Travel

7 Travel Tips For Overseas Holidays

overseas holiday, South Korea Holiday

Thinking of leaving for an overseas holiday? Other than looking at the itinerary, here are 7 practical tips that would help you to have a fuss & stress free break from the daily grind:

Tip 1: Do You Need a Visa?

This is one of the most important checks to make as not applying for a visa for the country you are visiting will put a hard stop to your travel plans right at your departing airport. Visa requirements also change over time. So, check for the latest news and travel advisories at reputable government sites such as Smart Traveller.

Tip 2: Free & Easy or Group Tour?

If you are a free spirit and like to do your own explorations at your own time, it may be better to book a free & easy holiday. It does mean more homework before the trip to find out the local attractions and the ways to get there. The other option would be to join a group tour where the activities and travel for each day are all taken care of. This latter option frees you to really enjoy every moment without the stress of having to work out the logistics of being there and getting to the next attraction. However, travelling with a big group does comes with it own challenges. There may be people that annoy you (with their incessant talking, for example) and the tour guide sets the (largely non-negotiable) move out timings for each day of the tour.

Tip 3: Bring Cash or Card?

In the past, we used to bring along wads of foreign currencies whenever I travelled. Paying in cash is universally accepted, especially by small businesses such as street vendors. We have since discovered travel products such as the WISE multi-currency card. We are able to set up such a card with different foreign currencies and use the card overseas very much like a debit card. Of course, not all vendors accept payments by card so it is still a good idea to carry smaller amounts of foreign cash with you when you are abroad.

Tip 4: Get Travel Insurance

We cannot not stress this enough. Travel insurance is necessary. Check if your credit card company offers complimentary travel insurance and the scope of the cover. Insurance companies such as Allianz or Cover-More provide travel insurance policies at reasonable rates.

Tip 5: Stay Alert

Nothing spoils a holiday quicker than being pick pocketed or scammed. There are lots of YouTube videos showing the ways how criminal gangs work in popular tourist spots to rip off unsuspecting holiday makers. Invest in good quality backpacks or pouches when travelling. Above all, stay alert at all times. Personally, I do not bring expensive items with me when I go overseas. I have a cheap Seiko watch and a old beat up camera specifically for use during travelling.

Tip 6: Food Safety

Depending on new country you are heading for, food safety and preparation may or may not feature highly. It is a good idea to err on the side of caution when eating street food from small vendors, for example. As a rule, I do not eat cold food or drinks from street vendors. Go for freshly made hot foods and cold drinks only from sealed containers (such as canned drinks). Of course, pack along anti-diarrhea medications together with every trip.

Tip 7: Keep Others Informed

It is wise to let your loved ones in the know about basic details of your trip. When things go pear shaped, you will want people back home to at least know where you are in order to help you!