9 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Leaving the Country
Don’t Over Plan
If you’re headed overseas for two weeks don’t try to pack in 5 cities into a short trip. Even though you might be tempted to since you’re only there for such a short time it’s better to fully experience one to two cities and have fun rather than overload yourself on travel. Consider this- you might experience jet-lag, culture shock or even be on information overload.
When I landed in Berlin, I did over 10 things in just one day, including 5 museums. Imagine trying to read everything and still enjoy yourself with that energy constantly. You’ll end up needing a vacation from your vacation.
Listen to Your Body
The reason I say this is because after two whole days of trying to see all of Berlin in 48 hours- I stayed in bed on the third. I just laid in bed and left only to make myself lunch and come back to my room.
If you’re traveling- don’t push yourself to the max. It’s called a vacation for a reason- so enjoy yourself and take this opportunity to talk to people around you. If you’re staying in a hostel go to the common areas and introduce yourself. This is the perfect time to do that.
Pack Only the Essentials
I once met a girl who legit carried a whole cooking stove in her backpack. Her reasoning was that she didn’t know what she’d encounter. Granted she was from New Zealand so maybe they see the world differently than Americans do. But one thing I wish I knew before traveling would have been to travel only the essentials.
I carried bottles of shampoo and conditioner when now I’ll carry shampoo and conditioner bars and bar soap. I’ll choose clothing that’s solid colors- essentially a capsule wardrobe that will make mix and matching outfits easier. You’re able to look like you’re not wearing the same clothing daily.
Also since you’re carrying limited clothing- find powder pod laundry detergent. Some hostels have inexpensive washing machines available so you can wash your clothing there.
Don’t Sleep on the Night Train
By that I mean don’t forget about it. It’s one of the best options to travel throughout Europe. You get on the train in the evening, settle in for the night and wake up in your new destination. This works especially well if you’re traveling long distances and want to experience something new. I hopped on the train in Vienna and woke up in Rome. One of the coolest experiences of my life.
Take to the Skies
But if you’re in a hurry and plan on seeing different spots in different countries (We’re talking European travel) then plan flights in between cities. Airlines like Ryan Air are super affordable and can make your travel a lot more enjoyable. For example, had I known trains in France run slow I would have flown from Basel to Lyon for like $80 and spent more time exploring. This is perfect for those short trips. Aka the American 14-day holiday. You can also fly into one city and fly out of another one so you’re not pressed to return to your original landing spot.
Pick the Right Hostel
If you’re traveling alone- a hostel might be a great choice. Apart from being super affordable - it’s a great place to meet people and make friends. You’re able to explore the city with different people and not just be stuck exploring the world alone. So here are some quick and dirty tips for finding a great hostel. Look for a hostel with at least an 80% rating and read through some of the ratings. Some hostels are known to be party hostels so if you’re looking for a loud one this is a choice. If you’re a girl you have the option to stay in a room with only girls. Also, look at how many beds per room there are. The more beds- the cheaper the night. I personally look for hostels in the artsy district with a kitchen so I can cook my own food and save some money.
Also, some hostels offer the option to buy breakfast. If you’re not super comfortable looking for your own food or don’t want to cook this early it’s a few extra dollars and worth it. But if you’re in like Italy or France just go get some bread and cappuccino.
Don’t Make Concrete Plans
I know some items on your bucket list are hard yeses but leave room open for adventure. After all, you’re traveling to find yourself and to explore the world all around. For example, I planned on going from Lyon to Paris and then to Prague but instead, I decided to keep going south to Spain. Once I hit Spain, I decided to stay another week before I even got to Barcelona. So I immediately made plans for a hostel in Madrid.
Learn the Scams
This might sound scary but let’s be real as American’s we’re far more trusting than we should be and maybe it’s because these types of scams aren’t as common in the US. Spend some time researching any type of scams you could encounter in the country you’re going to- it’ll make you more apt to stay aware when traveling.
Skip the Major Cities
Unless you’ve been dreaming of visiting a city your entire life- skip it. I really wanted to go to Paris- I mean I still do- but I chose Lyon on a whim and now it’s one of my favorite places in the world. I really wanted to go to Vienna so I went and it was not what I imagined. In hindsight, I would have much rather gone to Innsbruck or Salzburg. A smaller city still gives you the chance to visit the country but being that it’s smaller it’ll allow you to immerse yourself further.
While I might not travel internationally as much as I used to. I plan on sharing all my tips and tricks and secrets with you. As always be sure to follow my San Antonio Instagram @sanantoniolovelist to keep up with the latest.