One thing I would encourage everyone to do is to travel, do it, not only is it fun but sometimes it is good to come out of your comfort zone and mundane cycle. See the world and experience culture and learn what the world has to offer.
It's funny to me that whenever I get messages from friends or family one of the first things they ask me is: "are you in the country?"
I just have to laugh! I'm a globetrotter in the making so let me wander what Earth has to offer!
The first misconception to eradicate is this thing of thinking to travel you need to have loads of money! Travelling does not need to be expensive and you don't have to be flying out to Maldives or cleaning out your saving accounts to do so.
What I always say is this, find out what you like, take into consideration your responsibilities and do things within your means.
My cardinal rule is to live within my means. I'm not going to book a holiday that'll leave me broke for the remainder of the month waiting for payday. Nor am I going to book a holiday to spend money I don't have or get to a destination and be unable to enjoy it because I'm broke. Nope, not me! Never!
Some people will work hard and put money aside to buy a designer bag or the latest gadgets, I'd rather buy a plane ticket. There's been numerous times where the amount I've paid for a holiday is half the price of your bag or gadget. (I'm not saying these things are bad, treat yourself you deserve it). My point here is about priorities and preferences. You see I'm not saying one is better than the other I'm just saying what I like more!
Tip 1: Plan! It cannot be as simple as that. Ask yourself what you want to do, relax, explore/adventure a combo or visit family/friends, escape, party your life away or whatever it is you feel like doing decide. Use social media, look at places other people have also been to to get ideas! Once you have your location and a vague idea of the activities you want to do then you move to the next step.
Tip 2: Pay your bills First! Please please do this, so you book your holiday with a clear conscious and in peace. At least that way you don't spend the remainder of the month scraping!
Tip 3: If you're like me and save money every month, then do that as well before you book, at least that way if you go on holiday and spend all your money at least you know you have left something in the kitty for when you get back. However it's different if you've been putting money aside to book your holiday with then that's fine too.
If you struggle with saving money check my other blog post on money it might help.
Now the fun part! *azonto*
Tip 4: Learn to shop around! Don't just jump on the first deal you see. What I would suggest is screen-shotting the deal if you're searching on your phone or print screening it and saving it if you're using a computer, whilst you continue to search other places. So you can at least compare the rates because I feel like the way most sites store their cookies it registers to them that flights/packages are being searched. If you keep searching back and forth it may appear as though a lot of people are searching, which in turn may cause prices to rise. ( might not be so) However just store it so is easy for you to compare.
Tip 5: I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "book your holiday early and in advance it'll be cheaper." This is true and not true. The advantage is the availability of seats and early bird tickets tend to be cheap to entice people to book. So if you're travelling as a family or with kids this works well for you. Furthermore if you're trip is heavily excursion-based then booking early allows you to secure your activities before it is fully booked. There has been time when I've booked a holiday early and I thought I got a bargain to only see something similar for cheaper afterwards. Kmt! That is really Annoying!
However you can use the 8week rule. Try booking your holiday exactly 8weeks in advance to the travel date, you'll be surprised at the rates.
Tip 6: Sometimes splitting your trip works out cheaper. So book your flight separate to your hotel instead of as a whole package, especially for short city breaks, with some Low cost air lines you could get returns tickets for £50-80 and you can search for a bargain for 2-3nights in an amazing hotel.
Tip 7: If you are taking an abrupt trip, sites such as skyscanner.net or lastminute.com can really help in securing a bargain. I once booked a two night stay in a 4* hotel in Belgium for like £40 including breakfast, cheaper than your trainers, using lastminute.com so it all varies.
Tip 8: For short trips get a decent size hand luggage (cabin size) suitcase with wheels, usually carrying about 10kg. You don't always have to go for the smallest suitcase, sports direct have a strong Dunlop case you could get! If you're checking your bag in, try using a distinct suitcase (colourful or with patterns or bright outline) or a name tag or a distinct padlock, so when your case comes through baggage claim you can easily spot it. Furthermore it stops random strangers walking away with your unique case thinking it is theirs.
Tip 9: Even if you will be checking in your suitcase always carry your toothbrush and paste, spare underwear, compact toiletries such as body cream, deodorant and one or two outfits in your hand luggage (cabin size case). You will never know what could happen to your suitcase, so always keep your bare necessities close and with you! Nothing heartbreaking as going to the baggage claim and waiting but your suitcase was left at Heathrow airport and your whole life was in that case! GOD FORBID BAD TINZ!
