The Power of Pause: Why Quiet Destinations Work Better

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  ​The Exhaustion of the "Must-See" ​Have you ever stood in a crowd of five hundred people, all holding their phones up to capture a single sunset, and felt... absolutely nothing? ​We’ve been conditioned to believe that travel is a checklist. We go to the "Top 10" cities, eat at the "most Instagrammable" cafes, and stand in lines that stretch around city blocks just to say we were there. But often, we leave these places feeling more drained than when we arrived. We’ve spent our entire "rest" period navigating crowds, managing logistics, and performing for our social media feeds. ​At Roaming Routes , we’ve noticed a shift. The most profound stories don’t happen in the shadows of famous monuments. They happen in the quiet. They happen in those gaps on the map where the GPS signal flickers and the only "notification" you get is the sound of a distant river or the wind moving through a valley. ​Quiet destinations work better because th...
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Travel Tips For First Time Travel

 

Travel Tips for first time Travel

 

 


 

 

It is important to invest plenty of time in researching your destination to optimize your experience. While it may seem more fun to travel spontaneously, it is far more practical if you are able to anticipate some of the nuances of your destination country by studying the tips for traveling abroad for the first time.

Aside from differences in language and culture, laws may vary too. Did you know that chewing gum is illegal in Singapore? Or that it’s illegal to feed pigeons in Venice? If your plan was to ride a cow while intoxicated in Scotland, you’ll find that that’s prohibited, too. Foreign countries are full of laws that may be strange to you, but that’s only because it is not your culture. Knowing them ahead of time can keep you out of trouble.

QUESTIONS TO RESEARCH ABOUT THE COUNTRY YOU'RE VISITING

Can you drink the tap water?

What is the local currency?

What is the dominant religion and are there rules around clothing modesty?

Do you need any vaccines?


How catered to Tourism is your destination? Are accommodations for tourists widely available?

 

What is the country's main language? How widely is English spoken?

Does the local food align with your dietary requirements?

Do traffic laws in this location differ from your home country?

some Useful International Travel Tips for First-Time Travelers

Overcome your pre-departure jitters with our some useful international travel tips for first-time travelers.

No matter how much you’ve traveled in your home country, the thought of taking your first trip overseas may feel both thrilling and nerve-wracking. At Go Overseas, we’ve been globe trotting for years and yet we continue to learn new tips and tricks when it comes to traveling.

Going somewhere completely new may be initially scary and confusing but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these simple tips of things to do before traveling internationally to ensure smooth sailing.

 

 Prepare your travel documents

The most important tip to avoid unnecessary stress is to apply for your passport well in advance. Without your passport or a travel visa, your potential travel radius is limited significantly.

PASSPORT

This can be an oversight for some people, but a passport validity of 10 years can make people complacent, forgetting that it actually requires renewing.

Many countries may not even let you enter if you have less than 6 months validity on your passport and your request for a visa may be denied if you don’t have enough free pages in your passport.

A general rule of thumb to follow is to make sure you have a valid passport at the time you're before booking your flight. The process for applying for and receiving your passport can potentially delay your trip if you don't apply in advance.

VISA

You’ll need to check in advance whether you need a visa which is a document issued by the destination country granting you entry. Showing up to your flight without the necessary visa may lead to you being rejected, especially if you cannot apply for one on arrival.

US and UK passport holders can travel to quite a few countries without a visa, or they can receive one on arrival. However, rules vary between countries so be sure to thoroughly research the entry requirements.

Address money matters

Before you set off for your far flung destination, you will need to notify your bank to let them know that you are traveling. That way, your bank doesn’t suspect fraud when they see your card is suddenly being used at a market in Thailand.

Depending on your destination, you may not have easy access to ATMs. Some countries that run on largely cash economies might not even have card readers at most restaurants or businesses. If this is the case, be sure to carry enough money on you to cover your expenses on a day out. Some travelers store larger sums of money in a money belt for safety.

TRANSPORTATION

Websites such as Rio2Rome and 12Go are great tools for exploring route options and figuring out which mode of transportation (bus, train, or plane) will be the quickest and cheapest.

Buses and subway systems are usually the most cost-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation and also offer you the chance to embrace the sights and chat with locals. Otherwise, you can always download a rideshare app such as Uber, Cabify, Grab, or Bolt to get door-to-door service with vetted and licensed drivers at fair prices.

ACCOMMODATION

While hotels are always a good option, hostels, guesthouses, and Airbnb can work out to be cheaper and more immersive, allowing you to meet other travelers. If you opt for a hostel, boutique hostels are oftentimes equipped with nicer amenities than budget hotels.

Should you choose to stay in one place for a considerable period of time, be sure to explore places that offer monthly discounts. Websites such as Hostelz.com compare sites such as Hostelworld, Booking, Gomio, and more, and also allow users to book directly through the site with the lowest prices.

Avoid travel fatigue

As you start booking your first international trip, your excitement may get the better of you and you may want to go all out. How many cities can you fit in one trip? How much can you see each day? Do you want to go north to south, AND east to west? Take our advice: slow down and take your time.

 

 

 

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