Ever hear the saying “fail to prepare, prepare to fail”? This motto will never ring more true than when you are planning your very first international business trip. Not only will you have to represent your company in the best possible light. You will be doing so in a new country, surrounded by a new culture, and possibly with a new language to have to translate.

However, don’t let all that intimidate you. With hard work and preplanning, you can tackle your first business trip like a seasoned pro.

1. Prepare a Detailed International Business Travel Checklist

Whether or not you are confident about your upcoming trip, don’t let that confidence fool you into thinking you don’t have to plan ahead. There is a lot of preparation that goes into leaving for a business trip abroad.

Make sure you know ahead of time exactly how many days and nights you will be at your destination. If not, you could end up under (or over) packing. Notify your bank that you will be leaving the country and give them exact dates for your departure and return. If you don’t notify them, your bank could think your identity has been stolen and freeze your accounts while you’re abroad.

These and other small tasks are essential when planning to leave for a trip. Write out a detailed business trip checklist and go through the tasks one by one until you’re confident that you’ve done everything you can to prepare.

2. Understand Your Company’s Travel Policy

Most companies that send their employees abroad will have some sort of detailed travel policy. Do your best to learn all you can before you leave for your trip. If your company provides you with a debit/credit card for expenses, make sure you have a special billfold or other place to hide it away. If they don’t, make sure you know where and how you will save your receipts.

Make sure you also know exactly how much your company is allowing you to spend while you’re abroad. Some companies only allow for food and lodging, while others allow for entertainment and international phone plans.

3. Expect the Unexpected

A good mindset to have when traveling is that, if things can go wrong, they will. No one can control whether or not their plane is cancelled due to bad weather or if the traffic jam of the century makes them late for their business meeting. Always expect the unexpected.

This travel tip isn’t only useful to keeping you flexible and prepared. Blindly relying on your itinerary can leave you an emotional wreck when things go sideways. Then, once the first domino has fallen, your attitude can negatively affect the rest of your trip and even your work performance.

Always give yourself time to bounce back after a long flight. The worst thing you could do for your first work-related trip is book a flight that lands the same morning as your business meeting. You’ll likely be tired, hungry, and ready to sleep off your crowded flight. If your company allows you to, book your flight the day before your big meeting. That way, you will be able to get plenty of rest and be at the top of your game.

Most importantly, give yourself some grace. The unexpected is just that, unexpected. Some circumstances are beyond your control, and each mishap should be celebrated as a learning experience.

4. Get Enough Sleep

As we mentioned above, take every opportunity you get to catch up on your sleep. The last thing you want is to be so tired that you perform poorly and create a negative reputation for your company. If you are changing time zones, you will need to take extra care to remain rested and alert while switching.

Another way to get enough sleep is to research the local social practices of your destination. Some countries don’t expect employees to socialize outside of work, while others will find it extremely rude if you don’t go out late with fellow coworkers. If this is the case, be prepared with a plan B that will get you all the rest you need outside of these work events.

5. Create a Detailed Itinerary

This fifth tip is good advice for any traveler but is essential if you’re traveling for the first time. Your itinerary is your compass, and it will keep you focused and not overwhelmed, Make sure you include your flight information, local transportation, hotel information, meetings, event or conference information, and what your day to day will look like.

If you follow this itinerary to the letter, it will be that much easier to make sure your business trip runs smoothly. It will also allow you to relax more in your free time and take your mind off work.

6. Remember You’re a Guest

Whether you are visiting a company in the same country or half way around the world, make sure you are on your best behavior. Do your research ahead of time to understand the country’s local traditions, customs, and social norms.

The last thing you want is your company finding out that you embarrassed your coworkers by doing or saying something that wasn’t appropriate. Your company’s future dealings with this client could be at stake.

These stress-reducing and money-saving tips will help your trip go smoothly.

Jetsetting to Europe for the first time can be both a blessing and a curse. Though you’ll never forget the once-in-a-lifetime moments like seeing the Eiffel Tower at night or taking a gondola through the canals of Venice, if you go unprepared, these beautiful memories can be tarnished by rookie mistakes.

To avoid all that from happening, we’ve laid out exactly what not to do overseas with the best travel tips for Europe. Learning from the following rookie mistakes ahead of your trip will minimize the stress of traveling, while also saving you time and money.

1. Taking a Cab

Nope, not even from the airport. Most major European cities have reliable public transportation, so use it as soon as you arrive. For example, in Paris and Amsterdam, the train is the fastest way to get to the city center. Shuttle buses can also be a convenient and surprisingly fast alternative, such as Barcelona’s Aerobús which can get you into the city in under 40 minutes. Not only will it give you a better feel of the area, you’ll save money by avoiding high cab fares. And if there’s ever an option to walk, and you’re able, don’t miss a chance to experience the historic streets.

