Foreign Travel – 10 Tips for a Great Stress-Free Trip
Foreign travel can be exciting, educational, and relaxing. However, it can also be more stressful and require more preparation than domestic travel. But don’t fear the unknown. It’s worth the extra effort to see new sights, meet new people, observe, and even participate in a different culture or way of life.
Research for Your Travel
There are many things to prepare before going to a foreign country. It takes some research, but luckily, the Internet can help with that. Books are also helpful, but the Internet is fast and dirty. However, remember that it sometimes suffers from inaccuracies and even contradictions from one site to another. Facebook groups of people who have been to where you want to go are helpful, but ignore petty complaints. They usually say more about the complainer than the mentioned situation. Some people complain about the most ridiculous things.
So, let’s look at some valuable tips to make your foreign travel memorable, safe, and even more than you could have hoped for.
Research Before Your Foreign Travel
1. Are you sure that’s where you want to go?
Travel can be expensive, especially to a foreign country, and it’s not likely something the average family can do every year. So, spend your travel money wisely. Often, a family plans a trip because one of the parents says, “I’ve always wanted to go there.” Or a friend recommends a specific country or area. Are you sure those are good enough reasons? After you have decided for sure that that is the place, do some research.
2. Now that you’ve decided on your destination, research that country.
a) Customs – Many countries have important dos and don’ts. Knowing these would help avoid embarrassment.
b) Language – If the language spoken at your destination differs from your native language, learning a few words or phrases would be helpful. Simple phrases such as “Good morning.” “Good afternoon.” “Good evening.” “Please.” “Thank you.” and “Where’s the washroom (restroom, bathroom, WC, etc.)” would be handy. The last one is likely the most important.
3. Important differences compared to your country.
a) Currency – The currency at your destination will likely differ from that in your home country. So, you should know what currency they use and where to get it before you arrive. We’ll discuss this later.
b) Weather – You will need to know the season and weather at your destination to decide what clothes to take.
c) Electricity – Electrical plugs and wall sockets differ from country to country. For example, Canada uses 110v, and the Philippines uses 220v. Travelling from Canada to the Philippines requires an adapter plug to charge your electronics without damaging them. Go to the World Standards website to see the electricity voltage for different countries.
4. Be sure to have the correct travel documents.
a) Passport – You will require a passport to travel to another country. Before 9/11, Canadians could travel to the USA without a passport, with only a driver’s licence or other government-issued picture ID, but no more. Be sure to apply for a passport in plenty of time to ensure receiving it before your departure date. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months past the end of your travel to allow for any unforeseen circumstances.
b) Visas – Depending on where you’re coming from, countries require a visa for the specific time you will be there. Your passport is not enough documentation for those countries, and you won’t get in without a visa. We recently took a cruise around Southeast Asia. Of the six countries we visited, only Vietnam required a visa for Canadian passport holders at US$50 per person.
c) Airline tickets – You should start monitoring airline ticket prices long before your planned departure date, preferably through a reputable agent. Prices can vary significantly from airline to airline, season to season and, in some cases, from day to day.
d) Medical and travel insurance – No one wants to get sick or injured in a foreign country, but it happens. Be sure you have adequate insurance before leaving home. Medical care is not expensive in many countries, but that doesn’t apply to all countries. For example, the cost could bankrupt you if you need to be hospitalized in the United States.
Before Leaving Home
There are certain things to take care of before you leave for your foreign travel. You don’t want to worry about whether things at home are okay or what disaster you might return to while you’re away. You can’t plan for emergencies, but you can prepare for everyday expected situations.
