Tips for first-time travel

So now we know everything we need and own it. What should we do next? Yeah! We have to plan our first trip!

1. Do your homework and share it

   Research your trip on the web. Get some great guidebooks. Talk to friends who’ve been there. Post your questions on Thorn Tree (though check it hasn't been asked before - just like Lonely Planet, our members have pretty much mapped the globe between them and many of the questions you're asking already have answers on the forum). Learn what you can about where you might like to go before you go, and you minimise the risk of feeling rushed or that you’ve missed out on something you would have loved. If you have an itinerary and a plan, run them by someone who’s been to that place to see if it sounds doable.

2. Get your bearings

   Take a tour around the area – walking or biking if available. If there’s public transport, ride it around to see where it goes. Find a (slow) way to get a sense of where you are, with the help of a local or a guide if possible. There are a lot of wonderful tour options out there that can be the perfect way to meet a new destination. Once you have your sample, then you can decide where to take a bigger bite.

3. Plan to get lost

   Make sure you leave time in your itinerary and day-to-day schedule to wander and wonder. Giving yourself time and permission to get lost means you’ll be free to discover hidden gems and sights that aren’t on your map. Leave time to explore, strike up conversations, and lose yourself in the experience. Many travellers report that getting lost ended up leading them to a highlight of their trip they otherwise would have missed.

4. Challenge yourself

   You know your comfort zones. You might be the adventurous type, or you might be travelling alone for the first time and everything seems pretty intimidating. Stretch yourself a little, based on what feels comfortable. Try your hand at some local words and phrases. Sample some food that might be exotic to your palate. Give yourself a gentle shock to the system and you’re on your way to a unique, memorable adventure for your tastes.

It’s natural to want to make the most of a first visit – there’s always that little voice warning you might not be back, so you’d better see everything you possibly can. But if you try to tick off too many boxes and cover too much ground, you’ll end up frustrated, exhausted, and chances are you won’t really be absorbing anything around you. Remember to slow down, take a breath, and smell the first-timer roses. Consider it a first date. You wouldn’t be going unless you were interested, so take your time, get to know your date and experiment with your chemistry. Good luck! ^_^

Ten essential items every traveller should pack

To continue our today's discussion, let's also talk about things that every traveler should have!

By all means, pack those extra clothes ... but there are other essentials that will come in handy when you're traveling.

So let's go straight to the list ^_^

1. A small, squashable day pack that you can fling in your luggage, essential for toting water bottles, tablet device or guidebook and a raincoat or folding umbrella and all the other odds and sods you need on day trips. Also handy as a spillover bag for the homeward journey if you shop too enthusiastically.

2. Slippery cobblestones and open drains lie in wait for the unwary after dark, which makes a torch a necessity. I use an UltraFire Cree LED torch which casts a big pool of light and also zooms down to a pinpoint, available from Amazon USA for US$6.15. In the wilds, a head torch is better since they leave both hands free to hold a cooking pot or a book ... or fight off bears.

3. Clothes dry quicker if they're hung on a line rather than draped over a bathroom rail. I use a double-strand braided, elastic version with hooks at either end,  which holds clothes tight without pegging.

4. Quality earplugs are a must for those whose sleep is less than sound, and handy for blocking aircraft noise as well. My favourites are the soft, tapering, orange Howard Leight MAX1 Earplugs, available from Amazon.

5. Sarongs are the traveller's best friend. Use one as nightwear, a standby beach towel, modest covering for temple visits or wrap one around a jumper to make a pillow.

6. Whether it's Alicante or Zing Zang Bar, rain or shine, you need a hat. Crushable, wide-brimmed and tight is the way to go, and if it sheds water so much the better. Mine is a wax cotton Watership Cape Flattery hat, which is incredible durable although not loss-proof (one left on a French bicycle, one on the back seat of a Burmese taxi).

7. The Swiss Army knife is part of the standard kit for NASA astronauts, and no self-respecting traveller should be without one. From fingernails to dealing with wine corks to digging stones from yaks' hooves, this is a complete toolkit in a pocket-size pack (just don't leave it in your carry-on at the airport - it will likely be confiscated by security).

8. Universal adapter plug. Some come with a USB charge port, which is a useful addition. Make sure the adapter plug has three holes for compatibility with all Australian 3-pin plugs - some do not.

9. Especially for the hotel-hopping traveller who is unlikely to unpack properly, zip-lock plastic bags are a gift from the travel gods, vital for separating clean from less-than, wet from dry. Also great for sealing potentially leaky items.

10. Superglue has a thousand uses. You can save a flapping shoe sole, mend a suitcase or just do what I usually do and glue your fingers together.

What are your essential travel items? Post a comment and share your tips below.

20 Things Every Smart Traveler Should Know

Today I've come across a very useful article. Here it is. Every traveler should know! 

