International travel is hotter now than ever. Even during a time of increased flight fares, more people are applying for passports and jetting out of the states. TSA precheck and Global Entry are helping put travelers at ease with decreasing the time to wait in line at the airports. Airlines seem to be catching up with having enough staffing and routes for fliers. I, for one, am ecstatic that travel is back and booming after those days of darkness during the pandemic when travel was put to a halt.
When curating vacations for clients I do my best to equip them with the best tips for traveling internationally. Here are three that I find invaluable.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Yes, copies of all of your travel documents for hotels, transfers, and tours are necessary. For my own clients I use an app that has their itinerary with documents uploaded, but I also email the documents, and sometimes provide paper copies. Some tours have mobile tickets, but others still use paper copies. The most important travel document is your passport. For your passport – email yourself a copy, give a paper copy to someone back home (or your travel agent – I usually get emailed copies), and have a paper copy in your suitcase. If there is an emergency and you lose your passport, having a copy with all of the information will help the embassy.
TIMING
Timing is super important in so many ways. From flights to beating the crowds, timing can aid in making your trip more enjoyable. Have an overnight flight? Sleep and arrive at your destination in the morning and then hit the ground running. Do not go to sleep, or sit down, until it is normal bedtime. This not only helps with jetlag, but also helps you not waste a day traveling.
Other ways that timing is important – arrive at hot tourists spots super early. Places like the Trevi Fountain in Rome are crowded by 9AM, so getting there at 7AM will guarantee you those crowd free “instagramable shots”. Starting early will also help you maximize your day and beat the heat in some areas.
PLAN AHEAD WITH RESEARCH
Yes – you can have a trip planned allotting time for spontaneity, finding holes in the wall, and unpopular treasures, BUT you also need to do a bit of research before heading out. Learn about the culture you are visiting. Are there any dress codes for museums or tours you are visiting? Do you have local currency for the bathrooms, if needed? Pro tip: order your currency from your local bank before heading out. Learn a few phrases in the local language. I have found that in most places people are so appreciative when you attempt to speak in their language versus speaking in English first. Plan your trip out, but know you are prepared for finding those hidden gems by doing your research beforehand.