travel made simple - travel doesn't have to be complicated - 9 tips for new travelers · 2016....

9 Tips forNew

TravelersTravel-Made-Simple.com

Travel can be scary, overwhelming and frustrating.

But it can also be empowering, exciting and lots of fun.

If you’ve never traveled before, it’s understandable that youmight be hesitant to book a trip. It's a big, scary world outthere, or so you've been led to believe.

But it's really not as scary or dangerous as you might think.Much of the world is safe, safer than the media makes it seem,maybe even safer than where you live. Most people aregenuinely good, friendly and helpful.

And you still really want to see other parts of the world, right?

Where have you been dreaming of visiting? What destinationstirs something inside of you and makes you long to see it inperson with your own eyes?

With a little encouragement and some helpful advice, you’llsoon be on your way to seeing the Eiffel Tower or theColosseum or the Greek Islands.

You can make it happen!

Here are 9 tips to help make your first trip less frightening andless frustrating.

9 Tips for New Travelers 2016 Ali Garlandhttp://travel-made-simple.com

http://travel-made-simple.com/

Travel Slowly

1

With limited vacation time, youmight be tempted to squeeze inas much as possible. But ifyou’ve never traveled abroadbefore or you’ve never traveledsolo before, traveling too quicklycan be a disaster.



If you’re nervous about traveling in the first place, youdon’t want to be constantly trying to catch your breath.Traveling too quickly means added stress every time youhave to move from one destination to the next.

There’s nothing wrong with spending a week in one city,or two weeks between two or three cities. Take time tofigure things out and soak up the atmosphere.

You can become a regular at the corner coffee shop andchat with the employee who recognizes you eachmorning.

You can take an afternoon to sit in a square, read a bookand watch the world go by without feeling guilty for notvisiting another museum or monument.

You can accidentally go the wrong way on the metro orthe bus without panicking about losing time. Getting alittle lost along the way can be fun.

You can actually relax if you’re not rushing from oneplace to another. That’s what vacation is for, right?


Read more about why you should travel slowly here.

http://travel-made-simple.com/travel-slow-and-see-more/


I recently spent a week in Budapest,Hungary. I saw castles and the ParliamentBuilding, but towards the end of the week,I was a little tired of sightseeing.

Instead I spent an afternoon sitting in asquare just chatting with my husband andwatching people go by, and I enjoyed itjust as much as any of the sightseeing.Staying for a week gave me that flexibility.


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Day tours are your

2

Booking a half- or full-day tourcan give you some of thebenefits of a full blownorganized tour – the structureand the information – withoutthe disadvantages. They willtake care of the details for you.You just have to show up.


best friend


Try food tours. They teach you about the local cuisine in afun way and you get to taste some delicious new foods.Sometimes it's hard to figure out what certain foods arein a new country, but a food tour will put you at easeabout what to eat.

Other good day tours can include behind the scenesaccess you can't get on your own. Some get you in beforeor after opening hours, or let you skip the long lines.

If you're going to be near water, look for boat tours.Enjoy cycling? Try a bicycle tour of the city.

Day tours are also a fun way to meet other travelers.Whether you're traveling solo or with someone else,talking to new people can be interesting and fun, andthey might even have some tips for you about arestaurant or activity they enjoyed where you're traveling.

Want more info on tours?


Check out how to choose which tour is right for you here.


http://travel-made-simple.com/tours-which-one-is-right-for-you/

Rome was a wonderful city for day tours. Itook a behind-the-scenes tour of theColosseum, which also included skippingthe long lines. The guide told us so manyinteresting stories, and we avoided most ofthe crowds.

I also took a fun food tour where we tastedlocal vinegar, salami, cheese and so muchmore. We even made pizza at the end,which I really enjoyed. It was an interestingway to learn about the culture.


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Learn as you travel

3

Signing up for a class can be agreat way to experience aculture. And, like with day tours,someone else is taking care ofsome of the planning for you.Classes are also a fun way tomeet other travelers.



Spend a week (or two!) in one city and take a languagecourse. Most language schools will also set you up withaccommodation. This can be with a local family, which isan interesting way to practice the language and get aglimpse of life in that city. If you're not comfortable withthat, schools can often find you an apartment, hotel orguesthouse to stay in for the week.

Another option is to sign up for a cooking course andlearn to make a few local dishes on your own. Cookingclasses can range from a half day to a week dependingon your interests.

Learn to ski or do water sports. Give horseback riding atry. Look for photography courses or art courses designedfor tourists.

The possibilities are endless. The types of classes will varydepending on where you go, but if you have an interestin something the destination is known for, learning aboutit while you travel will enhance your experience.



I studied Spanish in school, but I neverreally used it after I graduated. When Iwas 30, I decided to take a trip to Quito,Ecuador as part of a language schoolprogram. I found a school that soundedgood, they placed me with a family for theweek, and I brushed up on my Spanish.

The school also provided a walking tour ofthe city and they organized an excursion tosee the equator monument. It was aneducational week and a fun way to see anew city.


