There are times that the phone rings… Older generations claim that they could tell based on how the phone would ring, the kind of message that the voice on the other side of the handset would deliver, simply based on how the phone rang – apparently the same ringing tone can sound different.
All of a sudden you find yourself preparing your suitcase, either in jubilation or in a deep and heavy sorrow. Without having any room or any time to prepare.
But then again, there are trips that you prepare long in advance…for ages. That you have collected all pieces of advice from travel guides, travel blogs and sites and of course from all your “traveller” friends.
Since day one and countless trips later, I can safely say that I have packed my suitcase more times than I have prepared lunch for myself.
As the years are go by I have come to realise that each trip has its own little secrets, a set of unwritten laws, but more importantly: travelling starts the moment you start planning it, from the moment you put your first piece of clothing in your suitcase…
30 tips for the good traveller:
A couple of weeks before your trip:
1.Especially within the eurozone you will be able to travel just with your ID. It is advisable however to always carry your passport regardless of the frequency of your travels. Note that you will realise you need your passport for a trip when you don’t have enough time to issue it or renew it. Murphy’s law definitely applies. Fact #1
2. Get informed about all the entry requirements (visas, passport), length of stay and safety tips regarding the area you are visiting.
3. Look into the health check and entry requirements (vaccinations) that you might need before your travel.
4. Collect informations about your destination. I am a lover of printed travel guides. Even though you might have pretty much everything that you need on your mobile, a printed guide will be there for you… Every single time you will not have reception, every time your battery dies but mostly for the that gratifying feeling of a traveller that underlines, makes notes and bends pages to mark all the things you want to do…
5. Make a schedule, a plan for the days of vacation in order to change it once you arrive. Because you will change it. Fact #2
6. Book all the theatres and museums you want to visit. You will find tons of offers especially online, for group reservations or bundled tickets of museums and shows.
7. Make sure you research the typical weather conditions during the period you will visit your destination.
8. Make a list with all the things you want to take with you. A list that you will change many times. Just because there will not fit in your suitcase. Fact #3.
A couple of days before your trip: Initiate Project Suitcase
9. Invest in a reliable lightweight suitcase:
-with hard shell so it can stand up to a heavy beating
-with a strong handle for easy transport and a more ergonomic 4 wheel trolley system (spinners)
-with lined interior and zip-round divider and organiser pockets for easy packing
-with a combination lock for added security
10. Always place a tag on your suitcase with your name, phone and address. I wish you the you will never have a missing. This tag is a life-saver in these unfortunate moments. Plus, you will be able to collect your suitcase faster as you will be able to distinguish it immediately
11. Chapter on clothes: You will be inclined to take with you 10 pair of shoes, 20 dresses and tons of accessories. You will not need them. You will wear at best about 1/5 of whatever you decide to pack you. Fact #4.
12. Irrespective of the time of the year and destination you should always take with you:
-a sweater
-a cardigan
-a pair of trainers, flip flops (for the hotel showers) and shoes that you know are comfortable. Place them in plastic bags.Do not experiment with new shoes because they will hurt your feet. (Fact #5).
-socks, underwear (double the number of the days you will be gone). Pack them in fabric bags.
-pijamas, and a comfortable tracksuit
-blouses and shirts that can be worn from the morning through the evening. Pack a set for each day.
-1-2 pair of trouser (match them to multiple tops in advance so you can wear them more than once).
-2 dresses
-You have the right to take with you one piece of clothing that is as eccentric or outrageous as you want, even if though you may not wear it.
-accessories: gloves, scarfs, beanie hats for winter destinations and kaftans, swimming suits and sunglasses for summer destinations.
-jewellery: choose 3-4 of your favourite pieces that will immediately upgrade a casual outfit to a special one.
13. Always have with you some painkillers, and a first aid small kit.
14. The best handbag for travelling is a backpack. In the backpack place your wallet, your passport and your cards. In a different wallet and preferably in a different spot place your id and some cash (this should tide you over in the unfortunate event you lose your wallet):
In your backpack place the following:
-sunglasses/ eyeglasses
-wallet
-keys
-mobile/charger/ earplugs
-laptop
books/guides/notebook
– always have your ticket and other bookings in a clear plastic case; your mobile might get damaged, its battery might die, you might lose it etc. Always bear in mind that when you travel you should have a plan b.
-Also pack some underwear, a pair of socks (if your luggage gets lost you will then at the very least have all the basic things)
-gums, candies, cereal bar
Now you are ready to close the door behind you.
Ready to meet new people. Their habits. Their preferences. Their music. Their tastes.
You will walk in different orbits. In new new frequencies.
The biggest investment one can make is travelling all over the world. This is your dowry. Your down payment.
The most magical thing about travelling is the marks it leaves on you. You radiate.
Just go on. For the big trips of the mind and soul.
(to be continued)
xxx
E
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