Beginners Travel Guide

Health Preparation
Go and see your doctor and your dentist – get checked up and let them know you intend to travel for an extended period. If you have any medication that you need to take with you, make sure you have all the relevant documentation in case you are investigated at customs – it makes things a lot simpler. Be aware that some drugs that are legal in one country are not necessarily legal in another – this can be for commonly available items.

Trip Preparation – How Do You Afford All This
One of the most frequently asked questions is: I’d love to go traveling, but how do I afford all of this? This question most often comes from young first time travellers – here are ten things they should consider:

Trip Planning – Getting Inspired
Just having a vague notion to travel and see the world won’t get you far. You need to firm up those ideas and form a plan – if you don’t you’ll never leave! Many people will say that they always wanted to travel but never had the opportunity. In reality many of these people never created that opportunity; there is a subtle difference. Looking into the details, getting a firm plan and then telling people what you are going to do are a good way to begin.

Last few days
Check all your paperwork – tickets, passports, visas, is all in order? Is your webmail account working? If not get a replacement and then distribute your email address. Is your travel blog working? Have you tested it and are you happy with the way it works? How are you getting to the airport?

How to Pack
Right, so you have all this stuff and you have to get it into this now much smaller backpack. Packing will become second nature to you after months on the road, but for now it’s all new. How do you do it?

Cool Stuff – Technical Travel Kit
There will always be some travellers either too attached to their laptop to leave it at home, or who need one for work purposes. When choosing a laptop to take along – choose one that is light in weight, durable with good battery life, and with a CD burner – for putting digital photos on to a CD and then sending home. More about that later.

What to Take
The biggest mistake the new traveller ever makes is taking too much. Trying to be prepared for everything you will encounter in an extended period away, will mean that you have too much in your pack and are not prepared for the everyday reality of travel, when you have to carry that pack. Even if you are strong, a heavy pack will dig into your shoulders causing pain and backache a lot faster than you might imagine