Round the World Travel: AMA Travelers Share Their Tips & Lessons

Planning around the world trip that you will remember forever is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. But it’s not as simple as jumping on a plane. It can get pretty pricey but there are so many ways to save your money and make sure you’re spending your hard earned cash on the right things. Luckily, we’re experts in putting together these types of trips and have a huge team of people — AMA travelers themselves! They’ve been there, done that, and they’re enthusiastic about sharing their own knowledge and experience with you, and wannabe travelers just like you.

Make copies of your ID documents.

Print your entire itinerary and flight tickets/confirmations, passport, driver’s license, airline ticket, visa, etc. Worst case scenario, if you lose your ID or get robbed, it will be much easier to get a replacement passport or new train ticket if you already have necessary proof of identity on hand. Store these with your passports. You can’t always rely on Internet access or electricity to pull this info off your phone or laptop.

Check-in with friends and family from time to time

This is especially important when traveling alone. Plus, it’s nice to call and tell mom and tat that you made it to the other side of the ocean. Even if you’re doing something more casual like backpacking around Europe and will be deciding your itinerary as you go, give a close friend or family member all relevant information about your flight reservations, hotels you’ll be staying in, and any other relevant information ahead of time. It’s a good idea for someone to always know where your next movements are, just in case, and with modern technology, this is easier than ever. Also, download apps before you travel, avoid downloading charges from your wireless carrier and get your apps before you leave. For example, Skype, WhatsApp or the Travelzoo app can help you find great deals in a variety of countries and has options from local deals to transportation options.

Check-in with your doctor and insurance carrier.

Think you don’t need it? Think again. This step might also not be fun, but just think about how much more tedious it can be to go get a check-up or tooth cleaning in a country where you don’t speak the language and the “office” is an untidy corner in someone’s living room. Also, be sure to check any necessary vaccinations that you might need. This is more common in third-world countries, where there are pesky diseases such as bird flu, chikungunya, dengue, malaria, typhoid fever, or zika. Believe me, these aren’t fun and will interrupt your planned trek to Machu Picchu or hike up Kilimanjaro. Try not to leave this until the last minute either, as some vaccinations need a week or two to kick in fully. You can find reliable, reputable travel insurance options on GoAbroad.com’s Travel Insurance page.

Research what you can / cannot bring inside which country.

The last thing you want to do is to arrive at your destination and find out that some of the items you packed are not allowed into the country. This could be seeds or certain food. Check ahead to avoid any unnecessary disruptions.

Watch a video on how to use the city’s public transit system.

Most metropolitan cities are equipped with a decent public transit system. Instead of paying the high price for taxis, try learning how to use the city’s public transit. You’ll save money and get around town quicker than by car.If you do decide to hire a car, check ahead to see if you require an international driver’s license.

Develop a budget

Yeah. That’s gonna be a tricky one. Research the cost of living in that particular country, and see where your expenses will go every month: accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment. Keep in mind that not every place takes credit cards — especially important places like trains or buses. Notwithstanding, be sensible about the costs and bring more cash with you than you might suspect you will utilize. Not just in light of the fact that occasionally two glasses of wine will transform into three, yet crises and surprising open doors dependably emerge. Many people give themselves a budget of around US$50 per day. In some European cities, this may not get you very far, while in Asia you’ll see that lasting two to three days.

Language essentials.

You will very likely visit a place where a language besides English is spoken. I strongly encourage you to learn some basic words and phrases to enhance your travel experience. Not only will it help you navigate another country, but the locals will be much more welcoming when you attempt to greet them or speak a few words in their language. Making an effort to communicate in the local language is always appreciated and often returned with an effort to communicate in your language. Practice with DuoLingo, it will be fun and helpful, trust me.

Prepare online storage for photos.

Besides losing the kids, my photos are what I’m most concerned with losing. Forget your bag on the train platform and there goes your camera — and your photos. You can get free online storage at SkyDrive (25GB). (You will need a laptop, of course, to upload your photos.) Upload your pictures every night or two and then when you take your camera out on that fishing trip you’re not worried about dropping your camera and losing the last 2 weeks of photos.

Meet Tam Warner Minton. She is a blogger, social media influencer, travel writer, blogger, photographer, and author. Her posts include many photographs, so if you love travel photography, food, wildlife and underwater photographs, her AMA Event is the right place. She has shared stories about traveling, food, luxury hotels, adventure trips, scuba diving, and citizen science. Also, she wants to inspire others to get out and see the world, to expand their knowledge and enlarge their perspective. That’s why she has a blog about her crazy adventures, so make sure that you check that, as well.

