How to Prepare to Travel the World

Are you planning to put everything aside and travel the world? Do you want to meet new people, see new sights, taste a wide variety of foods from around the world and create unforgettable memories? This quick step by step guide is just for you. From planning and researching your trip to packing tips and finances, we have it all covered right here for you.

1) Research & Plan Your Trip

Many travelers have the perception that traveling the world requires an elaborate plan. On the contrary, we recommend travelers take an impromptu trip because some of the best moments in travel are those that are not planned. Without an extensive plan, the trip feels like a real adventure. It is a good idea to have a rough itinerary planned including a short list of must-sees for each place you plan to visit.

Lonely Planet and other travel guide sites can be a great starting point. But making friends everywhere you go always works for the best travel tips. And don’t pass on visiting the local tourist information office.

Wherever you visit, accept recommendations on the fly and just try and be wherever you are. Instead of seeking out all the landmarks to get photos, take some time to wander – there is so much to learn and discover about those places. Coming back with pictures and no experiences from those world-famous landmarks won’t satisfy you.

Most of your research time should be spent on visas. Many visas can be obtained when you set foot in the destination country while others require you to apply well beforehand. Check out the State Department’s website for country specific visa information.

2) See Your Doctor

Before you go, make sure you see your primary care physician and tell him you’re about to travel the world. Get an overall checkup and get your routine vaccines up to date. Vaccinations might sound painful, but there are places in the world that require you to have certain shots before you can enter the country. And if you are traveling to areas like South America or Africa, you’ll want to ask your doctor about a Malaria and Yellow Fever shot.

If you take prescription drugs, especially narcotics and psychotropics, you should do some research about the laws in the countries you plan to visit. Finding the regulations for each destination can be a daunting task, a good tip is to reach out to the embassies and consulates in those countries for advice.

3) Plan Your Finances

Travel medical insurance is a must-have. In the event of an unexpected injury or illness, you’ll be glad you have it. Depending on your age, you can get insurance for less than a dollar a day. Most international insurance carriers have a large network of providers which means you won’t have to pay out of pocket for treatment.

It can be dangerous to carry a lot of cash while traveling. But in many places, ATM’s can be unreliable and have too little cash is also a problem. It’s wise to have someone back home (like a parent) that can access your bank account and wire you money in an emergency. Carry both a MasterCard and a Visa card because, despite what the ads say, they’re not universally accepted.

4) What to Pack

We advise travelers to pack light and buy what you need as you go if your financial situation allows. Do take with you fast drying clothes that you can wash in the hotel sink and hang to dry by morning. Buy good socks and two pairs of high-quality walking shoes. The Savvy Backpacker has an excellent packing guide for both men and women travelers.

You should also have two copies of your passport and other important travel documents. Take one set with you and leave the other back home. Losing your passport overseas can cost you a lot of time and money in delays.

Among your everyday clothes, take one nice outfit for dressing up to attend the theater, concert, or a wedding (you’re going to make friends while you travel the world, right?).

Packing for different climates will just increase your load, and you’ll often wonder why you’re hauling all that extra stuff around. When leaving one climate for another for an extended period, consider making a gift of your things or ask friends to store them and ship them to you if and when you need them.

5) Keep a Journal (or a Blog, Instagram)

It’s a good idea to keep a journal or put your world travel experiences online via a blog or social media platform like Instagram. If you’re not the most tech-savvy person, don’t worry! Blogging platforms like WordPress and Tumblr are super simple to set up, and you can be making digital entries within minutes.

Whether you go old school or new school, a major roadblock for most is what to write. Don’t stress over it, whenever you have a great experience, make an entry.  Start small and build from there, the more you write, the easier it’ll become. Eventually, you’ll find your voice, and you’ll look forward to your updates.

Other things to include in your journal or blog may include your itinerary, a plotted map of your travels and photographs. You can also add tickets, bottle labels, clippings from local papers, receipts, etc.

Ready, Set, Go!

When you set out to travel the world, do it with all your heart. Explore more of the world, the different cultures, languages, people. Whether you are traveling to Europe, South America, Australia, Asia or all of the above, make sure you have a great time and make some wonderful memories that you will cherish forever.

If you work as a flight attendant, the last thing you want is to get sick when you’re far from home. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to avoid. The nature of your work exposes you to countless people every day, some of which may be harboring contagious illnesses. What’s more, staying in foreign countries will put you at risk of common travel bugs from COVID-19 to cholera. Illness can come from contaminated food and water, insect bites, animals, or other people. Being prepared for illness is essential for ensuring a speedy recovery! Here are some tips from Airside Int. to help you stay healthy when you’re on the road.

