Tips For the First-time Travelers

With some it happens in its infancy, with others when they are already getting retired. But most of us sooner or later turn out to be abroad. Where do the “rakes” usually “occur” with newcomers and how to avoid these common mistakes?

Travelers often are not interested in the country. Looking through the web site, you should get as much of info as possible on the country when going on a vacation. You should know not only the major attractions, but also the rules of conduct, laws relating to the tourism: what kind of clothes are considered indecent, for what you would have to pay a fine ( in some places you can even end up in prison), what items can not be imported or exported. It is worth to talk with experienced travelers on special forums and find out all the possible acclimation, how visitors usually cheat and what are the main dangers in wait for them, what is the fare for taxis and other services – without this information it’s so easy to get into a mess!

Typically, a tourist-newbie is spending a lot of time on getting used to the new location. Upon arriving to a new city, just go to the State Tourist Information Centre. Similar institutions are located at the station, the airport, in the center, near major attractions. They usually create special maps (usually free) and ask all the pressing issues to distribute those. At the same time take a look at interesting museums and excursions. How to find good restaurants? In European countries you can try to talk with the hotel manager and ask him where he likes to go for a dinner, to which clubs he goes. But beware: in Asian countries you are likely to be sent to an institution of some person, who is familiar with that guy or  where your “counselor” gets a percentage of the attracted customers.

There are tourists who are experiencing where to hide your passport and money. Some travelers always carry their passport with them, while others prefer to leave it in the hotel vault. Remember: it’s completely not safe way of storing documents and valuables. Moreover, in some countries (e.g. Spain) you, by law, must be in possession of a national framework document to present it when paying by plastic card. So make sure to make a copy of it reassure with a notary and carry it separately. Sometimes it can replace your passport. Such copy will rescue you if still something happens with your passport and you have to contact the representatives of your own country.

Being in a strange land where everyone around is talking in an incomprehensible language – this is a big stress. But this does not mean that you should not leave the hotel. Of course, well, if you’re not fluent in foreign dialects, but you may well opt for the first voyage of the country where they speak an exotic language and poorly understood even in English. Always carry a card with your name, address and phone number of the hotel and the coordinates of your guide (if you have it, of course). To be more independent, learn primitive phrases: “How much?” (The answer can be discussed with the “fingers”), “where .. and where I am now? “(in this case it is better to carry a map on which you will be able to show all the necessary information).

Most likely, you will continuously transfer rates with local currency for dollars to Euros or some other currency. Sometimes the results can be shocking: the ratio of prices for various goods and services in different countries may differ quite substantially, so do not spoil your nerves, remembering how much would you pay for the same trip on a streetcar in your hometown. It is better to determine how much you can afford to spend. Match this number with the local prices (again, not interfere yourself finding this information in advance). If the result is unacceptable then you better avoid buying that specific good. Remember that you are on a vacation so it is not worth it to spoil the trip for yourself and those around continuously talking about money and the costs of the goods.

Sometimes the money ends abruptly. The reasons for this are all those small costs, which could not be avoided at the first glance. But you can minimize them! Find out if the country where you are going to has any kind of taxes for tourists (e.g, overnight) – at times their size in various hotels can be different. Try to find the most suitable ticket, not to spend much money on public transport. Be sure to leave a certain amount to the card “just in case”. Despite the fact that you have insurance, sometimes you still have to pay for the treatment itself, and the insurance company agrees to compensate the costs later on-  after returning home.

Beginner tourists are not accustomed to calculate forces and seek to embrace the boundless. Even if you are hyperactive seeing everything trying to avoid your abnormal desire. Just get over this idea and do not torment yourself and your fellow travelers. Time ahead, select the places you should visit and calculate the timing for each of them separately. Do not make yourself too rich too cognitive of a rest, after which you return home tired, exhausted, with only one thought – to take a vacation to get recovered. But keep in mind that it doesn’t mean that you need to forget about the active rest, it’s not the same as the hyperactive one.

After falling for the first time abroad, you will want to buy all kind of different souvenirs and items. Consider the following questions: Are they for you? Will they be just as attractive in your city apartment as they are on those folding tables of the beach trader? And how would you react to the cumbersome and unnecessary present to your family? When you just need to bring home something to remember about the trip, you can get magnets for the fridge: they are cheap and do not take a lot of places. Sometimes it’s even better at home to make a list of relatives and friends whom you are obliged to bring gifts – this will avoid impulsive spending. If you’re a fan of shopping, collect advance information about the unique products and make a list of what you really need and what you would like to get from that foreign country.