Travel tips: Taking the stress out of a short trip away
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt from falling asleep on a New York City tour bus, it’s that while many of us possess an unquenchable thirst for adventure, compromise is key to an enjoyable journey. The seasoned traveller knows their limits. And while it can be disappointing to come to the realisation that you can’t fit every attraction into a weekend away, I’m of the opinion that it’s better to choose a handful of places to visit rather than to cram in dozens of tourist sites which – apart from being costly – will inevitably amount to one big exhausting BLUR! Where’s the fun in that?
Quality not quantity
I don’t know about you, but I like to take my time exploring new cities and would rather see something properly than whiz around for a quick photo opportunity before moving onto the next landmark. I understand it can be tempting to over-stuff the itinerary when seeking to make the most out of your time (especially in those rare instances when you find yourself on the other side of the world). While some might enjoy fast travel, zipping in and out is not for all of us. With that in mind, I’d like to share the following tips which have helped me to make the most out of short trips away.
TRAVEL TIPS/CHECKLIST:
Are you prepared? I've found that it helps to have all documents in order before leaving home. This includes my ticket (printed or electronic), passport, visa and itinerary. With printed tickets I like to keep them folded into my passport's ID page. Being organised saves time when going through checkpoints and prevents anxiety that comes from furiously rummaging through bags at the final boarding call. Checking-in online is great for avoiding spiralling airport queues. Obviously having an e-ticket is the more environmentally-friendly way to go, but recently I was reminded of the importance of charging all electronic devices prior to travelling. Before a flight home I got so caught up taking photos on my phone that by the time reached the airport I had two per cent battery left and no printed ticket! Just after the airport staff scanned the barcode on my phone, the battery died. In high-risk situations, like when travelling late at night or alone it's a good idea to keep a back-up hardcopy ticket. Store any paperwork inside your bag up top for easy access. Do keep you driver’s license or other ID papers separate in case you lose your passport pouch. Do take out some local currency if you’re venturing to another country. Ensure you are aware of any mandatory social customs (e.g. tipping etiquette, appropriate clothing for conservative areas or whether it’s legal to chew gum on the street).
Plan ahead or plan to fail: Prior to visiting a new city, I like to do my research. I'm not suggesting ruining the spontaneity of travel by spending every waking moment online researching beforehand. I simply conduct a quick scan of TripAdvisor and Google Maps to help determine the viability of my plans. I jot down some notes on key attractions that stand out to me and later look into a handful of places, which pique my interest. I’ve found this makes things easier later on when it comes to booking hotel reservations or purchasing city passes.
Location, Location, Location: I’ve found that when looking into accommodation it helps to be based close to the attractions you find most appealing. If that’s not an option, at the very least, make sure you’re placed close to public transport. This makes it much easier to get your bearings when you arrive and navigate the streets, especially if (heaven forbid) you don’t have access to Wi-Fi. Checking a hotel’s star rating and reading reviews on websites like Kayak, Hotels.com or Booking.com will usually give you a good indication of what to expect. Sleep is very important to me, so when reading about the experiences of past guests I do take into account complaints about noise caused by nearby street works, construction or entertainment. In my mind, I see the value in paying a little extra to get a good night’s rest in a comfortable, clean bed before a full day of sightseeing. That said, there’s little point in splashing out on an expensive luxury hotel if you’re not going to be there because you’re out exploring the city the entire time.
If you’re travelling with friends: Travelling with friends can be an amazing experience, especially because when you return home you’ll always have that shared memory of that time you went away together. Unfortunately, over the years I’ve heard stories about friendships that have fizzled because travelling together turned out to be an absolute nightmare. I've found that when taking a trip with friends it’s important to: 1. Be selective of who you travel with. Ask yourself, could you live with this person? If you can only handle that person in small doses, perhaps spending the next three days in eachother's faces isn’t such a good idea. 2. Always be considerate of the other person and respect their personal space and possessions. 3. Be open and honest about your expectations and budget. If you’ve got a wealth of savings and plan on splurging at high-end retailers but your struggling student friend would rather go hunting for bargains at a flea market, maybe decide to do a few things separately. If you do, ensure you have each other's phone numbers and emails written down on paper in case your phone battery dies. 4. Be understanding should your friend choose to do some things without you. Use it as an opportunity to explore on your own. Maybe write some postcards or use it as a chance to write in your travel journal if you have one. 5. Ensure you’re both up front on shared expenses.
Get your priorities straight: In my experience, it's important to weigh up the pros at cons of seeing each attraction before going sightseeing. Ask yourself, is it really a good idea to catch public transport for three hours to visit that big tourist destination that’s only semi-open in winter, when you’ve only got two days in that city? We’re all different. Decide what’s important to you. Also, take this into account when choosing the best mode of transport for your journey to another city. E.g. A 7-hour road trip via coach can be a drastically cheaper option and more scenic than a 1-hour plane ride which costs 4 times as much but will get you there much faster.
Reach out to people: I can’t stress this enough. When you find yourself in foreign place (where it is safe of course) get out there and speak to the locals. After all, it’s their city so, most of the time, they know best. Google and Yelp are handy but can only take you so far. When you’re buying a coffee, chat with the barista about the city’s food offerings, ask your hotel concierge about easy transport routes to historic sites and museums or, before you travel, reach out to your friends who have visited those places to gauge if you’re likely to enjoy particular attractions. Take into account the age and type of person you’re talking to when considering your options i.e. A 21-year-old is likely to have a different view of what constitutes a fun day out than a 75-year-old. In my recent experience, a waiter hinted that we should think twice before embarking on a lengthy trek up to a regionally located zoo I'd read about online, as (we were told) many of the animal enclosures are closed in the winter months. He suggested visiting attractions located in the city that were walking distance from our hotel. Factoring in time constraints, we took his advice and opted for some great sites nearby.
Let it go: If you’re only heading to a new city for a weekend, chances are you won’t be able to cover EVERY minute detail. That’s ok. It’s important to maintain perspective and understand that while it can be disappointing to miss out on seeing a particular attraction this time around, the sites aren’t going anywhere! If you keep a travel diary, do make a point of listing the places you’d like to see should you return one day.
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Is there anything else you guys can think of to ensure a flawless short trip away?