Be Proactive About Your Health

The best way to avoid illnesses while traveling is to be proactive about your health. Work to keep your body healthy by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and exercising regularly. While this can be tough to do when you work as a flight attendant, there are many tricks out there to make healthy living easier. For example, book accommodations with fitness facilities so you can work out when you get to your hotel. Drink water frequently throughout your shift so you can avoid dehydration. You may also want to try a few hacks to beat jet lag and get a good night’s sleep when you need to spend a few nights abroad.

Save Your Medical Records on Your Phone

If you do get sick, having your medical records on hand will help you get the treatment you need as quickly as possible. Save your medical records as PDFs on your phone so they’re always available at your fingertips. You can store insurance information this way as well. PDFs are ideal because they will always display the same way regardless of the device you’re using. Once you create your PDF, you can download it to an iPad to ensure you never have to rely on wi-fi coverage to have access to your important health information.

Pack a Travel Health Kit

A travel health kit is another great thing to keep with you when you fly. Fit For Travel suggests bringing basic first aid supplies like gauze, aloe vera, a thermometer, antiseptic, anti-histamines, painkillers, and medication to manage travellers’ diarhhoea. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may also want to pack water purification solutions, supplies to help you avoid insect bites and sun protection.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Not only is travel insurance great for your peace of mind, but it can save you from some significant costs should a serious illness come up when you’re far from home. Travel insurance will cover emergency medical expenses as well as the cost of getting you home. And if your illness results in disruptions to your travel or accommodation, your insurance will cover this too. For flight attendants who travel abroad frequently, MoneyHelper.org suggests annual or multi-trip insurance as the most cost-effective option.

Find a British Embassy

British embassies offer support for nationals when traveling abroad. The British embassy can provide you with a list of local healthcare providers and medical facilities where you can seek treatment. If you come down with a serious illness, the embassy can help you inform your family and friends of your condition and assist with the transfer of funds from back home so you can pay for your treatment. The embassy can even contact your family doctor in the UK to facilitate a discussion about your care with your local attending physician.

Getting sick when you’re traveling is not fun at all. Take care of yourself so you can reduce your risk of illness, keep your medical records with you at all times, pack a travel health kit, purchase travel insurance, and make sure you know how to contact your nearest British embassy. By taking these precautions, you’ll be prepared for any illness thrown your way.

7 of the Best Train Trips in Canada and What You’ll See Along the Way

Offering some of the most scenic views in all of North America, Canada’s excellent long-distance train network is a great way to experience all the best of this incredible country, from the pristine beauty of the Canadian Rockies to the dynamic big cities of the East and West Coasts. VIA Rail operates 494 trains per week in eight Canadian provinces over a network of 7,800 miles of track. So whether you travel on VIA Rail’s classic trans-continental train, The Canadian, from Toronto to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper and Vancouver, the inter-city trains between Toronto, Montréal and Québec, or the Ocean from Montréal to Halifax, you’ll experience fresh, chef-prepared meals, comfortable, relaxing amenities, and spectacular views throughout!

Learn more below about 7 of Amtrak Vacations’ best train journeys through Canada and the spectacular stops they make along the way. And remember, you can get there from any one of Amtrak’s 500+ stations in the U.S.!

1. Classic Canada Coast-to-Coast

The Classic Canada Coast to Coast is a once-in-a-lifetime journey across Canada! Experience the quaint seaside community of Halifax in the Canadian Maritimes, then journey by train to Montreal and explore the historic, multi-cultural streets. Visit Toronto, the country’s largest city, and enjoy a full-day tour out to the Ontario side of Niagara Falls and the surrounding area. Next, journey west for an incredible train experience through the Canadian plains and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Your trip ends in Vancouver where you’ll see all the best sights of this diverse and vibrant city.

2. Canadian Rockies Discovery Eastbound

Experience the gorgeous scenery and breathtaking landscapes of the Canadian Rockies on this incredibly scenic rail journey from Vancouver to Calgary. See amazing views of Vancouver from hundreds of feet above the ground at the Vancouver Lookout. Stroll down the charming cobblestone streets of Victoria. Get up close and personal with massive glaciers during an interactive ride on the Ice Explorer. See the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper. Discover everything that Banff has to offer. Finally, discover all Calgary has to offer!

3. Ultimate Canada and Rockies Westbound

Learn what truly makes the Canadian Rockies so majestic on this amazing journey through four different cities and a fun day trip to Niagara Falls! Tour all the splendid sites of Toronto, including the lovely Harbourfront. Get up close and personal with Niagara Falls with a cruise on the lake. Sip local delicious wine during a winery tour. Explore the spectacular natural treasures of Jasper National Park. Experience breathtaking views of the Rockies during the ride of a lifetime aboard the Jasper Skytram. Visit one of the largest expanses of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, the Columbia Icefield in Banff. Enjoy two days of sightseeing in Vancouver. You’ll be talking about this trip for years to come!

4. Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies by Rail

Experience spectacular landscapes and scenery on this 11-day adventure to Glacier National Park and the Canadian Rockies. Discover the beauty of Glacier National Park as you travel along the world-famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Enjoy one of the most scenic train journeys as you travel through the Canadian Rockies. Tour the Icefields Parkway and ride an Ice Explorer vehicle onto Athabasca Glacier. Explore the picturesque mountain town of Banff and take in the splendour of Lake Louise while relaxing at the historical Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

5. Seattle, Vancouver, and Victoria Rail Journey

Enjoy 7-days of sightseeing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on this multi-city journey. Experience the sparkling metropolis of Seattle. Travel all around the city on a sightseeing tour that will take you to the city’s harbour front, the busy Pioneer Square, and to the iconic Space Needle where you can explore its observation deck, towering over 500 feet above the city. After that enjoy the mesmerizing artwork at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. After your time in Seattle, board the Amtrak’s scenic Cascades train route for your trip up to Vancouver. While there, you will travel around the city on a sightseeing tour that will show you the best of what Vancouver has to offer. Then experience the beautiful and lush forests of British Columbia on the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Next up is the charming seaside town of Victoria where you will get to experience the beauty of Butchart Gardens. A magical experience awaits on this 7-day journey!

6. Canadian Rail Experience

Enjoy an experience unlike any other on the Canadian Rail Experience! Capture all of the culture and excitement of both Toronto and Vancouver with fun and user-friendly hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours! Then board VIA Rail’s Canadian for the cross-country trip to the west. Capture the pure beauty and majestic sights of the many plains, mountains, lakes, and glaciers as you travel through the Canadian countryside. With so much to take in on your cross-Canada trip, the travel becomes the destination on this Canadian Rail Experience!

7. New York and Eastern Canada

Travel from the “Big Apple” to the scenic Niagara Falls and on to the historical and cultural Eastern Canada on this 11-day journey. Start in New York where you will explore the city with a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour that will bring you to such iconic New York spots as the Empire State Building and Central Park. From there you are on to Eastern Canada where you will visit the majestic Niagara Falls, multi-cultural Toronto, and the historic cities of Montreal and Quebec City. While in Niagara you will enjoy a full-day tour of the city and surrounding areas. In Toronto, you will explore with another hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour and admission to the CN Tower. You will also enjoy sightseeing tours in Montreal and Quebec City. An exciting New York and Canadian journey awaits you!

For frequent flyers, air travel is a normal part of their life. However, for some people, it’s frightening and a major source of anxiety.

Fear of flying can be due to any of the reasons including fear of enclosed spaces, fear of heights, fear of turbulence, or fear of being out of control.

However, if the thought of flying in a plane sent shivers down your spine and you break out in a cold sweat, read these facts about air travel to help manage your flying anxiety:

1. Flying is the safest form of transport

Plane crashes are extremely rare, and when they do happen the media focusses on them because they are so rare.

As per an article published in the popular news magazine The Week, a study conducted by Harvard University found that the chances of a plane crash are 1 in 1.2 million, and the chances of dying in a plane crash are 1 in 11 million.

In fact, you’re much more likely to die in a car, bus or train accident than in a plane crash.

More than 4 billion people travel by plane each year and in an article published on Popular Science, it states that flying is definitely the safest mode of transport.

2. Pilots are re-tested every 6 months

What you might now know is that pilots have to be re-tested every 6 months to prove their competency and if they don’t pass their simulator test then they are not allowed to fly.

I don’t know of any other industry that re-tests its experts to keep the public safe.

3. A plane can fly safely with just one engine

Many people assume that you need both engines to fly a plane.

However, a twin-engine aircraft can fly safely if one of the engines does not work properly. In fact, even if both engines fail a plane could glide using the principle of flight and this is regularly practiced in the simulator as well as other emergency procedures.

For example, in 2001, Air Transat Flight 236 landed safely without any engine power and with zero fatalities.

4. Turbulence is not dangerous to the plane

For many passengers, turbulence is the most frightening aspect of air travel.

However, turbulence is a normal part of flying, and not in any way dangerous to the plane.

The main danger is people falling over in the aisle if they are not strapped in during a turbulence episode and this is why for your safety the seat belt signs go on when there is a whisper of turbulence.

So always remember to return to your seat and buckle up during turbulence!

5. Oxygen masks really do work!

There’s an old myth that oxygen masks on planes are not effective, but this is false.

When the oxygen pressure in the cabin drops below a certain mark, bags containing the oxygen masks will fall automatically.

It may not seem like there could be enough oxygen to survive, but there is plenty and nothing to be concerned about.

In the end…

No matter how many times nervous flyers read the statistics about flying safety, some people still feel anxious.

It’s such a shame because their fear of flying can affect both their personal and professional life.