5. Taking Care of Business
a) Prepay any bills – Every family has monthly bills, rent or mortgage, utilities, cell phones, etc. You will save yourself worry and stress if you pay all the bills that will become due while you are away before you leave.
b) Arrange care for your pets – Pets need care on an ongoing basis. Preferably, someone can house-sit for you, including caring for your pets. If not, a relative may take the pets while you are away. As a last resort, it’s a kennel or some such place.
c) Care of houseplants – This one should be easy. Hopefully, a neighbour can ensure your plants thrive while you’re away and keep an eye on your house for any unusual activity, such as vandalism or break-ins.
d) Packing – If you’re going for two weeks, only pack enough clothes for two weeks. Limit yourself to one suitcase and one carry-on bag for each person. Any more than that is unnecessary. Every country has facilities for doing laundry!
e) Booking in advance – Booking accommodations online in advance through sites such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Expedia.com, etc., can result in cost savings.
6. How much money do you need for your trip, and how will you access it?
a) Budget – In this case, budget doesn’t mean going cheap. It means knowing what you have to spend, where you’ll spend it, and having some extra for the unexpected expenses or emergencies. The three most common categories to budget for are transportation (air travel, local transportation, and travel insurance), accommodation (hotel, etc.), and food (restaurants, snacks, etc.). You will know the cost of air travel before you leave, but you can research the rest online.
b) Money is money – Well, no, it’s not! Almost every country in the world has its own unique currency. You have to know how the destination country’s currency relates to your currency to realize the value of your purchases. For example, on our recent trip to the Philippines, $1.00 Canadian was equal to about 40 Philippine pesos, a simple conversion indeed. I could quickly calculate the value of all our purchases and expenses by dividing the pesos by 40 to convert to Canadian dollars.
c) Access to your money – You should carry at least two credit cards, preferably from different financial institutions. Before our recent trip to Southeast Asia, we applied for an international debit card from Wise.com. It was indispensable for both purchases and cash withdrawals from ATMs while we were away. The exchange rate was lower than most credit cards, between the normal buy-and-sell rates and as convenient as debit cards at home.
At Your Foreign Travel Destination
Now that you have arrived, you want to enjoy a wonderful, safe, stress-free, worry-free vacation. So let’s look at some of the ways to ensure that happens.
7. The safety and security of you, your family, and all your personal belongings are the most important.
a) Common sense – Always be aware of your surroundings! Every country, including your home country, has dangerous places. Know where they are and don’t go there! Make sure that your travel documents are secure at all times, with copies in a different place in case the originals are lost or stolen.
b) Know your limitations – Do not try anything beyond your capabilities due to physical inability or age. You don’t want to wreck your vacation by getting injured.
8. You’ve arrived at the airport or port of destination. Now what?
a) Arrival – Follow instructions for disembarkment, clearing customs, and picking up your luggage.
b) Cash – Access an ATM in the airport to get some cash. Always carry cash in the local currency, as many places don’t accept credit cards or even the Wise international debit card, mentioned above. Cash is still king in many countries, especially when purchasing from small local vendors.
c) Cell phone usage – Purchase a SIM card for your cell phone before you even leave the airport. Roaming charges from your carrier in your home country are ridiculously expensive and unnecessary. Check out the relatively new e-SIM, which I think allows you to retain your cell phone number for emergencies.
Manage Your Expectations
Don’t expect everything to be the same in the countries you travel to as they are at home. If that’s important to you, stay at home! You’ve travelled to a foreign country for adventure, so enjoy and appreciate the differences. You might even observe some things that make you think, “I wish it were like that at home.”
9. Many things will be different; not necessarily good or bad, just different.
a) Food – Now this can be interesting. Food is country-specific. Don’t be afraid to try a common or specialty food in that country. However, don’t expect familiar food to be identical or even similar to what you have at home.
I once ordered a chicken salad sandwich at The Dessert Factory in Mandaue City, Philippines, only to discover that it had no chicken. It was a cucumber sandwich with mayonnaise. Apparently, the mayonnaise qualified it as chicken salad. I still haven’t figured that out, but it really doesn’t matter.
Also, in the Philippines, I ordered a Waldorf salad, which, as I know it, contains apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts with a mayonnaise dressing. The version I received did have apples, but several other ingredients not usually associated with a Waldorf salad. Again, it’s not important, just something to smile about.
b) Traffic – Don’t assume, as a pedestrian, you have the right-of-way even in a marked crosswalk. You may not make it to the other side of the street.
c) Tips – Tipping is not common in all countries. In some countries, it is considered an insult to the server. However, always leave something for the hotel housekeeping staff who clean your room.
