Global tours have been a goal of many travelers. The Magellan Route is a memorial of the first around the world voyage. Ferdinand Magellan undertook this exploration to discover things about the Pacific and Indian oceans. The effects of this trip are still visible now. The Panama canal was planned based on the route. Before Magellan, the longest tour in the world was the Silk Road. It spans some 4000 miles.
The global experience is becoming more common. Sascha Grabow is one of the most recent examples. A professional tennis player, he wanted to learn from other cultures. Starting at 17 he set out to spend a month in each country. By 2016, he had visited all 193 UN countries. He’s documented his travels in books and photos. Sal Lavallo beat the record in 2017 by visiting those same 193 countries by age 27.
These are some tips that they and other travellers have determined to be most relevant for your tour.
1. Create a Steady Income
A complete global experience takes time and dedication. This means that the traditional 9-to-5 probably isn’t going to give someone the time they need. Luckily, that style of career isn’t the only choice. According to CNBC, 70% of people around the world work remotely at least once a week. Almost any job can be done from a distance now, including:
- Freelance writing;
- Social media management;
- Website design;
- Graphic design;
- Virtual assistants.
These only name a few of the many jobs that are available from wherever you may roam. There are also jobs that skilled individuals can accept from place to place. Bartenders, for instance, can find jobs moonlighting in different bars around the world.
2. Talk to the Bank and Handle Credit Cards
Going on a trip and starting to make international purchases is a red flag for your bank. There are a few steps you can take to secure your account First, talk to the bank about the trip – give them a heads up that there are going to be international purchases.
Many travelers also find credit cards useful. Some have no foreign transaction fees and some let users earn rewards when they travel. They can also help break up payments with large expenses such as hotels and travel.
3. Think About Current Deals
Seldom, you are so debilitated that you may easily overlook highly essential affairs like passing the exam, doing some exercises or else. Primarily, it concerns students because they are always in a hurry, still hanging here and there, etc. As a rule, they are so overloaded that they forget to write some academic papers they need right now.
To get some rest from all the studying routine, students tend to use so-called helpers, ask Google some requests as write my essay online or else. However, not only undergraduates stuck in a rut. Adults as well can suffer a lot, be in a hustle, etc. Before you are leaving for the trip, make sure that all your deals are okay.
4. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
Before going anywhere, schedule a doctor’s appointment. There are a few reasons to do so. The first that comes to mind for many is that certain areas may require additional vaccinations. It’s also going to save some hassle to fill prescriptions before leaving. A doctor can help their patients learn how to handle ongoing medications as they travel and how to travel with a medical diet.
5. Invest in Travel and Health Insurance
According to the US Travel Insurance Association, about one in six Americans face complications when they travel. This includes everything from mechanical delays to severe weather and even illness and injury. Unfortunately, they also reported that only 22% had traveler insurance. Without travel insurance, it can be hard to cover the expenses these problems cause. The more you travel, the more important this insurance is.
Health insurance should be on the table as well. Not every company offers international insurance, so it’s best to double-check. If they don’t offer it, there are short-term plans available for travelers. Just remember not to go without it. Much like travel insurance, it’s important to have it before something goes wrong rather than after.
6. Consider Visas
Additionally to a passport, some places require a visa, especially for extended stays. Let’s start with passports. At the very least a passport expiration date should be 6 months after entering a new country.
As for visas, some countries require visitors to obtain tourist visas. Some countries – like China – offer multi-year visas for those that plan on leaving and coming back. Obtaining these visas can be a time-consuming task, so it’s best to apply as early as possible.
7. Be Flexible
On the note of things going wrong, it’s crucial to be ready. There are going to be hurdles along the way and changes will have to be made. To have a successful and fun time traveling, you’ll need to be ready for those changes.
8. Spend Time with the Locals
Staying at a resort and only eating familiar food works for a short family vacation. However, it comes with two major drawbacks. For one, it’s incredibly expensive. In addition, it gives you a greatly watered-down experience. One way to save money is to cook in the place you’re staying if there’s a kitchen. To get a more authentic cultural experience, spend some time with the locals.
Try some street food and explore on your own. It’s a good idea to try and pick up on a few key phrases in the language to help everything go smoothly. Before, however, do your research about customs and hazards of the culture and area you wish to get acquainted with.
9. Travel Warnings and Advisories
It’s critical to note that some locales call for a more cautious exploration than others. For example, the U.S. Department of State suggests a little more caution in France and Germany than Ireland and Poland. It’s a good idea to look around online and gather as much advice as possible before arriving in a new country. There are also more short-term advisories such as natural disasters or riots to consider before taking off.
The State Department also takes individuals into consideration with their Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). While not required for a trip, it does allow the State Department to help someone more readily if needed.
10. Always Carry Copies of Documents
This one might seem a little over the top, but there’s no such thing as being too prepared. Having a colored photocopy of a passport will go a long way for anyone if they realize the actual passport was lost.
Since the modern age is digital, many documents can be kept online as well. The biggest piece of advice for this, though, is to ensure that any user passwords are strong enough to provide the utmost security. Someone breaking in to steal documents can be a real risk.
11. Additional Fees
Travel takes a lot of investing – updating passports, purchasing visas, and so on. To make that budget as accurate as possible, it’s crucial to look up a country’s entrance and exit fees. Take Argentina, for example. They don’t require a visa for up to 90 days but they do charge those tourists a $160 reciprocity fee.
You should also check into exchange rates before going to a new country. The money you have in one country likely has a different worth in another. It can be problematic to find out at the last minute that you don’t have as much money as you originally thought. Exchange rates change depending on the national and international economy, so make sure to double-check before setting off.
Conclusion
Traveling the world is an experience that can’t be matched. But, it isn’t an experience that anyone can jump into blind. Think about the work that goes into coordinating a family vacation: it can be a handful. It only makes sense that a tour around the world would take careful planning.
That doesn’t mean it’s inaccessible, though. Rather, you just need to know some of the tips that will help planning to go smoother. With insider tips like the ones we’ve looked at here, you’ll be ready to take off and explore the world in no time.