"I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a good traveler lately, and usually those thoughts have gone into higher levels of personal philosophies and self-improvement. At its base though, no matter where we go there are a few things we should all know to not just make us better travelers, but better people. Here are a few I thought of, I’d love to hear what you think should be added to this list.

1. Wash clothes in a sink – All of us, from luxury to budget travelers will at some point have a laundry emergency and be forced to launder our own clothes effectively and probably quickly.

2. How to use needle and thread – I can’t sew, I’m the first to admit that but I do know the basics of threading a needle and reattaching a button. You never know how and when you’ll need to repair clothes or even luggage, so learn the fundamentals of sewing.

3. Where the nearest embassy is – If you’re leaving the country, this is a simple and important thing to know. You never know what will happen, from losing your passport to military coup (less likely) so just do a simple search for the nearest embassy.

4. To keep an emergency stash of money – Travel can be unpredictable and I’ve heard far too many horror stories of theft and loss on the road. I’ve even had it happen to me so I know the importance of keeping a secret stash of money.

5. Art of haggling – Although for many of us the practice of haggling is an alien concept, it’s a vital skill to possess in many corners of the world.

6. How to say “No, thank you,” wherever they are – I mean this in two different ways. First, I literally mean you should take the time to learn this phrase in the local language. It will help you a million times from warding off salespeople to buskers. Second, I mean that you should be somewhat selfish when you travel. Don’t do things you don’t want to do or waste time on experiences not important to you.

7. Drive stick shift (manual) – Many of us have been spoiled by automatic transmissions in cars, a feature hard to find in many parts of the world. Learning how to drive stick shift will open up new travel possibilities and will prepare you to travel anywhere in any kind of car, truck or van.

8. Travel light – I can’t say that I’m any great expert in this, but I am getting better. No matter where you go and what you do, learning how to be a more efficient packer is a very valuable skill.

9. Swim – Ok, this is more a life skill than purely a travel one, but it’s important. First, you never know when you might need to swim. Be it in an emergency situation or a fun new experience you want to try, swimming is an important travel skill everyone should possess.

10. The basics of geography – I think that to be a good traveler you have to be a smart traveler. Sure, idiots can (and do) travel, but armed with a little knowledge you can dramatically improve your travel experience. At the top of the list of things to know is basic geography. I’m not asking for you to be able to label every country in Africa, just know the major things.

11. How to use a compass – Granted, few of us find ourselves lost in the woods with only a pocketknife and compass to save us. But using a compass is such a basic skill and arguably important at times that I think we should all know the basic tenets of proper compass use.

12. Proper use of chopsticks – Chopsticks aren’t just relegated to use in Japan, they’re a popular utensil all over the world thanks to the massive popularity of both sushi and Chinese restaurants. Plus you look cool when you eschew the fork and knife in favor of two wooden sticks.

13. Importance of travel insurance – I was a late adopter to this one, but I am now a firm believer in the importance of being insured when you travel. First there’s the practical matter of travel delays and disruptions. There’s a lot we can’t control when we travel, so it pays to be prepared. Also, it’s always possible to have a medical emergency when we’re away from home and unless we have proper insurance in place, it can be a financially debilitating experience. Finally, theft and loss happens everywhere; pick a plan that will protect your fancy gadgets.

14. That local grocery stores are awesome – I’ve written about this several times, but one of my favorite ways to learn about local culture quickly is by visiting the nearest grocery store. Instantly you will learn what they eat and what importance they place on certain foods. The multiple aisles of olive oil in Madrid says something about Spanish culture. Grocery stores are also a great place to get cheap snacks, drinks and even meals.

15. How to change a tire – Many of us will rent a vehicle of some sort when we travel and the chances of getting a flat tire somewhere, anywhere is pretty likely. Instead of being held hostage to roadside assistance, take some time and learn how to change a tire yourself.

16. Sleep anywhere – I wish I could master this skill, but even though I haven’t succeeded yet I know how important it is. So many times we find ourselves in cars, planes, trains or wherever and a few minutes of sleep could mean the difference between sanity and going nuts. If you can tackle this skill, you are on your way to being a travel master.

17. Three good jokes – The ability to add levity to any situation is a great skill to have, even if some things may be lost in translation. If you’re not a naturally gifted joke teller, take some time to learn a few and keep them in your travel arsenal.

18. Exercises you can do in a hotel room – Staying healthy on the road is difficult, but given how physically taxing travel can be it’s vital to be as healthy as possible. If you can take even ten minutes a day to do yoga or exercise in some way, it will make your travel experience infinitely more enjoyable.

19. Basic first aid – You never know what will happen or where, which is why it’s smart to be prepared. Take a local first aid class or simply research online how to do simple things like offering CPR or the Heimlich maneuver.

20. Take a decent photo – Almost everyone takes photos when they travel, but not everyone takes good photos. You don’t have to have a fancy camera or be an expert to come home with quality photos, so take a few minutes to brush up on the basics."

These are just some things I think every traveler should know – what would you add to the list?