A Tourist- My top travel tips

Following my week away I’ve devised a list of five top tips for all tourists. You may feel this post has been a long time coming, and yes, I know I’ve been back from tour a good few days now but I’ve literally been shattered since I returned. Which leads me nicely onto tip number one…

1.) Give yourself enough time 

Whilst you’re away you need to make sure you allow enough time to achieve the aim of  your trip, whether this be seeing all the sights, developing an in depth knowledge of the culture, or regaining your sanity after a hectic week at work.

You also need to consider how much time you will need either side of your trip. You may need a few days previous to pack and get organised, and, (if you’re anything like me) a few days to recover afterwards.

2.) Do some research.

Obviously the location of our tour was a secret, so I couldn’t do any ‘geeking up’ before jetting off.  However, if I was planning my own trip itinerary I would want to ensure I was getting the most I possibly could out of my visit. Therefore, checking out the best, and choosing your favourite touristy hot spots before travelling, is a must. A sly glance at the weather forecast never hurts either.

3.) Be financially savvy

It’s no good if, having chosen what you’d like to do, you don’t have the funds to support you. So unless money is no object, spend wisely and work to a budget. This is as important when booking flights, transport and accommodation, as it is when paying for activities or excursions. Some hotels often offer discount cards for local amenities, so check with hotel staff to see if they can get you any money off. Remember that quite often, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

4.) Follow the law

Now this may sound like an obvious point, but you don’t want to go getting yourself into trouble, especially if you’re in a foreign country. Social norms vary greatly throughout different countries, and it’s important that you understand and follow laws/traditions. At best you’d appear ignorant, disrespectful of rude, but considerably worse than that, you could potentially find yourself under arrest. For example, marijuana use may be legalised in Amsterdam, but could get you into serious trouble in other countries.

Those of you who are ‘Sex and the City’ fans will remember the trouble Samantha got into whilst holidaying in the Middle East. As her date kindly points out, (1.03) what may be acceptable in Paris or Madrid, may not be in Abu Dhabi!

The video shows the actions which led to her arrest.

Finally, 5.) Learn some of the language

If you’re doing the touristy thing abroad, it’s always handy to know a little of the language- it’s unrealistic to suggest becoming fluent in a language for the purpose of a short break, but learning a few key words and phrases can help you get by. You can’t guarantee that there will always be someone around who speaks English, and even if there is, locals usually appreciate efforts made to speak their language- despite the fact they could probably more easily understand your English! 

So there you have it, my top tips. And if they weren't enough, I've included a slide show of pictures capturing some of my favourite tour moments- enjoy!


All Clip Art icons courtesy of http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/