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Pack Light

4

Seriously, you don't need all thatstuff!


Lugging around a huge suitcasewill add more stress andfrustration to your vacation.Cobbled streets, dirt roads andcenturies-old buildings with noelevators will all make you wishyou didn't have such a heavyload to carry around.


In general, a week's worth of clothes will be sufficient foryour trip, even if you're traveling longer than that. Youcan do laundry in a laundromat or send it off with yourhotel or guesthouse. You can wear the same shirt twiceand wear your jeans for several days.

A three ounce bottle of shampoo will last you a lot longerthan a one or two week vacation. Leave the full-sizedbottle at home.

Don't pack to many “just in case” things. Almost anythingyou forget or run out of while you're traveling can bepurchased on the road. They have stores where you'regoing.

Hair dryers don't convert electricity. If you're travelingfrom the US or Canada to Europe or Australia, leaveyour hair dryer at home. See if your hotel or guesthousehas one, buy a cheap one when you arrive, or just letyour hair air dry while on vacation.

Need more packing help?


Check out my book Packing Made Simple here.


http://travel-made-simple.com/packing-made-simple/

I didn't always travel light. I used to packtons of stuff “just in case” but I neverneeded any of it. I had to carry my heavysuitcase up several flights of stairs in hotelsthat didn't have elevators. It was a bighassle to have so much stuff for no realreason.

It was so liberating to finally start packingless stuff. Now I almost always travelcarry-on only, and on the rare occasion Idon't have something I need, there's alwaysa store around the corner where I can buywhat I'm missing.


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Reduce Layover Panic

5

Layovers can be a big hassle,but sometimes you just can'tavoid them. Before you book aflight with a layover, make sureit isn't any more stressful than itneeds to be.



Aim for at least an hour, if not more, for domesticconnections. For international, try to book at least twohours, more if possible. You have to get off the first flight,find your way through the airport to the next flight, and italways seems to take longer than you expect.

Short layovers also mean baggage handlers might nothave enough time to get your luggage off the first flightand onto the second flight. Reduce the chance of lost ordelayed checked luggage by making sure your layover islong enough. (Or go carry-on only!)

If your layover is in another country, you might have togo through passport check and customs during yourlayover. This can take quite some time, especially at busytimes of the day. A short layover will stress you out, andthere is a real possibility of missing your connection if ittakes too long.

Look out for layovers with airport changes. Some citieshave more than one airport. If you are flying throughthese cities, check if you have to switch airports. Avoidconnections with airport switches if possible, but if youhave to do it, make sure you have at least four or fivehours for your layover.


Read more here to decide if your layover is long enough.

http://travel-made-simple.com/layover-long-enough/


On a trip back from Alaska, I ended upwith a 25 minute layover in Las Vegasbefore continuing on to Atlanta. That'shardly enough time to get off the plane letalone finding the next gate.

The first flight somehow landed early, Iscrambled off the plane to the other side ofthe airport (where I even had to gothrough security again!) and I was the lastperson to board, just as they were about toclose the door.

It was pure luck that my first flight landedearly and I didn't miss the second flight,and the experience was really stressful.Never again.


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Book ahead to

6

Much of what frightens peopleabout travel are the unknowns.It's an unfamiliar place, so it'sdifficult to know what to expect.Those unknowns become scaryand even paralyzing. Getting afew things out of the way aheadof time will reduce your stressabout the unknown.


reduce unknowns


Once you know where you're going, start searching for ahotel or guesthouse. Use Google street view to check outthe neighborhood. Use maps to make sure you're bookingsomething close to public transportation and not too faraway from the sights you want to see.

Going to more than one city? Book transportation aheadof time. Compare flying versus trains or buses to makesure you're not wasting too much time in transit, andremember that flying isn't always faster. Then book yourtransport and print the tickets ahead of time so you don'thave to worry about it while you're traveling.

While I definitely recommend leaving yourself someflexibility, it can be helpful to book one or two day toursahead of time, especially if they're only offered on certaindays. Buying tickets ahead of time for popular attractions,like the Vatican, Anne Frank House or the Eiffel Tower,can save you from spending lots of time waiting in line.

Some things aren't necessary or even possible to bookahead, but you can still do some research and know whatyour options are when you arrive. Being prepared willhelp you feel less panicked.



Sometimes it's worth it to spend a littleextra money to reduce the unknowns. Onmy first solo trip, I splurged on arrangedtransfers so I wouldn't have to worry abouthow to get from the airport to my hotel,from the hotel to the ferry, etc.

At the airport and ferry docks, someonewaited for me with my name on a sign,and there they were again collecting mefrom the hotel lobby when it was time tomove on. It made me more comfortableand let me focus on enjoying myself.


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Go outside your

7

This doesn't have to be anythingmajor, but pushing yourself, evena little, will build confidence.Travel is a good time to try newthings because you're already ina different setting.


comfort zone


Maybe you've never tried snorkeling, or perhaps certainfoods scare you. Give it a try while you're on vacation.Traveling will make you realize you can handle morethan you thought, and that's the perfect time to trysomething new.

