Documents In Order
Depending where you’re going, the likelihood is you’ll have a bunch of visas and passes to get sent off and approved before you go. In this day and age you can do it all online, but that doesn’t mean you can leave it until the last minute. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to apply for an ESTA or to get a VISA for Egypt. Sort everything out in plenty of time and then keep everything safe when you’re actually travelling. This includes your digital documents. Most of the time now you can place them in a digital wallet with your flight tickets etc. Don’t keep things in your email in case you lose internet connection. Instead, make sure they’re all downloaded properly and in a safe place on your device. You also need to ensure your devices are charged before using them, which sounds simple but when you’re traveling for a long time it can be hard.
Keep Spirits High On The Road
If you’re traveling by coach or bus it can get a little boring. Even if you’re traveling with friends or loved ones. Try to keep spirits high. Bear in mind some of these trips can take hours in the double digits. Always make sure you’re on hand with a funny video, some wisely timed anti jokes or with something to simply kill the time like a quiz or film to watch on your tablet. Travel is a huge part of the experience and it’s really important to consider it as part of the fun instead of a chore between each destination. Comfort is a huge part of travel too so if you struggle to sleep or to relax, make sure you take a good quality neck pillow or something which helps you sleep in an awkward position.
Check What’s Going On In The Next Destination
Things change fast in the world. When you set off from your home destination, everything might be fine. However, if you’re spending months away you might get to the point where something changes in the country before you get there. This could be civil unrest, war, a pandemic, natural disaster, among other things. You can avoid going if you find out. Otherwise you could end up in a nasty situation whereby you can’t do any of the things you wanted to do and are simply stuck. Always try to keep up with world events as you’re on the move. Not the ins and outs of everything, but just so that you know what’s going on. A simple look at a reputable world news agency should keep you informed, if it doesn’t, check out the premier news agency of the country you’re intending to travel to.
Get A Good Guide For Going Off The Beaten Track
Sometimes it’s nice to see the real country. Not the shiny tourist areas. However going off the beaten track can come with a multitude of issues. You could get lost, end up against extreme elements. A good guide can help you. Every year there’s a horror story about travellers going missing in the sticks, or falling from a cliff or getting hurt after wandering into a bad part of town. You can avoid this by getting a reputable local guide. Emphasis on reputable. Find a great agency and go from there. Always do your due diligence and ensure you and your party are safe. If you’re worried about it, then research other things to do which can keep you on the known path, likelihood is you’ll still have an amazing time.
Ensure You Have The Right Equipment
Again, if you’re going camping in the arctic tundra you need to ensure you have a top quality sleeping bag and tent. Not just the usual kind otherwise you’ll end up freezing. Getting the right gear is paramount. Think about mosquito nets to stop yourself getting bitten to shreds in the rainforest. You might be able to buy some of it in the location, but it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. Remember, these things weigh a lot too. They can be pretty heavy when you’re lugging around sleeping bags and insulated clothing. You may need to send things back home or sell them in your location. Getting the right gear can sometimes be harder than you think, make sure you do your research. This can prevent you from overpaying, as well as paying for something which simply isn’t good enough.
Keep Powered Up
Plug your equipment in whenever you get the chance. Even if you don’t think that you need to charge. It can be a long time between charging opportunities in some places and if you run flat you can end up in trouble. Especially if tickets etc. are stored on your device. For emergencies you can also consider using a power bank. They usually hold a large amount of charge, hours worth, and can power up multiple devices. The bank itself can take a long time to charge, so make sure it’s done when you have the chance. Try not to only rely on the powerbank too. If you do then it’ll run out and if you hit an emergency you won’t have anything at all. Ensuring your equipment stays powered up is paramount to you having a good time and feeling secure, no matter where you are in the world.
