Introduction
You’re planning a trip to a new city, and you want to make sure you have everything you need. I’ll give you some tips on what to do before your trip so that nothing catches you off guard when you arrive.
Get your bearings
- Get your bearings.
- Know the city’s layout, and find out where the most important tourist attractions are. You’ll want to know these before you start exploring, so that you can plan out a route for yourself based on what interests you most.
- Find out where good food and drink can be found–this is especially important if you’re traveling with friends who have dietary restrictions!
- Find out where pharmacies or hospitals are located in case of emergency; if there’s no one around who speaks English well enough for them to help us out with our language barrier problem (which seems unlikely), then this will come in handy when looking up directions on Google Maps while trying not get lost in an unfamiliar place like New York City without knowing how far away from home base we actually were at any given moment during our trip.”
Know your lodging options
Now that you’ve chosen a destination, it’s time to decide where you’ll stay. You have plenty of options!
- Hotel or Airbnb? Hotels are great for when you need space and privacy–but they can also be expensive, especially if they’re located in an upscale area like Manhattan or Paris. An Airbnb offers more affordable prices while still giving you access to all the amenities (and sometimes more) of a traditional hotel chain.
- Hostel vs Bed & Breakfast vs Boutique Hotel? All three provide similar amenities: shared rooms with bunk beds or private bedrooms; shared bathrooms; communal areas like kitchens and lounge spaces where travelers can meet each other over coffee or drinks; free Wi-Fi access throughout most properties…but bed & breakfasts tend not offer as much privacy as boutique hotels do because guests share common spaces such as dining rooms instead of having their own living quarters separated from others’. Hostels may seem like an obvious choice because they’re cheap but beware: many hostels don’t allow children under 18 years old due either safety concerns about underage kids staying up late playing video games all night long without supervision by adults who know better what needs doing when emergencies occur (like fire alarms going off), so make sure before booking anything that everyone who plans on traveling together will fit comfortably into whatever accommodations work best within budget constraints.”
Stay healthy
- Check the CDC website for travel alerts before you go. There are many things to consider when traveling, but one thing that is often overlooked is keeping yourself healthy. The CDC offers a wealth of information on how to stay safe while abroad, including:
- Vaccinations
- Food and water sanitation standards (especially if you’re visiting developing countries)
- Avoiding crowds where possible and using hand sanitizer when necessary
- Bring your own snacks! Traveling can be exhausting and sometimes finding something healthy on-the-go isn’t easy–especially if you’re jetlagged or unfamiliar with local cuisine. If possible, bring some granola bars or trail mix with you so that if hunger strikes during those long days exploring new places, there’s no need to resort to unhealthy options like fast food joints or vending machines.*
Choose a mode of transportation
When you’re traveling to a new city, it’s important to choose a mode of transportation that suits your needs. If the weather is nice, consider walking or biking around town. If you’re going on a long trip and have lots of luggage, take public transit (and consider renting a car if possible). If the weather isn’t so hot but still warm enough for shorts and sandals–or even if it’s raining heavily–consider taking taxis instead of public transit so that you can avoid getting wet as much as possible!
Learn the language and customs
- Learn the language:
Learning the local language can go a long way in helping you understand the culture and customs of your destination. It will also help you communicate with locals, who may not speak English well or at all.
- Learn about local laws: In some countries, it’s illegal to take photos of people without their permission or to wear revealing clothing in public places like churches and mosques. Make sure you know what is legal before your trip!
- Know about local customs: There are many things that are acceptable in one country but considered rude or offensive elsewhere; for example, wearing shoes indoors could be seen as disrespectful by some cultures while others find it perfectly fine (and vice versa).
A few days before your trip, make sure you’ve prepared for everything that might come up.
- Make sure you have travel insurance.
- Pack the right clothes and shoes.
- Get your passport and any visas (if necessary).
- Get a map of the city, or at least where you’re staying at–it’ll help when trying to find your way around!
Conclusion
We hope this list has helped you get ready for your next trip, whether it’s across the country or just across town. Remember that it’s always better to be prepared and have everything you need before leaving home than running around frantically trying to find things at the last minute!
