BY Barsha BhattacharyaNov 2, 2023

Traveling is one of the most exciting and fulfilling things we can do with our time. However, without proper planning, it can quickly become one of the most stressful events I our calendars too. In particular, takes a lot of thought and preparation if you want every step of the journey to run smoothly. If you have an overseas trip coming up, there are a few key things you’ll want to start getting in order long before you hop on the plane. Here’s what you need to start thinking about the moment you decide to go on holiday. Research Your Destination Thoroughly First things first – you need to know a little about where you’re going. Where in the world is it? What are the travel documentation requirements? What’s it like there and what do you plan to do while you’re there? Once you know the essentials, it’s also good to do a little bit of reading up on the culture, the cuisine, the tourist attractions, what the weather’s like, and all the other little details that will impact your experience. Find out what the people are like, what the “must try” foods are, and if there are any tourist traps you should be avoiding like the plague. Also, don't forget to check whether you need an international driving permit if you plan on renting a car during your travels – this often overlooked document can be essential for hassle-free road trips in many countries. Prep Your Travel Documents Early One of the most stressful aspects of travel is all the admin that comes along with it. When you’re traveling abroad, there’s a whole lot of documentation that needs to be in place to avoid hiccups, so make sure you start getting it all in order well in advance to avoid last-minute panic sessions. Sort out your visas and flight tickets pronto. You’ll also want to make sure you know how you’ll be paying for things in your destination country, that you get any required vaccinations, and that you’re covered for any emergencies. Opting for a comprehensive travel insurance plan like Blue Cross Travel Insurance will wrap everything into one. Overshoot Your Budget There’s no worse feeling than realizing you’ve gone way, way over budget on something you were sure of – and yet this is pretty common. This is why when you’re budgeting for a big trip, it’s always a good idea to prepare yourself to go a little over. We all know that saving money while travelling is a priority for most people, so if you have hard limits, set them. However, then you need to make sure you’re strict with your daily spending! If you know that you’re the spontaneous type who might vanish into a nearby pub when you were meant to be out for a leisurely (and free) park stroll, you might want to leave some wiggle room in your budget. Look To Locals For Recommendations If you’re looking for accommodation, restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, museums, theatres, activities, or even just a really good coffee, the best people to ask are the locals. Locals have done all the hard work of experiencing the not-so-great options that inevitably exist in every city, so getting their advice on where to go and where not to go simply makes sense. If you like to plan ahead, try to find an online community group (such as on Facebook) where you can ask for recommendations from the locals of whatever cities you’ll be visiting. Create A Flexible Itinerary When traveling abroad, there are inevitably going to be countless things you want to do and see and experience. It’s not unlikely that you’ll be able to fill up every moment of your trip in a pre-planned schedule to make sure you get to everything. However, a lot of the magic of travel lies in spontaneity – stumbling across hidden gems or losing track of time at some natural beauty you discovered. It’s a great idea to plan your trip and make a list of the must-do moments. However, making your itinerary flexible and adaptable will ensure that you don’t pressure yourself out of the things you’re really enjoying. Learn The Local Lingo If you’re traveling to a foreign country that speaks an unfamiliar language, it’s always a good idea to get a little clued up before you go. Of course, you can rely on translation apps while you’re there to help you read signs and order your meals, but knowing some of the basics will help make communication a lot easier. In this case, language learning apps are almost always the way to go. They might not be an ideal option for someone looking to seriously study a language, but they provide an excellent platform for some quick, basic learning. Try to pick up some basic phrases you might be using on a regular basis on your trip. Learn to ask for the restroom, directions, and where to find a cold beer! Read Also: How To Save Money On A Trip To Abu Dhabi 7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Trip To Gatlinburg How To Use Videos To Drive Conversions In Travel Business