Tip #1:
If you're traveling to a foreign country where a language that you don't know is spoken, I highly recommend bringing a book along with you with simple phrases in that language. I decided to learn French rather than Spanish, so I wasn't much help on our Peru trip, but thankfully my sister takes Spanish and brought along a Spanish-English dictionary along with some sheets with pronunciation guides and such she'd printed.
Tip #2:
Another thing you shouldn't forget if you're traveling internationally is to do a currency exchange at the airport. If you don't convert your dollars into the currency that country has, you won't be able to eat at restaurants, get any souvenirs, or anything that requires payment.
Tip #3:
It's vacation, I get it. But it's often best to wake up early when the local attractions and sightseeing spots don't have lines as long. I had to wake up very early on the day we visited Machu Picchu, but not only were less people there, it was actually much more photogenic early in the morning. You get beautiful lighting for your photography, allowing you to get the best souvenir of them all.
Tip #4:
Drink lots of water! Water helps you adjust to severe changes in altitude, and helps you stay hydrated throughout the day. Whatever you plan to do, I promise that drinking a lot of water will help you tons, and you won't be as tired when you come home.
Tip #5:
Always pack bug spray! I can guarantee you that wherever you go, there will be bugs and pests waiting to get all up in your face, and with bug spray you can prevent yourself from coming home itching yourself everywhere.
Tip #6:
Stock up with entertainment for your trip. I took five means of transportation in Peru - I traveled by car, bus, train, plane, and foot. I got some of my favorite new songs for my music library, downloaded movies from YouTube and trustworthy movie download sites to my iPod, and made a trip to the library prior to my trip. If you're not the kind to listen to music or watch movies, you should probably check out at least 5 books for your trip. My devices ran out of charge very quickly because I was constantly on them, and I'd thought 2 books was enough, so I ended up being bored often. Don't forget a journal, earbuds/headphones, and all of the necessary chargers.
Tip #7:
When choosing your travel destinations and hotels, look for places not just ideal for relaxation. I find it best to go to places with a lot of history and landmarks, but with just as many beaches and resorts when it's time to chill. For example, in Lima, the capital of Peru and third-largest city in the Americas, we stayed in a condo close to the places where tourist buses embarked, but also close to a shopping center near the beach that had some of our favorite American restaurants. It was truly a win-win situation for us.
Tip #8:
When packing, never forget to bring a carry-on with all of your technology, snacks, and books for the flight. If you're bringing makeup, pack that in your carry-on so you're sure it's being properly handled. Remember that security officers are not being delicate with your items - they're tossing them onto conveyor belts and wadding them up into baskets. So all valuables and toiletries should be with you, so that you can use them in the airport and ensure their safety. Remember to buy water bottles after security, and that since a carry-on counts as checked baggage, all of your liquids should be in your suitcase. On the flight from Lima to Miami, my dad accidentally packed his aftershave in his carry-on, and it ended up being confiscated. Your toothbrush is in your carry-on, but your gels and creams are not.
Tip #9:
Check the weather of your destination! Then you can customize your clothing choices to fit the climate there. Keep in mind that crossing the equator will invert seasons; Peru is below the equator, so it was winter during my trip.
Tip #10:
Bring Ziploc bags. In case it rains while you visit, putting your devices in Ziploc bags can protect them from the harsh weather. Deodorants, toiletries, and items that are capped can actually explode on flights because you're at high altitudes, so bring Ziploc bags for those as well.
Tip #11:
Most of the airports you fly to will have websites. Definitely check them ahead of time to plan any meals you'll be having at the airport. Look at maps to find restaurants near your terminal, just so you don't go running around the airport looking for food.
Tip #12:
Research the best months and weeks to travel. Holidays can be crowded, and the beginning and end of summer or winter break will be as well. There are so many factors to finding the right time to travel. Make sure that your destination has good weather and that the hot spots are open during that timeframe. Also check to make sure that you get the best prices, and that the airports aren't as crowded.
Tip #13:
Pack food and snacks for the flight! A plane we flew on on our trip only had one meal option, and it was non-vegetarian, so we actually had to dine on some sandwiches we'd made in the hotel. Also, when you check in before your flight, ask what the menu will be, so if you forget to pack food, you can always eat at the airport if your flight is serving one meal.
Tip #14:
The best way to avoid flight boredom is to just snooze on through the flight. If there's a time zone difference, you'll definitely want to squeeze in some extra sleep. You'll probably be doing a lot during your trip, so sleep beforehand can soften the blow of tiring hikes and late-night adventures.
Tip #15:
Travel is not just about giving your Instagram account a makeover - while you should take many pictures, don't forget to live in the moment. Start conversations with locals, go out of your comfort zones and try foods you wouldn't usually, and don't shy away from places that aren't necessarily touristy. You never know what life-changing experiences you may have.
As you were reading this, you saw reminders, research ideas, and tips for choosing your travel destinations. Considering most of my audience is kids, you might have thought that these things, like Tip #2 and #7, were not in your hands. Don't worry about that - you'll most likely be helping plan your vacation! My dad asked me to work on our itinerary, and my mom asked me to map out dinners for our trip near the hotels. My sister wanted me to check the airport website, and I did a lot of the packing. My parents usually ask us when and where we'd like to travel - we had no choice but to travel the week we did, since my sister had an obligation for the rest of summer. I myself think it's best for everyone to pitch in, and you should get some books from the library about that country/state and research the country/state online. YOU will most likely be doing some things for your trip, too.
Enjoy your vacation, and keep smiling!
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