Tip 10: Unless you're travelling solo please go with people who know how to enjoy themselves! There's no point going on holiday that's jam-packed with activities with someone who just wants to stay at the hotel by the pool and sun bathe. Your company can either make or break your vacation. So go with people who have similar interests with you or go back to TIP 1 and plan accordingly!
Tip 11: If you have a contract phone don't wait until you arrive at your destination to turn your data roaming off, turn it off before you board to avoid hefty phone charges. However unless your network generates certain freebies or abroad plans then you probably will not need to but always verify with your network first. I know Three network users can use their phone exactly how they use it in the UK without incurring extra charges in certain countries in Europe. I'm telling you I've taken advantage of it and it's a pretty good deal if you travel a lot in Europe.
Tip 12: Change your money before you leave the country, currency rates fluctuate all the time so you could monitor and change your money when the rates are low so you get more for your money or alternatively just change it when you can. I wouldn't advise changing at airports I tend to find the commission rates quite high. I've found that East London (East Ham) exchange rates always tend to be really low and you get a bargain for your money compare to other areas. Furthermore you are more likely to get all sorts of currencies there, whereas some places only stock euros and dollars.
Tip 13: Be safe! This is so crucial, if you can, take out travel insurance especially if you're going to stay for a long time. However if you don't want to, in that case always carry plasters in your hand luggage and hand sanitiser. If you have a weak stomach be careful with local street food especially if it's not what you usually eat. We all know people can find love abroad but you don't want to spend your vacation married to the toilet seat! Be careful also who you speak with, I've seen the film Taken I'm super vigilante. If it doesn't feel right trust your gut, don't follow the people. If you like to drink and party your life away, don't drink to the point you no longer have control over yourself, not only do make yourself vulnerable to criminals and become a liability to your friends but you could do something you could potentially regret. Mate I've seen banged up abroad and it's not pretty! So stay safe and be wise!
14: Always carry a photocopy of your passport because anything could happen and you may need to provide proof of ID or your passport number. Furthermore if you have a trustworthy next of kin leave them with your flight and hotel details in case of an emergency. You could take your bank cards with you but find out with your bank if you need to notify them whenever you're travelling abroad.
Tip 15: Enjoy yourself, explore take loads of pictures and bring me back a fridge magnet! (If you know me you'd know I'm absolutely obsessed with fridge magnets).
Born a legend to leave a legacy.
It's funny to me that whenever I get messages from friends or family one of the first things they ask me is: "are you in the country?"
I just have to laugh! I'm a globetrotter in the making so let me wander what Earth has to offer!
The first misconception to eradicate is this thing of thinking to travel you need to have loads of money! Travelling does not need to be expensive and you don't have to be flying out to Maldives or cleaning out your saving accounts to do so.
What I always say is this, find out what you like, take into consideration your responsibilities and do things within your means.
My cardinal rule is to live within my means. I'm not going to book a holiday that'll leave me broke for the remainder of the month waiting for payday. Nor am I going to book a holiday to spend money I don't have or get to a destination and be unable to enjoy it because I'm broke. Nope, not me! Never!
Some people will work hard and put money aside to buy a designer bag or the latest gadgets, I'd rather buy a plane ticket. There's been numerous times where the amount I've paid for a holiday is half the price of your bag or gadget. (I'm not saying these things are bad, treat yourself you deserve it). My point here is about priorities and preferences. You see I'm not saying one is better than the other I'm just saying what I like more!
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Tip 1: Plan! It cannot be as simple as that. Ask yourself what you want to do, relax, explore/adventure a combo or visit family/friends, escape, party your life away or whatever it is you feel like doing decide. Use social media, look at places other people have also been to to get ideas! Once you have your location and a vague idea of the activities you want to do then you move to the next step.
Tip 2: Pay your bills First! Please please do this, so you book your holiday with a clear conscious and in peace. At least that way you don't spend the remainder of the month scraping!
Tip 3: If you're like me and save money every month, then do that as well before you book, at least that way if you go on holiday and spend all your money at least you know you have left something in the kitty for when you get back. However it's different if you've been putting money aside to book your holiday with then that's fine too.
If you struggle with saving money check my other blog post on money it might help.
Now the fun part! *azonto*
Tip 4: Learn to shop around! Don't just jump on the first deal you see. What I would suggest is screen-shotting the deal if you're searching on your phone or print screening it and saving it if you're using a computer, whilst you continue to search other places. So you can at least compare the rates because I feel like the way most sites store their cookies it registers to them that flights/packages are being searched. If you keep searching back and forth it may appear as though a lot of people are searching, which in turn may cause prices to rise. ( might not be so) However just store it so is easy for you to compare.
