Travel checklist: The best travel advice you will ever get

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Do you travel a lot? Is this your first time? Do you find traveling daunting? Is traveling alone for the first time a scary experience for you? If the answer to any of the above is yes then this travel checklist is for you!

In order to make the ultimate travel checklist for you we have searched all given advice from numerous enthusiastic travelers, including ourselves, and cross referenced everything. Here is your ultimate guide of the best travel advice.

The best packing advice

1- Make a list

1- Make a list

We often make several mental lists when we start planning our trip. However, time and constant traveling have proven that such mental lists are futile. The keyword here is making a real documented list!
When you first start planning your trip start a packing note on your cell phone, and whenever you remember something add it to the list immediately.

2- Research and plan your outfits ahead

2- Research and plan your outfits ahead

Research the weather where you’re going, and plan you preliminary itinerary. This will help you plan the outfits you need for the trip. Will you need hiking boots? Raincoats? Swimming suits? Planning all this ahead will help you pack what you need so you don’t have to buy last minute in a place you don’t know.
And when packing shoes, always opt for comfort. Even if you are traveling for business and need dressy shoes, invest in a pair of comfortable dressy shoes. Nothing can ruin your day like being unable to explore because your feet are in pain.

3- Be flexible

3- Be flexible

That said, you have to allow for change. Do not for instance pack your bags to the point of bursting, leave room for shopping. And add a light jacket even if you are traveling during summer and a light shirt in winter, allow for surprises. Also try to pack versatile pieces, a piece that can be worn more than once and in different ways is a true gem when traveling.

4- Mix personal items

4- Mix personal items

If traveling with family or with a spouse, it is much better to mix items in all bags instead of assigning a bag to each person. This way, if one of the bags is lost no one is left without any personal belongings.

5- Pack a first aid kit

5- Pack a first aid kit

Packing this is much easier than trying to shop for meds in an unfamiliar place. The basics are a pain killer, antiseptic, band aids, something for insect bites, something for upset stomach and something for sunburn. If you happen to use any specific medication make sure to pack enough of that as well.

The best vacation advice

1- Diversify your personal economy

1- Diversify your personal economy

Do not put all your money and all your credit cards in one place, and do not carry a lot of cash with you.

The same thing goes for travel documents such as passports, keep a copy of everything and put in another pocket or another bag.

2- Ask the locals for advice

2- Ask the locals for advice

If you want to find the best transportation and the best local food, the best travel advice we can give you is to ask the locals. And by locals we do not mean the hotel reception. The hotel often has offers that they want to sell, it’s better to ask local citizens or residents for that sort of advice.

And don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine, after all, it is a huge part of the traveling experience! Put that on your travel checklist right now, try local street food.

3- Take lots of photos

3- Take lots of photos

There is a fine balance between taking a lot of photos to save the memories and not making any memories because you are too busy taking photos!

No matter how many people tell you to not waste your time taking photos don’t listen to them. Of course taking photos should be on your travel checklist. The best travel advice for this dilemma is to allow yourself a few minutes whenever you go someplace new to take photos. Once your 5 minutes are up, put the camera away and enjoy the experience.

4- Learn some of the local language

4- Learn some of the local language

Even a few words like hello and thank you will forever be a part of your traveling experience. Plus, they make your interactions with the locals much nicer, saying hello to someone in their native language can make a new friend, especially if accompanied by a smile.

5- Embrace the unexpected

5- Embrace the unexpected

No matter how well you review your travel checklist or how long you plan your trip, surprises always happen, and they are not always the fun sort. However you have two choices, either to panic and ruin your trip or to embrace whatever comes your way and consider it an adventure. Lost in a place you do not know where the locals do not speak your language, the adventure of a lifetime! Your bag was lost, time for shopping! Just relax and try to have fun no matter what.

For more travel inspiration see also:

The land of mountains and magic: Top things to do in Nepal

Where to eat in Morocco: a journey through Moroccan food

Unusual Food: Weirdest restaurants in the world