“First time solo travel? It depends on what you are passionate about or into. If you are a foodie, you might sign up for a cooking class in Italy. If you are a diver, sign up on a dive trip. Love to hike? check out hiking groups and locations. And that is what I mean by not being lonely. You go do something you love or are interested in and you will meet like minded people. I have many passions, the main one is the ocean and its conservation. By traveling solo I have opened up an entire tribe of awesome people. I can honestly say I have friends all over the world. And we keep in touch, especially from volunteer/citizen science trips. “

“I’m never lonely when I travel solo…there are always people to talk to! When you travel by yourself, you don’t have to worry about making anyone happy but yourself. I enjoy traveling solo, and I enjoy traveling with family and friends as well. I don’t know that I can really rate the two, I don’t consider them either/or. It’s a preference based on destination, activities, etc. I love traveling solo, but I also enjoy traveling with others…most of the time!

What are the advantage and the disadvantages of travelling alone?

“Solo travel increases confidence in yourself by getting you out of your comfort zone. If you stay in your comfort zone, where you are never challenged, you don’t grow as a person. For me, growth is necessary, I want to constantly learn. Many people think traveling solo is lonely, but it is not. I may travel solo, but I’m never alone unless I want to be. You meet all kinds of interesting people who are on their own journeys. It isn’t just about the travel, it is about you. Making your own decisions, solving your own problems, doing what you want to do when you want to do it. When I travel solo, I find myself being completely authentic. There’s no one to please or anger. For me, there are plenty of people who laugh, with me or at me! Scientific research suggests that travel and learning about other cultures makes you more creative. When in Rome learn why the Romans do it that way!

Disadvantages are you are alone, so if you become ill, you are the one who has to make sure you are taken care of. When traveling solo, you do need to keep your eyes open to who and what is around you…one person is an easier target than two. Find out where it is safe to go and where it isn’t. Also, I don’t always travel by myself, I love traveling with friends and family as well. Often I find that they don’t want to do the same things I want to, so I go solo. I have always enjoyed it!”

Learn about the country you are traveling

No matter how cool and open-minded you are, you’re probably going to experience culture shock (they eat what?!). No amount of research is going to change that. However, it’s always good to go prepared so that your time abroad can be spent exploring and enjoying instead of flipping through new guidebooks. Research the places you want to visit, any festivals that happen during the time you’ll be there, and events that you can participate in. You don’t want to leave the country without experiencing what its known for.

Packing: More is NOT Always Less

You won’t need make-up in Nepal, your blow dryer won’t work in Madrid, you’ll probably never use your baseball glove in Botswana, and you can buy cheap sweaters in Ecuador. Pack light! Research your destinations in advance, find out what kind of items you must bring (for example, mosquito netting or tampons) and find out what items you can purchase cheaply there. Leave extra space in your luggage for souvenirs! However, don’t sacrifice your health or comfort during the trip for the convenience of traveling light. Make sure you have your toothbrush, toiletries, medicines, clothing for warm weather and cool weather, and anything else that will help you stay focused on the joy of traveling. You never know how much it will cost to buy an item abroad. Start packing and getting ready to go well before the day of your outbound flight. The last thing you need is to get sick from stress a day or two before because you crammed everything to the last hour. It also gives you time to make sure you packed everything you need.

There is really nothing that can teach you more about yourself and your marriage than changing your home, business, and lifestyle all at once, and then living that new life together 24 hours, seven days a week — with just a carry-on backpack! Meet the British digital nomad couple — Erin and Simon! They travel around the world (full-time) for eight years. You wonder how they have money for that? They finance their travels by working online on their travel blog Never Ending Voyage. Erin and Simon have made iOS app Trail Wallet to help travelers track their travel expenses and stay on budget.

Find out how to pack light with their ultimate guide The Carry-On Traveller: The Ultimate Guide to Packing Light

“We absolutely love being able to go where we want, when we want. We can fly to Italy because we crave pizza or Thailand because we need some beach time. We can spend months in a place we fall in love with or leave after a day if we discover it’s not our thing. We can follow the sun and only experience winter if we chose to.

We love being able to work on projects we love and not having to commute to an office or answer to anyone except ourselves. We love spending 24/7 with each other and having time to do the things we love — yoga, running, drawing, reading, writing, cooking, video games.

Ultimately, there’s so much of the world to explore — places we want to return to and new places on our ever expanding wish list. We’ve had so many magical experiences in the last eight years and we just don’t want it to stop.”

