Preparing for your long term travel plans can be a very stressful activity. There’s a lot to do! If you have a plan in place, it will be much easier. The list below highlights some of the most important things to do before leaving for a long term trip.
Forward your Mail
If you can, get as many of your bills “paperless” as to avoid a trash bag of mail upon your return. For everything else, have a trusted relative or friend receive your mail for the time you will be away. This will save you the headache of lost mail or having an overflowing mailbox.
Travel Banking
You will want to avoid as many fees as possible while traveling – you’ll need the money! If you are traveling abroad, get a card that does not accrue international transaction fees. Even if you are traveling within your country, try to get a card that does not charge ATM fees either. It may not seem like a big deal, but those fees add up quickly.
Budget/Look for Work
You will want to set up a budget and do your best to stick to it. If you are planning on being a little more liberal with your money, do your best to set up odd jobs in the places you are staying. If you have the skills, set up some digital freelancing before you leave so you can work remotely!
Set Up Travel Insurance
Check with your insurance provider and be sure to acquire travel insurance. Accidents happen and you do not want a trip to the hospital to suck up your entire travel budget. Do yourself a favor and make a call to your insurance provider and make sure you’ll be covered no matter where you end up.
Pack as Light as Possible
This especially goes for you backpackers! The more things you bring with you the more lugging you will have to do on hikes, between flights, and getting in and out of busses/cabs. Do your best to bring only the necessities. Bring a week or two worth of clothing and do laundry often. It will save space in your bag and be less weight you have to carry! Plan and pack ahead so you have time to get rid of excess or gather extra materials.
Have a Farewell Party!
Set up a get together for all your friends and family as a pleasant farewell. This will help ease the pain of homesickness, but also gives your family and friends the opportunity to wish you off all at once. It will be much harder trying to run around or see everyone before you’re off. Plus, why not kick off your travels with a party.
If you are traveling for the first time and are nervous about the experience – that’s okay! It’s going to be your first time in an unknown area away from the support system you have built. Have no fear – the list below outlines some of the most important things to keep in mind for your first trip.
Pack light
You’re going to want to overpack, but resist the urge. You want to pack light for a few reasons. The first is that you don’t want to run the risk of having your luggage overweight if you are getting on a plane. The second reason you will want to pack light is for souvenirs! If you are at capacity, there will be no room to bring home any neat things you find along the way. Finally, you won’t need it all. If you overpack you are bound to not wear articles of clothing and lugging around all that extra stuff will wear you out.
Send yourself copies of pertinent documents
No matter whether you are traveling abroad or within your country, electronically send yourself copies of your passport, visa, ID, and debit/credit cards. They will be a lifesaver in the event that your luggage is lost or your wallet is stolen.
Get to the airport early
This may go without saying, but you want to get to the airport ahead of time. The lines at security can be unpredictable. You don’t want to end up sprinting to the gate or missing your flight. The less stress at the beginning of your trip – the better!
Make friends
This goes especially for those traveling alone. Try to make friends with locals and other tourists! It will make your trip more enjoyable and the locals may even share a few secrets off the beaten path. You may even make lasting friendships and new travel buddies on your trip.
Break out of your comfort zone
Traveling is all about gaining experiences and perspective. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone to try new things. Be open to new food, unexpected adventure, and the different cultures you will run into. Keeping an open mind will enhance your trip and possibly leave you with a new favorite dish!
Have fun!
Most importantly, remember to have fun. Traveling is meant to be an escape from what you are used to. Get out there and immerse yourself in the culture, see the sights, and be a tourist. The more you can soak up the better. Plus, you’ll want to come home with stories for all your friends and family.
If you are a travel junkie looking to stock up on great gear to get you through the airports, flights, and hotel rooms – look no further. This list goes through some of the quintessential travel items that will make your trip a breeze. Next time you find yourself packing for vacation or a business trip, make sure these items end up going with you.
Electronic Luggage Scale
Because there is nothing worse than arriving to the airport late only to check your bag – and it’s over weight. This little gadget will make sure you’re underweight before you even leave. Plus, most are compact enough to throw in your bag for the return trip home. We both know you’re not going to be able to resist a souvenir or two.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
There are a number of great little speakers out there and they pack a punch! Bring one of these along for your hotel room, on the beach, or while relaxing by the pool. Whatever speaker you decide on will be compact enough to tuck away in your suitcase, but loud enough to get any party started!
Waterproof bags
Before your next trip, grab yourself a waterproof bag. You never know when you’ll be caught in a rainstorm or making a spontaneous beach trip. Having a waterproof bag on you will give you the peace of mind that all your personal belongings will remain dry. It’s also not a bad idea to keep a full change of clothes in one of these bags so you are ready for anything!
