When you travel, some of the standard rules of life are broken. You don’t need to wake up early or worry about doing chores like washing the dishes or ironing or other boring adult things.
Nevertheless, there are a few guidelines you must always abide by when travelling, whether you’re taking the trains throughout Europe or backpacking through Southeast Asia. They’ll be known as the “golden rules of travelling.”
Be brave because life is short
When you travel, you’ll have the chance to experience extraordinary things you’ve only ever fantasised about. Don’t be reluctant. Count to three, then say, “Screw it,” and jump. You didn’t travel this far in vain. Even if you don’t like spicy cuisine, say yes when someone offers you to go rock climbing, salsa dancing, spelunking, or sample the world’s hottest pepper.
Always keep a backup
It is very important to carry a backup card on hand in case your primary one is lost, stolen, or compromised. In this manner, you can still access your money while you are correcting the problem. Your trip won’t be ruined by the issue; it will only be annoying. You’ll be glad you took this advice since I can assure you that I’ve had this happen before.
At least once, take a solo trip
Few things are as empowering as travelling alone. You have complete freedom as a solitary traveller. The world is your oyster when you travel by yourself. You have complete freedom to engage in any activity at any time. It feels like the purest form of freedom to me. You have to follow some golden rules for travelling too.
However, travelling alone teaches you a lot about yourself in addition to giving you a sense of freedom. Travel is a fantastic instrument for self-improvement, and travelling alone is one of the best methods to develop and grow personally if you know the golden rules of Travelling.
You are on your own to deal with any issues you encounter while travelling. You must learn how to go from point A to point B, interact with people who speak a foreign language, feel at ease dining by yourself, discover things to do, and resolve any issues that may come up. All you have are your wits. That compels you to mature in ways you wouldn’t in a comfortable environment.
I still urge everyone to at least give solo travel a shot, even though it won’t be for everyone. You will discover a lot about yourself even if you don’t love it.
Learn some fundamental language and phrases
Although the locals won’t expect you to be fluent in their language, knowing a few simple words will go a long way toward making them like you and willing to go above and beyond for you. The fact that you attempted will make them happy! No matter where you travel, a simple “hello,” “how are you?” and “thank you” go a long, long way.
Utilize hostels
Spending a few nights in hostels to meet other travellers is also a plus point added in golden rules of travelling and enjoy the sense of community that comes with travelling. Not all of them resemble the seedy bars you see in movies. The majority of hostels are exceptionally clean, provide breakfast, have cosy beds and Wi-Fi, plan events, and have extensive local knowledge. They also accommodate guests of various ages, including some families; they are not only for young travellers.
Consult tourism boards
Local tourism offices are a gold mine of information. When you arrive at a new location, stop by the tourist information centre and ask the personnel an absurd amount of questions about the area. They are there to assist you to make the most of your vacation, and it is their responsibility to be well-knowledgeable about the location. Plus, they frequently provide a tonne of exclusive offers.
Try different types of foods
Food is frequently the best way to discover the culture. Never be scared to give new things a try. Experiment and get outside of your comfort zone. Given how wonderful those fried caterpillars in Zambia were, you could actually enjoy it.
Go with the flow!
Be adaptable with your plans because you know well about all the golden rules of travelling, it is a series of pleasant accidents when one thing leads to another. Don’t avoid going with new pals to that unexpected city simply because your itinerary suggests otherwise. You’ll be sorry. Be flexible and receptive to new experiences. Your travels will be a great deal less stressful as a result.
Pack minimum
Consider this advice from a former over-packer: you never need half of what you bring. Make a pile with everything you believe you require, then take out half of it. It is easier to travel the lighter you are.
Take additional cash
Unexpected expenses may inevitably arise that you hadn’t budgeted for. I never expected to need to replace my camera in Italy, fly last minute to Fiji, or buy an extra iPhone cable in Australia. Always bring extra cash with you. Although you might not require it, you don’t want to be short on cash in the event of a catastrophe.
Get lost in the city and explore
wander aimlessly across an unfamiliar city. Get lost because, ultimately, you aren’t truly losing yourself; rather, you are learning new things. So put the map down and go exploring. You’ll eventually figure it out.
Get a phone
It will make it simpler to communicate with loved ones back home, connect with other travellers, and get in touch with hostels. There is no reason not to stay connected because SIM cards and prepaid phones are affordable.
However, avoid being glued to your phone. These days, I observe far too many folks who are glued to their phones. But it is still a good idea to keep one on hand in case of emergencies, especially now that they are so widely available and reasonably priced.
Go slow go easy
This is neither a race nor a contest, so go slowly. You see a lot more when you see a lot less, even though I understand your want to pack a lot into your brief time. Take your time and explore each location. Avoid rushing from station to station; doing so will make the journey uncomfortable and unpleasant. Less is more in terms of travel.
Take a lot of pictures of yourself and your buddies
You’ll want to look back on your younger self in the future and recognize all the people who had a significant impact on your life. The feeling of nostalgia can be great. Make careful to capture your pals in images. Later, you’ll need them.