“We’ve had a few minor incidents. Simon had his wallet stolen getting off a crowded bus in Costa Rica. We are now extra careful with our stuff and he wears Bluffworks trousers that have hidden pockets to prevent pickpockets. We also wait for the crowds to get off before getting up from our seat.

There have probably been other small incidents — arguments with taxi drivers, a hotel evacuation due to a tsunami warning, etc., but we tend to forget them as it’s never that big a deal and it all works out if you stay calm.

So we’ve been lucky, but we’re also careful, plan in advance, and use our common sense to avoid bad situations.”

Measure and weigh your luggage

If you haven’t flown in awhile, you may be surprised at the changes in luggage policies. Weighing the luggage before you leave home will save you the heartache or removing items at the airport or the headache of paying hefty baggage fees. Many airlines charge fees for each checked bag, and carry on bags as well! Check your airlines requirements, remembering the limits vary greatly between domestic, international, carry- on and checked baggage.Even if the size is right, don’t forget to weigh it.

Adapt to your destination

When you fly across several time zones in a matter of hours, you’re moving faster than your body’s internal clock can adjust. Be patient. It can be difficult arriving in a new city alone. Take your time. Take a day to relax, watch the city function, and settle.

Eat locally.

Street markets let you taste the local food for cheap, but make sure you know how to avoid getting sick from unsanitary conditions. To avoid spending too much on restaurant meals, choose places that locals tend to frequent. If you have a kitchen where you’re staying, consider cooking to save money. You may also feel healthier by taking a break from constantly going out to eat.

Eating street food has three distinct advantages:

• It is the best way to sample the local cuisine, meet locals, and learn about local customs and traditions.
• It is typically really, really, really good.

It is exponentially cheaper than dining in a restaurant. Even in Europe, you can stuff yourself for about $10 — the cost of a tall coffee after the exchange rate kicks in.

Sleep cheap.

Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs travelers have and reducing that cost can lead to big savings! Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money off the total cost of your trip. One of the best ways to get free accommodation is by staying with someone who lives where you’re going. Stay with a local who will give you a free place to rest your head, local information, and someone to hang out with! There are a few websites that make this happen: Hostels (don’t overlook them — even if you’re not part of the young backpacker set), couch surfing, Global Freeloaders, Hospitality Club, Stay4Free and good old Airbnb are reliable options.

Take advantage of freebies.

If you’re traveling on a budget, chances are your feet will be your major mode of transportation. Walking expeditions are a great alternative to a crowded, stinky bus tour full of annoying tourists, and are low-cost (or even free). Whether it’s a guided tour of Prague’s oldest neighborhoods or a stroll through the lively Park Street thoroughfare in Kolkata, India, you’ll be able to soak up the local sights and history of places you’d be walking anyway.

Walk everywhere

Walking is a win on every front: you burn off your inevitable breakfast binges, you save money on public transportation, and you really, truly, get to know a city. Walking is my very favorite and the absolute best way to get around because every city in the world is sweetest in its unsuspecting moments is most beautiful in its surprises, and will always reward those who remember to look at the quiet and forgotten.

Try not to go over budget.

If you’re away for a week it’s nice to take first-class trains, stay in nice hotels, and go to good restaurants, but you can’t keep that up for a year or so around the world.

• Eating local food and stocking up from the supermarket can help you budget.
• Wherever you go there is always bound to be a lot of free entertainment and things to do, like public beaches, museums, local events, and festivals.
• You may be able to earn a bit of spare cash: some classic examples are teaching English, or bar work.
• Remember your trip not with pricey souvenirs but with simple (and small — think about the luggage) mementos like badges, local items or just photos and videos.

Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Traveling the world as a solo female? Worried something might happen? Nervous? Think your friends and family might be right about the world “being dangerous”? Not sure where to begin? Fear not. Many women travel the world alone and end up fine. Jessie Festa is one of those girls!

What do we need to remember when dealing with the risk of traveling solo?

“That while most people are nice and welcoming, some people will be out to get you, and there isn’t anyone else there to watch your back. While it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings, it’s *extra* important when traveling solo.

This is why when I’m on my own I resist having “just one more drink” and also call an Uber/cab (from an app preferably vs hailing off the street) instead of walking at night.

I also always ask my accommodation for an annotated map of where it’s safe to walk alone, where it’s only safe to walk alone during the day and where I should avoid completely. “

Have a nice trip!

Written by our genius blogger Tina based on advice from our great Hosts in www.TravelAMA.com and originally published on www.AMAfeed.com