We’ve all made mistakes when traveling. Hopefully, yours didn’t ruin your trip.
As a reminder, when you start to think about traveling abroad, check out these helpful tips.
Be sure to pack a travel power adapter. I put mine in my bag with my phone charging cord. That way, I have my power sources together.
Check the voltage in the country you are traveling to. Typically, we run on 110 volts in the US. The voltage is higher in Europe and you’ll blow up your hair dryer if you aren’t aware of the voltage.
Check your passport. Make sure the expiration date is not within at least six months of your return date. You don’t want to get to the airport and not be able to leave on your trip because your passport expires a month after you return.
Pack the right clothes…and shoes. Think about what you will be doing and pack accordingly. Having your favorite heels might not be the best use of space in your luggage. I make a list and then trim in down. No need to take things I’m not going to wear or use.
Don’t assume everyone speaks English. Learn some common phrase at the minimum. If nothing else, when you attempt to say please or thank you, you come across as being polite.
Don’t expect your phone to work in Europe. Your phone plan probably won’t. Plan ahead and either talk to your carrier about their international plan or buy a SIM card when you arrive.
Plan ahead for money as well. Exchanging money at the airport when you land is probably not your best option. The exchange rate will not be your friend. If you will need a lot of money when you land, consider getting some at your bank before you go. Check the rate, however. Otherwise, know which ATM’s will be best for you to use.
If something does go wrong…don’t let it ruin your trip. Treat it like an adventure…one you just hadn’t planned on having.