When traveling to a foreign country, it is a great idea to befriend some locals. Locals can give you unique and inside perspectives on the culture, and take you to places that are off the beaten path. This article will give you some tips about how to make friends with the locals next time you travel.
Do not be afraid to ask your tour guide for their credentials. Many tour guides are often required to carry a permit. Do not be shy about asking to see it. If you are spending your money on their services, it is well within your right to do so.
Pack all your necessary belongings in a carry-on bag for airline travel. Not having to check luggage means that you can save on checked bag fees, check in for your flight at home or at a kiosk without having to wait in line a the ticket counter, and will avoid the possibility of your luggage being lost.
Make sure to have all medical information for yourself and your family on hand. If any member of your family has special medical needs, then you need to order medical alert bracelets if you do not own them already. These are the first thing medical professionals should look for and it also can give a point of contact in the event of separation.
Always make sure you have someone looking after your home while you are traveling. You need to also make sure that you leave all of your contact information with them in case of an emergency. They will need to make sure they have some way of contacting you in case something goes wrong.
Health and safety are most important when traveling internationally. Contaminated food and water can make you very sick. Worst case scenario, you could end up in need of medical attention in a third-world country miles from a hospital or doctor.
If you enjoy alcohol, there’s no better way when traveling, to get to know a new city than with a pub crawl. Visiting multiple establishments in the same night, will give an interesting cross-section of the city that you wouldn’t gain any other way. Plus, you’ll make some new friends.
While travelling with friends and family is a great way to make memories, try travelling alone sometimes. You will find that all the activities you experience will seem just as vivid and memorable when you travel solo, and the freedom to do whatever YOU want do will seem incredibly liberating!
Dress appropriately when traveling to maximize comfort and safety. No one likes to think about it but you are taking a risk of getting in an accident when you travel. By wearing natural fibers you can actually protect yourself against burns in the case of an accident. Synthetic fibers can melt when exposed to heat and the melting fibers can burn the skin without flames.
As was stated at the beginning of this article, befriending locals is a great idea when visiting a foreign country. Locals can take you places that you would not otherwise see just sticking to tours. Apply the advice from this article next time you travel, and you will be sure to appreciate a unique and different adventure from your regular travel plans.
