Tips for Traveling to Foreign Countries

People across the world are getting the travel bug. Men, women, and young adults are tired of being locked indoors and socially distanced. Now that many countries across the world are embracing a COVID-19 world and have lifted travel restrictions, people are starting to exercise their itch to explore new cultures and countries.

While the desire to travel may be at the forefront of people’s minds, we shouldn’t neglect the potential hazards and dangers involved with traveling. In this article we will go over a few easy ways to make sure that you get the best experience while traveling!

1. Plan Ahead

As much fun as it is to take an impromptu trip, it’s much smarter and better to plan ahead. We live in the age of information so use the resources at hand to plan your trip in detail. Browse YouTube for videos of tour guides and travelers who have visited the city or country you’d like to visit. Google the country to learn about the top attractions, best local restaurants, and even the dangerous areas to avoid. Read forums like Reddit and Citydata for individual experiences, and even ask questions on these forums for locals to give you unique and customized tips. Always plan ahead and create an itinerary to have the best experience and trip possible.

2. Learn Local Languages and Culture

Why are you traveling if you’re not trying to learn about the culture, the language, and the people who live there? Fluency is overkill but learning how to say basic greetings, order food, ask for directions, and shop are the bare minimum you should learn to say before landing in a new country.

3. Take Uber and Lyft

Street taxis can be shady depending on what country and city you are in. If you want to increase your level of safety, make sure to use Uber, Lyft, or another reputable ride-sharing app. These apps verify their drivers’ identities, have GPS tracking location, and are customer-reviewed, all to assure you that you are getting the best and safest transportation available.

4. Carry Self Defense Weapons

At the end of the day your personal safety will be in your own hands, literally. Purchasing some self-defense keychains will allow you to arm and protect yourself while traveling abroad. Self-defense keychains are generally inexpensive, discreet, and lightweight to allow you to stay safe while not breaking the bank or being overly burdened.

5. Travel with Friends or Family

Solo travel is adventurous and fun, but traveling with friends or family can be even more rewarding. Creating lifetime memories with people close to you is what life is about, and traveling to new cities can make that even more fulfilling. There are also benefits when eating at a restaurant for example – if you’re by yourself you won’t be able to try many different dishes, but if you’re with a group of people you can order several dishes so everyone can try a little bit of each. There is also safety in numbers since predators typically target solo vulnerable victims.

6. Document and Connect

Always tell people your whereabouts and leave a paper or digital trail. Use social media or just Google docs to track your itinerary and where you’ve been. This will not only ensure your safety, but you’ll have a wonderful itinerary of where you’ve been!