A Definitive List Of Travel Do’s And Don’ts

Travelling is such an amazing thing to do. It doesn’t matter where you go or how long you go for, a temporary escape from reality is one of the most liberating experiences we have in life. The global lockdown has put a halt to all travel plans for 2020 and possibly early 2021 (if you listen to what the experts are saying). Some of you know that I went to Paris with a friend in February and this was before lockdown was fully implemented of course, but you could still feel this strange tension in the air. I was surprised that a lot of Parisians weren’t wearing masks, they seemed to have a very relaxed approach to the virus at the time. Anyway, I had such an amazing time and I didn’t want the trip to come to an end. When I got back from Paris, I was incredibly reluctant to book a summer holiday. I had planned to go to the Lake District with my cousin and her friend in May, but other than that, I had this inkling feeling that I shouldn’t book any flights this year, and I’m glad that I didn’t.

I really miss travelling and I’m sure all the travellers out there feel the same way, which is why I have decided to compile a list of travel do’s and don’ts:

Do research the place you’d like to travel to before you do anything else – When it comes to travelling, parting with your money is a big deal! You’ll be surprised at how many people choose a place to go to without doing any research whatsoever. Neglecting to look up a place you plan to go to is a huge disservice to yourself, your time, and your money. If you are interested in a certain place, the first thing you should do is Google it. Pay attention to the following things during your search: crime rates, safety, good transportation links, tourist attractions, hotel ratings etc. Also, don’t forget that there are so many amazing review websites for travellers out there: Trip Advisor being one of the most popular ones. For travel bloggers, do join online communities and groups on social media websites. Ask people if they’ve been to the place you are interested in and find out what their experience was like. Most travellers are happy to share their stories, so take advantage of this.

Do save towards your holiday – There are a few misconceptions about travelling and how frequently people are able to do it, and yes, social media has a part to play in this. In 2018, I travelled to four different cities and a few people I know were asking me how I could afford to travel so frequently – something I’ve addressed in this post. To be a traveller, you need to be a saver. It’s that simple. If you’ve planned a trip months’ in advance, then you should be able to save in the run up to your holiday. An easy way to save towards a holiday would be to open a bank account for holidays and put a certain amount of money in it every week or every month. Get a standing order if you aren’t disciplined enough. Everyone saves in different ways, so find what works for you. Personally, I’m not a fan of the ‘spend everything you have in your account on holiday and come back home broke’ mindset. Being fiscally responsible while abroad is a skill every traveller should master. Set a budget and stick to it.

Do immerse yourself in the culture – Doing something different may be daunting because change isn’t something we all embrace at first, but if you are going to travel somewhere, then try to experience the culture in some way: this could be by trying a traditional food or visiting a historical place or even learning something about an influential figure who had a part to play in the place’s history. Experiencing culture in a foreign land is a fun and eye-opening experience, so don’t take it for granted. If you are visiting a place of worship, then bear in mind that there will be rules to follow in terms of etiquette.    The best cultural experience I had was when I was in Venice. My friend and I went to a glass making workshop in Murano, which is an island that was about 15-20 minutes away from Venice itself. Venetians are known for being amazing artists and it was clear to see why. When you travel, make it a goal to find an experience linked to the culture of the place you are in. It’s a great way to create unforgettable memories.

Do have a plan – Have you ever travelled without a plan? Even if you’re going to the least desirable of places, there will always be a lot to see and do. Before you go on your trip, try to create an itinerary. It doesn’t have to be incredibly detailed, just as long as it gives you an idea of what you would like to do on your trip. Having a plan in place before you travel will also give you the chance the familiarise yourself with certain areas. Most places have a transportation system, so routes can be planned in advance. If you travel without a plan, you may be tempted to stay in your room all day. There’s no point in travelling to a beautiful new place and then spending all your time watching TV and ordering room service. Take in your surroundings. If you are on a trip that was planned spontaneously, then ask staff at the information point at the airport or at your hotel for some advice on the best places to go. Don’t forget to go on a city tour as well if you have the time. Also, if excursions are included in your itinerary, then find out if you can pay for them in advance. It may work out cheaper.

Don’t carry large amounts of cash or anything valuable – Theft is an unfortunate circumstance, and nothing can really prepare any of us for it. A lot of travellers will know that there are many places where tourist theft is at an all-time high. There are thieves out there who set out to target tourists alone, which is why it’s important to be super vigilant when you travel. If you feel like a certain road is unsafe, don’t walk down it. If you are on a packed train, keep your bag as close to your body as possible. Avoid taking your purse, cash and even your phone out in very busy places. It’s good to have a bit of cash on you in case of an emergency, but I do recommend getting a Monzo card, even if you only use it when you travel. They do all the conversions for you, they don’t charge you for using your card abroad and you don’t even have to tell them you’re travelling. Alternatively, you can find out how much your bank charges for transactions made overseas.

Don’t visit dangerous locations – This does tie in with doing your research before you travel but if you have heard about a particular area being dangerous, then avoid it at all costs. You don’t want to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are a lot of articles online about places that should be avoided at all costs. If you take the risk of visiting a dangerous place, then be sure to know the following: the nearest embassy, alternative routes to the airport and how to find local emergency help. If this pandemic has taught travellers anything, I hope it’s the importance of insurance. It doesn’t matter how long you are going away for, stay protected. If you are travelling alone, then leave your hotel details with a family member or friend. The most important thing you can do if you feel unsafe at any point during your travels is stay calm, it is probably the furthest thing from your mind in the moment, but being calm will give you a sense of clarity as things (hopefully) start to improve.

Don’t leave packing till the last minute – Every traveller has done this. Leaving packing until the last minute is risky. If you pack in a haste, then you will leave something behind. If packing isn’t your strongest skill, then make a list of everything you will need and tick it off as you go. Think about what you struggle with the most because we all have strange packing habits. I pack lots of outfits and then remember that I’m only going away for a few days, so I start analysing them all and whittling them down. When you understand what type of packer you are, then the whole process of packing will be a lot easier for you, and if you find you’ve left something behind, then that’s what duty free is for. Avoid passport stress at all costs because you’ll have more than enough to worry about in the run up to your holiday. I always put mine in my suitcase or bag a day or two before I leave. What are your packing strengths and areas for improvement?

Don’t travel with anyone you don’t love – The writer Ernest Hemingway famously said, ‘Don’t travel with anyone you don’t love’ and he was right. When you start to travel with family and friends, you learn about the kind of traveller you are: your preferences, how you organise your time etc. I think we can all remember a time when we travelled with someone we shouldn’t have travelled with. On one of the trips I went on in 2018, the friend I travelled with almost missed our flight. I’d arrived at the airport and I couldn’t get hold of her, so I went through security because time was going and checked the board once I was done. Eventually, she responded to my messages and said that she had decided to take a coach to the airport. She lived on the other side of London. Luckily, our flight was delayed for just over an hour, so she did make it in time. From the moment she told me she was stuck in traffic; I was mentally preparing myself to travel alone and I was freaking out. Now, I’m not saying that I don’t love my friend, but she took a very nonchalant approach to our entire holiday. It wasn’t my most memorable trip. The moral of the story is to ensure that you are travelling with someone who loves to travel as much you do, because people really do make or break a travel experience.

Thanks for reading this (incredibly long) post. This definitive list isn’t exhaustive, so I’d love to hear from you all. What are some of your travel do’s and don’ts? Feel free to leave a comment below. If you liked this post, then do give it a like and don’t forget to subscribe or tell a friend to subscribe.

If there’s anything you’d like me to blog about, then please feel free to let me know xo