Power Pack
Whether you are traveling for work or vacation, you may not always have access to an outlet to charge your devices. Plus, it always seems that our devices are on the verge of dying right when we need them. Keeping a portable power pack charged and on your person can save you in a bind.
Refillable Liquid Travel Containers
These bad boys will save you a ton of money and effort. They are TSA approved and easy to use. Fill them up with your favorite shampoos, conditioners, and other liquid bathroom products. This makes your weekender with only a carry-on much less of a headache. They also save you money from having to buy the travel size bottles! Just fill with the products that are already in your shower at home and you are good to go!
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Planes can get noisy and you’ll want to be prepared. Do yourself a favor and grab some noise cancelling headphones before your next trip. You’ll be able to listen to your favorite tunes without having to crank the volume to drown everything else out. If turnin’ the tunes up to 11 is your thing, these types of headphones have you covered. The cancel noise without sacrificing sound.
Going on a large trip can be a daunting project, but if you plan accordingly there will be no surprise costs. A common mistake most people make is not thinking about the budget after the plane tickets, hotels, and admission fees (if attending amusement parks) have been purchased. The day to day expenses are often times where people find themselves unprepared.
There are a few simple things to keep in mind to set an appropriate travel budget so you can enjoy your vacation and know exactly how much money you will need once you arrive at your destination.
Food
While on vacation, you are going to spend a large chunk of money on food. You’ll have to eat, but more importantly, you’ll want to try new things! Eating out can get expensive quickly. Make sure to include tips for sit down restaurants in your budget. Also include additional money in your budget for higher priced food. Tourist attractions are notorious for gouging the price on food. If you are going to be doing a lot of foot travel, also include the price of snacks. You’ll work up an appetite much faster than you think.
Additional Entertainment
Vacations are a time to try all kinds of new things. You may already have planned a trip to an amusement park or a national museum, but have you budgeted for unexpected experiences you won’t want to say no to? Most people do not account for the local entertainment because it wasn’t included in the travel information they originally looked at. You ultimately will not know all your destination has to offer until you are there, so plan accordingly!
Souvenirs/Gifts
Souvenirs are the easiest thing to cut out of a budget, but also the most unexpected expense. You may tell yourself you do not need to spend money on souvenirs or gifts, but you will never truly know until you are tempted with an item you can’t refuse. Allocating a little extra money for souvenirs can be the icing on the cake. If you use the money, you will have some great souvenirs and be happy you bought them. If you resist the urge, you come home with more money that you expected.
Avoid ATM Fees
ATM fees will add up quickly, especially if you find yourself in a “cash only” situation. Rather than running to the ATM and racking up expensive fees every time, set aside a decent amount of cash to bring with you. If you do not want to carry large amounts of cash on you at all times, most hotels include a safe for you to keep excess money in.
Unexpected Costs
No matter how well you plan, there will be expenses that you did not originally account for. Someone in your party could end up sick and need medicine immediately, you may run out of sunscreen faster than you anticipated, or even need to replace lost or stolen items. You don’t want to find yourself in a predicament and be out of money.
The city of Montreal is located in the middle of the St. Lawrence river in southwest Quebec and is Canada’s second largest city. Montreal has a French soul, in fact, it has the largest population of French speakers outside of Paris. The city enchants visitors with an old-world charm and an unpretentious love of good food and festivals.The first Europeans to arrive here were from France and while the British later claimed ownership, an elegant sophistication lingers on. Some of the buildings here date back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest urban areas in North America.
While traveling to Montreal, discover the city’s famous food scene. Try Poutine – or, follow your nose to one of the city’s many wood fired ovens and try a real Montreal bagel.
Montreal is also thoroughly hip. The city hosts more than 100 festivals throughout the year but even if you happen to be here between events, there is always something cool going on.
And of course, you can’t leave town without a trip to La Ronde, the city’s beloved amusement park.
As the sun sets on your adventures, head back downtown and discover Montreal after dark. Enjoy cool jazz, smoky blues or wind down with something a little more quirky.
The city of Boston is an exciting and history city. Situated on Massachusetts Bay, the city has a fine natural harbor and a compact center filled with reminders of the city’s role in the American Revolution.
Boston is nicknamed ‘the walking city’ and the best way to see it is by following the Freedom Trail. It officially starts at Boston Common, America’s oldest city park, and takes you throughout the city to 16 important sites. The highlights of the walk include The State House, with its gleaming gold dome, the Bunker Hill Monument and the Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. Another popular stop is the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned naval vessel.
Behind the historic Faneuil Hall you will find Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Market, two of the city’s most popular places to eat and hang out. Don’t leave Boston without sampling the seafood chowder or freshly-caught fish here or at one of the many restaurants by Boston Harbor.
