Top Planning Tips For Your Next Trip Abroad

Nov 2, 2023

Last Updated on: Feb 24, 2024

Travel Guides

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!

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Barsha Bhattacharya is a senior content writing executive. As a marketing enthusiast and professional for the past 4 years, writing is new to Barsha. And she is loving every bit of it. Her niches are marketing, lifestyle, wellness, travel and entertainment. Apart from writing, Barsha loves to travel, binge-watch, research conspiracy theories, Instagram and overthink.

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In March, you can grab the opportunity and explore the history, romance, architecture, and wonderful cityscape of Paris in March. Unlike summer, Paris is not all that much occupied in March. It is undoubtedly among the best places to travel in March. Famous For: One of the seven wonders of the world, City of love.  How To Reach: You can fly directly to the International Airport of Paris.  Places To Visit: Eiffel Tower, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Louver Museum, Arc de Triomphe.  Things To Do: Kiss under the Eiffel tower, visit Louver Museum and explore the architecture and cityscape.  Foods To Try: Croissants, steak tartare, jambon-beurre, escargots, macarons. 4. Crete - Greece Crete still has millions of mysteries stuck on the walls of the ancient architecture and its beautiful City. People say that Crete used to be an ancient capital in the time of Theseus. There are castes full of mysteries and alleys with undiscovered history. The pristine beaches and hundreds of archeological sites are among the best attractions to spend a few days in the temperate weather of Crete. Crete is one of the best places to travel to in March if you are looking for a historical location in March. Famous For: Several archeological sites, including the Palace of Knossos. How To Reach: You need to land at Athens international airport. Then take a ferry from Piraeus Port. Places To Visit: Chania lighthouse & Venetian harbor, Heraklion, Palace of Knossos, Rethymno, Knossos Things To Do: Sightseeing, visit ruins of prehistoric villages, get out on safari, spend time at the beaches.  Foods To Try: Cretan Cheeses, Fried snails, Dakos, Cretan Cheese Pies, Mountain Bulbs. 5. Prague - Chez Republic You want to travel, but your pocket is short. But a tight budget should not stop you from traveling. Prague is a budget-friendly place to visit in March. Moreover, Prague is one of the best places to travel in March for the hopeless wanderers who love to explore cultures and explore history from close proximity. Architecture lovers will have the best time of their lives in Prague. The statue of Infant Jesus in Mala Strana is a must-see site in Prague. Unlike European travel destinations, Prague is much of a budget-oriented travel destination. You will love the castles and the beauty of the town life in Prague. Famous For: beautiful architecture, affordable nightlife. How To Reach: Land at the Prague international airport and take a taxi to roam around the City. Places To Visit: Prague Castle, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge. Things To Do: site-seeing, spend time in the beautiful town. Foods To Try: Knedliky, Koleno, Czech roast duck. 6. Phuket - Thailand The biggest island in Thailand, Phuket, is one of the best places to travel in March. The relaxing beaches, beautiful temples, and rich culture of Thailand are some of the overwhelming attractions of Phuket. However, for people wanting to have fun on vibrant and colorful nights, Phuket can be an attention seeker. You can have fun at the Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches. The 45 meters tall Buddha statue in Phuket is another attraction. If on Budget, Phuket is on the top list of the best places to visit in March for a family holiday. Famous For: Beeches, vibrant nightlife, cultural sites. How To Reach: You can land at Phuket international airport. Places To Visit:  Phuket Trickeye Museum, Old Phuket Town. Things To Do: Water sports, boat tour, nightlife, sightseeing, jungle safari, and shopping. Foods To Try:  Pad Thai, Kuay Teow, Pancake, Moo Ping. 7. Reykjavík - Iceland Many travelers yearn for the calm and serene beauty of the wild. Such loves of nature will find Reykjavik pleasing. Adventure lovers and nature worshipers can connect with the scenic beauty of Iceland once they visit Reykjavik. It is one of the best places to travel in March. While I suggest you visit Reykjavik in March, July and August are also the best for visiting This beautiful place. Famous For: The best music festivals in North Europe, enjoying the nightlife. How To Reach: In Reykjavik, you can fly to Keflavík International Airport Places To Visit: Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Center, Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan, Sun Voyager.  Things To Do: Enjoy nature, site seeing, and try local foods. Foods To Try: Skyr, Slow Roasted Lamb, Icelandic Fish, Icelandic Lamb Soup 8. Lisbon - Portugal Lisbon is an aesthetic city with an overwhelmingly vibrant culture and history. The charming City, winding and cobbled streets with pastel-toned houses standing around to pave the pathway of a traveler attract hopeless wanderers. Artist-travelers will have some of the most beautiful cityscapes to take photographs of or make paintings of. The sunny weather in Lisbon will enrich your mood while the Fado music and the friendly local people welcome travelers with their smiles. Famous For: Culture, beautiful City, enjoying the nightlife. How To Reach: Land at Lisbon Portela International Airport. Places To Visit: Jerónimos Monastery, Tower of Belém, Praça do Comércio Things To Do: Sightseeing, photography, enjoying the nightlife. Foods To Try:  Sardines, Bacalhau,Pasteis de Nata 9. Queenstown - New Zealand The adventure capital of the world, Queenstown, is indeed among the best travel locations you can go to in March. The summer in Queenstown is the most pleasant time of the year to travel to. As a traveler from the northern hemisphere, you should feel the most comfortable if you are traveling in March. Why? Because the summery weather of New Zealand is similar to the winter in the Asian countries. Some out-of-the-world natural sceneries make Queenstown one of the best places to travel in March. Photographers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers are going to love what Queenstown has in store for them. The place feels like it is out of a Disney movie. Famous For: Beautiful landscapes, adventurous activities. How To Reach: Land at Queenstown international airport.  Places To Visit: Kiwi Birdlife Park, Shotover River, Skippers Canyon, Milford Sound. Things To Do: Jet boating, white water rafting, skydiving, bungy jumping. Foods To Try: Fergburger, Duck Nachos, Tiger Prawn Linguini. 10. Whistler - Canada Whistler of Canada brings a mix of all the things travelers yearn for. Just as there is some beautiful scenic natural beauty, you can also move around and feel the wonderful weather Whistler has to offer. Whistlers are situated on the Coast Mountain and are a hotspot for the bird watchers. You can go mountain hiking and do lots of fun activities like mountain biking and sky diving in Whistler. If you travel in the winter, you can also go skiing. Famous For: The natural wonders and beautiful weather. How To Reach: You can land at Vancouver International Airport and go to Whistler from there by bus or a taxi. Places To Visit: Whistler Blackcomb, Alexander Falls, Garibaldi Provincial Park, Whistler Olympic Park Things To Do: Hiking, mountain biking, skydiving. Foods To Try:  Poutine, Montreal-style Bagels, Peameal Bacon, Butter tarts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Some of these frequently asked questions will help you if you are planning a trip in March. 1. What Are The Cheapest Places To Travel In March? March is a good time to travel because of the temperate weather in most countries. In the southern hemisphere, it is the time of autumn, while in the north, March brings the springtime. 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