10. Be pleasant and courteous at all times.
a) Customer service – This shouldn’t even have to be said, but staff, servers, and other workers should be treated with respect. In many countries, they make very little money but still do their best. Treat them the way you would expect to be treated.
b) Avoid confrontation – If the error or grievance is significant, by all means, fight for your rights; however, if it is not so important, back off. Smile and walk away. You are the foreigner in this situation and are unlikely to win. Don’t spoil your vacation by overreacting.
Well, that’s it. Ten tips to make your foreign travel safe and enjoyable. Actually, there are 28 tips here, but who’s counting?
The above essay is for entertainment and English language study only. For suggestions on how to use this post to improve your English reading and listening comprehension, click here.
Vocabulary
- foreign – adjective; of or from or situated in or characteristic of a country or language other than one’s own; from another country
- domestic – adjective; of or within one’s own country; within your own country
- inaccuracies – plural noun; not accurate; inexact, imprecise, incorrect; not correct
- contradictions – plural noun; a denial; statement of the opposite; opposite
- petty – adjective; unimportant; trivial; not important
- currency – noun; the money in general use in a country; money
- adapter – noun (adjective in this case); for making equipment compatible; to adjust the voltage (in this context)
- valid – adjective; not having reached its expiry date; still accepted
- reputable – adjective; having a good reputation; well-known and trustworthy
- adequate – adjective; sufficient, satisfactory; just enough
- bankrupt – adjective; legally declared unable to pay debts; insolvent; legally without money or cashable assets
- hospitalized – adjective; sent or admitted to hospital; required to be in the hospital
- vandalism – noun; wilful or malicious destruction of or damage to private or public property; damage or destruction on purpose
- indispensable – adjective; that cannot be dispensed with; necessary; can’t be without
- disembarkment – noun; leave or remove from a ship, aircraft, train, etc.; get off a plane (in this context)
- confrontation – noun; face in hostility or defiance; an aggressive complaint or argument
- grievance – noun; a real or fancied cause for complaint; a complaint
Comprehension Questions
- Is the Internet a good place to search for information about countries for foreign travel?
Yes or No - Is the Internet always accurate?
Yes or No - Is currency (money) the same in every country?
Yes or No - Is the electricity voltage the same in all countries?
Yes or No - For how long must your passport be valid past the end of your travel?
(a) at least 3 months, (b) at least 6 months, (c) at least 9 months, or (d) at least one year - According to the writer, is a travel budget important?
Yes or No - Are there dangerous places in every country?
Yes or No - Is it important to always carry cash in a foreign country?
Yes or No - Is a SIM card for your cell phone important when travelling in a foreign country?
Yes or No - What are the ingredients of a Waldorf salad?
Resources
- From my own mind and experience
And Now For Your Listening Enjoyment
Here is “No Roots” from Alice Merton.
"No Roots"
as recorded by Alice Merton (2016)
written by Alice Merton and Nicolas Rebscher
I like diggin' holes and hidin' things inside them
When I grow old, I hope I won't forget to find them
'Cause I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night
I build a home and wait for someone to tear it down
Then pack it up in boxes, head for the next town, runnin'
'Cause I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night
And a thousand times I've seen this road
A thousand times
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
I like standin' still, but that's just a wishful plan
Ask me where I come from, I'll say a different land
But I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night
I count gates and numbers, then play the guessing game
It's just the place that changes, the rest is still the same
But I've got memories and travel like gypsies in the night
And a thousand times I've seen this road
A thousand times
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
I like digging holes, hiding things inside them
When I grow old, I won't forget to find them
I like digging holes, hiding things inside them
When I grow old, I won't forget to find them
I've got no roots
No roots
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots, but my home was never on the ground
I've got no roots
I've got no roots
No
