I want to travel, but I don’t know where to start
So you want to start travelling but don’t know where to start? It can be a daunting and overwhelming thing to think about, but just know that travelling is one of the most amazing experiences and once you start planning your first trip, you’ll be planning 100s more. You will find yourself trying new foods, meeting new people, exploring places you may have only seen in the movies and photographs. Honestly, I couldn’t recommend it enough (although this is a travel blog so I’m biased). Travelling means different things to different people. It could be a weekend getaway, to solo travelling a continent, to group travelling with a travel company. Whatever it is, if you are new to travelling and have seen yourself saying ‘I want to travel, but don’t know where to start’, then I’m here for you.
Step 1: Research
Firstly, research which countries you want to go to. There are so many places out there. If it is easier, start with continents. From there you can see which countries in each continent you may like to go to. If there is only one country you are looking to go to, research the cities and towns. It is easy to go to the most popular and well-known towns/cities, but there are often a few hidden gems, or less-touristy areas that are also great places to travel to.
Step 2: Budget
Set yourself a budget. This is very important because it can be difficult knowing how much you may spend when travelling due to multiple reasons. Be realistic with your budget. It is also better to set a budget a bit more than you are likely to spend due to safety reasons. Anything can happen when you travel (not to scare you), but it’s better to be over prepared than under prepared. Take into account food, accommodation, flights, activities, souvenirs and other random things that you may decide to spend on.
Step 3: Safety
Travelling is one of the best things in the world. However, travelling abroad, to an unfamiliar country, can be scary. To make sure you are safe, always have someone who you can text/call just to update about your travels, especially if you’re travelling solo. Make sure you are booking trips with good reviews, make sure you are always in contact with someone and most importantly, do not tell people you are alone. Be cautious, but have fun! If you are staying in a hotel/hostel ask the receptionist for their recommendations as they are usually reliable sources.
Step 4: Preparation
Once you have booked the place or places you wish to go to, make sure you research and prepare thoroughly before your departure. You need to check visa requirements , baggage allowance, what you can/can’t bring into the country, whether the country you have chosen has specific laws etc. For example, I know that in Bali, your passport has to be clean and can’t look beaten down up. If you come with a beaten looking passport, they could deny you entry. You would rather over prepare than to get you destination and either be denied or have something wrong with your booking (which is what the extra money is for). Also be aware of cultural differences. It’s easy to assume everywhere is like where you are from. This means respect, cleanliness, dress codes, languages etc. In reality, you may find yourself having culture shock. Make sure you know the currency used in the country you are going to and whether cash or card is used. These are small things that you may not be thinking about, but will save you the hassle and stress.
Conclusion
Like I have been saying, travelling is an amazing thing to experience. If it is your first time doing it, there is so much to look forward to. It’s not just sightseeing and activities. Also know that you need to be aware of different cultures, accommodation, money etc. Try not to be too scared or nervous, just know that there are sooo many people who are taking their first adventure too. Most importantly, make some good memories 🙂
