10 Things First Time Travelers Should Know Before Visiting A Different Continent

When I was planning my trip from South Africa to the United States, I had no idea about the preparations needed in order to plan a great cost-effective trip. I learned everything during the planning process and unfortunately paid more than I would’ve if I knew what I know now.

That’s why I gathered a list of vital things you should know when planning a trip and NO! it's not buying new outfits because what’s a Birkin bag for New York if you don’t have the right documents to travel to the big apple? - priorities- see what I mean? The most important things are:

Passport

You’d be surprised at how common sense isn't so common - no judgment here-  Before my first international trip I assumed one can travel anywhere with just proof of identity because all the domestic trips I took didn’t necessarily require a passport. They’re also used to verify one's country of citizenship. If traveling outside your country, it serves as proof to regain entry into your country of citizenship so keep it safe and if you lose it, find out where you can find an international immigration office  (US website) near you for assistance.

Visa requirements

There are different types of visas and each of them has its set of rules and regulations therefore do your research. Some countries have a visa policy in place that allows citizens from various countries to enter their borders without a visa. Verify with your home country because if it allows citizens to travel freely, you might not need to spend money on a visa application but if you do have to get one - unfortunately it is not a ticket you get at the airport- you have to purchase tourist visas before entering the country.

Currency value

We get carried away when spending money during vacations. As a traveler myself, I have heard the words "spend money according to the currency you earn in" which isn't ideal when traveling to places with a stronger currency because you are going to spend way more. Always have an idea of how much common items cost, like burgers, soda, a movie ticket, or hotel room per night -or club entrance fee if that’s your cup of Henny...I mean tea-. 

Convert each item to your currency so you can have an idea of your anticipated spending.  - you don’t need a lot of money to have a good time but it does buy better experiences-  I don't know about you but I don't want to be on vacation and on a strict budget, so plan plan plan! 

Laws 

Every country has its own system of rules and a set of laws that the citizens recognize as regulating the actions of its members as well as visitors. Therefore, to avoid the imposition of penalties, be informed and knowledgeable about the laws of the country you are visiting. For example, in the US marijuana is legal in most states but non-US citizens may suffer serious immigration consequences.  I haven't been in any but I assume a foreign prison is a whole lot worse than a local one - language barriers and all-, stay safe out there.

Travel insurance

This is a type of insurance that covers different risks while traveling therefore compare coverage. Typically, It covers medical expenses, lost luggage, flight cancellations, and other losses that a traveler can incur while traveling. -You certainly don't wish to spend money on an urgent situation on vacation- plus most insurance policies include protective cover against trip cancellation, missing checked-in luggage as well as other potential casualties.

Cuisine 

When visiting a country for the first time, you can't assume you will have access to the same foods you eat at home, and even if you do, chances are they'll be cooked differently. You can find anything on the net these days so search for restaurants that are most likely to serve what you'll enjoy and remember to always try local favorites -imagine going to Mexico and not having tacos- ...absurd!

Photocopy your documents

Making copies of all your documents is as important as getting into the flight itself. The last thing you want is to be stranded or stuck because you don't have all the important documents handy. 

We all know that documents stand a high chance of being damaged or lost when you're out and about -be safe than sorry-  and scan them, keep some in different bags in case one gets lost or hand one to your travel buddy if you have one. 

Pick the right season

Most people like to travel when the weather is warm but whatever season it is you prefer, know when it is in the country you're traveling to so you can pack and plan your trip accordingly. You can't prepare to go snowboarding in summer or berry picking in winter, can you?

Booking in advance 

Booking in advance gives you more options than making last-minute transitions and in most cases, flights and accommodations are considerably cheaper when booked way ahead of time. Due to high demand, it makes sense for businesses to make things more expensive for closer dates because it usually means the customers are desperate.

Check reviews

Consumers now have the ability to share their experiences and opinions with their online peers, in a way that is extremely influential and powerful. Therefore, read the reviews because they offer valuable guidance about prices, places, quality, and experience from people who've used the service or product and that will make it easier for you to decide when planning your itinerary to best suit your expectations.

The most important thing after all the planning is getting ready to have fun, be open-minded, try something new, taste a different dish, and do something that's out of your comfort zone. Whether you are traveling alone, with a life partner, friends, or family, experience all of that, I dare you to take a risk,  energy, and make exciting memories. You are on vacation for heaven's sake!