2. Buying Tickets Late

Waiting to get museum or popular attraction tickets when you’re there is a bad idea. Scrambling last-minute — especially in Paris or Rome — will either leave you in a terribly long line or worse, the venue will reach capacity and you may not even be able to enter at all. Do yourself a favor and book all that you want to see in advance. In major cities, multi-day sightseeing passes can be a great way to pre-plan your trip and confirm tickets to major attractions. For the extremely popular tourist attractions, like Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, you may even want to book your timed-entry ticket as soon as you know the dates of your trip, as there is a limit to how many people can enter per day.

3. Settling for the First Restaurant You See

Don’t be surprised if the prix fixe option by the mob of tourists isn’t as good as you’d hope. When it comes to food, don’t take any chances. Do your research and make a separate meal itinerary with reservations to local hot spots that will likely be more affordable or at least worth your money. Local blogs and social media accounts are a great way to find classic and new restaurants to plan your trip around. If you do find yourself in desperate need of a meal, but smack-dab in the most touristy part of town, do your best to avoid restaurants that advertise their menus in multiple languages and prepare a polite “no thank you” for the waiters waitings outside to usher in lost and hungry tourists.

4. Carrying a Ton of Cash

Don’t worry, a lot of places actually take credit cards and we bet you have one in your wallet that won’t charge foreign transactions fees. (If you don’t, look into signing up for one.) While it’s good to carry some cash, don’t carry around a ton. Pickpockets are quite common, especially in areas that attract a lot of tourists, so it’s better not to have large amounts of cash on your person if you can avoid it.

5. Not Spending Plenty of Time Outside

Europeans love eating and drinking outdoors, so do as they do. Bring along a picnic blanket, pick up some refreshments at a grocery store, and have one of your meals at a plaza or by a river. It’s a budget-friendly and fun way to switch things up so you aren’t constantly dining out.

6. Forgetting to Check Your Phone Plan

More mobile carriers are incorporating international roaming with their plans. Read through your plan’s details or give the company a quick call a few days before leaving to see if you have data abroad. Don’t miss out on being able to use your Google Maps app.

7. Ordering All the Bread and Water

You probably think these things are a given, but at many restaurants they’re not free and can quickly drive up your bill. Unless you’re sure you want it, make it a point to refuse that bread basket once you sit down. To cost-effectively steer clear of dehydration, grab a jug of water for a fraction of the cost at a convenient store, fill up a water bottle, and carry it with you.

8. Not Claiming Your Refund

If you did a lot of shopping in Europe, you may be eligible for a VAT refund. All you need to do is ask the retailer for the proper documentation and show it to the proper agents at the airport. The exact processes may work differently in each country, but getting money back makes them all worth a try.

9. Ignoring 24-hour Time

If you’re on a schedule or have timely plans, we recommend setting your phone to 24-hour, or military time, to make sure you don’t miss anything. I once hung out at the Real Madrid gift shop while the game was already going on because I misread the time — don’t make the same silly mistake I did.

10. Downplaying Comfort

Regardless of where you’re off to, there will be walking involved and it’s important to pack accordingly. Exploring in uncomfortable attire or footwear is no joke. Don’t be that person who complains and slows others down because you’re dressed inappropriately. Trust me — been there, done that, and it’s awful for everyone.

11. Neglecting to Smile

Even if you remember not to do all the things on this list, there will likely be some bumps along the road. However, you can’t let just any mishap get you down because at the end of the day, you’re on vacation — and probably somewhere beautiful. Take a deep breath, and enjoy yourself.

Planning and implementing the trip is a daunting task, especially in the case of travelling to a new/unknown city for the first time. To ensure complete peace of mind during your travel this winter break/Christmas/New Year, follow these smart travel tips to avoid minute hiccups.

In the exhausting urban lifestyle with all the hustle-bustle, travel has proven to be a great stress buster for everyone as travelling is an astonishing way to stimulate the mind and body together by discovering various destinations. However choosing a destination and planning the trip is a tough task, considering the time, weather, ticket-hotel booking, etc.

Planning and implementing the trip is a daunting task, especially in the case of travelling to a new/unknown city for the first time.

Harish Khatri, Founder and MD at India Assist, revealed 5 smart travel tips to avoid minute hiccups and to ensure complete peace of mind during your travel during winter holidays or Christmas or New Year trip:

1. Pre-book an airport/railway transport

A major concern while traveling is missing a flight or train thus the best course of action is to pick a right mode of transportation to get to the airport on time. Pick-up and drop-off services make it simple for travellers to arrive on schedule and avoid any distress.

2. Remain calm in case of medical crises

Exploring new destinations during your travel may result in unanticipated circumstances or medical emergencies. Ensure you are travelling with your own medicines/first aid to cover any contingencies. Kids have their own unique requirements, ensure you have taken basic food and other things for them to keep them engaged.

