Congratulations – you’ve made the decision to venture out and travel abroad for the very first time. Whether you have been anxious to venture out of the country or haven’t found the opportunity to go, the occasion can bring about a bag of mixed feelings – from excitement to anxiety.
Ensuring your trips goes smoothly should be on the top of your priority list, however, you may be worried that you’re going to forget all of the important stuff.
This guide will give you all the information you need to know about going abroad for the very first time and the key aspects you can’t afford to forget:
1. Have all of the necessary health checks
Before visiting another country, it’s essential to have a health check from your GP to make sure you’re in full health before traveling or are made aware of any minor health complications.
In doing so, you won’t be caught off guard if you need medical attention while overseas. It’s highly unlikely that your insurance will cover you if you have an illness that wasn’t declared before making the trip. When visiting particular destinations, you will need vaccinations to protect you against diseases, but if you’re in any doubt, always talk to your GP.
2. Your passport and visa
If you haven’t yet applied for a passport, it’s about time you got the ball rolling. Passports usually take around 6 weeks to process, so if you have booked to go abroad in less than two months’ time, you’ll be racing against the clock to get it back on time. The last thing you want is to have to cancel your vacation because you didn’t apply for your passport early enough, so always be well-prepared. You may also be required to apply for a visa, dependent on the country you’re visiting.
3. Book in advance
Before your trip, it would be best to research things to plan an itinerary, so you know exactly what you’ll be doing each day. Traveling can be stressful for even the most experienced vacationers, without the added worry about how you’ll spend your time once you arrive.
Create a solid schedule for each day of your vacation and book any day trips that take your fancy, however, do leave some free time to explore your surroundings. It’s also important to plan your vacation down to the nitty-gritty details to keep your stress levels to a minimum, such as booking your parking space at the airport with ParkON.com or reserving tables at local restaurants, especially if you’re in a large group.
4. Be aware of international fees
Make sure you exchange currency before you travel. Not only will you be able to budget better by working out the average spend of each day, but you’ll also dodge international fees that come alongside using your credit card abroad. Despite this, you should always take a credit or debit card with you as a preventative measure, in the event that your money gets lost or stolen or you run out of funds.
