I have said this before, but it bears repeating: I believe that the only truly worthwhile thing to spend money on is travel. It is marvellously enjoyable, mind widening and educative as well. It gives you the sort of insight into other cultures that only reading cannot. So if you’ve got a holiday lined up during Diwali or thereabouts, here are some travel hacks to keep in mind:
Before you leave for your destination, read up about its history, customs, culture and people. Check out maps, maybe a Lonely Planet Guide of the place and get familiar with the geography as well. Be respectful of the local people when you arrive.
It seems easier to hand things over to a tour package company. However, it is usually cheaper and more flexible to create your own itinerary and do your own bookings. Websites such as booking.com, hotel.com, and Airbnb are easy to use and reliable. If you book your tickets well in advance you can get some great deals as well.
It can be much cheaper to hire a small flat than two hotel rooms. An apartment especially makes sense if more than one family is travelling together. Most apartments have kitchens so it is easy to make breakfast or rustle up basic meals for fussy eaters. It can also be a great idea to opt for a homestay --- a chance to interact with locals and sample the cuisine.
Internet could be iffy or even absent in remote locations. Download a few good movies and series to watch while you're off the net. Also, download some Google maps so you can consult them while offline.
If you're travelling abroad, carry a suitable plug adapter. Also carry a portable charger for long journeys.
I always find that I come back from a trip with at least a few unworn clothes. So carry a few less than you think you will need. But it’s a good idea to carry an extra pair of comfy shoes in case there is a broken strap or a sole emergency. You may not find a mochi and buying a new pair may be expensive.
Roll up your clothes. Organise your bag in the order that you will need things – your toilet bag and night things should be right on top if you reach late and just want to crash. A couple of medium sized bags with lots of compartments is a much better idea than one big bag. Carry an extra folding bag to bring back the shopping, mementoes etc.
Meds are often much more expensive abroad and pharmacies tend to have much stricter prescription rules. Plus you don’t want to go hunting for a pharmacy if you have the sniffles or a headache. Carry your prescriptions and make sure you don’t carry anything that is banned where you're travelling to.
It just makes sense to do this. Make sure soft copies are available to you (email them to yourself) whenever required and also carry photocopies of your personal ID, passport, visa, booking confirmations and tickets.
Rather than visiting a restaurant for every meal, stock up on some fruit and snacks to tide you over for when you're not too hungry. You could find some interesting local produce to try as well.
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