Travel can be about so much more than just seeing thesights. It can be a big confidence booster, it can break youout of your shell, it can show you ways of doing thingsyou haven't thought of before, and it can alter your viewof the world. Most of the time, it will make you moreopen to new ideas and experiences.

That might seem a bit uncomfortable at times, but newexperiences help you grow. And sometimes the best wayto tackle a fear is to face it head on.

Embrace this opportunity for breaking down fears.

Don't be unsafe, but aim for just a little past the pointwhere you're comfortable.

Afraid to travel?


Check out this post on what's holding you back.

http://travel-made-simple.com/what-is-stopping-you-from-traveling/


On a trip to Santorini, I didn't think I couldhandle hiking up a steep dirt path. (I'm notthe most athletic person.) A girl I met onmy volcano tour was going up that way,so I decided to go for it and tagged alongwith her. I even did it a second time laterthat afternoon. I had to stop several timesto catch my breath, but I did it.

I made it to the top, and I was so proud ofmyself for accomplishing something I didn'tthink I could do. It remains one of myfavorite memories from that trip.


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A little extra money

8

We all want to save money,and no one wants to spendmore than they have to. Butknow when to splurge or whenit's worth going a little over yourbudget in order to fully enjoyyour trip.


can go a long way


When you book that trip, you know it might be a once ina lifetime experience. You don't want to go into debt totravel, but you don't want regrets either.

If you skip that hot air balloon ride over the gorgeouslandscape, will you cherish memories of the money yousaved?

If you book a hotel far from the city center to save a fewbucks a night, will you think fondly of the time spent onthat long bus ride to see the sights?

I'm guessing the answer to those questions is NO.

But by splurging even a little on a breathtakingexperience, you will create memories you'll hold ontoforever.

By spending a little extra a more convenient location,you'll gain valuable hours that you can use to exploremore of the city you came so far to see.

You don't have to break the bank, but remember thattime and joy hold value, too.



A few years ago, my husband and I spentsome time in Sevilla, Spain, and to savemoney, we stayed quite far from thecenter. We got so frustrated with how longit took us to get into town to see thecathedral, the Alcazar, Plaza Espana, andeverything else on our list. We did and sawless than we wanted to, and it taught methat we should have spent a little extra.

Now I remember the sights, but I alsothink about what that trip might havebeen like had I not been trying to save afew extra dollars.


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Just book the trip!

9

If you're nervous or scaredabout traveling, sometimes thebest thing you can do is justbook the trip. Get online, find aflight to the place you want tovisit and click purchase.



Think of it this way, you're just clicking a button, right?Take it one step at a time. On its own, booking a ticketisn't scary.

Let that sit for awhile. Give yourself a few days to let itsink in that you've just booked a ticket to your dreamdestination.

Then start filling in the details. Find a hotel. Find transportto get from one city to the next, if necessary. Pick a daytour or a class to get excited about, and sign up.

Just think of it as clicks on your computer. You're notdoing anything scary yet, you're still on your comfortablecouch.

Focus on all the fun stuff you're going to do on yourvacation. Focus on images of finally being there in person.Picture yourself in front of Big Ben or the Leaning Towerof Pisa or wherever it is you're going.

Let this fuel you until it's time to pack and jump on thatplane, and enjoy!

Need help? Send me an email at [email protected] if the details are overwhelming you.



A few years ago, I was planning my firsttrip to Asia. I had traveled to Europe manytimes, so that felt comfortable, but HongKong seemed a bit overwhelming. So onceI found a decent flight, I just remindedmyself that all I was doing at that momentwas booking a ticket. That didn't feel scary.And it gave me time to let the idea ofHong Kong sink a little.

Eventually the idea had been floatingaround in my head long enough that itdidn't feel so scary when it was time toboard the flight.


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Travel Made Simple is a site that makes travel lesscomplicated and shows people how to travel. The site willhelp you plan your next trip, pack light, travel solo, overcomeyour travel-related fears, and more. On the site, I alsoprovide suggested itineraries, tour reviews, and advice forvisiting various countries.


I understand how confusing all thedetails can be when planning a trip.I've made many mistakes in my owntravels, and eventually I learned abetter way. Now I share myextensive travel experience with youso you're less overwhelmed. TravelMade Simple can help you get outthere and see the world, one simplestep at a time.

I'm Ali and travel is my passion. I believe our world has somuch to offer, so many sights to see, so many cultures toexperience, so much food to taste. I love to encourage othersto travel, and I enjoy the planning aspect of travel as muchas the trip itself.

My first trip overseas was when I was 14 years old, and Ivisited all seven continents before my 30th birthday. I amthe editor and publisher of http://travel-made-simple.comand http://aliadventures.com. I'm a writer, travel addict, andAmerican expat living in Berlin, Germany.


travel made simple - travel doesn't have to be complicated - 9 tips for new travelers · 2016....

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