3. Collect verified information

Any journey requires a factual fact check of the weather, road conditions, taxi transportation, food availability, etc. It is preferable to obtain validated information from right source to ensure that you have received real time information and have done your preparation accordingly.

4. Safeguard your luggage and valuable documents

Most travelers have identical travel bags and to eliminate luggage confusion a name card should be added to a suitcase or ensure you have checked your name on the tag attached by the airlines before picking it up from conveyor belt. Also always carry a separate pouch for important documents so that they can be taken out or put back easily and they are always in front of your eyes to avoid losing them.

5. Ask for Travel Assistance Support from tour operator or hotels

Ask your travel agent or hotel to provide you support of mobile assistance app to ensure all the eventualities in new cities are taken care of. A mobile assistance travel app is available through B2B channel and if you push for it, chances are you may get it complementary or at nominal cost from your travel agent or hotel. This kind of app can help you in medical emergencies, in luggage or document lost, in case of theft or any other support you may need in a new city. The mobile assistance app provides the finest services with help of an on-ground support team. The dedicated team manages distress and provides ground assistance support to ensure that you have a better experience and great memories of your vacation.

These seven tips can help calm travel anxiety.

Travel is a gift. It makes us more connected to the world, can inspire us in ways we never imagined, and helps us bond with loved ones along the way. It can also leave us rather frazzled with anxiety.

Travel anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of, and if you have it, you’re far from alone. According to WebMD, some 18% of the U.S. population has an anxiety disorder.

“Travel can be really stress-inducing because so many things are outside of your control,” Dr. Nina Vasan, chief medical officer at Real and professor at Stanford shared some tips. “From weather and mechanical delays to traffic and lost bags, there are a lot of stressors that you can’t necessarily plan for or solve. Things that happen while you’re traveling can also have huge impacts on your day or life.”

There are, however, a few tools you can add to your mental health arsenal to help. Here are seven travel anxiety tips to help ease stress on your next trip.

Pack an item that brings you joy.

If you’re prone to travel anxiety, Vasan suggests packing one item that makes you feel happier, no matter what that is.

“Think of a few things to bring with you to make it a joyful or calming experience. This is different for everyone,” Vasan shared. “For example, think of things you enjoy: a new book, a new TV show you’ve wanted to watch, a podcast, or something to entertain you that will make travel more fun.”

Channel nervous energy.

Feeling out of control? Find something to distract you — specifically, something to distract your hands.

“Find something you can do with your hands to channel nervous energy, like knitting, coloring, needlepoint, writing letters or postcards, and journaling. This allows you to be creative and use the time you’re spending in transit in a way that is fulfilling and can make it feel less stressful,” Vasan said.

Plan your meals.

Vasan said you shouldn’t leave anything up to chance, including your meals.

“Food can be a stressor for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’re hungry in transit. Or maybe you don’t see any food options you like,” Vasan said. “Think ahead about what you want to be eating and plan accordingly. Maybe that means packing food for the trip. Or if you’re planning to eat out, think ahead to what you might find satisfying.”

Give yourself extra time.

The last thing you want to do is pile on more stress by being late. So, Vasan said, it’s good to pad in extra time while in transit.

“The travel experience has become much more stressful lately, especially airline travel. Give yourself extra time to plan ahead for any delays or things that might unexpectedly happen. Having the extra buffer time will make your travel feel much less stressful,” Vasan said. If you end up with too much extra time, find something to do – like catching up with a friend or loved one or walking around the train terminal or airport.

Try calming breathing techniques.

What is one thing you can do anywhere, at any time? Take a deep breath.

“Deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation are absolutely fantastic,” Vasan said. “I like diaphragmatic breathing to ease anxiety and stress. It is a deeper style of breathing, and I think that physical component can be really useful in releasing stress.”

And move your body.

Another way to get your body prepared for stress-free travel is to move a little.

“Physical movement is incredibly helpful in reducing stress. Adding just five minutes here and there can be really helpful,” Vasan shared. “Maybe it is taking the stairs instead of the elevator or power walking around the airport terminal during your layover. Movements can be a game-changer.”

Have a backup plan.

One more way to reduce your chances of running into any travel stress is to always have a backup plan so you’re never left out in the cold.

“Contingency planning ahead of time can be helpful when it comes to work and family responsibilities,” Vasan added. “Before you start traveling, think ahead – if your return flight home gets canceled, what are you going to do? Having a ‘crisis plan’ in place can decrease anxiety because you already know what you’re going to do.”

And don’t be afraid to ask for professional help.

Still feeling overwhelmed? Ask for help.

“If it is at the level where your stress is prohibiting you from traveling, or you notice the stress so much that it is getting in the way of you having a good experience while traveling, I think that means it is hitting the level where a professional can help.” So go ahead and make an appointment with your therapist to get over any hurdles so you can focus on having the best travel experience of your life instead.