Tip 5: I'm sure we've all heard the saying, "book your holiday early and in advance it'll be cheaper." This is true and not true. The advantage is the availability of seats and early bird tickets tend to be cheap to entice people to book. So if you're travelling as a family or with kids this works well for you. Furthermore if you're trip is heavily excursion-based then booking early allows you to secure your activities before it is fully booked. There has been time when I've booked a holiday early and I thought I got a bargain to only see something similar for cheaper afterwards. Kmt! That is really Annoying!
However you can use the 8week rule. Try booking your holiday exactly 8weeks in advance to the travel date, you'll be surprised at the rates.
Tip 6: Sometimes splitting your trip works out cheaper. So book your flight separate to your hotel instead of as a whole package, especially for short city breaks, with some Low cost air lines you could get returns tickets for £50-80 and you can search for a bargain for 2-3nights in an amazing hotel.
Tip 7: If you are taking an abrupt trip, sites such as skyscanner.net or lastminute.com can really help in securing a bargain. I once booked a two night stay in a 4* hotel in Belgium for like £40 including breakfast, cheaper than your trainers, using lastminute.com so it all varies.
Tip 8: For short trips get a decent size hand luggage (cabin size) suitcase with wheels, usually carrying about 10kg. You don't always have to go for the smallest suitcase, sports direct have a strong Dunlop case you could get! If you're checking your bag in, try using a distinct suitcase (colourful or with patterns or bright outline) or a name tag or a distinct padlock, so when your case comes through baggage claim you can easily spot it. Furthermore it stops random strangers walking away with your unique case thinking it is theirs.
Tip 9: Even if you will be checking in your suitcase always carry your toothbrush and paste, spare underwear, compact toiletries such as body cream, deodorant and one or two outfits in your hand luggage (cabin size case). You will never know what could happen to your suitcase, so always keep your bare necessities close and with you! Nothing heartbreaking as going to the baggage claim and waiting but your suitcase was left at Heathrow airport and your whole life was in that case! GOD FORBID BAD TINZ!
Tip 10: Unless you're travelling solo please go with people who know how to enjoy themselves! There's no point going on holiday that's jam-packed with activities with someone who just wants to stay at the hotel by the pool and sun bathe. Your company can either make or break your vacation. So go with people who have similar interests with you or go back to TIP 1 and plan accordingly!
Tip 11: If you have a contract phone don't wait until you arrive at your destination to turn your data roaming off, turn it off before you board to avoid hefty phone charges. However unless your network generates certain freebies or abroad plans then you probably will not need to but always verify with your network first. I know Three network users can use their phone exactly how they use it in the UK without incurring extra charges in certain countries in Europe. I'm telling you I've taken advantage of it and it's a pretty good deal if you travel a lot in Europe.
Tip 12: Change your money before you leave the country, currency rates fluctuate all the time so you could monitor and change your money when the rates are low so you get more for your money or alternatively just change it when you can. I wouldn't advise changing at airports I tend to find the commission rates quite high. I've found that East London (East Ham) exchange rates always tend to be really low and you get a bargain for your money compare to other areas. Furthermore you are more likely to get all sorts of currencies there, whereas some places only stock euros and dollars.
Tip 13: Be safe! This is so crucial, if you can, take out travel insurance especially if you're going to stay for a long time. However if you don't want to, in that case always carry plasters in your hand luggage and hand sanitiser. If you have a weak stomach be careful with local street food especially if it's not what you usually eat. We all know people can find love abroad but you don't want to spend your vacation married to the toilet seat! Be careful also who you speak with, I've seen the film Taken I'm super vigilante. If it doesn't feel right trust your gut, don't follow the people. If you like to drink and party your life away, don't drink to the point you no longer have control over yourself, not only do make yourself vulnerable to criminals and become a liability to your friends but you could do something you could potentially regret. Mate I've seen banged up abroad and it's not pretty! So stay safe and be wise!
14: Always carry a photocopy of your passport because anything could happen and you may need to provide proof of ID or your passport number. Furthermore if you have a trustworthy next of kin leave them with your flight and hotel details in case of an emergency. You could take your bank cards with you but find out with your bank if you need to notify them whenever you're travelling abroad.
Tip 15: Enjoy yourself, explore take loads of pictures and bring me back a fridge magnet! (If you know me you'd know I'm absolutely obsessed with fridge magnets).
Hope this has helped! Bisous!!
Born a legend to leave a legacy.
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